Bollywood actors Kangana Ranaut and Aditi Rao Hydari contributed the oomph appeal on the inauguration of India Couture Week, which opened in Delhi on Wednesday. About her look, Kangana said, “I had fun. I felt a little choked because it was so painfully romantic. I enjoyed it.” Anju had earlier said that she chose Kangana after seeing her look in the film Rangoon.
Tarun Tahiliani dressed Aditi in an off-shoulder peach lehenga with an embroidered train while Anju Modi chose a Victorian look for Kangana who wore a cream gold lehenga with an ornate maroon velvet jacket.
Tarun’s collection juxtaposed European construction with classic Indian styles and embroideries. The collection had delicate gossamer-wrapped silhouettes with Indian embroideries of zardozi, ari, gota-patti and chikankari. Also apparent were fine threadwork of traditional Indian embroidery techniques of chikankari, zardozi, ari and shadow-work. And opals and Swarovski crystals were meticulously soldered onto transferred fabrics. Vivid bursts of three-dimensional florals dominated the collection in the innovative crafting of ribbon-twisted organza, chiffon couching, twisted sheer silk, laser-cut textiles, and detailed applique – each panel of bridal and cocktail lehengas, concept saris, gowns, jackets, and modern saris layered in multi-dimensional detailing. The menswear line too had a similar ethereal lightness. Seamless constructions of fit and fall translate throughout the line of hand-embroidered muted monotones. Ivory, mauve, powder blue and tea-rose straddle one end of the solid colour-wheel, while ebony and burgundy complete the circle. Contrast detailing in deep peach, ochre, orange and paisley add vibrant bursts of auspicious colour to debonair sherwanis, bandhgalas and bandhis.
Victorian era’s beautiful art and architecture, classic literature and ostentatious fashion was the theme for Anju Modi who this time moved away from her traditional Indian look and adopted an ‘English’ colour palette for this collection. The silhouettes of the outfits were ornate and elaborate. The menswear collection also harked back to the Victorian era with metallic stripes on long-sleeves and embellished brooches. Long flowing kurtas in jewel tones were paired with straight pants in a departure from the usual churidar kurta look.
