Sheer and shine at couture carnival

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It’s that time of the year when the capital celebrates fashion in its full glory. The tug of war to get the biggest and most glamorous designers, models, showstoppers and sponsors has already created a buzz. As the fourth edition of Delhi Couture Week is back, the participating designers are geared up to entice fashion lovers with interesting themes and collections, which they say is ‘real’ couture.
The opening show by designer Anju Modi takes inspiration from the mythical beauty Draupadi, who was a woman of multiplicity — fiery yet compassionate, strong and gentle. Her first line ‘Marriage to Pandavas,’ starts with celebratory colours like crimsons, caramels, tamarinds and golds. The next sub-line called ‘Game of dice’ uses shades like grey, indigo and maroon to reflect the dilemma and chaos echoing within.
Highlighting the overall theme of this edition, Sunil Sethi, president, FDCI, says, “The theme for the fourth edition of PCJ Couture Week is understated haute couture. In almost all the collections, one can see how beautifully the designers have used fine tailoring and detailing to create artistic ensembles. The idea is to promote minimal sense of style and for us ‘less is more’ with no over-the-top gimmicks.”
For the Satya Paul Demi Couture collection, designer Masaba Gupta, who will be showing a couture line on the Indian ramp for the first time, mentions, “Demi Couture is a movement that began in 2004. The word ‘demi’ means ‘half’, so demi couture literally means ‘half-couture’. The idea of Satya Paul Demi Couture is to create something that is far more intricate and detailed compared to prêt, yet accessible when compared to haute couture. I think young girls would love our light jumpsuit saris and shirt lehengas. The highlight of this collection is the fact that it’s been created for my generation — the one that wants to hold on to classics, with a certain newness.”
On the other hand, designer Monisha Jaising’s “Happily ever after” collection is about capturing a mood that makes a bride feel beautiful by invoking childhood dreams of fairytale and romance. The designer’s collection features elegant silhouettes, softly-sculpted silks, luxurious velvet and French lace with intricately beaded bodices. For men she has created Prince sherwanis teamed with leggings exuding old world glamour and bohemian beauty. She has also designed lingerie-inspired gowns and body-hugging floor-length gowns for modern day brides.
Inspired by the princely states of India in the 1930s, designer Manish Malhotra’s collection for the finale blends cross-cultural influences — an old-world mix of traditional Indian motifs, and the influences of British culture on the affluent Indian lifestyle.
Speaking about his theme, Manish says, “My collection includes all my signature styles in old textured silk, velvets embellished with intricate old gold/dull silver embroidery and classic Chantilly lace which is reminiscent of that time particularly. All the elements like embroideries, laces, silhouettes, necklines are typically of that era. The low backs exude the old world charm. The Chantilly lace depicts natural elegance and the high neck silhouettes capture the British influence on the Indian fashion scenario.”