WHILE THE outside world was moving faster than light, on the third day of the Synergy One Delhi Couture Week designers Shantanu and Nikhil, and Manish Malhotra decided to take the audience back to the bygone eras through their respective collections. From the voluminous gowns of the Elizabethan era, to the royalty-inspired grand outfits of India coming straight out of the early 19th century, the day was a reminiscence of old-world charm.
Designe
r duo Shantanu and Nikhil, who are famous for their signature gowns, showcased their couture collection “Perfume,” which they said was meant for a “contemporary bride, who wants to break the rules and be uninhibited.” The audiences sitting at the main stage area were taken back in time when the models walked in their crystal-studded “meringue-like” gowns, with Doris Day’s Dream A Little Dream of Me playing in the background. Model Joey Matthews opened the show and strutted seductively in a lavish orange gown with metallic silver embroidery at the bodice.
The designer duo created a line of cocktail gowns, saris, lehengas and long jackets using rich fabrics like tulle, silk, satin, velvet and taffeta. Use of antique laces, pearls, crystals and minimal metallic embellishments at the waist area gave a very feminine touch to the ensembles. They highlighted their outfits by using high ruffled collars, embellished necks, rosette motifs and heavy layering in the bottom. The showstopper for this Elizabethan collection was actress Sonakshi Sinha, who looked like a princess in an ivory-white lehenga paired with high-collar jacket, whi-ch was studded with crystals and silver embroidery. Her parents Poonam and Shatrughan Sinha graced the show to cheer up for their daughter. After a dreamy collection from the Western vintage era, it was the turn of designer Manish Malhotra, whose unnamed collection was inspired from the royal era of India that prevailed from 1920 to 1940. There’s a reason that Bollywood actors swear by Manish’s clothes, his outfits have a charm and oomph factor that can turn anyone into a star, and no wonder his collection was a hit with the high-end crowd of the capital. His all-time muse actor Urmila Matondkar, who specially attended the show, looked stunning in an orange silk anarkali designed by Manish. Manish’s stunning show-starter was actor Sonam Kapoor, who walked in an ivory lehenga paired with a red long jacket, which was accentuated by golden embroidery. The models later displayed some dazzling net saris, anarkalis, and lehengas in bright contrasting colours like crimson, burgundy, mint green, peacock-blue etc. He used traditional floral embroideries, zardozi work, semi-precious stones and thick zari borders in his ensembles to bring alive the royal era on the ramp.
He also created a menswear line using beige, fawn, royal-blue, grey-black and off-white colours. Manish added his signature bling touch to the menswear by using sequins and heavy embroidery at the borders. His specially designed shinny black shoes with golden embroidery matched perfectly with his menswear collection. Talking about his collection Manish said, “We showcased 31 ensembles today for both men and women. I designed these outfits using velvet, silk, net and satin fabrics. In my opinion, Indian garments look much better on red carpet than any western outfit. Through this collection I have tried to revive the elegance of Indian royal era for modern day brides and grooms, who love to go by the classics.”