Shivan & Narresh
‘Speed’ was a presentation to remember with black acrylic ramp, high-tech laser show and an opening with waves of Technicolor strobes, to set the mood for the first collection by designers Shivan & Narresh.
Inspired by Equus, ‘Speed’ reflected the shimmer of metallic sheen and the grace of creations with new fabrics imitating the gloss of horse’s skin, exciting handmade louvered jerseys molded into unique maillots, bikinis, dresses, gowns, saris, tankinis, trikinis, jumpsuits and shirts.
The designers introduced their newest edition of saris and kaftan saris, called “Kafsuits” which enchanted and mesmerised the public. The performance was marked by the reminders of horse mane highlighting the bodice and necks of garments and recreated the tassels of royal horses with abstract horse print in black for the maillots and geometric motifs to break the solid colour tones.
Breathtaking body molding creations in a palette of grey, brown, beige, ice grey, black and acid passed up and down the catwalks on 26 amazing pieces of clothing. For the grand finale, a slinky gown with the long horse mane as the only embellishment in front, reminded the audience very firmly about the speed of DHL and the imagery of the stallion, surpassing the public’s expectations.
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Swapnil Shinde
Swapnil Shinde presented his ultra chic collection inspired by DHL’s theme speed at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012
“Frozen Fragility”, by Swapnil Shinde, brought the shivers of horror and excitement to Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012. Inspired by Bollywood’s horror films of the 50’s and early 60’s, the designer created an ultra-mod collection that walked the LFW catwalk through the strains of eerie music and an equally eerie display of laser lights.
With silhouettes borrowed from the two eras, Swapnil had cinched waistlines, voluminous skirts, exaggerated sleeves and large prominent shoulder emphasis for the almost space age like creations but with a unique fragile delicate quality. The colours ranged from black and ivory to various shades of slate and steel blue, blood red and sunflower yellow. With clever fabrics manipulation such as folding and pleating, Shinde presented an extremely stylish and fashionable horror show to the audience.
The white draped sari gown with gold belt, the draped organza bodice with long shirt, the shirt cum dress, the ribbed silk kimono sleeve version, the sari gown in steel blue and the yellow draped mini with wired wings fitted into the inspiration. Exaggerated wired brocade blouses with pleated skirts and the final three white, black and yellow full legth gowns with upright wired effects not only denoted speed but the free flowing drape of garments.
The collection was simply a fashion break-through and will most definitely be a must have in all fashion lovers wardrobe.
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Article by Hannah D. Marques
Images courtesy of Lakmé India Fashion Week
