Mumbai: The fourth day of the FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week started with stars walking the ramp. Starting with Tara Sutaria who walked for designer Aisha Rao’s show wearing a beautiful ensemble of motif heavy lehenga paired with an off-shoulder blouse.
Tara Sutaria with Aisha Rao |
Taking inspiration from Trencadís, a type of folk art in which broken tile mosaics are pieced together like a jigsaw, the entire collection embraced Catalan Modernisme and Art Nouveau.
Aisha Rao’s Trencadís |
The Hyderabad-based designer looks back at Barcelona, the city which inspired her to pursue a career in design at IED.
Aisha Rao’s Trencadís |
With a line-up of striking, chromatically-inspired ensembles that captured the essence of Barcelona’s sculptural and architectural masterpieces like the whimsical creations by Antoni Gaudí and his Catalan contemporaries, striking Gothic cathedrals, and avant-garde works, the showcase featured Rao’s signature appliqué lehengas characterised by freedom of form, voluptuous colour and texture, and organic unity — much like Gaudí’s work.
Aisha Rao’s Trencadís |
There were also sarees and dresses inspired by complex geometries and the panoramas in Spain.
Aisha Rao’s Trencadís |
Many of the garments in the collection were crafted with up-cycled fabrics, along with Georgette Dobby adorned with gold and silver filament, which gave brocade-like tactility. The prints were given a new lease of life with intricately-executed badla work.
Aisha Rao’s Trencadís |
Rich hues like Spanish red and lapis lazuli blue were the highlight of Rao’s vividly-coloured creations. The multiplicity of the tints was brought together beautifully with the help of botanical motifs, stunning landscapes, and sculptural forms rendered on the ensembles.
Aisha Rao’s Trencadís |
There were many outfits encrusted in sequins making them perfect for day-to-night dressing.
The second collection was worn by Genelia Deshmukh who walked for designer Varun Nidhika.
Genelia Deshmukh with Varun Nidhika |
The duo’s collection called Swarn paid homage to the relentless female power, a picture of grace and strength, bold and sensual.
Swarn by Varun Nidhika |
The collection painted imagery of an enchanted wilderness of sprouting Palms, intertwined with lattice patterns.
Swarn by Varun Nidhika |
Fabrics such as silk organza and metallic knits were draped in silhouettes in a palette of gold and black.
Swarn by Varun Nidhika |
The hand-crafted embroidered motifs cutouts added a layer of delicacy to the collection.
Swarn by Varun Nidhika |
The idea of molten metal is rendered into gold and rusted-hued metallic tape embroideries.
Swarn by Varun Nidhika |
Structured jackets, co-ord sets, draped sarees, and elaborate dresses were part of the collection.
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