Designer Anita Dongre at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014

One of the best-known Indian designers at the forefront of the Indian fashion scene for over 20 years, Anita Dongre, was present once again to display her latest collection at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014. She participated not only as a designer but she is also on the Advisory Board of the event. Indeed her experience and her knowledge are incredibly valuable for the management of such an event. 

As her passion to contemporise Indian heritage, she showcased her latest beautiful collection called “India Modern” on the third day of Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014. This collection celebrated Indian crafts and textiles in a modern context with contemporary designs and shapes. Anita Dongre brought to the runway beautiful Indian clothes such as bridal lehengas paired with crop tops, embroidered pants, couture gowns etc. All made with fabrics, colors and techniques that show the talent of the Indian craft with the modern touch of the designer. It is described as a reflection of an assured 21st century confident woman, who is sensuous, determined and knows exactly what she wants, yet cherishes her Indian roots.

The show was presented by the tea manufacturer Taj Mahal Tea. Anita Dongre loves drinking tea, in particular she likes the Taj Mahal brand's teas and that is why she said, “I think it is a good association”.  But not only about her tea preference but this association it is also linked with her passion for Indian heritage and that is what she explained: “It is heritage yet contemporary and is a connoisseur's choice, which is why I have associated with the brand."

Let’s have a look on the beautiful pictures of this remarkable show:

 

Anita Dongre on the runway with models

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LIMITED EDITION - Unique Scarves Designed by Indian Designer Khyati Sahni

Have you heard about the scarves’ collection from designer Khyati Sahni ? You must hurry if you want to get one of these outstanding scarves that are available for less than one month!

We appreciate this collection because of its bright colours and the original patterns.This lovely range will perfectly match with all of your styles. Let’s see some of the styles that we particularly chose and matched with creations of others designers.

 

The Floral appliqued scarf of Designer Khyati Sahni with
the Red Fine Polka Dots Dress of Designer Michelle Salins

This adorable white scarf has hand woven stripe detailing on its border and gorgeous floral applique work in red. It is great with this red polka dotted sleeveless dress for casuals outing.

 

The Striking Pink Sequined Scarf of Designer Khyati Sahni with
the Black Two Tiered Dress of Designer Michelle Salins

This Pink scarf with its rows of sequin work adds a touch of glamour to this fully lined black outfit with embroidered shoulder. A unique style to feel original and confident.

The Designer Khyati Sahni’s Animal Print Beaded Scarf with 
Designer Neeru Kumar’s Kantha Vintage Reversible Jacket

This scarf has animal prints all over it in the colours of white, black and brown complemented by vibrant red border that has crochet lace with bead work embroidery on it. This perfectly matches with this one of a kind jacket made with vintage fabrics.

 

What about the designer? Khyati Sahni is an Indian accessories designer who designs gorgeous scarves with playful feminine detailing. The designs are beautifully adorned with lovely tassels and pretty embroideries. Her sophisticated products work well with varieted looks.  

See more here

An Indian/Western Style Jacket: The Bandhgala Jacket

You have to go to an event and you know that everyone will probably wear a tuxedo but you want to be different. Or maybe you just want to try something original so the Bandhgala will perfectly suit you for what you want.

This particular Jacket is a shorter version of an Achkan, a long collared jacket with button that evolved after a blend of European and Indian style in the mid-19th century. Indeed the Bandhgala sports a western cut with an Indian touch, like hand embroidered detailing and a Nehru collar. Although its popularity is mainly due to Jawaharlal Nehru (India's first Prime Minister), who as a leader spread the style by extensively wearing this style of jacket.

Bandhgala's are also popular and are worn by celebrities. For example Actor Shah Rukh Khan was once spotted in a black bandhgala. Also Kabir Bedi and Saif Ali Khan have frequently worn them. “The bandhgala represents India and is the best answer to a formal suit,” said Kabir Bedi.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan

Actor Kabir Bedi

Saif Ali Khan

The formal jackets are usually make with silk, cashmere, khadi, wool but you can also find Bandhgalas made with linen, cotton chino and silk. More and more designers are using lighter fabrics to make jackets as light as possible.

Who said though that these jackets are only for a special event? You can wear it with trousers for weddings or more formal occasions. You can also wear a coat with it or combine with a pair of jeans and stay elegant in more casual moments. Depending on what you like you can find them in different colours from bright to dark.

 

Black Linen Nehru Jacket 

This Jacket was made by Indian Fashion Designer Manoviraj Khosla. He creates contemporary styles using tradional Indian Techniques.

Do you want to get your own? Have a look at this collection of designer bandhgalas.

The Textile Minister at the 2nd day of the Lakme Fashion Week Winter-Festive 2014

To celebrate the Indian Handlooms and Textiles day, Santosh Gangwar - Textile Minister, inaugurated the 2nd day of Lakme Fashion Week's Winter Festive 2014 edition. The celebration of this particular day was first introduced in the fashion show in 2012.

Many thought that it will be just for once, like other projects in the past but 2 years, but this initiative has continued and its popularity has not ceased to grow. The spotlight was on handwoven fabrics like chanderi, tussar silk, khadi and honoured indigenous dyeing techniques and organic practices of the designers.

The beautiful actress Shriya Saran walked on the ramp wearing a floral print sari with a lightly embellished scoop-neck green blouse and a nathni explained, "I always support handloom designs because I feel it's an art of India that is gradually dying out. I personally associate with Sashikant's use of organic fashion."

Here are some pictures of the inauguration :

  

After the inauguration and the speech of the minister, the program was settled and the shows began : 

- Show 1 : Debashri Samanta, Divya Sheth, Sayantan Sarkar

- Show 2 : Anavila, Purvi Doshi, Sashikant Naidu

- Show 3 : Prama by Pratima Pandey, Pinnacle-Shruti Sancheti

- Show 4 : Rouka by Sreejith Jeevan, N&S Gaia by Sidharth Sinha

- Show 5 : Marg by Soumitra, Vaishali S.

- Show 6 : Anuj Sharma

- Show 7 : Krishna Metha

- Show 8 : Swati Vijaivargie Jain, Harshitaa Chatterjee Deshpande

- Show 9 : Sanjay Garg

All shows had their individual mood and their own personality. From traditional to more contemporary or neutral to colourful, the beautiful collections of the designers had captured audience’s attention and proudly represented the ancestral know-how of India.

You want to see beautiful pictures of the Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014 and have more information? Why don't you have a look at a presentation about the Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014 collections presented on Day 1?

See also Anita Dongre at LFW!

organic practices

organic practices

New Collection of Beautiful Sarees by Indian Designer Reuben

We love the new collection of traditional indian sarees by the designer label Reuben. These handwoven sarees will make you feel comfortable for every type of situation: traditional events, casuals occasions, or simply, going to work.

You want to be sober or more colourful ? This collection has been made for you to be elegant in either case !

                                                                        Black Handwoven Saree

       Vibrant Grey Saree

                                                                                                
      Purple Handwoven Saree











Reuben is an Indian women's designer label by Indian Fashion Designer Priti Mukherjee which is an ode to versatile facets of womanhood and celebrating life.

You want to see more Indian Fashion? Click here

Salwar Kameez - Popular Indian Fashion Apparel

If you are the type of woman who finds wearing jeans and tops too suffocating and modern apparel not flattering enough for your figure, then Salwar Kameez wear is the ideal option for you. It is commonly believed that Salwar Kameezes are normally simple with plain patterns. This is not true there are plenty of different and exciting patterned Salwar Kameezes.

Salwar Kameez came from the Mughal reign. Other clothing items from this region are churidars, sharara and lehengas. It is thought that Salwar Kameez is the conventional dress of Punjab.

Traditionally Salwar Kameez has been worn with knee length Kurtas. Today the tradition of wearing them has been modernized and girls have started wearing them with bandeau tops and long shirts.

Salwar Kameez has been made popular in the west due to the Bollywood celebrities wearing them to high profile events. These traditional dresses are often made with a variety of rich fabrics, silk, tissue, Crepe, Chiffon and Georgettes. There is often beaded work on the neckline and shoulders. Extensive sequins are also used combined with patterns and colours that capture the eye.

Often there are different Salwar worn in the outfits, for example a churidar salwar is a baggy drawstring trouser. Wearing this item with a Kameez Kurta creates a classy, cool and sophisticated look.

See also how Indian and Western styles can be combined together!

Bollywood Stars on the Ramp at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014

Bollywood and Indian Fashion Designers work very close to each other. A lot of the movie stars are on the catwalk for the designers in the different fashion weeks.

Leading ladies from Bollywood are usually a fixture on the catwalk, usually for their favourite designers. The close relationship is not surprising because consumers and media usually look to the shows for inspirations for their looks.

Some of the bollywood stars that stood out for us during the Lakme Fashion Week are shown here! The beautiful pictures are from Lakme Fashion Week