16 October 2022, Mumbai:
Diksha Khanna’s show at Lakmé Fashion Week was based on the concept of liminality.
Liminal spaces were reflected in the designer’s intriguing mix of natural dyed handwoven denim and linens in indigo, Rubia orange, and Arabica browns, neutralized with ivory and beiges. Reimagining empty stairwells as 3D ladder hems on coat lapels the random abstractness was interpreted through cord ravel techniques forming patterns on linens. The rugged khadi denim stood out with hand-woven chanderi work.
Another showcase by Riddhi Jain Satija was all about experimenting with jamdani and bandhani. Taking inspiration from artists Itchiku Kubota and Jeremy Gardiner, the collection reimagined the garment as a second skin. Supplementary metallic yarns drew straight lines across the shoulder, while minuscule bandhani dots clustered together with astounding compactness.
Swatti Kapoor’s collection was inspired by the pomegranate which is depicted in mythological paintings as an attribute of the Greek goddess of love Venus.
The goddess is said to have planted the first pomegranate tree on the island of Cyprus. With fine chanderi, khadimul set with pintucks, pleating, block printing, hand embroidery, and other kinds of fabric manipulation and beaded hand embroidery, the collection of skirts, tunics, overlays, scarves, dupattas, dresses, pants, and kurtas was the highlight of men’s and women’s wear of modern India.
Lakme Fashion Week is on in Mumbai, from October 12 to 16, 2022.
