FDCI India Couture Week 2016 is treating us to the finest couture designs from India. Yesterday Anita Dongre showcased her bridal couture collection ‘Epic Love’. Her debut show at India Couture Week and what a show it was!
Her show began with pieces inspired by Chintz, which is glazed calico (plain woven) textile printed with flower designs and other patterns in bright colors on a plain background. Bohemian gypsy styles!
The collection also included regal style pieces. Lehengas decorated with Anita Dongre’s signature Gota Patti work (a type of Indian embroidery originated in Rajasthan, India) on prints or teamed up with thread work. Breath taking pieces in rich wine, orange and classic reds, creams and gold shades. A very diverse collection.
Tarun Tahiliani‘s collection presented by Crystals by Swarovski is named ‘The Last Dance of the Courtesans’
The new couture collection encapsulates the allure of the fabled Indian Courtesan, sadly misrepresented in most of Bollywood as “fallen women” – In fact they were the custodians of beauty, fashion, poetry, dance and music. Their ascendant star shone even brighter when in favour with royal patronage bringing the highest light through poetry, dance, song and more.
In Indian history the courtesan was much more than just a woman ‘entertaining’ those with wealth. Something we instantly think about when hearing the word courtesan. So in this regard Tahiliani re-educates us.
For this collection Tahiliani used the sheerest fabrics in tulle, sheer silks and light brocades mixed with fine thread work and crystals. The color palette includes red, sunset orange and shades of romantic pastels in beige, blush pink, peaches, jade and ivory.
Tarun Tahiliani’s focus on fine detail is praise worthy, the designs are beautifully embellished and embroidered. It clearly seperates him from other designers who simply go for a ‘total package’ without giving much effort to the fine details. When putting a magnifying glass on those designs one would notice sloppy work. This wouldn’t happen with Tahiliani’s work. His work is perfection! What I also noticed with this collection is that he mixes classic, traditional silhouettes with contemporary style in a non-obvious way. A perfect merge between traditional and modern.
Check out the gallery for my favorite pieces from both collections.
