Aisha Rao recreates the splendour of a bygone era with her FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week 2021 Collection

A naive curiosity fuelled a creative idea for Aisha Rao, who was then inspired to design her latest collection for FDCI x Lakme´ Fashion Week. Called Paper Dolls, her autumn/winter ’21 line-up takes you on a trip to childlike dreamscapes of beloved storybooks and fantastical tales from the yore. Rao has reimagined these tales with subliminal lehengas, contemporary saris, show-stopping dresses, and gowns that bring back the nostalgic from the years that have gone by.

The collection brings back the most ubiquitous fabric spotted during yesteryear Indian weddings—tissue, but minus the fraying along with the brand's signature appliqué work created with contrasting foliage. 'Paper Dolls' will transport you into a wondrous world with its shimmering tactility and its bold yet enigmatic colour palette of ebony, lavender, gold, and soft shades of pink. However, more than anything, this collection—both traditional and of-the-moment—is full of long-lasting keepsakes.




Many of the pieces are made with upcycled fabrics and designed for modern-day women who want to make mindful choices. “The refined details of appliqué, the classic silhouettes, and the moody colour scheme are made for the discerning buyers of today. Plus, what makes these pieces even more special, is how they use discarded fabrics to make something that’s one-of-a-kind. Sustainability is IN,” shared Aisha Rao. In addition to this, Rao also presented the brand’s first-ever menswear collection, showcasing streamlined tailoring, vivid patterns and classic colours like black and white.
 
Further adding she says, “Paper Dolls is dedicated to my children. It’s an ode to those most precious moments of bedtime storytelling where each night we are transported to another world. Interestingly, that’s also one of the reasons why I love creating clothes—it’s because many a time they have the potential to make fantasies seem a little bit closer."
 
Bollywood superstar Diana Penty turned showstopper for Rao's collection. Donning a blue lehenga set with a heavily embellished blouse she looked breath-taking. The pearl choker and traditional earrings added an old-world charm to the ensemble. Speaking about her thoughts on the line-up, Diana Penty said, “Each ensemble stands out on its own; it’s a collection that ought to make it to every bride’s wish list! The tissue saris and lehengas, especially, bring back fond memories from family get-togethers and weddings I used to attend as a child.”