It's officially fashion week season, and that means a week full of style extravaganza, head-turning silhouettes and a high celebrity quotient. Kickstarting the FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week on March 22, 2022 was the opening show by ace designer Rahul Mishra, who presented his collection ‘The Enchanted Garden’ in partnership with the Embassy Of Italy in New Delhi.
Commenting on the showcase Rahul Mishra said, “Italy, like a second home, has always had a special place in my heart. Since my initial days as a designer studying in Milano, I have found influence in the Italian history of art, fashion and architecture. And it has significantly contributed to my overall perspective of design and helped shape my point of view towards the application of Indian craft in a contemporary fashion."
Rahul’s collections have always been intriguing, immense creative studies in craft, construction and inspirations, and for this show too, the surface embellishments were outstanding. The collection is a dive deep into the mysterious and splendid elements of nature. Rahul Mishra's exceptional craftsmanship and stand-out embroideries made an indelible mark at FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week opening night. Every stitch is packed with scenic explorations accentuated with coloured beads and floral embellishments.
This season Rahul’s look was keeping the flora and fauna in mind, once again, staying true to unbelievable crafts. With his forte being to imitate nature and the many elements on fabrics with the aid of craft and embroidery, Rahul went into intense floral mode.
In keeping with the brand’s design aesthetic–that is a merger of a unique flirtation between experiences and fantastic imagination with nature being the mainstay and inspiration for the embellishments visualised by the designer–this lineup showcased sharply cut jackets, floor-skimming gowns, swirling lehengas and saris, which offered a variety of options in the designer's signature style with a focus on pastel hues and floral motifs. It was the lightweight lehengas in summery shades of peaches and pinks that most caught our attention.
Flowy, feminine and well-structured silhouettes allowed the intricate embroidery to take centre stage. From lush bouquets of Himalayan poppies, the designer’s floral basket moved to fox gloves and calla lilies that were luxuriously spread over the surface of the ensembles. The two- and three-dimensional embellishments colourfully imitated nature with threads and beads.
A collection that can be worn across different types of weddings and festivities, be it at a beach or in a city, each ensemble promises the bride to steal the spotlight. Channeling inclusivity on the runway were models in all shapes and sizes, wearing flattering outfits. The showcase oozed with glamour, style, colour, but above all amazing crafts and embroidery that spoke a creative fashion language all its own.
