Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 saw a head-steady start with Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla’s opening show featuring their latest collection titled ‘Jawani Jaaneman’. Obvious from the name, the collection boasted of an enviable Bollywood era of the 70s and the 80s. The retro extravaganza featured 120 ensembles that exuded the spirit of a high fashion hippy and disco era.
Segmenting the collection into 9 opulent divisions, the assortment was bursting with variety in full-swing. “Beetle Wings” featured flouncy, pleated, ruffled gowns and fluid kaftans with multi-hued stones, and bugle bead embellishments. An exotic jumpsuit with spiral polychromatic stones and beads was the highlight of the look.
When “Resham Reloaded” appeared on the catwalk it was an ode to the draped romantic gowns with intricate resham thread work. The charming long sleeve, shirt-collar, silver gown, the exotic corset creation and the pants with long slit maxi screamed red carpet!
“Nouveau Lace-Lace” was featured cutwork, mirrors, sequins and faux leather/Rexene. Silhouettes included sensuous gowns, saris and capes that recreated hippy rock star glamour. A pristine white wedding gown with silver embellishments came on the ramp to the hit song “I Will Always Love You” by the memorable Whitney Houston.
“Hearts” was dedicated to the sari where appliqués and Swarovski crystals played an artistic medley. Pale blue and pink saris with ruffles and pleats looked utterly divine and cholis were layered with cascading frills for added glamour.
“Jhallar” brought in drapes, devoted to sequins embellishments, which appeared for gowns with butterfly capes and sexy long maxis with tulle covers. Plunging necklines worked for slinky numbers and drapes over skinny pants gave the sari an interesting twist.
“Talk Tartan” was homage to Scottish checks recreated this time in Patti and sequins. Lots of abstract multi coloured strips gave the pleated long skirts, gowns, stunning ruffle appliqué top with a pencil slim skirt a flamboyant appeal. For men it was black sequinned pants teamed with abstract multi-coloured striped jacket with a floor-length net coat.
“The Power of the Flower” emphasized a line of floral embroidery from the enchanted garden that came alive with thread work. The gorgeous rose and florals were seen on figure hugging jumpsuits, swirling poncho kaftans, long sleeved covers and beaded sequined gowns.
“Chamki Chikan”, which the designing duo presented with great style, was chikankari in a shiny new avatar – sparkling with Swarovski crystals and sequins. The craft appeared on the ramp in the form of dazzling white gowns with varying necklines, lehengas, cholis and for men bundgala jacket with regal coat.
Finally “Sona” meant only gold for a collection that shimmered and shone on the ramp to end the show on a truly unforgettable note. 50 models with gold masks strutted down clad in glittering gold capes, saris, gowns, jackets, lehengas, cholis and swung to the beat of the hit number “Jawani Jaaneman”, which Parveen Babi made hypnotising in her sizzling hot gold catsuit.
