Marie Claire, a women-centric fashion footwear brand under the Bata India umbrella, collaborated with the designer duo Gauri & Nainika, to launch their exquisite collection 

 The “Fall 2021” Collection

Inspiration

After spending many months of 2020 in quarantine, Gauri and Nainika were inspired by life in the slow lane, as they enjoyed the many phases of the moon, the setting sun sets, blossoming flowers in their mother’s garden when saplings turned to bud’s and then bloomed into colourful flower beds.

Features

• Relaxed trapeze silhouettes with stylish frock dresses cinched at the waists with romantic bows. 
• Floral textures and pretty bows added to the beauty of the creations, while the label’s signature, billowy, ruffles at times angular, big or small.
• Large rosettes and broad leather belts with giant buckles,to accentuate the waists.

Fabric Story

Wispy organza and sheer chiffon 

Colour Code

Colours of nature came to the forefront, as earthy and sky hues danced in fashionable unison. The cerulean blue was a great combo with grey, while shades of green, intermingled stylishly along with a variety of tones.

Designers’ Take

“Commenting on the collaboration, Gauri & Nainika said, “We loved working with the Marie Claire team for the show. Our collaboration has been an integral part of the design process, as both the brands follow a distinctly feminine design philosophy with the inspiration being very Parisienne. You’ll find an abundance of floral prints in the collection- exploding flora on hues of the earth and sky, cerulean blue, grey, green amongst others in our collection. The Marie Claire shoe collection is statement-making and glamorous, yet subtle and timeless, just like the dresses you will find in our line.”

Titled “50 Shades of Happiness!”

Inspiration

By the fine arts and an artist’s ability to create a fantastical journey as an inspiration board. This fashion week collection for autumn/winter 2021 he is inspired by the magical beauty and splendour of the Valley of flowers. A mix of modernity with abstract artworks enhanced by the age-old crafts of India makes for a perfect – feminine, romantic, and modern woman.

Designer’s Take

“I am drawn to brightly coloured children’s books, stories from other long-forgotten times, dramatic storytelling and this is what my couture always celebrates —– Happiness.” 

The collection “Summer 21” (of flowing kaftans, easy breezy shirts, lots of cover-ups and a variety of numerous fusion separates that had immense mix and match possibilities It was a riot of colours and abstract cow and quirky prints for the easy, collection that ended in some regal formal wear) took the audience through typical Masaba – land where resort wear was the star in the wardrobes and fashion was very adventurous and far from boring.

Features

• Giving prints her characteristic, quirky, touches, Masaba showered the ensembles with her playful florals, some unique exotic animal motifs and then reworked her iconic motifs with bouquets of colours.
• Relaxed, leisurely, comfortable silhouettes.
• Keeping the sari buyer in focus, Masaba offered an assortment of colours, prints and patterns, with varying choli styles.
• Men’s wear remained totally casual and bordered on the athleisure look with some bold colour/print blocking for the two-tone blousons. 

Focal Point

Accessories were ideal for the collection, as caps, body bags, along with sling bags and fanny packs and colourful scarves created the complete look. The boAt headphones made a great fashion statement and perfectly complemented the look of the collection

Touch of Style

Masaba added a stylish element when listening to music on the boAt Audio range.  The limited-edition colourful headphones designed by Masaba will be launched in retail stores and various e-commerce platforms simultaneously to the show as part of the collaboration – there are some inspired by Disco, and some for the retro, vintage enthusiast. Prints are also Aztec and tribal for those who have a penchant for rustic charm.

Designer’s Take

 “FDCI and Lakmé Fashion Week are like home to me. Showcasing at the joint Phygital edition is truly special for me and even more so because of our collaboration with boAt. Last season was the beginning of our journey, which will now culminate into the showcase of my latest resort-wear collection. I’ve always believed that ‘music’ and ‘fashion’ are two elements that can transport you to the future and also give you the chance to reminisce the past. My latest range is inspired by and interprets the effect music can have on one’s mood. The one thing that I can promise everyone is that this showcase will transport you to an era where nothing is ever boring.”

India’s leading online fashion e-retailer – AJIO made a bold style statement with OUTRYT – its newest label of love which is equal parts trendy and intuitive. An exclusive womens wear label, focused on reassessing a new world order through the lens of fashion, the brand embodies the future of a new approach to style and personal expression – free-spirited, bold and progressive.

The drive-in shoot embodied this re energized spirit through four fashion-forward themes that brought the world of OUTRYT alive.

 Starting with Au Natural an ode to evolved simplicity and minimalism

 Digital Culture A retro-futuristic take on basics

Artisanal Thrift A fresh spin on boho-chic

 Future Survival, where fashion takes a futuristic POV

“Outryt mirrors the modern woman of today who likes to explore new grounds in fashion and in life. True to the AJIO DNA of bringing the best of fashion to the consumer who is spoilt for choice, Outryt is a brand which allows for discovery of exciting personal style statements and unique self[1]expression.”, said Spokesperson – AJIO. A celebration of optimism, authenticity and realism,

The new label is available at AJIO, which has become the go-to platform for fashion enthusiasts across the country and also at Reliance TRENDS stores.

Nidhi Yasha presents The collection titled“The Gypsy’s Wife” inspired by a song by Leonard Cohen. By the same name, is an ode to love and longing. And consequent disclaim of all that holds down a free-spirited gypsy woman.

Features 

• From flirty ruffles, fringes and rich tassels over sheer layers, dramatic volumes. Tell-tale surfaces to tribal and nature-inspired prints creating a perfect medley of florals and geometrics true to the bohemian ethos.
• Delicate laces complement the subtle beadwork giving the East European Bohemian, a rich, nomadic, Indian/Central Asian opulence.
• Embroidered leather corset belts, motifs taking inspiration from birds, create an interesting dichotomy of confinement and release

Designer’s Take

Nidhi Yasha

“I have tried to tell this story in the brand’s quintessential folkloric language. With all its theatricality using ruffles, and tiers, velvets and silks, leather and lace and vibrant prints with intense beadwork. I’ve used deconstructed pieces and leftover materials from previous collections and used them to create a whole new visual for the urban nomad with a vintage soul, keeping true to the label’s zero waste endeavour and sustainable practises.”

Cocccon’s fashion experiments in direction by Prakash in his native state Jharkhand. Thus helping silk farmers, spinners, and weavers to work directly from their own regions. 

The “Purn Vritt” collection presented by Cocccon was an Avant-Garde look at. Ensembles by the Indo-German designing duo, Prakash and Georg.

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Following all the sustainable practices, Cocccon is one of the most respected globally for its fashion aesthetics, as well as innovative design sensibilities. Project Cocccon is GOTS, WFTO, OCS certified and won the German Sustainability Award Design 2021. The collection resembled the indigenous performing art of Jharkhand, which spoke about conflict between circular (Jeevan Chakra). And linear (Jeevan Rekha) lifestyle. The process of Seri-cultural was performed with strict organic methods and zero carbon measures as well as zero-waste techniques. The plastic-free collection instead, worked with natural resources like bamboo or cane. Unveiling a line of amazing, futuristic, space age like garments made from biodegradable materials. That had no trace of negative impact on earth. The principal base was the organically produced Ahimsa or peace silk. Where the silkworm completes its life cycle and emerges as a beautiful butterfly.

FEATURES of COCCCON

• Geometrical prints, Block prints, circles, squares, rectangles and linear patterns
• Silhouettes quite comfortable yet amazing in shape and form
• Besides the organic silks, the unconventional blends also added
• The ensembles came together in an amazing style and design, in the luxurious peace silk but with a very Avant Garde appeal yet looked as if almost ready for an outer space trip.

DESIGNER’S TAKE

“As a designer I must say this was a wonderful opportunity where I could transcend the horizons following up with the design process, prints, garment construction and the outcome as a conglomeration of all efforts. I won’t say this is all I could give in, to the whole world, but I would be more than happy if my collection could inspire the socio-psychological vision towards fashion and can bring up a sustainable lifestyle.”

A Sneak Peak by Executive Editor Tashi Narula

Day 2

Fashion and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India continued its collaboration once again with Sustainable Fashion Day. It showcased a beautiful Look Book of conscious leather free creations that were carefully curated from numerous top brands.

The very interesting and unique Look Book unveiled in a fashionable format outlined a day in the life of PETA celebrity super model and actor Milind Soman and his wife, Ankita Konwar who are two of PETA India’s most vocal ambassadors and showcased some amazing killer looks without killing animals.

They made a strong plea in the hard-hitting PETA film, to choose an alternative to leather and go for ethical options like coconut leather.

The trendy garments in creation without fur, leather, wool, exotic skins, cashmere, mohair or silk. The Vegan fashion featured the creations of top designers and brands like. Proyog, Daisy Days, Urvashi Kaur, Outhouse, Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika, The FrouFrou Studio, Azga, Equivalence, Ethik, Mati, Strey, A Big Indian Story, Paaduk’s, Countrymade, Kunal Anil Tanna, Jenjum Gadi, No Nasties and many more.

The Look Book images shot by Colston Julian and designed by Pulp India. Milind and Nakita’s outfits style by Devki Bhatt, who in assistance by Krutika Sharma. The hairstyling and make-up were done by Nikhar Jivani who was assisted by Niveditha Nayak and Abhilasha Kulkarni. The film was shot at Sofitel Mumbai BKC and produced by Anupama Malhotra and directed by Ravi Shankar, who was assisted by Pranjal Asha, with Vikas Vasudevan as the Director of Photography and edited by Akshay Mehta.

One of the highlights was also the launch of a very interesting and innovative Instagram filter. That will encourage audience members to go leather free when choosing fashion for the coming season.

QUOTES

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India Director of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera

“With so many wonderful Vegan shoes, bags, and jackets available today, nobody has to hurt animals for clothing and accessories. The designers and brands showcased in PETA India’s Vegan fashion Look Book know compassion is always in fashion.”

Milind Soman for PETA

“Every time we wear Vegan, we are choosing to be kind. I’ve teamed up with my friends at PETA India to showcase some of the many luxurious Vegan, eco-friendly materials available these days at FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week”

Ankita Konwar for PETA

“PETA India’s Vegan fashion Look Book is about showing how easy it is to look killer without killing animals.”

A sneak peek by Executive Editor Tashi Narula

Payal Pratap line titled “View with a Room” pendulates between myriad emotions from reminiscing, introspecting, and internalising to connecting to one’s roots, invoking a flood of memories

FEATURES

• Maxis, wraps and sari dresses, riddled with peplums, gathers, smocking and hand-woven details.  Wool stripe and check jackets peppered with delicate embroideries, cross stitch motives and hand-embroidered sequin highlights.
• Scarves, wood buttons, hand-beaten bangles earrings, hand-made wool boots accessorise this collection.

COLOUR CODE by Payal Pratap

Shades of plum, purple, navy, fuchsia, ruby, petrol, coffee, auburn, and ochre enliven the line

DESIGNER’S TAKE – Payal Pratap

“The FDCI x Lakmé Phygital fashion week is an inclusive medium where the show is not limited to mere hall attendees.  Everyone gets a front row view to the designer’s work and vision. This is a phenomenal and innovative way to portray and showcase one’s work and collections.”

Sustainable Stories…A Sneak Peek by Tashi Narula

Ritu Kumar’s new line presented by TRESemmé was a colourful medley of hues.

The collection comprised a youthful suit line, followed by g soya fabric saris worn in amazing drapes, along with some of the fun-filled, geometric range options.

Features

• A stylish blend of modern minimalism with the boho touch. To keep the theme in creative control, Ritu Kumar included a variety of yarn dyes, that brought in a bit of mix and match possibilities. 
• Use of vibrant, floral prints and patchwork, with an amalgamation of laces, to finally end with intricate geometric designs.

 Sustainable Practice

Ritu Kumar has a firm hold on Indian craftsmanship as she merged contemporary silhouettes with her characteristic touches. Bringing the most luxurious soothing fabrics to centre stage, it was Ritu Kumar’s expertise with surface detailing that added sophistication with a marked sense of simplicity to the garments. 

The DNA of the Ritu Kumar Label has always been sustainability. Every collection by the designer created over the years has had the basis of natural fibres and Ritu Kumar’s creativity has expanded various sustainable solutions.

 Quotes

 “This year we are extremely excited to collaborate with Ritu Kumar, an iconic Indian designer who understands our brand and who shares the same ideology as us. Her design approach while traditional continues to be refreshing and new every single time. The constant innovation is something TRESemmé also believes in, while helping you prep yourself and make your presence felt. The designs and the aesthetic of the collection by Ritu Kumar complement this year’s theme ‘Mismatched’ beautifully, while also staying true to the theme and our vision for hair styling. We’re sure that this collaboration helps create something truly beautiful to be showcased on the virtual ramp of FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week.”

Harman Dhillon, Vice President – Hair Care, Hindustan Unilever Limited 

“TRESemmé India is synonymous with unmatched style and quality when it comes to understanding hair products and styling. We’re excited to partner with a brand that recognises our aesthetics and is able to enhance our collection with its vision in hairstyling. The partnership between FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week to present the first phygital showcase is a milestone moment for the Indian fashion industry. A quick turnaround in adapting to changing times coupled with the support of both teams enabled us to present our vision to audiences across the globe. We’re extremely pleased with the showcase!”

Amrish Kumar, Managing Director, Ritu Kumar