By Nivedita
Mumbai, March 30 (IANS) The GenNext show at Lakme Fashion Week (LFW), which has produced gems like Masaba Gupta and Nachiket Barve in the past, turned out to be a winner at the Summer-Resort 2016 edition, which went underway here on Wednesday. Five young designers gave a creatively exuberating start to the new edition with their wearable and eco-friendly creations.
The stage was set at hotel St. Regis here for the INIFD Gen Next show, which saw the presence of celebrated international designer Renzo Russo as the guest of honour, thereby keeping a close eye on the future of fashion in India.
Aqdus Saleem showcased 'Middle East of Glamour' -- a blend of Islamic culture and ethnic wear. With an international flavour, her line is aimed at the modern, liberated and empowered woman.
"Inspired by the Middle East, the designs move away from traditional Abayas (robe-like dress) and onto more fashionable modern attire," Saleem told the media here.
Shades of white cotton, lawn, linen and organza were delicately highlighted with embellishments in white and Sahara beige. The turbaned models appeared in pastel white and beige used in midi skirt and comfy dresses, and jumpsuits with soft covers.
Actress Cherry Mardia, well known for her roles in "Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty" and "Jigariyaa", supported the designer by wearing label 'Aqdus'. She adorned a white cotton lawn dress layered with side-pleats accompanied with a chic beige half jacket.
"I love the way Aqdus has redefined the ethnic wear and put a modern spin on it. The material makes you feel in your own skin and the way she has styled me, particularly in the flowy silhouette, makes me feel comfortable, beautiful and feminine," Cherry told IANS.
Another designer, Chirag Nainani's 'Fossilized Subconscious' collection, was a memorable line inspired by forgotten memories.
Exploring the use of indigenous material, handloom fabrics and crafts by local artisans, Nainani brought in indigo dyeing with resist techniques. Mercerised cotton and suiting material was presented in easy silhouettes that spelt comfortable wearability.
Denim Dimensions was the theme for Naveem Naaz Shaikh's range. Working only with denim, the designer added striking touches to the popular fabric.
From an ombre and laser cut treatment, Shaikh added red, white and grey plaids, stripes and childish motifs for the collection that brought out a fun-filled, carefree and trendy element for the wearer.
Kurtas, midis, checked unstructured coats, and an unconventional treatment for saris with shirts and pants and a bold slogan "Now Whom Who Whenever" gave the muted colour palette a lively touch.
Another high point of the show was Sustainable Fashion showcasing by young designer Agrima Batra. Her collection titled "To the Stars and Back" or "Astraea" was an exotic melange of stylish chic day-to-evening wear created with zero wastage. Vivid shades highlighted the contemporary look along with form fitting but graphic silhouettes.
Slit pants with short-sleeved jacket had origami appliques, pencil pants, one-shoulder jumpsuit in ink with shoulder patches, black kimono wrap dress and a black one-sleeve gown were innovative additions to the line.
Sohaya Misra showcased 'The Pyjama Tribe' for her label Chola. Aimed at fashion wearers of all ages and sizes, the line was marked by textured linen and cotton as the prime fabrics sans embellishments.
The layered separates had a variety of possibilities for mix-and-match options. Inspired by Japanese fashion, the collection had a distinct Far Eastern flavour as asymmetric and giant collars made bold fashion statements.
(The writer's visit is at the invitation of Lakme Fashion Week organisers. Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)
