NewDelhi, April 1 – Day 4 of the ongoing AIFW at Pragati Maidan in the Capital was a mixed bag of styles, offering something for every style sensibility. The afternoon began with designer Nikhita Tandon showcasing dressy options with pleats and folds on dresses, with thigh high slits, net panels and lace applique work for cocktail dressing.
Strategic cut-out panels added an interesting element to the collection, which was simple in its own way (in a colour palette of red and black, and sans glittery embellishments) yet effective for the buyer.
Model-turned actress Sonal Chauhan walked the runway as the showstopper, dressed in a red assymetrical dress that boasted a heavily pleated skirt and foliage patter embroidery on nude coloured mesh sleeves. A short, vintage hair-do and catwing eyeliner kept her look sweet at the show.
Designer Sahil Kocchar added heavy doses of textures to his collection inspired from The Green Gate, one of the four beautiful doorways representing the four seasons in the courtyard of the Jaipur City Palace. Better known as Leheriya, meaning waves, it is characterised by cusped, pointed arches with a rectangular vaulted dome framing and floral columns.
Accordingly, the collection of kimono dresses, structured layered skirts, textured tops with laser-cut geometric patterns and flowers, and ombre toned gowns presented an architectural style of form. Shades of blue, green, cream, black and red were used in gradients and made for an appealing show of colour.
Label ‘Bodice’ by Ruchika Sachdeva took the other route of minimal cuts and clean, boxy, laid back silhouettes. Sticking to a wintery palette of different tones of blue, brown and magenta, the range comprised wide skirts, trousers, long coats, shirts and dresses, with a simple white band running across the sleeve or across the torso for good measure.
The winter cold didn’t deter Pia Pauro from presenting a summery, beach-worthy collection for those set on a resort voyage to the sea to beat the cold. Transporting the audience to the wild savannah of South-west USA, Pauro took inspiration from the Navajo tribe of the region.
Models looked strong and free-spirited with large feather headdresses, teamed with kaftans, lehengas, saris, cocktail dresses with plunging necklines and laser-cut Santa Fe patterned jumpsuits.
