Fashion & Passion

The elegance of Tabu and exuberance of Karan Johar in creations by couturier Gaurav Gupta couldn’t steal the thunder of poetess Navkirat Sodhi who performed while suspended on an aerial harness at the Royal Opera House, which rolled out the red carpet for the opening show of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer-Resort 2019 in Mumbai.

Sodhi introduced the show with spoken prose, illustrating the designer’s creative spirit, as he embarks on his 15th year in the industry this year. She recited Kill Pain With Couture while performing mid-air in a dramatic, self-embroidered bustier worn over an elongated sheer skirt, which lent more drama to the show.

Back in Mumbai

The Delhi-based designer, who has made a comeback to LFW after four years, said it has been “very exciting” for him to be back in Mumbai for a show that has turned progressive and interesting.

“The poetess who was up... 20-ft above the ground, was my best friend for 20 years. It was emotional for me. Her poetry for me is the best poetry in the world... It is esoteric and so becoming,” Gupta said.

His bespoke line is called Unfolding.

“It was unfolding with all the origamic structures, and then we did a lot of chikankari mixed with our techniques, and we used brocade. For me, it’s an unfolding of a new chapter as I mark 15 years of my brand,” Gupta added.

Grand audience

The audience, which included Diana Penty, Pooja Hegde, Mandira Bedi, Mohit Marwah and some other celebrities, witnessed the designer’s vision of a glamorous, powerful spring 2019 through zardozi work, chikankari and handwoven brocade textiles with handcrafted, 3D flowers in organza and soft georgette, along with the sparkle of crystals.

The collection was a mix of playful dresses, pantsuits, sari gowns and evening wear.

Tabu, riding high on the success of Andha Dhun, looked ethereal in a grey off-shoulder ensemble, while Karan flaunted a red and black suit with panache. There was one thing common between them - the happiness of walking the ramp at the iconic Royal Opera House.

LFW Summer Resort 2019 will conclude on  February 3. — IANS

Karan Johar gets emotional 

For filmmaker Karan Johar, walking the ramp at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai brought back a flurry of childhood memories. Karan was one of the star showstoppers apart from Tabu for designer Gaurav Gupta’s opening show for the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2019 at the iconic venue, which continues to hold significance in the cultural fabric of contemporary Mumbai.

After the show in Mumai on Tuesday night, he said: “This is very emotional moment for me. I have so many memories of watching movies in this particular space. Royal Opera House is where I have come as a child several times, watched movies, and I can’t believe that this has now transformed into this hugely iconic space. Just walking the ramp in this particular place makes me feel like life is completing an entire circle.”  IANS