The recently concluded India Couture Week 2021’s second digital outing bridges the gaps between designers and their clientele

If the pandemic taught us one thing, it is never to close eyes to possibilities. The India Couture Week 2021 wasn’t limited to the pre-pandemic world’s front rows or a select few; its second digital outing was accessed and appreciated not by the industry giants but a common person in love with fashion!

Bridal reds by master couturier Manish Malhotra gave a dreamy start to the Week. While the wedding season is yet to pick up, the show is bang on time to give brides-to-be enough time to articulate their thoughts and prep for the big day.

B-town divas show the way

Trust Bollywood to be leading the fashion game. Radiant Kriti Sanon, impeccably styled in voluminous red lehanga, turned the showstopper for Manish Malhotra. Sonam Kapoor changed the game by donning an embroidered bandhgala with a split-dhoti pants in shades of ivory and champagne for Kunal Rawal’s collection Vision Quest.

An amalgamation of modern style and traditional red, Shradhha Kapoor looked regal in Falguni and Shane Peacock’s red lehenga in gold embroidery, sequins, zari work and a sheer lining.

Say hybrid

Greys, pinks and blues came together in concept lehengas and hybrid gowns and glamorous styles in designer Gaurav Gupta’s Universal Love. If reds and ivories were a common theme through this Couture week, metallics sizzled the show as well. Rejoicing beauty was Anamika Khanna’s sarees and lehangas a befitting ode to intricate crafts of India.

Rajasthan as muse

Tarun Tahiliani’s bridal collection had traditional bridal reds to contemporary pastels and beiges. His Pichwai collection this season takes inspiration from the ancient Indian lyrical paintings from Rajasthan with peacocks and lotuses for motifs. Lehengas, shararas, concept sarees, kurtas, choli capes, coats, skirts, and more in fabrics such as organza brocade, tulle brocade, muga silk and sheer silk, tulle, novelty crinkle, the designer offered his signature draped garments.

Rahul Mishra concluded the show with Kamkhab, a collection that brought together beauty of old love and the lightness of new beginnings. Age-old techniques of hand embroidery, in fabrics like silk organza, georgette, crêpe and tissue along with Banarasi cutwork and Chanderi silk textiles.

Accessible fashion

“Fashion is no more exclusive – the front rows, barricading sections, a chosen few to witness the fashion spectacle but the digital format gives access to any fashion lover,” says INIFD director Ritu Kochhar. “What’s heartening is that not only the Couture Week offered an array of styles, colours and options keeping in mind different choices, there models in different shapes and sizes bring inclusivity which has been a missing till very recently!”