The Glitz & Glam From India Couture Week ’16

Held by the FDCI in New Delhi, India Couture Week 2016 showcased the country's leading designers. From the interesting play of colours and silhouettes to Indian outfits infused with Western elements, ICW 2016 witnessed couturiers exploring unchartered territory, inspiring brides-to-be to experiment. Over 5 days, the runway beheld exciting new avatars of conventional styles. From the kurta-lehenga to the jacket-sari, crop-top lehengas to innovatively draped ensembles, the pieces showcased at Couture Week led us through the imagination of each designer. Here's Aza rounding up some of the best designer collections for you. Showcasing the sartorial collection through a theme titled ‘A Persian Story’, the ramp was dazzled with deep colours, classy velvet and embroidered sheer fabrics. Bollywood’s go-to designer Manish Malhotra got it right, down to the tee. Embracing the off-shoulder trend, the designer infused a sense of youthfulness to traditional silhouettes. With showstoppers Deepika Padukone and Fawad Khan in striking ensembles, the show was inevitably the talk of the town. Day 3 of India Couture Week witnessed some majestic long-trailed lehengas, anarkalis, regal cloaks, dramatic jackets and sheer robes by designer-duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula. Yami Gautam looked radiant as she walked the ramp in a midnight blue bridal lehenga. From light shades to deep tones, we loved the transitions seen on the runway. Shop The Designer ‘Monsoon Diaries’ by designer Rahul Mishra was a dedication to nature. Using fabrics like khadi, organza, and chanderi, Rahul Mishra reinvented the traditional colour palate and designs for a modern day bride. The colour story included navy, white, and pure pastels such as powder blue, fresh mint, and soft pink. Anamika Khanna’s creations epitomize magic and romance. Her show at ICW 2016, in collaboration with Amrapali Jewels, was appropriately titled “When Time Stood Still.” Having revolutionized Indian fashion with her avant-garde designs, Anamika Khanna outdid herself yet again with an ethereal collection of drapes, capes, and whimsical wonders with unparalleled attention to detail. India’s favourite fashionista Sonam Kapoor made a striking appearance for her show in one of Anamika Khanna’s latest creations. Shop The Designer With soothing instrumental music, carnations and all things pretty, Varun Bahl’s collection was a literal vintage garden with bright florals, pinks and reds. His ‘fantasy bouquet’ themed collection at the India Couture Week gave every single girl goals for her bridal trousseau. Shop The Designer Gaurav Gupta’s uber-creative, sculpture-like silhouettes have never failed to stun onlookers. Titled ‘Scape Song,’ his collection at India Couture Week 2016 included a stunning array of sculpted yet fluid creations with layering and a diverse range of embellishments such as ornate crystal work, pearls, and swirls of organza. The supremely talented designer experimented with crystal mesh fabric by Swarovski, which was used for his pièce de résistance worn by debutante actress Saiyami Kher, who will be seen in the forthcoming film Mirzya. The finale by Rohit Bal was all about sheer grandeur and royalty! A stalwart in the Indian fashion industry and an expert in conceptualizing luxury, Rohit Bal based this collection on a cultural blend of elements from Russia and India. With a red, white and black colour story, the collection focused on the newly revamped Bikaner House. The silhouettes ranged from floor-length anarkalis and royal lehengas to gowns, Jodhpuri pants and jackets.   A first of its kind, Sabyasachi unveiled his gorgeous collection via a spectacular Instagram show with still images, videos and music, making it accessible to anyone who wished to participate. Posted at regular intervals, the opulent dark hued pieces with intricate embroidery stole our breath. From golden and maroon to bottle green and navy, every colour was beautifully woven into a story of its own. Make way for these exciting trends, and the luxurious, curated couture collections coming your way at Aza stores and online at azafashions.com! Like a particular piece? Email us at contactus@azafashions.com to place an order.