Amazon India Fashion Week Archives

Trend Setting Designers at the Amazon India Fashion Week 2015

While it goes without saying that there was no dearth of fashion marvels at the AIFW 2015, some designers and their creations stood out above the rest. Here is our take on the most dazzling of all collections which shall undoubtedly define the top trends for the autumn-winter season.

Anupama Dayal

A Mughal-inspired collection that paid tribute to the Jamali-Kamali monument in Delhi, Anupama Dayal’s collection was subtly inventive and very striking. With a large number of outfits in shades of sandstone, earthy tones were aplenty on her ramp. The brilliant embroidery on necklines and ethno-mod prints she used made the fashion industry admire her avant-garde style. Also, she played with the notion of layering using thin fabrics like chiffon, silk and light cotton to create interesting, tiered outfits.

Anju Modi

Another designer who received rave reviews and unending praise was Anju Modi. A marked departure from her usual designs, her AIFW 2015 collection was edgy and eclectic, fusing ethnic Indian couture with western styles. Entitled ‘How to Write a Fairy Tale’, her line had much appliqué work and zardozi embroidery, teamed effectively with printed florals and bubble fabrics. The success of her collection can be attributed to the elegance and finesse with which she has combined divergent styles. Her creations are certainly those to watch out for in the future.

Nikasha

Veteran designer Nikasha did not disappoint with her inspiring autumn collection. With light hues, monochromatic outfits and fine prints, her line represented soft, feminine elegance. Paired with minimal accessories, more detailed clothing was the hallmark her creations. Outfits from this lovely collection are likely to be widely worn as Indian occasion-wear in the coming season. So if you have a mehendi, sangeet or wedding to attend, Nikasha’s line is sure to have something suitable.

EKA

EKA’s collection was undeniably the surprise element of the AIFW 2015. It attempted to recreate yesteryear winter fashion, offering a cozy, familiar experience to the target audience. With pastel colours, classic deep shades and interesting patterns in abundance, this line of clothing garnered much attention from all fashion stalwarts. The revival of peacoats, shawls, thigh-high-slit skirts, baggy pants, beanies and loose blouses made EKA’s creations an enthralling experience, visually as well as intellectually. Hats off to EKA for allowing us a throwback into the past of Indian fashion, with skilful remodelling into contemporary styles.

Mynah Designs – Nikhita

Nikhita Tandon’s Mynah Designs collection was beautiful – there’s no other way to put it. An absolutely delightful line for those who love classic styles and conventional structures, it received much appreciation on account of its grace and simplicity. Beautiful drapes, structures silhouettes and timeless shades of red and black dominated her ramp. With a singular focus of dresses and their varied form, Mynah Designs are meant for the young woman of today who is caught between the extremities of convention and modernity. No wonder Nikhita’s outfits made such a huge impression on audiences!

These are the designers who grabbed eyeballs, wowed audiences and won all our hearts this AIFW 2015. Hope you are all inspired to build a great autumn-winter wardrobe based on their brilliant stylistics.

Amazon India Fashion Week 2015 #Day 5, March 29

The Grand Finale of the AIFW 2015 brought the five-day fashion extravaganza to an end with quite a spectacular show. A combination of industry A-listers and their creations, good music and theatrics, and a lively, excitable audience made this event a wonderful tribute to Indian Fashion Week’s 25^th Anniversary. Here’s the scoop on all that went down on day 5 of the AIFW 2015:

Style Fiesta

The last day of AIFW 2015 passed in anticipation of the Grand Finale event that was to take place in the evening. The show began with Amalraj Sengupta unveiling his ‘I am Alive’ collection which showcased khadi, silk and cotton fabrics in unconventional forms. Sneha Arora’s line, which played with prints and patterns to produce some fun, quirky outfits was well-received as well. The final collection of the season was Ashima-Leena’s colourful, bold line which redefined bohemian glamour in mesmerizing ways. Last to come was the Grand Finale show entitled ‘Crafts of India’; it brought together 25 of India’s leading designers to exhibit a series of outfits that represented their interpretation of Indian arts and culture. The perfect conclusion to a successful fashion event, this day will go down as a landmark moment in Indian Fashion history.

Magical Moments

India’s top 25 designers came together with the likes of Padamshree winners Ritu Kumar and Wendell Rodricks, and other top designers such as Manish Malhotra, Anamika Khanna, Tarun Tahilani, JJ Valaya, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Varun Bahl in participation.
Instrumental music and dhol beats played in the background as the designers’ creations sashayed down the ramp.
Ritu Kumar delighted the industry with her new designs which were much awaited since here two-year-long absence from the popular ramps.
Rohit Bal broke into an impromptu jig when taking the final bow, driving the audience wild.
The 90s ramp-queen Nyonika Chatterjee walked down the ramp in Sabyasachi’s stunning outfit which was a special creation for his favourite muse.

One of the most dazzling Grand Finale’s in the history of Indian fashion, the AIFW 2015 came to a close with much marvellous pomp and show. Ah, another major glamour event gone by!

Amazon India Fashion Week 2015 #Day 4, March 28

In rolled the fourth day of the AIFW 2015 and got with it, a plethora of fabulous collections whose outfits are likely to be sported by many by the end of the year. An event jam-packed with 10 shows, each more awe-inspiring than the previous, day 4 of the AIFW was certainly one to watch out for. Read on to know all that happened!

Surprise, Surprise!

It’s as if all designers conspired to make this day full of pleasant surprises for its audience. Most collections had a dramatic conceptual background causing designers to bring much theatrics to the ramp. The show began with a bright and youthful collection by Nikhita called ‘Mynah Desgins’ which capitalized on the beauty of red and black shades. Sahil Kochar’s ‘Hara Barno’ was the talk of the day, while Vogue Fashion’s line ‘Bodice’ was commended for its wearable, modest outfits. Poonam Bhagat’s Picasso-inspired collection was spectacular no less, though it is Aneeth Arora’s ‘Pero’ which captured all attention with its thespian emphasis. The last event of the day was the much-awaited Gaurav Gupta show whose signature gothic style and androgynous outfits were impeccably fabulous. What a day – thrilling, captivating, brilliant, as it was!

The Absolute Winners

‘Hara Barno’ by Sahil Kochar was striking and edgy, with a number of vibrant hues, complex patterns, asymmetrical silhouettes and regal embellishments lined up on the ramp.
Poonam Bhagat’s line took artistic inspiration from the cubist painter’s penchant for dots, lines and deep shades. Unique yet wearable, this Picasso-themed collection won appreciation for its classic, elegant outfits.
Playfully androgynous and distinctive outfits made Aneeth Arora’s military-inspired collection quite the hit. With Doc Martens, bomber jackets, khakis, berets and more, ‘Pero’ transformed feminine clothing into a statement of confidence and power.
Gaurav’s Gupta’s creations played with outfit structure and colour to bring together a collection that was subtly glamorous.
A special after-show discussion on Indian fashion was hosted at Veda Cafe with Dame Zandra Rhodes, Riju Kumar and Rajeev Sethi chairing the conversation. The panellists discussed India’s presence in the global glamour industry and the possible approaches it could employ therewith.

So this is what the exciting day 4 had in store. But the Grand Finale is yet to come – gear up for AIFW 2015’s parting shot!

Amazon India Fashion Week 2015 #Day 3, March 27

The third day of the AIFW 2015 was somewhat less busy though as exciting as the others. It represented a celebration of the spirit of fusion. Sophisticated combinations of traditional styles and international trends lit up the ramp with their vibrancy. Here’s an account of the highlights from day 3 of the AIFW 2015.

East Meets West Meets Winter

Winter-wear has never been as quirkily fashionable as on this day. The opening show by Promita Banerjee as well as the following by Tanvi Kedia combined the goodness of Indian fabrics and embroidery with western winter-wear like pants, skirts, jackets and more. EKA’s new line of chic casuals presented much layering and native inspiration, while 11.11 used organic materials to craft an exquisite collection of handmade jackets. Sanchita’s youthful line of uber-glam winter-suited partywear was pitted against the risqué stylistics of Namrita Joshipura’s collection. The day ended with a power-packed performance by designer duo Pankaj and Nidhi – they brought bold and funky creations to the ramp, impressing the fashion police with their experimental aesthetics. All in all, a day of many fashion successes that left audiences quite satisfied.

The Must-Mentions

Tanvi Kedia’s ‘Jama’ used cultural motifs from Pakistan and Afghanistan and digital prints to embellish her collection of Indian winter-wear. Her eclectic sensibilities and elegant creations won a huge round of applause.
Inspired by Nyx, the Greek Goddess of the Night, Namrita Joshipura’s line was characterized by plunging necklines, cutwork, peek-a-boo embroidery, corset-like silhouettes and thigh-high slits. Such bold and beautiful outfits have been in short supply in the AIFW 2015, but Joshipura brought sexy back with much oomph.
11 used common people and not models to showcase their outfits on the ramp. They wanted their clothes to be modelled by members of their target audience which presents a refreshingly progressive and admirable approach to couture culture.

While Day 3 had several ning collections to offer, it had an aura of calm and subtle activity. The bustle of Day 4 is already calling so you should stay tuned to be part of it!

Amazon India Fashion Week 2015 #Day 2, March 26

So Ladies, while the first day of the AIFW 2015 wowed one and all with its magnificent shows, the second day didn’t disappoint either. It was a mix bag of different aesthetic ideologies, taking Indian fashion eclecticism to new heights. From sustainable fashion to collections inspired by spiritual contemplation, designers offered a range of visual and conceptual wonders that left the audience wanting more. Here’s what you need to know about Day 2 of the AIFW 2015:

Dazzling Diversity

The diversity in styles showcased by designers was compelling and impressive. The show began with Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna’s monotone collection which at once mourned and celebrated the transience of human life. This was followed by the colourful and lively presentation of Hemant and Nandita and Pallavi Mohan’s ‘Not So Serious’ creations. Samant Chauhan’s Nepal-inspired clothing and Rina Dhaka’s rather theatrical show also received much attention. But it is the avant garde stylistics of Amit Aggarwal and David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore that garnered most applause and appreciation.

The Outstanding Ones

The Abraham-Thadoke duo’s ‘New Old’ collection used recycled materials to create beautiful outfits combining tradition with modernity. The most innovative creation were the sequins made of old X-ray films.
Amit Aggarwal’s futuristic collection which used recycled plastic, straws and stockings as embellishments was appreciated for its bold and experimental concept. Some winter staples were remodelled in a striking, unconventional manner to present chic ramp-ready attires.
Dibakar Banerjee and Sushant Singh Rajput launched an apparel line titled ‘NOIR 43” based on their upcoming Bollywood flick “Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!”. Modelled at the Amazon.in Lounge, the menswear reworked styles from the British Raj period, while the womenswear brought back memories of the 40s quirky clothing.
Hemant and Nandita’s collection revived the bohemian look with festive winter-wear for the urban traveller. Bold yet very commercial, pieces from this collection are sure to be sported by the fashion forward in the coming seasons.

The AIFW 2015 has been very exciting so far. More updates coming your way soon!

Amazon India Fashion Week 2015 #Day 1, March 25

It’s that time of the year when the Indian fashion industry and its passionate followers simply can’t seem to catch a break (in a good way, of course). We were still reeling from the spectacular exhibits of the LFW 2015, when in came the Amazon India Fashion Week to wow us again.

In case you are slightly lost, never having heard of this event before, don’t worry your pretty heads; basically, what has been called the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week for almost a decade now, is going to be called the Amazon India Fashion Week henceforth. The FDCI has switched its title sponsor roping in one of India’s largest e-commerce portals as its chief brand partner.

The AIFW 2015 presented a series of stunning Autumn-Winter collections, with over 100 designers in participation. Held in Hall No. 12 of Delhi’s iconic Pragati Maidan, this five-day-long event added to the capital’s love for high couture. Let’s have a look at what the opening day – March 25 – had in store for the attendees:

Get, Set, Go!

The first day of AIFW 2015, set the ball rolling for the oncoming week of absolute fabulousness with its impressive ramps, dramatic theatrics and LED lighting. Numerous well-acclaimed as well as upcoming designers presented creations that were no short of outstanding. The opening show – Rajesh Pratap Singh’s hospital-themed collection – was one of those that create fashion history. Following this were collections by Nikasha, Payal Singhal, Kavita Bhatia and Anju Modi. The day ended with the keenly awaited collection by JJ Valaya and the unveiling of Amazon’s new e-book reader. It was a day that shall be remembered as one of the most successful opening events in recent times.

A Quick Glance at the Show’s Best

One just cannot get past the fascinating quality of Rajesh Pratap Singh’s opening act. Replete with a hospital-like beds, surgical lights and IV bags even, his collection was a tribute to his own familial roots in the medical world. World War II-inspired skirts, gum-coated fabrics and oxford heels dominated his designs.
While Singh’s collection was quirky and attention-grabbing, Payal Singhal’s heavily embellished crop-tops, loose-pants and lehengas presented a more classic, sophisticated aesthetic experience.
Anju Modi’s ‘How to Write a Fairytale’ was another subtle, though slightly whimsical collection showcasing asymmetrical silhouettes, retro patterns and fantasy-themed embroidery. It received glowing reviews, having made quite a mark in the glamour world.
The most talked-about designer of the evening was undeniably JJ Valaya. His ‘’The Bolshoi Bazaar’ collection fused Indian styles with Russian embroidery and heavy accessorizing, to produce very dramatic outfits. Both the menswear as well as womenswear was characterized by a sense of youth, tradition and luxury.
Perhaps the most “aw”-worthy moment of all times, the Kindle unveiling was accomplished by a group of tiny girls dressed as Russian dolls. They each carried the new e-book reader displaying the alphabets of Valaya’s show name glowing on the screen. What an adorable end to the wonderful day!

So that’s what happened on the grand opening day of the AIFW 2015. Stay tuned for more updates!