Mumbai: The Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI 2024 celebrated renowned designer Rohit Bal with an emotional showcase of his final collection, ‘Kaaynaat.’ The event also featured diverse collections from other designers, blending tradition and modernity to honour India’s rich cultural heritage in fashion.
The Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI 2024, held in October, served as an emotional tribute to the esteemed designer Rohit Bal, whose final showcase at the House of Lakmé Grand Finale highlighted his immense artistry. Bal’s concluding collection, titled ‘Kaaynaat,’ paid homage to themes of nature, beauty, and transformation, with iconic large rose motifs intertwining throughout each piece. The intricate embroidery and meticulous craftsmanship evident in the garments encapsulated Bal’s poetic approach to design, ensuring that his legacy will endure within the haute couture landscape.
The event displayed a harmonious blend of India’s rich cultural heritage with contemporary style, featuring renowned designers such as Payal Pratap, Abraham & Thakore, Payal Singhal, and Dhruv Kapoor. Each collection presented a unique narrative, merging modern sensibilities and time-honoured traditions that reflect the country’s diverse aesthetics.
Payal Singhal celebrated the 25th anniversary of her brand with the “Tazhib” collection, which paid tribute to Mughal art and architecture. The pieces exhibited a contemporary yet vintage charm, showcasing deconstructed anarkalis, backless corset cholis, and intricate ruffle lehengas. The collection was enriched with traditional embellishments such as mukaish, gota, Lucknowi, and zari work. Its colour palette, ranging from classic black and white to lively shades, evoked a sense of sepia-toned nostalgia while seamlessly integrating modern bridal and occasion wear.
Abraham & Thakore presented a collection that transformed overlooked elements of everyday life into high fashion. Drawing inspiration from mundane objects—including discarded sweet wrappers and retro film tapes—the designers reimagined these materials into luxurious fabrics and detailed embroideries. This innovative approach involved the use of silks, georgettes, and organzas, offering a contemporary twist that resonates with today’s environmentally conscious consumers.
Payal Pratap’s collection embraced the theme of nature, depicting a vibrant spectrum of colours with intricate thread embroideries and traditional techniques like cross-stitch and patchwork. The collection captured a blend of rustic exuberance and timeless elegance, with breezy silhouettes that establish a nostalgic narrative. Pratap’s dedication to craftsmanship underscored the significance of contemporary silhouettes, transforming each piece into a lasting work of art designed for the modern woman.
Dhruv Kapoor’s The Denim Edit collection merged past influences with contemporary trends, bridging retro aesthetics with modern design elements. The collection showcased innovative pairings that revitalised denim through oversized silhouettes, hand-embroidered details, and carefully painted accents, reinforcing denim’s status as both a classic and forward-looking fabric.
Punit Balana’s “Johari Bazaar” collection drew inspiration from the vibrant marketplace in Jaipur. Highlights included Khaka patterns and Mughal motifs intricately woven throughout the pieces, with jewel tones of pink and purple reflecting the bazaar’s lively essence. The collection aimed to create a contemporary dialogue through traditional garments such as shararas and lehengas.
In what many regarded as a climactic moment in the season filled with creativity, Rohit Bal’s spectacular grand finale left an indelible mark on Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI 2024. His ‘Kaaynaat’ collection served as a tribute to his pioneering ability to merge fashion with fine art, intertwining themes of nature and transformation in a remarkable showcase. The artistry and craftsmanship inherent in Bal’s designs will continue to inspire future generations in the fashion industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
