ALL SET FOR PRET: THE HIGHLIGHTS

Over 100 designers will showcase at fashion week through the runway and exhibit area. Here’s a look at all that’s in store at the fiveday event that starts today in Delhi

The autumn/winter edition of fashion week, organised by Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), gets underway today at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with designers showcasing their prêt (ready-to-wear) collections. And, this time around, the play of technology stands out. Not only in terms of presentation (LED walls, tech-forward runways), but even inspiration and aesthetics. Here’s the lowdown:

Tech-connect, doing it different: While there is no Grand Finale this time (in keeping with international standards), designer Namrata Joshipura will be closing the big-ticket Day 4 (on Saturday). “The collection is essentially what I do — a combination of jumpsuits, evening dresses, gowns. I am pretty drawn by this technology thing — it’s not the theme of the show, but I have explored human connections in the digital scenario. The evolution of the world and how it’s driven by technology was a starting point for me,” she says.

Today, designer Samant Chauhan starts fashion week, and he aims to explore the play of monochromes. Paying a tribute to black, white and grey, the mood is inspired by painter Jonathan I, who lost his ability to see colour. “The collection is a departure from the quintessential “us”. There is the force of randomness, with us trying to dismantle our style,” states Chauhan. For designer Gaurav Jai Gupta, who is showing on Friday, evolving digital dynamics are pivotal to his show.

“The collection is called Upside Down. It symbolises the parallel dimension, artificial intelligence, futuretech —that’s the metaphorical idea. The collection is black and white, with a touch of blue. Garments wise, there are eight looks, with a splash of interesting digital prints — a departure from our usual aesthetics,” says Gupta. Travelogues, autumnal prints, menswear: From Delhi streets to Paris’s allure — designers continue to draw from cultures, travels. While Anupama Dayal will play on the colourful tradition of kite flying in Lucknow at her show today, Abraham and Thakore will showcase later in the day, with the Capital as their muse. While the season has autumn in focus, there is still a floral touch in the works. Rina Dhaka will present her collection tomorrow, with a splash of autumnal florals. Also, like the past few seasons, menswear continues to be focus, with a show tomorrow, dedicated to men’s fashion.

Digital printing, tiedye and relaxed separates make up Nida Mahmood’s collection Designer Siddartha Tytler will showcase his collection, F.U.S.S, which plays on the concept of sportsluxe

PHOTO: ROHIT CHAWLA Madhu Jain ‘s collection features her work in biodegradable BambooSilk Ikat, with Thai sensibilities

Rina Dhaka’s collection features florals for fall (left) Menswear will also be under the spotlight, with designers including Pawan Sachdeva (creation on the left) and Dhruv Vaish (creation above) showcasing their collections

Namrata Joshipura’s collection draws from the complex relationship between the human and digital world

Shruti Sancheti’s collection is inspired by Russian folklore

Indie Eye and Shivan & Narresh will showcase on Friday. Motifs, prints in the garments are inspired by a mix of Edo Art aesthetics and a Seychelles vibe

1950’s glamour takes centerstage at Adarsh Gill’s showcase (right)

Abraham & Thakore will showcase a collection inspired by Delhi (sketch on L); Gaurav Jai Gupta’s collection (R) is called Upside Down

ShyamalBhumika’s collection is called Parisian Symphony

Gautam Gupta’s collection is called Metamorphosis