Gaurang wows with weaves
The designer’s collection, Kalpavriksha, showcased a jugalbandi of Andhra khadi, Punjabi gota, fabrics from Uttar Pradesh and Jamdani from Bengal
Before his show had even begun, Gaurang Shah had won over his audience with some live music on the ramp.
As the R.D. Burman-composed Kuch Na Kaho played on the trumpet, the designer unveiled his collection
Kalpavriksha, inspired by the wish-fulfilling tree.
The fabric was a blend of work done by Jamdani weavers from Andhra Pradesh and Bangladesh fused with phulkari, chikankari and kalamkari in dupattas, saris, floor-sweeping anarkalis, kurtas and lahengas. His signature was seen in the elaborate borders and intricate thread embroidery work besides of course his trademark colour palette of brick red, brown, yellow, beige, light olive green and muted blues.
Among the celebs on the front row was Vidya Balan looking her usual splendid self in a mauve organza Kanjivaram by Gaurang. There was Vivek Oberoi too.
Although Vidya was not Gaurang’s official showstopper, the designer, when he took his curtain call, requested the actress to join him and the two walked the ramp to a round of applause.
“My collection is a jugalbandi of Andhra khadi, Punjabi gota, fabrics from Uttar Pradesh and Jamdani from Bengal. So it reflects the weaves from all over India. The kalamkari you see in my collection is different from the regular kalamkari. Usually kalamkari has black borders, which are later filled in with colour. Here we directly painted with colour and the results stand out,” said Gaurang at the post show conference.
When asked about the collection, Vidya Balan said, “Everyone knows by now my love for Kanjivaram. So when Gaurang told me he had an organza Kanjivaram for me, I was both intrigued and excited. I am happy to be here on Textile Day. I love wearing handlooms. And I want to do how much ever I can for the weavers. I feel all of us should make an effort for the cause of handloom.”