A Celebration of India’s Artisanal Traditions Opened Day 1of The Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI
- Jahnavi Malhotra
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Lakmē Fashion Week, in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), returns for its 25th anniversary celebrations for a five-day showcase from October 8 to October 12 at The Grand, New Delhi. Day 1 kicked off at The Kunj, the newly opened handicrafts mall dedicated to Indian craft, textiles, and design excellence. The establishment proved to be the perfect immersive backdrop, setting the tone for the future of Indian fashion and its ever-growing appreciation for its roots.
The opening show presentations by Anavila, Akaaro, and The Edit by The Kunj, honouring India’s handmade crafts — a fresh sight for the eyes post the blinding flashes of Couture Week, subtlety and stillness were omnipresent in all its glory.
Amidst larger-than-life wicker blooms, the lights transformed into magic, a spellbinding Kathak recital, followed by a lady in white, with a voice as soft and impactful as her attire, marked the commencement of the most-awaited fashion event of the year.
Anavila Mishra’s collection “Sarmast” was a soothing treat for all senses engaged. Headlining the opening day, the house most famous for making your heirloom linens, took inspiration from the mystic state of Wajd and the soul of the Deccan. Using handwoven linen, appliquéd satin, and delicate French lace, the collection was a poetic dialogue between tradition and imagination.
Among the softest hues, from pearly white to summer favourites like butter yellow and powder pink, were accents of red, standing out from the rest like a bindi on a white suit. Reimagining handwoven linen saree, inspired by the soul of the Deccan, with appliquéd satin, obi belts, delicate French lace, trapeze jackets, and corset-like cummerbunds, the designer proudly reaffirmed her desire to make the saree a true wardrobe staple. She has revamped age-old traditions with a contemporary twist, making them well-suited for the modern day.
As the ‘apsaras in linen’ turned, a coquette lotus caught the eye, poised between restraint and bloom; the hair accessory accentuated the divine femininity of the collective.
"It’s a collection that captures stillness, emotion, and the quiet beauty of craft. It’s a gentle beginning an invitation to pause and feel the poetry in simplicity,"said designer Anavila Mishra
Let’s just say, if the theme is Indian quiet luxury, Anavila is ruling the moodboard.
From rosy to electric acid pink in a matter of seconds, Gaurav Jai Gupta’s Starlight for Akaaro flipped the narrative. True to its name, the collection unfolded in a galaxy-inspired palette of luminous indigo and deep fuchsia.
As the violin in the background sounded like a cinematic adaptation of a David Kushner soundtrack, the models strutted down the runway wrapped in indigenous silk shrugs, sarees, and jackets, effortlessly draped around the body. Appearing as light and easy as a cloud, the pieces embodied a “comfort first” approach to fashion. Echoing the brand’s love for material experimentation, the runway saw an unexpected amalgamation of contrasting elements— featherweight organza and metallic yarn that was fluid yet fearless. With shimmer in every step, the ensembles lay somewhere between raw silk and moonlit denim.
As your eyes drift downward, you meet the show’s unexpected stars, the avant-garde footwear. Chunky cushioned platform slide sandals in deep blue and metallic gold, could they be puffer jackets of footwear? The simplicity of stripes, the avant-garde factor of the footwear, and the classic yet twisted forms. It seems like Gaurav Jai Gupta has set the bar too high for all designers to follow.
The curtains drew with a full run-through of both labels’ creations, as Kathak and Bharatnatyam performers, their feet thumping louder than the music, took centre stage amidst suspended Indian handicrafts. The opening show of Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI became an ode to craft, culture, and couture. The stage is set, the week has begun, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.