Fashion from the capital: Lakme Fashion Week

CEBU, Philippines - On the premiere day of Lakme Fashion Week it already seemed young designers with all the new talent were presenting their batch of gen next. While Chandni Mohan went the Coco Chanel with her boxy dresses and jackets, Divya Seth inspired by the English tea party exhibited a set of porcelain looking blue-and-white ensembles.

The next show went back to the days of black-and-white movies as Dhruv Kapur presented a set of monochromatic ensembles. Duality played a major role as one would wonder whether it's a tuxedo or a bomber; a jumpsuit with a coat back or another with a trail. A minimalist collection, he skipped embroidery and all that jazz to keep focus on cuts and construction.

Pranav Mishra and Shyma Shetty's label Huemn with a collection so absolutely loved. An amalgamation of sports luxe, laid back dressing and ultra fashion, it was athleticism at it's best. Numerical motifs, silk sweatshirts over sequinned pencil skirts, varsity tees added vibrant energy to the collection.

The show, held at Palladium Hotel in Mumbai, India, ended with a bevy of Bollywood stars taking to the runway. The day began with its high-octane dose of celebs.

Priyanka Chopra walked the ramp for Delhi designer Varun Bahl, who returned to the fashion event after a decade by revisiting some of the key pieces over the years. While the show began with androgynous outfits like wide-legged trousers teamed with printed tops and zipper-sleeved blazers, it ended with pretty red lace and thread appliqués on nude gowns. Surprisingly, Piggy Chops chose to walk down the ramp in a pair of wide-legged black trousers with a black crop top, silver jacket, studded necklace and pointy toe heels.

For Neha Aggarwal's debut collection, titled "Mille Fleurs," it was none other than actress Esha Gupta who took to the ramp in a pretty crystal-studded fishtail gown in a gradient of bright acquatic hues. Meanwhile, Bigg Boss 7 winner Gauhar Khan cut a graceful figure in a gold embroidered green jacket with a Nehru collar combined with a chiffor overskirt and geometric print cigarette pants.

Arpita Mehta took the desi route with boutique-like ethnic wear and roped in Ileana D'Cruz who wore pink lehenga-choli set by the silver leaf detailing on the borders. Model and actress Lisa Haydon looked svelte in a white and midnight blue gown with a skin-colored 

The last show of the fashion week by couturier and costume designer Manish malhotra brought together some of the most glamorous faces under the Yash Johar banner. The star-studded front row saw famous names such as Karan, Johar, Kajol, Karisma Kapur, Priyanka Chopra and Esha gupta By Radhika Bhalla in Mumbi who were all seen bonding over laughter throughout the show. Celina Jaitly, Juhi Chawla, Sridevi and boney Kapoor, Dino Morea, Richa Chadha and Qureshi were also spotted.

The show began with an energetic Varun Dhawan leading the way, who wore a Harris Tweed jacket with black Jodhpurs, a black collared shirt, lace-ups and his trademark mercury sunglasses in bright pink color. Singham 2 star Kareena Kapoor Khan stole the spotlight in a glittering silver front-open low-back kurta shimmering paneled lehenga and grey tulle cape.

Speaking to media, Kareena shared, "Manish is some one who I've grown up in front of. We've known each other for 23 years since I was 10 years old. We're also the best of friends and he's like a family member to me." Commenting on  his creations, she said, " I think Manish's garments are all beyond spectacular… People know that when you talk Manish, it's always about color, grat embroidery and lots of glamor." 

(Sources: fashionwanted.com; indiatoday.intoday.in)