Amazon India Fashion Week: Ode to honeybees, Victorian era

Designers rolled out inspirations from beehives, summer exhibition at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, nostalgia, New York to name a few on the second last day of the Amazon India Fashion Week.

The evening slots were occupied by designers like Hemant and Nandita, Pallavi Mohan, Mandira Wirk, Pria Kataaria Puri, Amit Aggarwal, Pankaj and Nidhi and Masaba.

Designer duo Hemant and Nandita managed to execute their collection with a fine nib to create the magical effect of the Victorian period.

The segment titled “Romance Reinvented” the line included high slit numbers, ruffle detailing, gathered sleeves along with several high neck collared blouses.

Luring the audience to taste some “Sweet Nectar”, designer Pallavi Mohan’s collection was an ode to honeybees and their hardworking nature.

With the help of quelling, the designer mimicked the circular motion of bees to create thinly printed slivers of fabric wrapped and coiled around silhouettes that ranged from in hues of lavender, baby blue, dusty white and chalk white. Silk and varieties of tulles were widely employed in her collection.

Actress Nimrat Kaur slayed the runway playing muse to designer Mandira Wirk. Donning a white delicate and detailed gown with extended cape, the actress was all praises for the designer’s Spring Summer edition that was titled “New Royal” and comprised pieces like panelled anarkalis, floor-sweeping bell bottoms, jackets, capes, crop tops, jumpsuits, tapered trousers along with drape saris and dhoti pants.

A time capsule was all set to take off at Amit Aggarwal’s much-anticipated show “iCloud”, which was a homage to memory bubbles carrying candy-filled birthday balloons, roses pressed between notebook pages, the very first music CDs, the lost teddy bear eyes and more. Drawing out inspirations from these cherished moments, the designer went all the way out to include glitter and sequin waste, recycled materials like doll eyes and music discs to weave it against beautiful Indian textiles like chanderi, kota doria and floral block prints. The retro colour palette showcased pastel hues like salmon, lemon, soft blue, flesh and ivory pitted against pop accents.

A trip to the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly inspired Pankaj and Nidhi to come up with their latest line.

Stunned by the breathtaking beauty of paintings, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film on display, the designers rekindled their love for fashion and added elements of abstract art to set the tone and mood for the upcoming season. Metallic shine and shimmer and printed fabrics cut in scallop and amoeba shapes dominated the show. Masaba along with showstopper Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty drew the curtains down on the fourth day in a show inspired by the city of New York.

Bringing out the essence of the mixed bag of women in the US city, she showcased a collection crafted to suit different body types, skin tones, and personalities. In shades of cherry red, candy pink, green and electric blue the silhouettes ranged from progressive Indian wear to capes, peek-a-boo bustier, shift dresses, constructed jackets, handkerchief skirts, off-shoulder tunics and more.