Lakme Fashion Week: A fitting finale!

9 pm gt Gaurav GuptaThe grand set created at Bandras Mehboob Studios for Gaurav Guptas collection Sculpt was the perfect way to spell out that the finale show at the fashion week should be all about grandeurModels in structured silhouettes pose against the giant sculpture of a woman during Gaurav Guptas finale showThe venue which was also used for designer Manish Malhotras offsite show played a large role in upping the scale The giant sculpture of the face of a woman rose from the centre of a circular stage A flight of stairs amongst the white stage deacutecor added significantly to the dramaHaving the audience seated all around the stage which offered a close look at every outfit was a good idea What we loved about the designers new line was that though the colour tones used were white grey black and red the outfits looked vibrant The neatly crafted silhouettes of the evening gowns were his plus pointWe loved the use of sheer in some of the outfits However many of the designs werent different from the designers usual forte and wed have loved to see more experimentationA model showcasing a checkered onion print from Aartivijay Guptas collection titled MandiBrouhaha over the brideA model showcasing an outfit from Neeta Lullas latest collection for the modern bride that encompassed five different themes including vintage traditional chaniyacholis inspired by Indian temples and arts Jaipurs ornate palaces and floral printsSame difference12 pm gt Anushree Reddy Arpita Mehta Ridhi MehraDay Five of Lakmeacute Fashion Week WinterFestive 2015 began on an average note with three designers mdash Anushree Reddy Arpita Mehta and Ridhi Mehra mdash packing in conventional festive wear Starting first Reddys lineup was dominated by light pastel colour palette and moved on to greys beige and even bright yellowAmy Jackson left and Rana Daggubati right turned showstoppers for Anushree Reddys centre collection PicsShadab KhanThe models strutted in fluid chiffon drapes net lehengas and sarees with zardosi work cutwork dupattas and floral printed blouses A far cry from the collection was when hunky showstopper Rana Daggubati strode the runway dressed in a black raw silk kurta We wish Reddy had showcased more from her menswear lineA model in a gold embellished green lehenga from Arpita Mehtas lineHigh on golden embellishments appliqueacute and mirror work on silks and chiffons Mehta impressed us with a few functional outfits from her collection The Golden Hour For instance the use of dull gold work on an emerald green raw silk lehenga paired with an offshoulder choli was our pickThe showstopper Malaika Arora Khan glided down the runway to whistles no kidding in a heavy gold offshoulder choli with a paneled net trail and a long embroidered gold skirt with a thighhigh slit something only she could have carried offWith solid hues like crimson red white ochre black and regular silhouettes like caped blouses formal pants structured jackets and gowns dominating the runway Mehras collection Prism failed to leave a markFashionably vegetarian130 pm gt Aartivijay Gupta Mayank AnandShraddha Nigam Sonaakshi RajImpressed by Aartivijay Guptas previous collection featuring prints inspired by mosaic we were excited about her latest showcase Mandi based on a vegetable marketAnd surely she didnt disappoint Imaginative and fun the collection packed in big pleated skirts trench coats workwear shirts jumpsuits dresses and even a coatblousesaree featuring big and bright prints of veggies and fruits mdash from apples to gourds tomatoes onions et al mdash cut into halfFused on checkered silhouettes in tones of dark biscuit browns leafy green and beige the prints created a stir Polished miniwicker caskets that doubled as hand accessories added a lovely touch Next the runway turned into a military parade as the designer duo Mayank Anand and Shraddha Nigam presented their line The Textile BrigadeModels took to the runway in military caps flowey drapes structured tunics slit kurtas and army pants mdash all in earthy tones mdash embellished with gold plated buttons and tassels Apart from a few neatly crafted patchwork designs we werent too gungho about this lineSonaakshi Raj created some edgy silhouettes as part of her new collection The RunAway Bride While she showcased long skirts with capes tightlyfitted mermaid dresses and a fairytale tulle gown donned by showstopper Kriti Sanon our pick was a pair of dark amethystcoloured frontslit dhoti pants paired with a gold embroidered crop top featuring a dragon motifAmy Jackson left and Rana Daggubati right turned showstoppers for Anushree Reddys centre collection PicsShadab KhanBlack is the new black5 pm gt Tarun TahilianiAfter bringing Rajasthan to the ramp with a fun boho chic collection last season designer Tarun Tahiliani went slightly subtle with his latest precirct offering Easy Glamour An antiquelooking mirror and a rack of outfits formed the backdrop on the stageAlesia Raut in a pencil skirt inspired by Russian gypsy elementsWith black seen as a dominating hue in the line the models took to the runway in kaftans tunic jumpsuit sarees asymmetric kurtas leggings corset dresses dhoti sarees and jackets with open sleevesWe preferred some of the designs that were inspired by Russian elements For instance a kneelength pencil skirt with gypsylike stripes in shades of rust paired with a matching sleeveless jacket looked stunning on the rampThe stylised messy hairdos and shiny golden discearrings completed the looks The designer took a bow with the sultry Chitrangada Singh who made a statement in a black draped gown with a velvet goldembellished cape