Luxe is the word

Vibrant colours, rich fabric and flowy silhouettes mark the first two days of Synergy One Delhi Couture Week

Luxe is the word

Vibrant colours, rich fabric and flowy silhouettes mark the first two days of Synergy One Delhi Couture Week

Opulence was the buzzword on the first two days of Synergy One Delhi Couture Week. Rich fabrics, a riot of colours, Swarovski crystals and more marked the opening of the second edition of the fashion extravaganza that took off at a south Delhi five-star. Here is a lowdown of what the designers showcased at Synergy One Delhi Couture Week 2011. Read on:

Varun Bahl
Taking us back to the Victorian era with Marie Antoinette as his inspiration. Pointed shoulders, flowy
silhouettes, corset-like structures mark his collection which is a fusion of Western with ample touches of Indian.

A Varun Bhal creation

The shoulders and necks were the focus with accentuated shoulders and high collared jackets. There were lehengas, anarkalis, farshi pajamas and anarkalis along with skirts, saris, jackets, full sleeve blouses. Bahl used rich fabrics like tulle, damasks, chiffons, nets and velvets. The colour palette varied from pistachio hues to wines, maroons, ivorys and greens.Heavy embroidery and ample use of Swarovki crystals were the highlights.u00a0u00a0

JJ Valaya
Photography is Valaya's muse for his Fall Winter Couture Collection 2011. There are fluid silhouettes with a throwback to retro, flowy garments and full-bodied ensembles mark the line which has semi-precious stone embroideries, Swarovski crystal-studded dresses, graphic black and white digital prints, appliquework, threadwork, embroidery, zardosiwork and beading on custom-woven fabrics.

A JJ Valaya creation

The collection comprised Alika jackets, gowns, boleros, shararas, embroidered skirts, tunics with printed satin leggings, breaches, lehengas, panelled skirts, saris. Fabrics used were georgettes, silks, tulles, brocades, satins, velvets. the colour palette varied from jewel tones like silver and gold to blacks, charcoal greys, powder blues, shimmery greens, wines, ombre, reds and purples.

Manav Gangwani
Couture saw a whole new meaning with gangwani's A Timeless Affair collection. Clocks were used as props on stage and models pirouetted on revolving clocks showing off their ensembles. The star-studded front row saw everyone from Robert Vadra, Soha Ali Khan, Raveena Tandon with husband Anil Thadani, Rahul Khanna, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Dino Morea and more who cheered wildly for 'friend' Manav.

A Manav Gangwani creation

There were heavily sequined mermaid gowns, churidars worn with tunics which had accentuated necks, layered dresses with capes, panelled tunics, saris with tassels, lehengas with trails, kurtas. "This is what couture is in its real sense. From sunlight to sunset, we have covered all colours," said Gangwani. fabrics used are French tulle, French lames, georgettes, Chinese silks, dupont satins.

Kotwara by Meera & Muzaffar Ali
Paintings by Muzaffar Ali and Awadhi culture and opulence were the inspirations behind this collection. Opulence has been merged with old world charm. The silhouettes were flowy,there are also layered silhouettes.

Kotwara by Meera and Muzaffar Ali Pics/Subhash Barolia
and Shazid Chauhan

There were long printed jackets, kaftan dresses, long jackets, quilted coats, gowns, Farshi ghararas, lehengas, peshwaaz, choghas and saris. "The paintings became dynamic as the girls moved," said Ali. the designer duo has used antique zari work, zardozi, gotawork, chikankari and ikkat weaves. Fabrics comprise organzas, chiffons, nets and crepes with ample use of sequins. the colour palette moved from pastelsu00a0 to reds to beiges, blacks, pinks, canary yellows and earthy tones.

Suneet Varma
Kamasutra was designer Varma's muse. the collection highlights the sensuousness and femininity. There are pointy bustiers a la Madonna, long flowy skirts, layered lehengas, saris, anarkalis, narrow trousers, sheer mermaid skirts, saris worn with wide-legged pants, gowns, choli-cut blouses, structured coats, kamarbandhas, pajeb churidars and long-sleeved blouses.

A Suneet Varma creation

These have been embellished with aariwork, mirrorwork, ribbon rosettes, zardozi threadwork, cutwork and Swarovski elements. Fabrics used are chiffons and sheer fabrics in colours like blacks, jewel tones, pinks, bright reds, oranges, plums, pale nudes, mints and powder blues.

Hey psst....
A fight broke out between designers Anju Modi and Ashima-Leena on Day 3 of the fashion fiesta. Apparenetly, the designers, who had to share a show, had bickered for about 10 minutes over the runway backdrop. "It was my show but I decided to oblige. No point bickering over petty issues," Modi later told MiD DAY. Leena Singh of Ashima-Leena said: "It was a small issue but we have sorted it among ourselves."