Lakme Fashion Week has always been at the forefront of encouraging young and aspiring designers to think out of the box and present something that they’ll be noticed for, and in turn, recognized. Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019 was no different.
This year, debut designers were given a shot to be a part of The Platform program, in partnership with SmartWater. In this program, up and coming designers were given the chance to display their most innovative and unique designs on day four of the grand event on August 24, 2019, in Mumbai; participants in The Platform get the chance to be mentored by industry professionals for the opportunity to further their career. This year, there were three creative designers who had to adhere to a theme while showcasing how far they can push the fashion envelope. What was the theme, you ask? It was: #MadeDifferently.
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It seems like each one of the creators had different styles in mind, but all three had a common element stringing together their collection: waste and recyclable material.
[Read Related: The top 10 Showstoppers at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2019]
While Lakme Fashion Week has always been about highlighting stylish fashion trends, the week-long extravaganza also asks designers to address issues in and around society, to rehabilitate some sort of change, through their pieces.
So, keeping that aspect in mind, the organizers of Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2019 introduced the #MadeDifferently theme for this segment of the show, and here’s what the contenders came up with.
Shweta Gupta: “Verdant Valleys”
With a strong foundation in technique and fabric choices, Gupta’s label, SWGT, brought forward a collection called “Verdant Valleys,” focusing on the many shades of the season and the mesmerizing hills of Kumaon; you could expect a lot of rich and earthy tones from this one.
Keeping her designs completely zero waste, which means repurposing all her resources to turn them into various materials so there is no waste, Gupta managed to create notable and “fuss-free silhouettes” such as tunics and cotton shirts, as well as other relaxed clothing. What stood out the most was the pleating, smocking, thread work, and crochet details which were prevalent throughout the collection. The critics especially liked the smocked, rouched, long-sleeved blouse and black. It seems like “Verdant Valley” was a remarkable addition to this year’s The Platform segment.
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Salita Nanda: “Follow the Heart”
Nanda is known to be fearless and experiment with design. Drawing inspiration from Banksy’s protege Mr. Brainwash, this year, “Follow the Heart” pop art imagery on every piece that we saw on the ramp. Nanda used digital prints and hand pleats, like a master, to complete each and every ensemble and her intricate work was obvious on stage.
She kept nothing from the pop art culture unseen as she introduced neon colors, graffiti art, as well as slogans like “Love Is Love” and “You Look Fine” on the garments as an added, quirky touch. Nanda even managed to present the theme of her collection in a broad sense by incorporating each one of her coveted elements into each piece, be it the midi pinafore, cropped mini jacket, the pantsuit, or the sheer dress.
So, how was Nanda’s collection #MadeDifferently? The materials she used were a combination of organza, woven silk, cotton, and recycled polyester.
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Akshat Bansal: “Ambush”
If you saw Bansal’s designs from “Ambush,” then you know that they were certainly nothing less than eye-catching.
It’s hard not to focus on just a single aspect of the collection because everything was so notable and worth applause. The color choices were one of the first things that popped out for many; fiery reds, black, and hints of mustard were painted all over the ramp and you can tell that this year for Winter Festive, Bansal is hinting that you can tap into your darker side in fashion. He also played up the idea of layering — this was a uniform theme in both the men’s and women’s pieces he showcased.
Now, keeping in tune with the #MadeDifferently and sustainable fashion, Bansal showcased his pieces made out of Marine Plastic waste as well as recycled nylons.
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These looks and designers really bring light to the idea that fashion can be fun as well as safe for the environment we live in. So, sustainable fashion, anyone? Take cues from these designers who showcased their brilliant work at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2019.
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