The royal touch

Tarun Tahiliani and Anju Modi took out leaves from yesteryears to embellish their collections on Day 1 of the India Couture Week. By Team Viva

The fragrance of mogra wafted through the air. The strains of opera music set the tone for Aditi Rao Hydari to glide in looking ethereal in a Tarun Tahiliani creation. Day 1 of the India Couture Week saw TT (as Tahiliani is popularly known) curate a show which was high on muted colours, embroidery that vacillated between subtle and over the top and flowy dream-like garments.

In Elysium, Tahiliani’s collection, began with pastels which had floral prints and embroidery and moved on to darker tones of red. The gowns, bejewelled with Swarovski crystals, shone bright. “When there is so much going on, there needs to be balance,” Tahiliani said pointing to Hydari’s outfit, which was an off-shoulder lehenga that was incandescent. The actress looked fragile draped in the mauve number with crystal work and a simple choker that stood out. But that is about Hydari. The blue ombre gowns and lehengas sported by others walking the ramp stole the night. They looked feathery light and transformed the models into birds of beauty. Perfect for pre and post-wedding functions, these could also be the main outfit if the bride is feeling a little adventurous.

Anju Modi’s show which followed was titled A Maiden’s Prayer,  where she collaborated with RK Jewellers, who designed a vintage collection for the show.

The show had a set design, which portrayed a Victorian park in which men and women of fashion strolled around to playful music and courted each other. This  collection too was high on floral motifs. Starting with pastels, the collection gradually moved towards solid colours like maroon and deep blues in multiple layers.

One pastel lehenga, with a deep red embroidered choli and asymmetrical layers draping the models long limbs, stood out. Actress Kangana Ranaut, who was the showstopper for this show, was dressed in a deep maroon velvet jacket and an off white lehenga with choli. Her brown hair was also styled in the British fashion while the jewellery collection was inspired by royal designs of yesteryears. It also had a  wider collection for men with long and flowing drapes. “The British have been inspired from Indian motifs as well,” said Modi. Ranaut also mentioned that the long trail of her dress was quintessential to the era.

Photo: Pankaj Kumar