IMG Reliance Presents

The All About India Showcase

 A craft-based initiative by IMG Reliance where the designer labels, Abraham & Thakore, Rajesh Pratap Singh for Satya Paul, Urvashi Kaur, Payal Khandwala, Anavila and Suket Dhir showcased collections that highlighted crafts like ikat, block prints, Jamdaani, brocade, Khatwa and Shibori techniques.The second phase of this initiative by IMG Reliance will bring the six designers and more, for a 5-6 months project that will be a collaboration between designers and clusters. The purpose is to support marginalised craft clustered and those heavily impacted by the pandemic by generating livelihood opportunities for the artisans. The collections developed will either be retailed with via an e-commerce platform. IMG Reliance will partner with NGO Creative Dignity, a movement that has brought together creative producers, practitioners, and professionals to revitalise the Indian artisans post Covid-19 and identify most affect groups.

ABRAHAM & THAKORE-The Designers gave emphasis to a capsule collection of block printed garments.The geometric of dots in varying sizes in combination with fine lines brought forth a unique hand block print story that created a stylish impact.

COLOR CARD-Sand and Gold

• 

• 

·   Design Aesthetics– The creative merging of modern silhouettes with Indian traditional textile hand block printing techniques raised the sartorial bar of the Abraham & Thakore collection, which had a marked festive flavour. The designer duo has been working with artisan Arun Parihar from Farrukabad, UP for years now and this consistency of work has enabled him to open his own unit in Noida where he employs more artisans. 

RAJESH PRATAP SINGH FOR SATYA PAUL       

Rajesh Pratap Singh showcased his version of double ikat for Satya Paul Studio in stark black and white with a sprinkling of hot colors.

• 

• 

Design Aesthetics-Rajesh Pratap Singh moved away from the conventional patterns of ikat and gave the traditional a very futuristic touch with the pristine creativity that was visually stunning.

ANAVILA MISHRA

It was a festive rainbow of colours in textiles that Anavila Mishra unveiled… Festivities were celebrated from the Anavila Studios with the “Dhanak” collection this season, which means rainbow in Sanskrit. The definition of the word, which was a “mystical pathway between sunshine and rain that is the harbinger of giggly laughs” that proved to be the perfect inspiration for Anavila’s line that projected visuals of strength and light. Anavila has worked with 12 artisan families directly, spread across 5 villages near Dumka – namely Jiyajor, Mohanbuna, Gabharna, Kakania & Lakda.

Design Aesthetics-Linen was woven with fine zari and khatwa work.Silhouettes were easy and comfortable

• 

• 

Color Card-Jewel tones of rich garnet, serene citrine, impressive jade, attractive amethyst, royal emerald, terrific topaz, intriguing sapphire and beautiful rose quartz.

  PAYAL KHANDWALAL

Her limited edition of just ten saris, handwoven in silk Jamdaani. She explored a craft that was typical in fine muslin on handlooms. But this time, she rethought the context into a new avenue but stayed true to her colour-blocked silks, traditional motifs in floral or geometric shapes and added an exaggerated and modern version of the wildflower print story.

Design Aesthetics-Payal showcased in each sari a meticulous format, when two-inch strips of designs are placed under the loom with myriad dots in watercolour added to the woven warp, to recreate the pattern on the yarn. The weaving done by wooden shuttles according to guidelines had a silver metallic yarn with the assistance of a separate metallic needle. Payal is working with the artisans of Phulia region in West Bengal for these saris.

·          Color Card- Use of Jewel tones. The mix of ruby red with dark ink gave the dual-toned sari a luxurious appeal, A bright shade of parrot green or electric blue was the radiant backdrop for the white bouquet of flowers .Payal merged red with fuchsia.

 URVASHI KAUR 

Urvashi Kaur’s “Tahul” was a mix of relaxed androgynous apparels that consisted of Tiered and shirt dresses with the over sized silhouettes . The multi-layers had many mix and match choices for both sexes in a sheer and opaque format for a stylish appeal.Men’s wear featured a concealed placket, boxy jacket with Shibori insets on sleeves and body-worn on a matching shirt while the linear striped pants displayed bold insets and patch pocket with the craft.

Design Aesthetics-A fascinating display of craft, textiles, construction and detailing.Detailing created a strong accent in the form of micro pleating and hand blocks. Urvashi selected handwoven organic cotton, sheer Kota silk, Jamdaani and then brought in sheer noils that had inserts of intricate stitch line texturing.The collection showcased the beauty of Shibori tie-dye patterns.

Men’s wear featured a concealed placket, boxy jacket with Shibori insets on sleeves and body-worn on a matching shirt while the linear striped pants displayed bold insets and patch pocket with the craft.

COLOR CARD-Grey with indigo and then gradually traversed to winter sage as well as oak which were merged with ochre green and charcoal.

SUKET DHIR

Celebrating the ‘Nature Within’ concept, Suket introduced a mélange of varied animal prints that lit up the landscape on the handwoven silk brocades, which were created instead of the conventional motifs of Maharanis, Maharajas and Sakhis. For more elegant style directions, the construction was boxy, for the grey brocade 2-button jacket that would be ideal wear for the party circuit with a pair of matching shorts.

• 

• 

 Design Aesthetics-Suket Dhir gave a creative fashion dimension to festive wear but kept the rich fabric brocade base very contemporary in vibrant hues and motifs. Needless to say, Suket’s exquisite brocades some from the skills handloom weavers of Banaras.

#lakmefashionweek

#Fivedaysoffashion

#SpotlightReady

@lakmefashionwk