Indian designer Anamika Khanna pulled off a graceful and impressive show for the grand finale of Lakmé Fashion Week summer/resort 2015 in Mumbai on Sunday night (March 22) – despite protests that forced a last-minute change in venue.
The show had been due to take place at the Bhau Daji Lad museum in South Mumbai, amid much excitement about the intimate, off-site location. But complaints by supporters of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena political group, who objected to a fashion show taking place in the historic museum “on moral grounds”, yesterday prompted organisers to move the finale to the Palladium hotel, the main venue for the fashion week.
The designer told The National she was disappointed that the location had to be changed.
“The museum is spectacular and the show was planned according to the museum,” said Khanna. “I don’t know what it is but for some reason in India there is this perception that fashion is about stripping, and fashion is about people who are drinking and partying. I don’t think people in India respect the fact that fashion is about supporting Indian craft. I feel like when we’re in Paris, when we’re in Rome, they celebrate fashion with their historical venues.” She said that some of the protestors tore things down related to the show at the museum.
But the disruption did not stop celebrities including Bollywood A-listers Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha and Jacqueline Fernandez from making it to the event. Also in attendance was a diamond-laden Nita Ambani, the wife of billionaire business tycoon Mukesh Ambani.
Lakmé’s brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor was the showstopper, taking to the catwalk in a stunning black, white and silver embroidered ensemble by Khanna. Saif Ali Khan, the actress’s husband, also attended the event.
Khanna is well-known for stylish designs combining ethnic prints and contemporary silhouettes with traditional embroidery techniques, and the collection reflected this sensibility: in show were dresses, sheer capes, elaborate jackets and flowing saris with high-collared blouses – all in ivory, black, blue and white.
"We're all bowled over by what she did," said Anaita Shroff Adajania, fashion director of Vogue India. "I think when you see a show like Anamika's, it really brings back everything that we believe in, which is the power of Indian craft, the power of originality. She's someone who has always stood by her conviction with her aesthetic. You have to admire the genius of her creative brain.
“Also, the collection showed a variety of outfits – from simple slip dresses with a bit of embroidery to a lushly entirely embroidered ensemble with a lehenga [full skirt] and a top.”
Adajania said that the forced change in location did not detract from the experience.
“I think everybody was very surprised by the venue change but I didn’t feel it all when I saw the show. It was magical. For me, it was the perfect show.”
Lakmé Fashion Week celebrated its 15th anniversary this year. Yesterday’s finale also saw creations by Wendell Rodricks – the designer presented a colourful collection inspired by pop art. Waluscha, the showstopper, wore a black swimsuit and a wool-crepe pleated skirt, and Tarun Tahiliani, whose show included featured Bollywood’s Chitrangada Singh in a blue-printed top over a puffy, layered pink skirt.
artslife@thenational.ae
