• Payal Singhal collaborated with R-Elan and presented an entire collection in eco-friendly fabrics. All photos courtesy FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week
    Payal Singhal collaborated with R-Elan and presented an entire collection in eco-friendly fabrics. All photos courtesy FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week
  • Gauri and Nainika collaborated with Marie Claire to present a feminine collection inspired by 'life in the slow lane'.
    Gauri and Nainika collaborated with Marie Claire to present a feminine collection inspired by 'life in the slow lane'.
  • The second annual All About India show partnered with with three designers to promote ethnic crafts. Seen here, a design by Sohaya Misra of eco-conscious label Chola.
    The second annual All About India show partnered with with three designers to promote ethnic crafts. Seen here, a design by Sohaya Misra of eco-conscious label Chola.
  • An outfit created with 'peace' silk by Cocccon, helmed by Indo-German designing duo Prakash and Georg.
    An outfit created with 'peace' silk by Cocccon, helmed by Indo-German designing duo Prakash and Georg.
  • Nece Gene. Courtesy India Fashion Week
    Nece Gene. Courtesy India Fashion Week
  • Geisha Designs by Paras and Shalini recreated traditional Indian silhouettes with a distinctive old-world look and feel.
    Geisha Designs by Paras and Shalini recreated traditional Indian silhouettes with a distinctive old-world look and feel.
  • Akshat Bansal of Bloni blended tech-treated marine plastic waste textiles with local artisanal techniques in gender-neutral silhouettes.
    Akshat Bansal of Bloni blended tech-treated marine plastic waste textiles with local artisanal techniques in gender-neutral silhouettes.
  • Menswear by Rahul Das Gupta, one of two designers selected as part of the GenNext mentorship programme.
    Menswear by Rahul Das Gupta, one of two designers selected as part of the GenNext mentorship programme.
  • #SNSafari by Shantanu and Nikhil was inspired by the notion of 'celebration on the move'.
    #SNSafari by Shantanu and Nikhil was inspired by the notion of 'celebration on the move'.
  • Pankaj & Nidhi presented a vibrant and free-spirited show called Kaleido.
    Pankaj & Nidhi presented a vibrant and free-spirited show called Kaleido.
  • Also part of All About India was the label Huemn, which worked with local artisans and sustainable materials, to present handcrafted embroidered pieces.
    Also part of All About India was the label Huemn, which worked with local artisans and sustainable materials, to present handcrafted embroidered pieces.
  • Payal Pratap's View with a Room collection was rendered in shades of plum, purple and coffee.
    Payal Pratap's View with a Room collection was rendered in shades of plum, purple and coffee.
  • Designer Ritu Kumar employed yarn dyes, floral prints and clever patchwork for a line that came with a host of mix-and-match options.
    Designer Ritu Kumar employed yarn dyes, floral prints and clever patchwork for a line that came with a host of mix-and-match options.
  • Power couple Ankita Konwar and Milind Soman pose for the Peta India vegan fashion lookbook.
    Power couple Ankita Konwar and Milind Soman pose for the Peta India vegan fashion lookbook.
  • Nidhi Yasha's collection was titled 'The Gypsy’s Wife', inspired by the Leonard Cohen song.
    Nidhi Yasha's collection was titled 'The Gypsy’s Wife', inspired by the Leonard Cohen song.
  • Masaba Gupta's breezy Summer 21 line was aimed at women and men who are escapists by nature.
    Masaba Gupta's breezy Summer 21 line was aimed at women and men who are escapists by nature.
  • Suneet Varma's opulent couture collection was titled 50 Shades of Happiness.
    Suneet Varma's opulent couture collection was titled 50 Shades of Happiness.
  • Limerick showcased the 400-year-old art form of Pichwai, which translates to 'that which hangs at the back', and refers to the pictorial textiles created as backdrops in shrines and temples.
    Limerick showcased the 400-year-old art form of Pichwai, which translates to 'that which hangs at the back', and refers to the pictorial textiles created as backdrops in shrines and temples.
  • New Born by Samant Chauhan melded intense sleeves, flowy fabric and shimmering detail.
    New Born by Samant Chauhan melded intense sleeves, flowy fabric and shimmering detail.
  • Nitin Bal Chauhan used 3D embroidery for his fashion film 'False Friends', which depicts a virtual birthday party.
    Nitin Bal Chauhan used 3D embroidery for his fashion film 'False Friends', which depicts a virtual birthday party.
  • Nirmooha paid ode to the swinging '70s.
    Nirmooha paid ode to the swinging '70s.

Fashion

21 looks from FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week in India: from Manish Malhotra to Masaba Gupta

This season marked the first time the show was held online only

Panna Munyal
Panna Munyal

March 21, 2021

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Mumbai and Delhi combined their fashion weeks for the first time in 15 years, for a six-day event that concluded on Sunday.

Held under the title FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week, the online-only showcase saw dozens of Indian designers and labels put their best digital foot forward with films and audience-free presentations taking the place of traditional runway shows in keeping with global trends.

From Bollywood favourite Manish Malhotra to couture designer Sandeep Varma's opulent bridal creations and the fusion aesthetic of Masaba Gupta, the collections were at once exquisite and well thought out.

Sustainable fashion was the order of the day, as designers looked to revive handcrafted techniques and employ eco-friendly fabrics, with many working with local artisans from all over India to preserve their textiles and techniques.

Mentorship programmes and awards were other heartening aspects of the event, which enabled young, emerging talents to display their design prowess to a wider audience.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the multifaceted lookbook that emerged from this year's India fashion week.  

Fashion