The final day of Lakme Fashion Week Summer-Resort 2013 saw a riot of colour and celebrity, with Kareena Kapoor fulfilling her promise to walk at Namrata Joshipura’s finale show, Bipasha Basu going back to her modelling days at Shantanu-Nikhil and Chitrangada Singh discovering a love of Indian textiles at Gaurang Shah.
Kareena happy to inspire designers like Namrata Joshipura
Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor returned for the third time to Lakme fashion week on Tuesday, looking spectacular in an orange-pink shirt and palazzos with a pink jacket by Namrata Joshipura.
“I have walked for three years at the Lakme Fashion Week, but this time I was stressed out. But I don’t know how, just two minutes before I came on the ramp, I felt relaxed and comfortable in my clothes. I am happy that I can inspire young designers like Namrata,” she told the media after the show.
The show followed a theme of “Pop tints”, are a range of lip and nail paints by Lakme.
“I like coral, red and blue. It is summer and everyone wants to be happy, which these colours do.”
“Pop tints is adding colour to my life at the moment. I like coral blue nails. Different colour nails also make a statement. I love all the colours [in this collection],” Kapoor added.
“Saif [Ali Khan] likes to see me in every colour. He has no choice.”
The actress’ new husband was not present to cheer the actress at the show, but she took it sportingly.
“We are not missing Saif... let him work. He sees me walk the ramp every day at home,” she joked.
At home, however, she’s a little more low-key.
“I love pyjamas and a T-shirt. I wish I could walk the ramp like that,” she said.
A very vibrant collection, the clothes varied from fitted skirts, halter tops, miniskirts, net dresses with bright neon inners and formal coats with trousers.
The colours used in the collection made it even brighter with fluorescent shades of pink, green and orange.
Joshipura said it was both tough and easy to work with a pre-decided colour palette.
“You have a slate work with, which makes it easy. But I am the queen of black, which was challenging,” she said.
Adding to the ambience of the show, the ramp had an enclosure made with rods and a roof which lit up during the show, giving a blue, pink and green tinge to the hall.
Modelling tough life: Bipasha Basu
The 34-year-old, who turned to acting with Ajnabee in 2001, walked the ramp for Shantanu-Nikhil and looked spectacular in a fitted long navy blue gown with a plunging neckline and long flowing sleeves.
She said: “I have been a model before and it was great to be here again.”
“It’s great to be back here in front of the fashion fraternity in pretty clothes. Fashion week is good because so many designers get to showcase their work. I had participated in the first fashion week as a model,” Basu said.
Recalling her modelling days, the Raaz, No Entry and Dhoom 2 star said: “I always had this fear that my heels will break or come off. And my shoe did come off in one of the shows. But I walked down the ramp, slipped into my shoe and walked till the head ramp. Things happen when you are modelling — it’s a tough life.”
Basu liked Shantanu-Nikhil’s collection and said: “The collection is fantastic. Mumbai boys will look even more dapper now.”
Titled “The Tourist”, the clothes range was inspired by travellers keen to discover new destinations.
The looks were chic and stylish with light semi-formal jackets and fitted trousers for men, and for women, formal skirt tops, dresses and long gowns. The set was transformed into an airport with regular flight announcements during the show.
“The collection is for urban travellers who work hard and party harder,” the design duo said.
Chitrangada models for Gaurang Shah
The actress looked stunning in a hand woven Rajasthani black kota sari. Gaurang, from Hyderabad, presented his collection ‘Gulbadan’, an amalgamation of Rajasthani kota jamdani weaves and intricate Lucknowi chikankari embroidery.
“It was the first time I wore a completely hand-woven sari and I fell in love with it instantly. I love Indian textiles and the craftsmanship is beautiful. I am in love with saris again. I was reluctant initially but Gaurang gave me the confidence that I will look stunning and I went for the beautifully black handwoven kota sari,” she said.
The designer showcased 16 classic hand-woven designs, one of which was created using 28 metres of fabric.
“Our woven collection at LFW has silhouettes that are manifold like the rose petals. The flowy dresses reflect grandness with contemporary as well as [a] fashion forward captivating look. We have used 12-15 metres of fabric in each of our creations,” he said.
It took over six months for Gaurang to create the collection.
