Backless gowns, smart jacket dresses, asymmetrical designs, resort wear and lehengas teamed with sensuous cholis: the grand finale of the spring-summer edition of Amazon India Fashion Week 2015 was an ode to indigenous Benarasi weaves done in a contemporary style.
The five-day fashion extravaganza, taking place at the NSIC Grounds in New Delhi, ended with a spectacular show put together by 16 designers who were part of the fashion week.
The designers were: Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Namrata Joshipura, Ashish N Soni, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Abhishek Gupta, Gauri and Nainika, Alpana and Neeraj, Abraham and Thakore, Anupamaa Dayal, ATSU, Manish Arora, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Tarun Tahiliani.
The show was curated with the theme of Born in Benaras, hence the designers had to present designs using Benarasi weaves, proving that the traditional material can also be worn in a glamourous way.
The finale started almost an hour late from the scheduled time. It eventually kicked off with a speech by BJP spokesperson Shaina NC and President of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) Sunil Sethi, both of whom thanked the designers for bringing Benarasi weaves to the forefront.
“The fashion design industry rocked because they really believe in corporate social responsibility. What started with six designers in Mumbai went on to become 70 designers in Benaras and today we have over 100 designers from all walks of life, big and small, established and not so established, working in Benaras and paying tribute to master weavers,” Shaina NC said.
She also thanked some of the “master weavers who are sitting in the main show area”.
The show witnessed a wide palette of colours such as black, gold, red and blue; presenting the weaves in modern interpretations.
Designers played beautifully with the Benarasi brocade on long jackets, A-line skirts, Boho chic resort wear, saris and lehengas, giving the handcrafted weaves a more western and edgy touch.
“Our talented designers have successfully reflected the old world charm of Benaras on the contemporary canvas. We look forward to having such collaborations in future and evolving the fashion dynamics of India,” said Sethi.
All in all it was show rooted in India but made for the world.
