Top designers showcase eclectic collection at India Fashion Week

Mumbai, Mar 21: India`s ace fashion designer Raghavendra Rathore unveiled his recession-inspired Autumn-winter collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion week on Friday.The collection tiltled `Left Aligned` reflected the global economic meltdown and the social and political realities of our times , Raghavendra told reporters.

He said he drew inspiration from the left-handed people and highlighted the left sides of the clothes through cuts and stitching lines. The colour sensibilities at the show were dark and somber and the collection included garments in gabardine wool, rich silk, flowy fabrics and leather belts and pants. Known for stylish cuts and meticulous detailing on his creations , Rathore presented fitted pants, jackets and dresses in dark brown or grey and draped tops in ivory satin. The collection also included a turquoise quilted coat and a flowing red cocktail dress with gold embroidery . For men , Rathore designed a layered look in darker or sandy shades and composed of a long tunic over narrow trousers and an apron worn sideways. Designer Manish Arora presented his fantasy `Jungle` collection on Friday , bringing to the Indian fashion week what he had showcased at the Paris fashion week earlier this month. The inventive collection , a riot of colours and shapes, brought on to the catwalk models displaying garments inspired by birds and animals . In his usual flamboyant style, Arora`s dresses had embroidered elephants, leopard prints, shoulders shaped like roaring lions, 3-dimensional butterflies and glittering prints in saturated colours. Arora used the popular melodies of the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire" as the soundtrack for the show. When asked whether the ongoing economic downturn will affect the business of fashion , Arora said it was important for the fashion community to continue their creative endeavours. "See, recession or no recession , my collection will always be like this. Because...and in fact when there is recession I think it is more of a need to go out there and say - yes , we can still do it ," he told reporters after his show. More than 100 designers are participating in the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion week , many of them newcomers. The organisers have provided a special poolside ramp for the 23 new designers showcasing their creative talents. Among them was Nikhita Tandon who presented her collection of evening gowns on Friday. The event will conclude on Sunday. Bureau Report