New Delhi, May 02: The minimalistic western look was shown the boot on the ramp at the Lakme India Fashion Week, which showcased a very ethnic look. There was lots of drama and vibrancy as designer Ritu Kumar presented her label collection which experimented with the embroidery of Kutchi And Rabari tribes, using them in outfits with a western look. In the backdrop of remixes of old Hindi film songs and Rajasthani folk music, Kumar brought to life through the collection the story of the migration of nomadic tribes from northwest India to southern Spain.
Apparel loaded with Rajasthani influences gave way to a flamenco dancer, pointing out the connection between India and Spain. "The line is inspired by history, by the nomadic movement from northwest India to Spain in the 15th century," said Kumar, whose collection shown today, comprising 82 outfits, are from her brand label which is aimed at a young clientele.
Preceding Kumar`s show was Mira and Muzaffar Ali`s Kotwara collection. The duo introduced khaki line called Khak, which included Jodhpur pants, waistcoats, jackets, short-sleeved shirts and textured skirts in cottons and linens.

The show also had pristine white cottons and silver tissues crafted into classic uncluttered forms of crinkled lehenga skirts, loose sheer pajamas, straight kurtas and non-draped odhnis.
Adding a dash of colour were chiffon lehengas and cholis in colours of rose, peach, pink, mauve, red and green.
The complete womens wear collection by this diva of India design was full of dazzle and glitter as Malini`s creations which included sarees, lehangas, angarkhas, long coats and short jackets and pants, using some innovative colour palettes.

Divided into three sections, the first was the fairy-tale section with the lake palace in Udaipur as its inspiration revealed in stretch satin dresses shaped like Angarkha. The next section had Paris Hilton frocliking at the Pushkar Mela where the collection is of `hippy-deluxe` ghagras, pleated minis and flirty dresses with modernised Rajasthani prints, knitted cholis and pullovers.


The third was in the torrid deserts of Rajasthan with a wide range of silhouettes.

"The entire collection is based on fantasy where a woman can indulge herself and feel like a princess. I always design clothes which I would wear myself, so these clothes are an extension of my own fantasies," she said.
Western Indian and fusion wear with a contemporary Indian essence was the collection presented by Vandana Sawhney and Divya Bindra under the label Dabiri. Kolkata-based Swapan and Seema`s bridal wear collection was aimed at beating the heat. The lehengas, crinkled ghagras, sarees and kurtas studded with embroidery is restrained yet magical, the colour palette is inspired by the sun and is splashed with rich red and cheeky orange giving a truly Indian feel. Bureau Report