With Varun Bahl, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Hemant and Recycled Fabric suppliers Nandita, Pallavi Mohan, Shantanu and Nikhil, Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Rina Dhaka and Gaurav Gupta showcasing, day one was a mixed bag of wintery and not-so-wintery collections in the bi-annual fashion fiesta.Jackets, bombers, tunics, slim trousers and A-line skirts set the tone for Varun Bahl’s catwalk show which featured his return to the ready-to-wear arena nearly after five years. Known for taking inspiration from flora and fauna, Bahl stuck to his key element – floral in his collection "Nocturne”. Borrowing the colour palette from the tropical forests of Gauguin, the collection comprised ivory, beige, teal, peach, mustard, olive, black, gold and pale rose. Gaurav Jai Gupta of Akaaro was next and his collection, "Mumuksha”, was a sartorial concoction. 

He proved that he is still masterful at giving new shapes to coats, dresses, kurtas and dresses made in India with the most traditional of fabrics. The designer shaped his models with dresses, shirts and exterior capes using sheer silks, engineered cottons, hand-woven merino wools, tussar as well as matka silks and created a dramatic effect. Some outfits played with the idea of modern silhouettes in the form of panelled dresses, kaftans, shirtdresses, etc. but a few like saris and blouses were wedged to the traditional. Designer duo Hemant and Nandita’s show was a riot of colours. With bright midnight blues, earthy browns, deep reds playfully mingling with clashing shiny fabrics in a splash of gold, copper, bronze and other jewel tones in the form of embroideries, the duo sent models strutting down the catwalk in bold outwear with loose, droopy shoulder seams, deep V necklines, strappy shoulders and high (really high) slits along with oversized brushed wool and tweeds. Overall it was a fun collection and an excellent testament to India’s eclectic fashion scene. Post the show, the duo said, "We aimed at creating a practical collection and we hadused various kinds of fabrics to suit different climatic conditions in the country. 

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