Ayush present grand fashion extravaganza to open Lakmé Fashion Week Winter-Festive 2015

Bringing to centre stage the heady nostalgia of the 70’s and 80’s, with 120 garments, the designers recreated the glam disco era, of spirit, soul and hippy couture with a fast paced retro Bollywood fashion extravaganza.

The world of India’s top couturiers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla revolves around their scintillating collections, which are coveted by the crème de la crème of India and the international elite.

12 shiny mirror disco balls shone from the ceiling; while abstract glass and silver panels along the walls and on stage, created the rocking retro mood. Multi coloured rotating spotlights kept the tempo of the show in top gear with swinging retro numbers like Raat Baki Baat Baki', 'Ramba ho', 'I Will Survive', 'Funky Town', ‘What a Feeling' and many more.

Repackaging the styles into a future forecast, the show was easy, breezy, filled with fun, frolic and freedom. Aimed at the fashionable global diva who loves to dress glamorously, the duo unleashed nine looks that set the hearts of the women in the audience racing with desire.

Super model and ace dancer, Jessie Randhawa swung on to the ramp to the beat of the foot tapping yesteryear chart buster, “Aaj Ki Raat” wearing a glittering, petalled, layered, ruffled, organza gown and soon it was a quick fashionable flashback of Bollywood glamour and music. 

The ramp Queen of the 80’s, the gorgeous Anna Bredmeyer swirled on the ramp in majestic floor length ponchos.
 
“Beetle Wings” featured those flouncy, pleated, ruffled gowns and fluid kaftans with multi coloured stone, and bugle bead embellishments. There was an emphasis on the yoke and lots of silk taffeta layers for skirts to give a feminine luxurious look. An exotic jumpsuit with spiral mulitcoloured stones and beads was the highlight of the look.

When “Resham Reloaded” appeared on the catwalk it was an ode to the draped romantic gowns with intricate resham thread work. The charming long sleeve, shirt-collar, silver gown, the exotic corset creation and the pants with long slit maxi added to the Red Carpet options.

“Nouveau Lace-Lace” was reserved for cutwork, mirrors, sequins and loads of faux leather/rexine for sensuous gowns, saris and capes that recreated hippy rock star glamour. Here was the ultimate style statement for ruffled asymmetric blouses teamed with luxuriously embellished Lehengas and an assortment of sexy white mini dresses some with long silk skirts. A pristine white wedding gown with silver embellishments came on the ramp to the hit song “I Will Always Love You” by the memorable Whitney Houston.

“Hearts” was dedicated to the sari where appliqués and Swarovski crystals played an artistic medley. Pale blue and pink saris with ruffles and pleats looked utterly divine and cholis were layered with cascading frills for added glamour.

“Jhallar” brought in drapes, devoted to sequins embellishments, which appeared for gowns with butterfly capes and sexy long maxis with tulle covers. Plunging necklines worked for slinky numbers and drapes over skinny pants gave the sari an interesting twist.

“Talk Tartan” was homage to Scottish checks recreated this time in Patti and sequins. Lots of abstract multi coloured strips gave the pleated long skirts, gowns, stunning ruffle appliqué top with a pencil slim skirt a flamboyant appeal. For men it was black sequinned pants teamed with abstract multi-coloured striped jacket with a floor-length net coat.

“The Power of the Flower” emphasised a line of floral embroidery from the enchanted garden that came alive with thread work. The gorgeous rose and florals were seen on figure hugging jumpsuits, swirling poncho kaftans, long sleeved covers and beaded sequined gowns.

“Chamki Chikan”, which the designing duo presented with great style, was chikankari in a shiny new avatar – sparkling with Swarovski crystals and sequins. The craft appeared on the ramp in the form of dazzling white gowns with varying necklines, lehengas, cholis and for men bundgala jacket with regal coat.

Finally “Sona” meant only gold for a collection that shimmered and shone on the ramp to end the show on a truly unforgettable note. 50 models with gold masks strutted down clad in glittering gold capes, saris, gowns, jackets, lehengas, cholis and swung to the beat of the hit number “Jawani Jaaneman”, which Parveen Babi made hypnotising in her sizzling hot gold catsuit.

For a collection so opulent, the fabrics matched its glory as Duchess satin, organza and net created magic on the ramp. The colour card moved from sedate white and neutrals to off-white, cream, beige and ash grey with hints of bright hues. The bling quotient was left to sequins, gold, silver and crystal embroidery to dazzle the audience.
 
The “Jawani Jaaneman” collection like the song it was named after, was a high octane, lush, fast paced opening by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 presented by Ayush, that will thrill women around the globe who dream of being the Disco Diva on and off the ramp.