On day two of the FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week, a list of labels showcased eco-conscious collections while experimenting with various crafts and techniques. While brands like Khanijo, Huemn and Chola By Sohaya Misradisplayed lines that were heavy on street-style, designers like Payal Pratap and Ritu Kumar tilted more towards a boho-chic aesthetic.
Circular Design Challenge
Bandit by Satyajit Vetoska won the third edition of this sustainable initiative. The designer incorporated ordinary common material such as tarpaulin to make a collection of functional, durable, yet well-designed products. The line offered a variety of bags made from waste excess tarpaulin, which manufacturers discarded for its defects. The label also infused flex, which comes from printed billboards and converted them into bags.
PETA India Presentation
Fashion week and (PETA) came together on Sustainable Fashion Day, and presented a number of conscious leather-free ensembles curated by multiple labels. PETA India’s most vocal ambassadors supermodel and actor Milind Soman and his wife, Ankita Konwar, played muse for this campaign.
COCCCON: A Circular Story Of Peace Silk
Cocccon is the brainchild of Germany based Indian fashion designer, Chandra Prakash Jha and Georg, a graphic design fashion activist from Berlin. Known for their signature, organic silk garments and scarves, the label initiated a medium in Chandra’s native state Jharkhand to help silk farmers, spinners, and weavers to work directly from their own regions. The Purn Vritt collection interpreted the indigenous performing art of Jharkhand, about the conflict between circular (Jeevan Chakra) and linear (Jeevan Rekha) lifestyle. The plastic-free line used interesting natural materials like bamboo or cane.
Draped printed sari with long-sleeved choli, pleated yoke blouse, summer dresses, ruffled necklines for party wear and draped lungis were amongst the variety of outfits displayed.
All About India Featuring Chola, Huemn And Khanijo
Human Nature by Chola interestingly amalgamated the black and white combination in the brand’s signature anti-fit silhouettes. Separates, detachable hoods and sleeves, along with mix and match options, offered a fresh perspective to the Indian street-style scene. Inspired by the current global emotions, Huemn exhibited a namesake line called Huemn 21, packed with nostalgic elements and a hint of metropolitan touch. Androgynous separates, baggy sweatshirts, made out of 100 per cent cotton and silk homegrown fabrics were further amplified with 3D embellishments. The patterns etched on the garments were influenced by the scenic landscapes of rural and urban India. Khanijo’s Autumn/Winter 21 collection, focused largely on diversity and inclusivity through this unisex line. Upcycled fabrics constructed with a retro 70’s vibe, comprised oversized silhouettes in rainbow hues and textures.
Payal Pratap
Payal Pratap’s newest collection for the fashion week stems from the idea of connecting to one’s roots and revisiting memories. The silhouettes varied from maxis, wraps and sari dresses, detailed with peplums, gathers, smocking and hand-woven elements to tartan jackets with intricate embroideries. Winter shades like plum, purple, navy, fuchsia, and ruby were experimented with.
Ritu Kumar
Ritu Kumar’s Spring/Summer pret line effortlessly juxtaposed minimalism with a bohemian Indie aesthetic. Fresh floral and geometric prints with patchwork and delicate laces offered a vibrant collection of contemporary clothing for the urban-chic women of today. Soya fabric sari drapes, kaftans, dhoti pants with a robe and the cuffed ankle salwars added a layer of nuance to this ready-to-wear collection.
