The GenNext show of Lakme Fashion Week throws up some interesting designs every season, and this season (LFW W/F 2011) kept up to its promise. From unconventional men’s wear to grungy women’s ensembles, extreme detailing and a variety of constructions, we saw it all. Here’s a glimpse of what the eight GenNext designers have to offer:
Farah Sanjana
Farah Sanjana’s Collars Galore used origami, metal work and architectural shapes to create mostly blouses and dresses in pristine white. Farah used exaggerated and multiple collars on the neck, shoulders, sleeves and down the front of garments in a stunning start to the GenNext show.
Mohammed Javed Khan
This menswear collection (called Ex-pression-ist) made ample use of layers for the quirky men, giving them ample options and tips for layering this winter. The look was put together with an “I-care-a-damn” attitude.
Shashank Raja and Prajwal Badwe
The duo sought inspiration from the Elizabethan era and Indian royalty for their collection, teaming Indian embroidery with fabrics like organza and net. Their dresses and gowns had a dash of orange, adding to the charm of their collection.
Siddharth Arya
It was 1980s cult punk inspiration all the way with grunge styling, as models at Siddharth Arya walked out with armadillo reptilian shoulders bolero and rag doll micro mini. Taffeta came alive for a layered skirt with metal grunge embroidered coat and the leather appliqué dress with jet sequinned cape and cutout leggings rocked on the ramp. There was even a grunge sari!
Theresa James and Roger Prince
This Canadian design team sourced fabrics for their collection Retarded Velvet from across the globe, Ghanaian batik, Native American fabrics, South Indian cotton with Tencel and Lyocell. And these were not the only contrasts, as colours, prints and silhouettes were mixed and matched for a fabulous design story.
Urmi Ghosh
Pablo Picasso’s lover’s (Maar) tragic story provided ample fodder to Urmi Ghosh’s debut collection, with motifs of cats, boots, tight rope walkers, birds and cages. Urmi used a range of techniques on a single garment, ranging from colour blocking and piping, to appliqué and cutwork.
Thinles Chosdup and Niranjana Adhya
This Ladakh-inspired menswear collection combined shades of grey and steel with a few colourful touches, producing garments like asymmetric waistcoats, drop crotch pants, skirt front trousers, breeches and patched jackets.
Nikhil Thampi
This young designer deconstructed silhouettes with drapes in neutrals for men and women. For women, there were layered gowns and skirts, while the men wore long draped shirts and buttonless waist coats and wool tunics. And oh, the leather inserts added a wonderful finishing touch.
Which GenNext designer do you like the most?