The style mile,Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

With another season of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) starting off today, it’s time to get ready for yet another fashion onslaught. There are a good seven to eight shows every day and there seems to be an interesting fashion palette to choose from. 

Day 1 has Ashish Soni who has used menswear details on women’s wear this time around. “I have concentrated on structure and cut rather than ruffles, tiers, frills. Then there are the super-short silhouettes, alongside the feminine-style jackets,” says Ashish. Interestingly, he has also introduced ‘carrot pants’ which is a high waisted, pleated and baggy pair of trousers which are extremely tapered to just above the ankle.

Day 2 has Ritu Kumar whose line has a bohemian look. There’s daywear that dwells on tie dye techniques and sophisticated cottons; the collection also focuses on flow and drape, with quirky detailing. This section has hints of metallic elements and a splash of colour and prints, the latter are a mix of abstract and patola weaves. The second section has muted and earthy tones. Fabrics include washed silks, nets, and hand woven patterns.
Then there’s Sanjana Jon who promises to have a star-studded show with Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen and a string of other celebs walking for her Save the Girl Child campaign. The theme is fashion with a heart and flower motifs promise to be an important part of her line.

Day 3 has Ankur and Priyanka  Modi’s label AM:PM whose spring/ summer line draws inspiration from summer with fabrics such as chiffons, satin-georgettes, silk muls and jerseys being used. Draped harem pants are coupled with open shirts, long flowing jackets with soft shorts, dresses with scarves and chiefs.  The colours range from clear ecrus and oyster greys to berry purples and midnight blacks.

Day 4 has Suneet Varma’s line which is inspired by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic Operatic rendition, Swan Lake. The collection boasts of  pinks, avocado greens and lilacs, inspired by the dance of the swans by the lakeside. The collection also has sheer tunics; worn over sheer yokes, while delicate transparent sleeves add fluidity to the line.

Lastly, there’s day 5 which has Prashant Verma whose line  has clothes that impose an altered architecture of impending apocalyptic doom. There’s black silk, linen, denim, and leather, contrasted by fragile tattered black gauze and embroideries in black plastic triangles and geometric artworks reflecting the simplicity and power of Art Deco.

And, of course, finale designer Rohit Bal’s line is called ‘Yasas’. The designer is set to bring alive his unique individual interpretation of splendour and grandeur of the Golden Peacock. There are soft muslins with rich velvets and brocades and gentle and fluid shapes; the line has influences of the costumes of the pre Mughal and Mughal era.