India Couture Week 2023: Runway highlights and fashion recap
India Couture Week 2023 is one of the most eagerly awaited events on the Indian fashion calendar. The yearly fashion show features couture collections of the nation's top fashion designers. The 16th edition witnessed the season's hottest fashion trends on the ramp with some starry showstoppers. As the event came to an end on August 2, here is a recap from the week.
16 designers came together for the event
This year, Indian Couture Week saw 16 designers from across the country, showcasing their stunning collections at the event, with Bollywood stars as showstoppers. The fashion spectacle, held in Delhi from July 25 to August 2, 2023, had designers including Falguni Shane Peacock, Varul Bahl, Gaurav Gupta, Dolly J, Anamika Khanna, Shantanu & Nikhil, Rahul Mishra, and Kunal Rawal among others participate.
Kiara Advani's barbie-manic ensemble for Falguni Shane Peacock
Showcasing and promoting Indian heritage
JJ Valaya's Baroda collection is built on a foundation of Gujarati tradition and the history of Indian textiles. Inspired by contemporary interpretations of India's past, this collection is essential in altering how we perceive Indian craft and culture. Similarly, Tarun Tahiliani's new collection, For Eternity, served as a tribute to Indian history, textiles, culture, and, the people. These collections stood out despite lacking showstoppers.
Quashing stereotypes: Gay model walked the ramp with a lehenga
Gay model Rabanne Victor defied expectations by elegantly striding down the catwalk while wearing a captivating lehenga that was created by Peacock. Victor's presentation showed that fashion knows no bounds. He quashed the general gender stereotype regarding lehengas. Victor wore a dramatic neck chain and a golden choker, as well as golden bangles that perfectly matched his entire ensemble.
Combining traditional crafts with modern silhouettes
Designer Ritu Kumar's collection, The OG, featured ensembles that fused traditional crafts like kasab and kashidakari with contemporary forms and styles. Aditi Rao Hydari, the showstopper looked regal in a white and gold two-piece that was created out of zardosi and hints of Kashmiri embroidery. Athiya Shetty too was spotted wearing a traditional and modern combination while walking the ramp for Anamika Khanna.
Blending tradition in modern avatars
Menswear ensembles on the ramp
Men, take inspiration! Rawal presented his latest collection, Dhup Chao, which showcased what men should be wearing for weddings in 2023. The showstopper was Ranbir Kapoor who wore a classic navy bandhgala, with a dhoti-trouser. Meanwhile, actor Ishaan Khatter was the showstopper for the designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna. He donned an embellished and embroidered blazer with straight black trousers.
Mermaid skirts are back
One of the biggest fashion trends seen during the week was the return of mermaid skirts, often seen with a slit on the side and paired with a close-fitting bralette blouse. Kiara Advani, Sobhita Dhulipala, Disha Patani, Bhumi Pednekar, and Ananya Panday spearheaded this fashion comeback. Accompanied by intricated designs and a dupatta, Sara Ali Khan and Vaani Kapoor's lehengas provided bridal inspirations.
A touch of glitter and mermaid
A culmination of travel and fashion
Travel is a common source of inspiration for fashion designers. Shantanu and Nikhil, Gandhi and Khanna, and Isha J incorporated European influences in their ethnic collections. Couturier Rajesh Pratap Singh presented his collection Desert Rose, drawing inspiration from Indian weddings, the desert, and the Indian rose (gulaab). His collection was a combination of woven gold, silver, pastels, and jewel tones.
