Fashion: Ritu Kumar showcases Hyderabadi splendour

January 30 saw the veteran designer display her latest collection, 'Falaknuma', which highlights the heritage of craftsmanship that the city of royal Hyderabad is renowned for.

'Rich metallics, intrinsic weaving, embellishments and other traditional textile techniques of India's rich repertoire of craft skills' -- that, in a nutshell, is what Ritu Kumar's latest offerings are all about.

The designer showcased 'The Falaknuma Collection', inspired by the historical Hyderabadi palace of the same name in Mumbai last Sunday. The elegant garments -- lehengas, saris, coats, kurtas and Rajasthani skirts -- pay tribute to the rich craft traditions of Hyderabad. Take a look.

Here we see Sanea Shaikh in muted gold from head to toe, both demure and elegant at the same time.

Next is this kurta and skirt combination, fading from ivory to gold as it cascades softly down.

Carol Gracias steps onto the ramp in a twirling empire waist kurta, worn once again over a skirt and topped off with a mustard-tinged dupatta.

The designer continues with the same palette, offering up sharara pants teamed with rich embroidery and wispy sleeves.

A couple of tribal, mirror-dotted ensembles take to the runway together.

Looking every inch the catwalk queen, Nethra Raghuraman steps out in a mix of rich yellow and warm orange.

Kumar plays the dare-to-bare card with this cut-away corset and rich red lehenga.

Pia Trivedi makes her presence felt in an elegant, heavily worked jacket, worn over a black dress.

Silver hints stand out in a sea of gold with this muted number.

From cascading skirts, the silhouette moves to drapes with this sensual sari.

We see Surelee Joseph next, in a ravishing red anarkali and jacket fastened below the bodice, over which is she wears a kitschy French beret.

Pia steps out once more in a becoming pink and gold lehenga, her aqua-toned dupatta creating a striking contrast.

Binal Trivedi, Shonal Rawat and Surelee Joseph mesmerise as they step out wearing assorted bridals in traditional hues.

Seemingly floating on air, this ghagara choli with its play on colour took our breath away.

Pia shows off her slender bod in a blue-dominated lehenga with touches of green, red and gold.

Shabana Azmi and Dia Mirza, the showstoppers for the evening, don royal Hyderabadi jodas to step out together in style.

Ritu Kumar, flanked by her muses as they greet the audience with a gracious adaab, soaks in the adulation.