IN PICS: Bengal in all its splendour at LFW

The Beauty of Bengal came alive in Soumitra Mondal's 'bunon' collection while Paromita Banerjee's skilled creativity with handloom f and craft had that delicate feminine fashionable appeal At Lakme Fashion Week.

Mondal works with crafts and textiles of Bengal and is renowned for his designs with handlooms. At Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2012, Soumitra Mondal's Marg label presented 'Bunon' which means weaving in Bengali.

It was the richness of Jamdani and fine Khadi that Soumitra brought to centre stage as he presented a line of the most enchanting feminine creations.

Adding traditional floral embroidery to the many weaves of the fabrics, Soumitra ensured that the colours were as regal and sophisticated as the fabrics.

So it was off white and golden brown that formed the basis of the colour spectrum, while khadi took on a sheer form to present a sensuous look.

The women's wear line started with a regal golden brown checked lehenga and textured kurta, followed by crinkled pants, which were teamed with an embroidered kameez, the white crushed front open maxi shirt worn with capris, the sheer crushed lean tunic and the long two tiered drop waist maxi which were all beautiful leisure wear.

The delicately embellished saris with resham and sequins, the diaphanous anarkalis and the final ornate lehenga, revealed the beauty of Jamdani and fine Khadi in all their delicate glory.

For lovers of India's rich handlooms that have stood the test of time, Soumitra Mondal's 'Bunon' collection will be a timeless offering.

It was life on the street and the apparel of the common people that inspired Paromita Banerjee's collection 'Haat' at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2012.

Using the most exquisite fabrics like Indian cotton muslin in fine weaves, to coarser Khadi handlooms with resist and tie dyed techniques like Bandhani and Shibori; the designer also added Ikats from Orissa, with the yarn dyed prior to weaving.

These were followed by the delicate Chanderi, Matka silk, Madras checks which were artistically brought together into a beauteous collection of Indo-western silhouettes.

The show comprised kurtas, summer jackets, gehra skirts, pyjamas and delicate layered tunics. It was undoubtedly comfort clothing for the jet-setting Indian women.

The prints told a story all their own with hand blocks inspired by the 16th century chintz motifs from India and the fabulous Tree of Life design.

These were creatively used as placement block prints on capes, skirts and kurtas; while the embroidery was kept minimal with just pretty buds and bel-buta appearing on the utterly feminine garments.

Crushed pyjamas with long lean kurtas, tunics over shirts and skirts, shrugs, ankle length crimped empire line midi with jute waistcoat, a multi fabric printed sari, cross over blouse, double asymmetric mini with kimono, the scalloped edged printed bundi and the black panelled yoked midi were some of the highlights of the show.

Trying her hand at men's wear for the first time, Paromita used white kora to warmer colours like sunflower yellow, orange, red, rust, grey, black and blue with hints of green for the fusion look for the Indian male.

Double shirts were matched with textured pants, kurtas had giant Shibori circles and the dhoti worn with a self design kurta added an ethnic touch to the male wardrobe.

Here was a collection by Paromita Banerjee that gave Indian fashion the right touches and will be a great hit with not only the country's fashion conscious but even the international buyers who long for stylish ethnic wear.