Celebrating India: Weaving a brighter future

Presenting stunning ethnic creations from Shruti Sancheti and Soumitra Mondal at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013.

As has been the practice for the last few seasons, Lakme Fashion Week dedicated one of its days towards Indian textiles. This season the Indian Textile Day opened with a show by Maharasthtra’s handloom corporation and featured two young designers -- Shruti Sancheti and Soumitra Mondal.

Sancheti’s collection Saaj paid tribute to the weavers of the Corporation as she brought to the fore the weaves of Narli, Riuphool, Shahpuri Rasta, Karvatkati and Jyot among others.

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The state’s most well-known export -- the Paithani embroidery -- along with Aari work and Resham featured among the most prominent highlights of the show.

Using screen, block and foil printing Sancheti created traditional motifs including the Maharasthrian natth or nose ring as seen here.

While the base fabrics were a skilful blend of pure spun silk, woven silk, blends of cotton and Nagpuri checks, the colours were vibrant and rich and included crimson, gold, green, fuchsia, indigo blue.

Sancheti also attempted to contrast traditional designs and silhouettes in outfits such as this one.

Yet again, the traditional Maharashtrian sari drape is contrasted with what looks like a kurti.

Seen here is a traditional Jodhpuri-styled teamed with an asymmetric kurti.

Sancheti ornamented the traditional silhouettes like the anarkali, lehengas, cholis and achkans among others with ancient Peshwai jewellery.

Closing the show for Shruti Sancheti was the actress Juhi Chawla in this stunning empire line outfit teamed with a dupatta.

Shruti Sancheti takes a bow at the end of the show with her showstopper Juhi Chawla.

Soumitra Mondal used Bunon used hand-woven silk, khadi silk and a line of Jamdani fabrics to weave magic on the runway.

Mondal used gold threads to weave into the ensembles that ranged from black and grey to indigo blue. 

While Mondal’s silhouettes were largely conventional as seen here, they revealed intricate needlework.

The most unconventional of the line’s silhouettes included lean kurtas and slim pants among others.

Also featured were Kalidaar kurtas much like this one with a raised waistline.

Displaying elements from Bengal fabrics and weaves with intricate needle work, the collection was a blend of traditional Indian textiles and modern Indian and western silhouettes.

A model walks the ramp in a Soumitra Mondal sari.

Candice Pinto strikes a pose for the cameras as she walks the ramp for Mondal.

And finally we have this intricately embroidered skirt paired with a sari blouse and a dupatta by Soumitra Mondal.