Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI is one of the most watched out for events in the country. The bi-annual event attracts audiences not only from India but also from across the globe and is one of the most followed platforms digitally. The property concluded its five-day long fashion extravaganza that hosted new and seasoned designer showcases, thought-provoking discussions, sustainable initiatives, crème de la crème of the Indian fashion and entertainment industry and more. From October 10 to 15 2023, the Capital came alive with glitz, glamour, and beauty from around the globe. Scroll below to get a glimpse of some of the biggest moments that the platform witnessed. 

A GLITERATTI OPENING FOR LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK X FDCI

Raw Mango, the creative vision of Sanjay Garg, with a Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI Opening Show made way for 5 days of fashion. Aptly titled ‘Children of the Night’, the collection drew inspiration from the enigmatic world that comes alive after dark, drawing from the haven of darkness. Presented at the landmark Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, the evening was a homage to the pioneering spirit of Lakm?, as it launched the ‘Glitterati’ collection. The showcase saw a constellation of stars descend at the venue – with Karisma Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin and Saba Azad walking the runway. Always at the forefront of beauty x fashion, the Lakm? Glitterati collection set the ramp on fire with the debut of Lakm? looks for Festive 2023 – Shimmer Siren, Rainbow Burst and Glitter Bomb. 

Each garment was a vision of design innovation, as a mix of silhouettes both simple or complex, traditional, or fusion appeared in quick succession in the show. Sanjay’s fashion sensibilities took on an unconventional path this season, as he unveiled ensembles that will prove to be timeless heirlooms and beautifully compliment the Lakm? Glitterati collection.

FRESH EXCITING TALENT

When it comes to making a splash in the fashion business, Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI is where brands are born and succeed. The INIFD GenNext show put on centre stage No Grey Area, Sonam Khetan, and Triune, while INIFD Launchpad presented five future names and the Pearl Academy’s FDCI ‘First Cut’ show dazzled with 32 designers. The NEXA Spotlight event shone its arc lights on the showcase by winner Sushant Abrol’s ‘Countrymade’ label. 

THE PAST AND PRESENT LAKME FINALE

 The finale of the Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI was one of the most unusual ever created. Keeping the tempo of the show in top gear at the magnificent Fountain in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, moving vocals crooned as the models glided around. The House of Lakmé presented the exquisite creations of New York based designer, Bibhu Mohapatra’s spectacular collection ‘Come Home’. The show was undoubtedly one of the most memorable happenings in the Indian fashion world. The most exciting part of the show was the coming together on the ramp, of past and present beautiful Lakmé faces - Lisa Haydon, Carol Gracias, Bipasha Basu, Alicia Kaur, Kirandeep Chahal, Vipasha Agarwal Simone Singh and Shimona Nath who paraded with Ananya Panday, the current Lakmé brand ambassador.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION DAY STARS

 This season, for the first time, the R|Elan™ presents Circular Design Challenge in partnership with United Nations in India went global with Indian label winner Anish Malpani’s sunglasses making an impact, while Italian Filepe Fiallo’s footwear made from waste material bagged the runner-up title. India’s ‘Biparita’ label’s accessories from banana crop waste, and Studio Medium’s silk offcuts/discarded yarns for garments, Sri Lanka’s Amesh Wijesekera’s ethical men’s wear and Asia Pacific’s Pei-Ven Jin’s zero waste designs; took the contest to a different level. 

Popular ethical brand 11.11/eleven eleven concentrated on the ‘Hand Spun’ aspect and designed reusable water bottles to promote sustainable practices. The Soft Parade collection by Payal Pratap was an ode to the glorious and abundant craft of Kutch with contemporary accents. Payal also extensively explored the intricate beauty of patchwork in modern and abstract motifs of nature. 

Reliance Brands Ltd presented the Abraham & Thakore showcase that scripted a new fashion language as the pair aimed to explore the mode of fashion communication through multiple textile mediums and symbols.  Sustainable designer line-up included Ka-Sha, Kaveri, Amita Gupta Sustainable and Swatti Kapoor, whose colourful looks brought the crafts into the limelight.

FASHION WEARS ART

The trailblazing, exciting show brought to the forefront the concept of ‘Canvas to Runway’. “Fashion Wears Art”, the unique first-of-its-kind presentation of seven leading artists and designers was curated by well-known art aficionado, Shalini Passi and mentored by Mr. Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI. In the world of fashion, the collaboration between designers and artists has been one of the most looked forward to globally as well as in India. The designers and artists merger included top names in the business such as JJ Valaya x Waswo X. Waswo, Namrata Joshipura x Sudarshan Shetty, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna x Vibha Galhotra, Varun Bahl x A Ramachandran, HUEMN x Hanif Kureshi, Gautam Kalra x Siddharth Singh Bokolia and Rajesh Pratap Singh x Mithu Sen. 

On day 3 of the fashion extravaganza, Gautam Kalra, in a powerful series of black & white images, unveiled this creative journey against the stunning backdrop of Nubra Valley, Ladakh in collaboration with Hormis Antony Tharakan to explore fashion, nature and solitude. This personal journey of soul searching, and self-discovery led to a high-octane collaboration that looks at clothing, in stillness and in movement. 

Speaking of the collision of fashion and art, the Fashion Design Council of India did a unique showcase with celebrated brand Péro where the label unveiled its latest collection, a kaleidoscopic carnival of creativity set in a world where being different is the only norm. Aptly named ‘Cuckoo & Co.’, the collection’s offering was a celebration of misfits, eccentrics, and the outrageously unique. The collection was a visual feast as floral motifs, medallions, and geometric forms came alive in 3D through crochet, laser-cut fabrics, beadwork, stumpwork, patchwork, appliqué, and cutwork. 

THE LUXE LOOKS

 Luxe looks were in the forefront of the fashion week. NEXA presents Amit Aggarwal unveiled his debut luxe prét look ‘Core’, while Gauri & Nainika with Caprese combined handbags with demi couture. R|Elan™ and Varun Bahl turned the runway into a floral fantasy with his ‘Inner Bloom - Festive Edit’ and Payal Pratap’s perfectly tailored and constructed looks brought the beauty of Kutch to the ramp. Ashish N, Soni’s ‘Retro Orchard’ moved back to the future. Not So Serious by Pallavi Mohan brought Red Carpet glamour and Anurag Gupta went in for extreme construction to present his inspiration. Raga by Titan’s collaboration with Pankaj & Nidhi created a merger of watches and stylish western fashion. Designers Leena Singh, Sanjukta Dutta, Rara Avis and Shweta Kapur offered great evening wear ensembles.

BEAUTY AND HAIR TRENDS LED THE CONVERSATION

TRESemmé made a debut with its TRESemmé Style Collective discussion and presentation by top hair stylists and celebrity panellists, while the brand’s fashion display with Falguni Sane Peacock was all about the latest in hair style looks. Sanjay Garg’s opening show of Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI for the Lakmé ‘Glitterati’ collection presented at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, unveiled the designer’s creativity on an innovative track of western wear, while the model’s faces glittered with Lakmé’s latest shimmering trends.  Anju Modi’s traditional bridal line matched the looks created by Lakme Salon. 

MEN’S WEAR TO THE FORE 

Men’s wear designs brought a refreshing look to the category. NoughtOne was all about sporty biker jackets, with Pawan Sachdeva and Son of Noble (SNOB) giving their own spin to menswear attires. Tasva stayed true to the festive wedding look, and Park Avenue offered the classic casual western options. Sushant Abrol of label ‘Countrymade’ presented ‘No Man’s Land’ reflecting a soldier’s journey. Designers Abraham & Thakore, Shweta Kapur and SVA as well as brand Kalki , displayed men’s styles to match their inspirations.

BRIDAL GLAMOUR & FESTIVE COLLECTIONS

With the forthcoming season demanding festive and bridal wear as well as glittering trousseaux, Mahima Mahajan, Bhumika Sharma, Kalki, Paulmi & Harsh, Tatwamm by Abhishek & Vinita, Label Debelle, Samant Chauhan, Tarun Tahiliani with Kohler, Faabiiana, Vvani and Geisha Designs created collections for wedding and festive finery.

FOR RELAXED LOUNGING

With India’s diverse temperatures, fashion catered to the fluctuating mercury. Resort, holiday, and streetwear styles focused on colours, prints and cool silhouettes. Verandah brought the relaxed Goan vibe, Guapa’s holiday wear was colourful, while Falguni Shane Peacock with TRESemmé created unique street wear. A rustic fun filled formula was visualised by Aseem Kapoor, SVA, Swati Vijaivargie, while Birkenstock’s Grounded in Nature with Shivan & Narresh brought the Finnish touch to holiday wear. The péro collection was an ode to craft in a crazy, funky manner aimed at the Autumn/Winter 2023 season.