Payal Pratap reminds you of that student who studies for knowledge, with zero urge to compete and win. Her Sustainable Fashion Day showcase at the Lakme Fashion Week titled ‘The Soft Parade’ was a beautiful collection of easy separates that drew inspiration from Kutch in Gujarat. The sense of ease was striking in the super styling. Bandhni, patchwork, beading, running stitch, sequins, appliqué, chintz and flowers were married to handloom linen and ‘chambray weave’. There were lots of shades of blue. Reds, ivories, red and black, a hint of the fluorescent and metallic were seen on skirts, ‘kedia’-inspired jackets, dresses and lungi pants.
“I am a womenswear designer, so yes. I always question, 'would I wear it?'. I asked my studio assistants if they would wear it. I am a designer who doesn’t make impractical clothes. I look at comfort,” Pratap told t2. How did she weave in this effortless ease every single time? “I think you have to think at ease and also think of the customer at ease because your client has to feel comfortable and happy. Clothes have to be breathable. So, I think you have to ease into your clothes,” she smiled.
Payal Pratap took a bow
Ease was also her headspace. “Yes, I think it is my personality in general, very calm. I believe in wearing what you really feel comfortable in and your personality should be highlighted and you should feel yourself,” signed off Pratap.
#quietconfidence
Gauri & Nainika
The Caprese X Gauri & Nainika oozed vintage glamour with the Karan sisters showcasing "timeless styles", the brand's signature. There was a certain rich elegance to all the looks, at the same time contemporary cool. The show opened with an all-white dress paired with sneakers. Florals, flounce, red sequins and dresses were followed by reds, prints, checks and all blacks. There was the undeniable romance in the bows and dresses with trails and the fun in beautiful vibrant colours and feminine grace in giant florals. The fabrics were mostly pure silks, linen and cotton. Besides dresses, the line comprised jumpsuits, kimonos, and of course, the G&N gowns.
"Nainika and I think that we'll do something that may be new to us but then we have such a weakness for romance, flowers and feminine glamour that we always end up going back to it. But hopefully, we do something new each time, a new print or a silhouette," Gauri Karan told t2 post-show. The sisters took inspiration from the vintage seed print this time. "We have loved it for years for their vibrancy and the boldness of their colours. Then we wanted the show to have a vintage vibe. So, we have worked with ginghams and stripes. Red is one of our favourite colours. So, there was a lot of red, white and black and some hints of embroidery," she added.
The label also put T-shirts on the ramp, a first for the brand in the two decades of its existence. "It's something we are looking at doing. We have enjoyed pairing it with glamorous skirts," said Gauri.
The larger-than-life canvas was always matched with simplicity for Gauri. "They are bold, but they are simple as well. Effortless. One big stripe is worn with a T-shirt or a bold print, but there is nothing else. The silhouette is clean," she smiled.
Members of the multiple medal-winning Indian squash team at the Asian Games 2023, Hangzhou, this year — Joshna Chinappa, Tanvi Khanna, Anahat Singh, Dipika Pallikal and Abhay Singh — walked for the brand.
#fun
