Practical designs are USP of LIFW

Mumbai, Oct 14: The Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW) that kicked off this weekend is being talked about the 'practical' designs being showcased by designers.

Designer Vikram Phadnis draped his models in clothes that were traditionally Indian in style and vibrant in colours of red, orange, fuchsia, green, blue, purple and black, ivory and beige.

Phadnis said his women's collection - using silk in solids, checks and stripes and geometric and ethnic motifs - were practical and for everyone.

"I've kept my emphasis more on colours; I've kept lots of bright colours. My styling was very Indian, music was very different. I think that was my USP in today's show," said Phadnis.

Bollywood actress Esha Deol seemed completely enamoured by designer"s new range that was showcased here.

"I like everything - him, his clothes. He can make filmy clothes and non-filmy clothes also...I like his cuts. I like everything about his clothes," she said.

Meanwhile, Nikasha's Spring/Summer collection titled "Wandering Minstrels" merged the modern with the traditional, keeping her designs fun while keeping to a style of minimalism.

"Give it a little modern twist, a sporty kind of edge and the wigs that you saw were straight blunt cut and so I have given it a certain minimalism modern kind of look and hopefully it has worked well with the Indians – the roots in India and a modern minimal look," she said.

Designer Araiya also showcased her collection and had Bollywood actress Konkona Sen walk the ramp in one of her designs.

LIFW is the first event independently organised by fashion accessories major, Lakme. The Fall/Winter Week was held in March at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai. ANI >