Make-in-India Week: Designers present heritage of Banaras

Mumbai, Feb 14: Celebrating the 'Make In India' week, 12 leading designers including Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Rohit Bal and Anita Dongre, displayed collections inspired from the rich cultural heritage of Banaras.

The show 'Weaves of Benaras' was hosted by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). Designers incorporated city Banaras in their style repertoire, braided with the woven wonders that the temple town is known for.

The mavericks drew inspiration from the vast world of textiles, reinterpreted interesting and intricate details like knitting and weaving to add an undeniable flavour to the craft-soaked ensemble.

The huge collection varied from dresses, coats to more traditional sarees, lehenga-cholis and anarkalis for women, while male models wore sherwanis, anarkali churidars and kurta pyjamas.

Sabyasachi displayed his typical resplendence in his black-and-white line, highlighted by use of gold jewellery.

From huge neckpieces to maang tikka, the designer put up a royal show. Also included in the list of designers were Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Namrata Joshipura, JJ Valaya, Ashish Soni, Arjun Saluja, Anita Dongre, Abraham & Thakore and Abhishek Gupta.

Rajesh Pratap weaved shimmer and gold unique style in the threads of Benaras. Rohit and Rahul brought the textiles alive in a contemporary style, while Anita presented an understated collection marked by lehengas in modest whites and light shades of red.

Conceptualised and executed by the FDCI, the open-air fashion show highlighted the crafts of Banaras, its luxurious weaves and the vivacious skills of the weavers.

PTI