Divine refinement or maybe just poetry in motion, it is hard to find words when Anamika Khanna outdoes herself repeatedly. The spectacular Kila, Mehrauli was decked up stylishly like a new bride in all white, from the linen to the décor, with a delighted Rohit Gandhi playing the perfect host at the entrance of his sister Tina’s store Evoluzione.
It was the beautiful night sky, heady champagne, guests divided into separate room showings, an uneven ramp that slithered all over the venue, mixed with an impressive guest list ranging from cinema’s veterans Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar to Priya Paul of the Park hotels—it couldn’t get any better.
The star of the evening was undoubtedly the reticent Kolkata-based style guru, Anamika, who managed to overshadow Bollywood dreamboat Sonam Kapoor with a collection that will be remembered for a long time to come.
Dainty white lace jackets, delicate flowers on floor-length tunics, endearing monochromes, velvet embroidered fitted jackets, organza with its raw, powerful energy was part of Anamika’s ‘A Love Song to India’.
Silks, tulle, chiffons flirted with pinks, blues, beiges to create magic with dull gold and silver. It was Indian royalty at its best. Just like the woman Anamika hopes to dress, a confident one, she too is not here to prove a point. “I have reached a stage, where I just want to do what my heart tells me too, people may like it or not, but that doesn’t stop me from following my gut,” she smiled looking ravishing in dhoti pants and a dull gold cape-style blouse playing hide and seek with her slender shoulder.
Peplum it seems found a soulmate in zardosi, as bell sleeves, intricate pleating, thigh high slits, pearl encrusted asymmetrical jackets, cutwork in the form of falling leaves and big flowers on a black canvas were placed to highlight the beauty of each customized piece showcased.
“I like trousers inspired by the conventional dhoti, they combine comfort and classiness, a hard mix to find,” she explains.
Setting the tone for the evening and crossing the proverbial Rubicon, Anamika has made it a tough act to follow for fellow designer Gaurav Gupta.
The Sylph Aviary, was an ode to the global woman, who wants to go that extra mile with her dressing. Gold sari gowns with net backs and panelled embroidery, net pleats placed on saris, full flared gowns with knife pleated waists, highlighted shoulders on pious white jackets, were part of Gaurav’s modern India.
Then came the heart-stopper Carol Gracias in a burning orange lehenga with an embroidered jacket, but what was interesting were dexterous asymmetrical gowns with one one-shoulder or waist detailing. “I don’t want my line to be viewed as Indian, celebrating crafts, it is more about an international touch,” says Gaurav.
But the Indian fervour was omnipresent, as turmeric and rani pinks made a statement on the catwalk, even dull grey was revved up with cutwork flowers. Everything was fitted, body hugging and not flowy or flirtatious, but the showstopper was a red lace floor length gown with a net back. It was hard not to be pleased!