Backdrop, clothes steal limelight at Rohit Bal's LFW grand finale

The historic building of the St. Xavier's College here served as a dramatic backdrop for ace fashion designer Rohit Bal's grand finale showcase for the summer-resort 2016 edition of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW), which he wrapped up with the grandeur it deserved.

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan turned up as showstopper for the show for being the face of the event's title sponsor Lakme, it was the creativity and opulence reflected in Bal's collection that stole the show.

When asked about the idea behind the perfectly lit structure, Bal told IANS: "The credit for that goes to Lakme. Purnima Lamba, head of Innovations at Lakme, wanted the show to have such lighting and I think this is the first time anybody created something like this. The backdrop was lit really well and blended beautifully with the show."

He added: "I think the only aspiration as a designer, an actor or an entrepreneur is that we always want to do something new and set a standard for others to follow, for others to aspire and be something."

Unlike most finale shows at LFW where there has been a heavy dose of Bollywood's glitterati, Bal's show focussed more on creativity, with limited names from tinsel town gracing the front row. Huma Qureshi and author Shobhaa De were some of the popular faces spotted there.

The collection was titled 'Koroshini', an Urdu word which means to illuminate. The theme depicted the essence of life and its existence.

From yards of mulmul to hues of sunset golds and pristine ivories, there was a presentation of handmade cut-works and lattice, interwined with organic fabrics and age-old techniques of Indian heritage.

The fabrics range from handloom mulmuls, chanderis, hand-spun silks and rich silk velvets. This collection also includes crafts like shibori hand crinkling and organic dyes.

Even the showtopper Kareena was happy walking the runway in the outfit, which according to her was though "very heavy" -- but something that she would like to keep as a heirloom.

"This is the first time I am walking for Rohit Bal, but I think his clothes are amazing. His clothes reflect his personality, which is very ostentatious... I think super sexy and super amazing. I love it especially because it has this chand (shape of moon) on it, so I like it. I would personally love to keep it for next 50 years for my family as heirloom," she said.

Overall, Bal once again outdid his work with a beautiful line for the finale, but one facet that the audience missed is the lively jig that he usually does on the ramp while taking the final bow.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Lakme Fashion Week organisers. Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)