Benaras turns glamourous, chic at AIFW Spring-Summer 2016 runway

Backless gowns, smart jacket dresses, asymmetrical designs, resort wear and lehangas teamed with sensuous cholis: the grand finale of the Spring-Summer edition of Amazon India Fashion Week 2015 was an ode to popular indigenous Benarasi weaves through contemporary fashion, presented by the country's top 16 designers.

The grand finale of the five-day long fashion extravaganza, happening here at the NSIC Grounds in Okhla, ended with a spectacular show put together by 16 designers including Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Namrata Joshipura, Ashish N Soni, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Abhishek Gupta, Gauri and Nainika, Alpana and Neeraj, Abraham and Thakore, Anupamaa Dayal, ATSU, Manish Arora, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Tarun Tahiliani.

The show was curated on the theme of 'Born in Benaras', hence the designers had to present designs using benarasi weaves, thereby proving that the weaves of the city are not only meant for traditional wear but can also be worn in the most glamourous way.

The finale started almost an hour late from the scheduled time, but 'paan' served at the entry of the main show area brought a sense of calmness to those who lost their patience while waiting for the gates to open.

The show started with a speech given by BJP spokesperson Shaina NC and President of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) Sunil Sethi, who thanked the fashion designers for bringing Benarasi weaves to the forefront.

"The fashion design industry rocked because they really believe in the corporate social responsibility. What started with six designers in Mumbai went on to become 70 designer in Benaras and today we have over 100 designers from all walks of life, big and small, established and not so established, working in Benaras and paying tribute to master weavers," said Shaina NC.

She also thanked some of the "master weavers who are sitting in the main show area".

Moving to the collection, the show witnessed a wide palette of colours like black, gold, red and blue; presenting the weaves in modern interpretations.

Designers played beautifully with the Benarasi brocade on long jackets, A-line skirts, Boho chic resort wear, saris as well as lehengas, giving the handcrafted weaves a more western and edgy touch.

"Our talented designers have successfully reflected the old world charm of Benaras on the contemporary canvas. We look forward to having such collaborations in future and evolving the fashion dynamics of India," said Sethi.

All in all it was show rooted in India but made for the world.