Indian vintage styles, crafts get modern couture twist

Fashion designer Anamika Khanna took a cue from Indian elements - like the Maharashtrian-style sari drape, Lucknowi chikankari work and the traditional maang-tika - for her couture showcase here.

She presented her latest creations Thursday night as part of the PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2013 organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).

"I wanted it to feel like the collection belonged to many years ago... almost like a vintage feel. Every garment drew inspiration from India. There are skirts for which the inspiration came from a Maharashtrian sari," Khanna said post her showcase.

The designer incorporated interesting headgear to accentuate the overall look of the models who sauntered on the ramp in her creations.

"The idea was to present powerful women...the mohawks if I may call them, drew inspiration from maang-tika (a head ornament) and it gave a more modern and powerful look," she said.

Against the backdrop of a forest-inspired stage, models flaunted attires which were not in the traditional bridal wear colours of deep red, orange or fuchsia pink.

"I've used lots of colours, but they are quiet. I don't want to follow rules..You expect red, orange, fuchsia for a bride, but I want to do my own thing," said Khanna, who used blue, light red, green, muted silver and gold.

Khanna, who even gave a twist to the dupatta and used it as a cape, used self-created fabrics to give her garments the desired effect.

The work looked like intricate lace work, but the designer says it was embroidery.

"It's an inspiration of chikankari, which we tried to present as lace. We took a base fabric and developed it. All the fabrics were washed, dyed, bleached and embroidered and treated," she said.