Raghavendra Rathore lends IBFW touch of royalty

If the ambience spelt royalty with fine chandeliers, miniature fountains, dimly lit lamps and a white meshed backdrop, the clothes reflected traditional silhouettes from across Asia, at fashion designer Raghavendra Rathore's spell-binding presentation at the India Bridal Fashion Week (IBFW) here.

Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor was the much-awaited showstopper, and he looked dashing in a black ensemble, teamed with an embroidered sleeveless black velvet jacket.

"Yeh een kapdon ka kamaal hai (My look is the magic of these clothes)," Anil said post the show here Thursday night.

Truly, the real showstopper was what preceded his entry - a line-up of well-structured and fitted garments with a chic and smart feel.

Aiming to reinvent the revelry and exuberance of the 1920s, Rathore used a regal colour palette of fuschia, midnight blue, wine, saffron, gold and silver.

Surface embroideries were a highlight, and the craftsmanship truly evoked an antique and vintage feel to the appeal of the garments. The ladies flaunted well-accessorised medallion pendants attached to a headband, to match their varied attires - gowns, dresses, embroidered jackets, shrugs, pants and achkans.

Rathore's trademark bundgala jackets made their presence felt as always - in the men's and women's line too. For the men, the designer's wedding line offered velvet coats in the hues of red and green with pocket squares, suits in vibrant colours like pink, purple, navy blue, red and turquoise blue - a clear drift from the usual shades of grey, black and brown.

There were also off-white achkans and bundgala jackets teamed with Jodhpur pants.