Is a customer ever interested in the history behind a collection or does the lady just want to know if the garment will make her look slim, trim and beautiful and it suits her. Most women will want the latter and are probably only interested in the price tag when push comes to shove. 

But designer Prashant Verma put the audience through a lesson on the Bhagavad Gita (even gave copies of the holy book to the front rows!) with pages of explanations about the universe, the world, life, death, disease and opened his show with a tormented black and white film of himself drenched in 'red' blood against a mountain range. Minus the theatrics and the lengthy explanation, the collection of 12 garments (Prashant hoped to get his message across in a few creations which is great) were very interesting and visually dramatic on the ramp and will sell well minus maybe the skull prints, which only the very strong at heart will wish to wear. 

Calling the collection 'The Bhagavad',  Prashant named each garment to enforce his inspiration further. The prints were described as ‘ice crashing’ and ‘bursting into stars’, clouds parting across lotus ponds lined with skulls, a peacock's feather breaking into a storm of sardines across the shipwreck on a seabed of snakes as well as various organs infected byTumour, which were in shades of rust, orange, brown, red, blue and black.  

Fabrics were thick duchess satin and chiffon depicting the ice and the cosmic. Opening the show with Bhishma- a black blue draped asymmetric robe with accentuated shoulders, there was Alexander- a black blue asymmetric short robe with  skulls on the back, Samsaara a long lean galaxy print draped flowing gown in black and blue, Krishna a brown printed cowled gown,

The paradox of 'Fakir Couture' clearly shone through the contractions palpable in the experimental line of clothing showcased by Arjun for Spring Summer 2011.

Voluminous and multiple layers with Japanese orientation and structural drama of space suit detailing earmarked the look.

While jumpsuits with thick cartridge piping, spooky flaps and circular pockets were gimmicky, the samurai pants with zippers and 3D pockets, and short half sleeved jackets with 3D collars, yokes and 3D pockets were truly smart and sophisticated.

It was interesting to find voluminous lehenga and salwar trousers placed in the same collection without much fuss. Also denim coats, bottoms and half jackets could be seen in a new lighter structure.

Dresses have been really strong for summer this season and Arjun, for obvious reasons, didn't miss out on the trend. However his dresses with asymmetric cuts, pleats, pin tucks and origami folds in mixed fabrics were alluring.

Tough cottons and linens gave way to softer chiffons and satin. The colour palette ranged from shades of grey, yellow, blues and broken whites and prints were primarily graphic.
A dramatic presentation for urban vagabonds!

The swelling tribe of fast paced modern nomads inspired Sanchita to create simple wardrobe solutions for their complex lifestyles. Thus came about a delightful collage of eclectic symbols skillfully fusing fashion and art. Her silhouettes were simple basic and modern vitalized by clever craftsmanship and crisp styling.

Playful swimwear in a striking folkloric palette rolled out to the thumping beats of tribal music. Relaxed loungewear in myriads of prints, colours and embroideries fashioned into an eloquent narrative ranged from comfy jumpsuits, play suits, warm up pants with cuffed track bottoms, sarrouel pants, structured skirts and wrap skirts. The re-mixed digital-geometric and Afro-cultural prints were interesting contrasts of avant-garde and folk, with a cosmopolitan feel.

The tie-dye leather pants matched with bags and shoes presented a coordinated chic option for the style conscious nomads.

The surface embellishments made for interesting textural formations. Chatai texture for bags and shoes, cut dana bead jali for short tops, funky embroideries on accessories and interesting folk art motifs in random placements.

The fabrics were soft sensuous and fluid like chiffons, satins, raw cottons, jersey, khadi paper silk and tulle.

The warm colour palette was inspired by the great eastern spice market.

Overall a Feisty collection with fast paced walk and enchanting music enthralled the audience.

It was a crisp well designed and stylish collection that ashish soni presented for the coming season. Playing with a black and white story only, although his ramp and back drop were polka dotted, ashish allowed the monochrome sections to let his detailing and creativity speak a fashion language. With just two men's wear entries – a white tuxedo and a black waistcoat and trousers with a white shirt; the rest of the show was devoted to very wearable prêt wear for the female customer.

Each of the 44 entries had an innovative detailing touch that gave the garments a stylish appeal. Ashish started with the all white section of 11 garments, where oversized shirt dresses in cotton poplin with extended sleeve detail, a 3d panel voile jacket with knee length flared cotton skirt, the shift dress with blouson textured yoke, the cotton shirt dress with multi placket detail, the oversized shirt dress with details on sleeves and the white satin embroidered shirts with knee length flared cotton skirt were eye catching. For the black and white range it was a mix of the two colours with black playing second fiddle to white in the form of yokes for t shirt dress with origami sleeves or a black apron over a white skirt, and at other times a splash of 3d black flowers on a tee and at other times as felt appliqués on oversized sleeve t-shirt with a tree print cotton voile shirt and black cotton asymmetric pleated trouser.

In the all-black section, ashish gave the little black dress prime position and showed a collection of 16, which will appeal to nearly every woman. There were cotton voile flared dresses with leather applique on yokes, draped shifts with tie-up detail at waist, pleated flared dress with maple leaf applique, permanent pleated tulle shift, draped satin tunic with embroidered detail, bomber jacket with permanent pleated lace, bubble hem knee length dress, black fitted cocktail dress with embroidered ruffles on front and shoulder and a layered tuxedo dress with georgette applique flowers.

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The Spring/Summer 2011 season will be a colourful one from the studios of Tanvi Kedia with her 'Pixelated' collection which will be ideal for the resort and holiday wear look. Patterns were a pleasant mix of the ethnic and traditional motifs with colours that were a kaleidoscope of hues. The silhouettes were free and easy with tunics, voluminous kaftans and tiny dresses with minute detailing. Geometrics played an important part as the prints in bright acid tones on silk were at times bold and then a bit subtle. The dozen garments presented were highlighted with either the block or digital prints with detailing like pleating, embroidery and panels to give a folksy peasant look.

Opening the show with a a block printed embroidered kaftan in blue and orange silk with a jewelled belt, the look moved to a peasant dress with high waist then on to a sleeveless tunic with an embellished scarf. The tiered hem of the blue and pink tunic had a fluid style, while the kimono sleeved mustard dress with an embroidered placket and the asymmetric hem dress with multi print added to the look of the collection. Tiered dress with embellished cuffs and collar, a kaftan dress with red sleeve interest and jewel belt, a lean maxi, a resort creation in double layered panels with embellished buttons, a pleated geometric hem tunic and another with a sequined belt in shaded and pleated styles were part of the look that will appeal to women who want to party after a day at the beach or just laze around at home on a hot humid day.

Tanvi Kedia has created a niche for her creativity by mixing and matching prints, colours and cute ethnic styles with a touch of western sensibilities to present an interesting and appealing assortment of clothes with a fine designing touch.

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Better known for 'easy chic' wardrobe, Dev and Nil conjured up a sepia toned Pop art canvas for their Spring Summer 2011 collection. Visual representation of their hero Che Guevara, a social crusader from South America was too literal and claustrophobic. The pop art style prints of their icon's portrait on silk saris and jackets displayed their comfort with the trodden past.

Barring the 'faces', they showed some beautiful hand crafted developments on organic materials in their ready to wear collection for men and women.

The delicate batik crack stretch denim jackets and trousers, batik Jaffri printed tops with pleated detailing, pink/indigo bike organza shirt dresses, textured cotton flared trousers and embroidered circular dress coordinates romanced with casual earthy chic.

Wrap tops and Chinese silk shirt dresses accessorized with leather trims and gladiator sandals conjured powerful imagery.

Layered chiffon ensembles cruised with a summery feel.

All the silhouettes were loose and easy to wear with details more functional than decorative, great for rugged travelling like deep pockets, flaps and epaulets.

Natural fabrics like mulmul, organza, denim, silk with hand block printing, indigo dyeing, batik and tie-dye confirmed serious shift towards indigenous craft techniques and materials.

For the predominantly textured look they created graphic pop art prints with Che Guevara's portrait and bicycle motif, beehive jal prints, jaffri prints and batik cracks.
Discreet embroideries occasionally peppered the surfaces.

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