A complete day was dedicated to sustainable fashion at the FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week, Winter/ Festive 2021. Call it circular fashion, up cycling or carbon zero, the day was dedicated to fashion whose creation doesn’t live behind carbon-footprint. It’s the need of the hour and some designers have taken up the challenge to the hilt.
David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore had always put sustainable practices in the creation of their garments. This time the duo took the bar higher by using fabrics and embellishments that were created from recycled PET materials. A & T kept the silhouettes relaxed and timeless and showcased stylish, modern, a ready-to-wear line that had tunics, pants, wraps, kimono jackets and constructed sarees. Patchwork, hand stitching and appliqués adorned the ensembles and so did graphic prints that looked like mosaic work.
The live showcase of Carbon Zero Tencel fibers and Satya Paul by Rajesh Pratap Singh was the finale of the Sustainable Fashion Day at the FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week. Rajesh Pratap Singh paid homage to the founder of the brand – Satya Paul, who passed away earlier this year by recreating his love for calligraphy and using the verses from Osho and Rajnish that Satya Paul revered.
The collection had a 70’s and 80’s vibe with a hint of psychedelia and was a riot of colours and abstract patterns. Rajesh showcased sheath dresses, minis, jackets with bralettes and pants, draped skirts, hoodies and joggers. Kaftans, knee length trenches, halters, jumpsuits and biker jackets added more options. The brand’s core – the saree also added to the traditional flavour of the collection. Setting a firm trend were the leggings and tights in multi colours.
Carbon Zero Tencel, a sustainable fiber produced by Lenzing, is entirely biodegradable. It’s only residue is water that regenerates the earth.
Payal Jain showcased a fashionable melody “Earth song” when she unveiled her Spring/Summer 2022 collection at the FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week. Payal’s creative base was repurposing recycling and reinventing old garments, fabric waste, embroidery, mirror work patches, laces, trims, tassels, shells and beads.
Catching the eye were sheer capes, denim biker’s jackets, balloon-sleeved, front-knotted blouses, pinafores over denim shirts and an off-shoulder peplum blouse. A riot of jungle safari inspired flora and fauna colours and prints were seen in the collection that highlighted the flowing, fluid shapes of the look.
Cocccon by Chandra Prakash Jha and Georg is a circular fashion brand whose motto is ‘Creative Can Care’. Jha, a native of Jharkhand now based in Germany and Georg, a graphic designer cum fashion activist based out of Berlin are a typical example of Indo-German collaboration of aesthetics, ethos and styles.
The major emphasis of the collection was on organically produced peace silk; when silkworms are not killed in boiling water. They are allowed to turn into beautiful butterflies.
Unfolding a look that was luxurious, the brand showcased luxe night and home wear, along with formal suits, stylish dresses and some comfy street wear for relaxed dressing. There was dramatic 3-D Origami work on the sleeves, strategic cut-outs and neon hues to shock and awe!
Text by Jaydeep Ghosh
Image Courtesy: FDCI x Lakme FashionWeek, Abraham & Thakore, Satya Paul, Payal Jain, and Cocccon
Find more about FDCI x Lakme FashionWeek and Designers:
https://lakmefashionweek.co.in/
https://www.abrahamandthakore.com/
