HIGHLIGHTS FROM INDIA COUTURE WEEK 2024: PART III

The 18th edition of India Couture Week 2024 hosted by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) saw some amazing avant-garde fashion at the week long event. Indian Couture is not only about Indian wedding wear but also some contemporary couture that is about experimentation and concept clothing.

In this part we review the work of such couturiers who experiment with mix materials and newer silhouettes in their collections.

‘ANTEVORTA’ by Amit Aggarwal

Couturier Amit Aggarwal is known for designing clothes that are best described as wearable art. For the Couture Festive 2024, Amit took his creativity notches higher. His collection was a perfect description of couture which one learns in fashion schools. Couture that is futuristic, experimental and bold in concept and vision.

Amit Aggarwal’s “Antevorta” collection at India Couture Week 2024

Photo Courtesy: Amit Aggarwal

Amit Aggarwal sculpts his ensembles, rather than cut and drape. In the ‘Antevorta’ collection Amit used recycled plastic and other mixed material to create an avant-garde look. His signature metallic threads woven in the fabric that creates the sculpted look was prevalent across the collection. Body-hugging gowns with Peplum, winged corsets, gowns with Grecian drapes and cinched waists, shiny dresses with puffed sleeves and high-tech detailing made the collection look futuristic and truly enigmatic.

Amit Aggarwal’s “Antevorta” collection at India Couture Week 2024

Photo Courtesy: Amit Aggarwal

In Amit Aggarwal’s own words, “TIME is an enigmatic force — intangible & eternal. Our collection ANTEVORTA (used in Greek philosophy to personify the Goddess of Future) delves into the profound connection between time and the universe, highlighting that nothing exists outside its influence.” Kudos to Amit Aggarwal for a fantabulous collection.

‘ARUNODAYA’ by Gaurav Gupta

We saw yet another beautiful collection from Gaurav Gupta at the India Couture Week. MASH featured Gaurav’s collection for the Paris Couture Week Autumn/Winter 2024, hence will review the ensembles that were specially created for the Indian Couture Week.

‘ARUNODAYA’ by Gaurav Gupta at India Couture Week 2024

Photo Courtesy: Gaurav Gupta

What we loved were the beautiful drapes, the metallic breastplates, the mermaid skirts, the ballooning sleeves and boleros, the extremely flared sharara pants and the saree gowns with thigh-high slit. Couturier Gaurav Gupta said, “Arunodaya is a celebration of new beginnings and the endless possibilities that come with them. Khushi and Vedang embody the spirit of this collection with their grace and charisma, bringing the essence of dawn to life on the runway.”

‘ARUNODAYA’ by Gaurav Gupta at India Couture Week 2024

Photo Courtesy: Gaurav Gupta

‘THE LAB’ by Rimzim Dadu

Rimzim Dadu’s forte is the use of experimental textiles and advanced techniques in her collection. No doubt her atelier is aptly called, ‘The Lab’. For her Couture 2024 collection, Rimzim merged Baroque architectural grandeur with her own avant-garde style.

‘THE LAB’ by Rimzim Dadu at India Couture Week 2024

Photo Courtesy: Rimzim Dadu

We were thrilled to see experimental textiles in the collection and the deft use of metallic yarns, steel wires alongside traditional Zardozi that Rimzim used to create the luminosity effect. Even the finish and tailoring of the garments were impeccable. Corseted tops remain the most popular trend this season and were seen in Rimzim Dadu’s line too. Modern lehengas, sculptural saris with cut-out detailing and men’s sherwani and tuxedo with shiny metallic yarn texturing were indeed beautiful.

‘THE LAB’ by Rimzim Dadu at India Couture Week 2024

Photo Courtesy: Rimzim Dadu

In the words of Dadu, “Dominated by deep ruby reds, antique golds, and burnt oranges, echoing the richness of Baroque art and emphasising the interplay of light and shadow, hallmarks of both Baroque design and my distinctive aesthetic.”