Bringing the fashion pioneers under one roof, Lakme Fashion Week sets the bar for the industry when it comes to new trends and styles. This year’s edition opened with the Gen Next programme that has introduced the brightest names in the fashion industry for 13 years. This year saw five budding designers showcasing their talent on the stage. With the monochrome palate and boxy silhouettes, Anurag Gupta’s collection grabbed the limelight.

“My collection is inspired by metamorphosis artwork. The garments are all about relaxed fit and I’ve also used a lot of cuts,” says Anurag describing his collection. Jajaabor, by Kanika Sachdev, on the other hand was inspired by people who are looking for an adventure. “The philosophy behind the brand is to bring together the art, culture, literary from all over the world and turn into something global,” says the designer whose collection is packed with bright and bubbly colours.





Rhea chakraborty
Rhea chakraborty

Apart from the standouts, there was also SWGT by Sweta Gupta, who drew inspiration from the mountains of Himalayas and produced a collection with the shades of grey. AUR by Ajay Kumar Singh took children’s imagination to new levels. The models walked down the ramp wearing outfits with relaxed silhouette with children’s sketches inscribed on it. Whereas Yadvi Agarwal’s YAVI was a collection of hand-painted prints, combining art and fashion.

Following the Gen Next theme, Shweta Kapur’s 431-88 was next. The show started with models recreating a busy airport scene where they strutted carrying coffee mugs, discussing their weekend trips. Capturing the spirit of women on the go, designer Shweta says, “We keep talking about the fact that our women are always on the go, and this time we really wanted to capture it. The collection is about garments which you can simply throw on.” Keeping in mind the discerning needs of traveling women as well as providing a chic airport look, the collection comprised of several elements of layers and fringes and shimmer.

The collection Away by Urvashi Joneja, was about breaking the glass ceiling. Tiny fragments of graphics depicted the breakthrough and came together to form a flying bird. Talking about the collection, Urvashi says, “We used geometric prints and shapes to form a flying bird, and most of them are oversized so much so that they are not recognisable. It was about pixelating the bird which symbolises liberation.” Show stopper Rhea Chakraborty ended the show, as she walked the ramp. “I think every girl can relate to her collection. Because it’s got everything — colours, fun and utility. It’s so smart to include pockets in gowns,” says Rhea.