Net-a-couture dazzles Day 4

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WHERE THERE is Anamika Khanna, there is oodles of pizzazz. And she proved it yet again during her couture show at the ongoing Delhi Couture Week.
Her look is global. Her designs are quirky and she effortlessly blends modern with traditional. As an army of fashionistas adorned the front row, Anamika sent out models in jackets, shrugs, gowns, lehengas, blouses and short dresses in velvet, net, georgette and khadi silk.

Net has played a predominant role in most of the couture collections showcased so far. While for bling specialist Manish Malhotra, net is a very feminine and sexy fabric, Anamika too explored its sophistication in skirts, dupattas and bedecked them with embroidery, zardosi and thread work. Cut-work at hems gave an edgy look to dresses. The other highlight of her show were the richly hand-crafted jackets worn over asymmetrical skirts. Bling was kept minimal and silhouette-wise, the collection was a lot different from what she had been doing. The jewellery by Raj Mahtani perfectly complemented the outfits.
If Sonam Kapoor walked the ramp for Anamika two years back, this time she had Anil Kapoor rock the ramp. So there he was wearing a well-tailored bandhgala and gold brooch in place. He yet again made it clear that age is just a number and he is only getting younger with age.
Lisa Haydon, Ira Dubey and Amrita Puri too made a promotional appearance for their upcoming film Aisha. Though the audience cheered and the ever-enthusiastic lensmen nudged and shoved each other to get the best shot, many were left disappointed as the leading lady Sonam was nowhere to be seen.
Next to stun the audience with his eye for detailing was J.J. Valaya at his vintage best. And he had some more Bollywood in store for the night. Valaya brought a new, fresh, well-endowed and different-looking Kangana Ranaut wearing a heavily embroidery lehenga with her retro fringe completing the look.
The ramp was modelled like a forest with a very serene feel to it. As soon as the models appeared in pristine whites, there was a huge round of applause. Alika, the courtesan was Valaya’s muse and inspired him to do Alika jackets which celebrated the cross between a shirt and a jacket.
The white was later followed by black, metallic, gold and a riot of wedding colours. The heavily embroidered low-waist lehengas bolstered with a mesh of net in various hues of fuschia, blue, beige, off-whites left the audience asking for more.
Day 4 ended being the most-organised day with the shows starting almost on time and no confusion to adulterate the fun of this big party of the season.