Play with reds, stock up on silver jewellery: Designer Ritu Kumar’s guide to acing festive dressing

“If women can be into glamour and sumptuousness, then why not men?” said veteran designer Manish Malhotra who kicked off the five-day extravaganza with 'Maahrumysha' - a showcase of modern occasion wear for men.

Done in muted and vintage tones, the entire collection had a modern yet timeless feel that would suit the Indian groom of today. “I’ve refreshed the wedding palette in a more millennial and modern way,” explained Malhotra.

Couturiers Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna went in the opposite direction – black and metallic tones – for their first collection at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019 after 15 years. In association with NEXA, the collection projected a nice balance of dreaminess and luxury with luxurious fabrics, elaborate embellishment and strong geometric patterns done in hues of grey, platinum, gunmetal and the signature ‘NEXA Blue’.

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana turned showstopper for the designers in a suave-yet-edgy embellished knee-length jacket. “Rohit and Rahul designed my wedding outfit so it’s extremely nostalgic for me to be walking the ramp for them today. Their designs exude a sense of luxury coupled with much needed edginess,” he said.

Cricketer Hardik Pandya turned showstopper for avant-garde designer Amit Aggarwal in a plum trench coat. Crafted out of R-Elan tulle fabric with the designer’s signature touch of recycled polymer details, the coat was layered over a metallic vest and a coordinated pair of plum trousers.

Post the showcase, the cricketer tweeted, “New experience but a fun one ?”

A stylish departure from the usual bandhgala is this multi-layered teal blue alternative from designer Ujjawal Dubey. In his Antar-Agni’s Winter/Festive’19 collection, the designer plays with a series of draped and layered styles in the form of handwork and neat tailoring, offering a nice alternative to the traditional bandhgala.

This particular bandhgala has been paired with cigarette pants.

Ideal for a destination wedding in Mexico or a music festival in Nevada is this nostalgic, bohemian shirt-kurta from designer Payal Singhal’s #PS20, marking 20 years of her label. Reminiscent of the free spirit of 10th century gypsies, this white abutilon print, dupion shirt kurta is paired with a coordinated churidaar, a georgette dupatta with tassels and a fanny pack.

Designer Kunal Rawal seamlessly pairs a denim grid embroidered bandhgala with a slate blue yoke piping detailed kurta and slate blue denim tights, for an overall modern, millennial touch to ethnic wear.

Inspired by multi-functionality, Rawal’s latest collection – Confluence – showcases deconstructed silhouettes, sherwanis with curved hemlines, kurtas-worn-over-shirts, technical baraat kurtas, texture play and metal detailing.

This highlight of this winter-festive creation from designer Ujjawal Dubey is a white and blue ombre bandhgala with a tissue front wrap. Playing with soft layers and sharp silhouettes, Dubey paired the bandhgala with an asymmetric kurta and white slim pants.

Featured a lot of ivory with strokes of pigeon grey, mouse greys, deep blue and browns, the winter-festive collection showcased a series of draped and layered styles in the form of handwork and neat tailoring, all crafted with a mix of zari/ cotton and elastane.

Playing with georgette and organza to create soft, structured looks, Singhal unveiled this stone organza and silk embroidered bandi worn with organza kurta and periwinkle blue velvet low crotch pants.

The bursts of colour set against a neutral base of chalky whites, ecru and periwinkle blue a gypset’s characteristic joie de vivre. Singhal also experiments with a mix of thread work, cutwork jaalis, leather embroidery, frayed tassels, appliqué and patchwork to create 3D textures.

Playing with multi-functionality and the layering of shirts, waistcoats, kurta and trousers, Rawal introduces this check print bundi paired with a check printed jacket, a rust wing goose embroidered koti and tan faux leather pants.

The collection is said to reflect the designer’s love for industrial grunge and military rodeo. “Modern street wear combined and our Indian roots are brought together to offer diversity to the contemporary Indian man, who is looking for versatile outfits that they could multi task in,” said Rawal.