What happens when 12 of the most respected Indian designers come together for a cause. No it wasn’t a charity event but a celebration of India as a nation. A nation of creatives, of self sufficient craftsmen, weavers and designers who have the difficult task of treading a path between tradition and modernity yet  they do it with perfection. Bringing this all together was ‘Weaves of Banaras’ fashion show which paid tribute to the glorious Banarasi weaves

 

As part of ‘Make in India Week’, the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) presented ‘Weaves of Banaras’, replete with the splendid-ness of Banaras captured through the modern lens of the magic of crafts.

 

The show brought together some of the Industry veterans such as Sabyasachi, Rohit Bal, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Namrata Joshipura, JJ Valaya, Ashish Soni, Arjun Saluja, Anju Modi, Anita Dongre, Abraham & Thakore and Abhishek Gupta. Who revelled in the sheer artisanal beauty of the weaves of Banaras and gave it a stunning metaphorical twist through emblematic colours, silhouettes and surreal forms.

 

Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI said, “Tonight Fashion was seen as one of the industries in the Make In India context. This is the biggest satisfaction that FDCI’s designers have put our fraternity on the international scene. I would like to thank Mr Amitabh Kant, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Government of India for giving us an opportunity to collaborate with them. I would also extend my heartfelt gratitude to ITC Hotel management for a perfect venue and hospitality.”

 

Be it Rohit Bal’s play of white and gold or Sabyasachi’s experimental infusion of black in the bridal colour palate with gold or Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna’s edgy and sharp silhouettes. There were a plenty of reasons to love the collection.