What to wear this summer

Prints, layers, sheer and colour—the latest edition of the Lakmé Fashion Week showcased an array of wearable trends for the Indian summer.

50 shades of green

Teal, sage, olive and forest green, the summer/resort runway was awash with greenery. Inspired by the tribes from Vietnam’s Sa Pa town, Anavila Misra created ensembles in woven and metallic textures while Payal Singhal used varying shades of green in velvet and silk. Kolkata designer Sneha Arora paired the foliage hues with blue and mustard separates for her collection Breathe.

Gossamer light

Courtesy: Bunon (Left), Essé (middle), Eka by Rina Singh (right)

Diaphanous organza, breathable handlooms—dressing for the heat is a wispy affair. Rina Singh, founder of Eka, styled organza and lace with handlooms, as did Kolkata-based Sayantan Sarkar, while emerging brand Essé added edgy sheer layering for its streetwear-inspired collection.  

Men learn the art of layering

Ashish N Soni X Grado (left); Antar-Agni X Raymond (right)

Men often stay out of the style spotlight but this season made a firm case for well-cut, eclectic menswear. Antar-Agni’s Ujjawal Dubey collaborated with Raymond to showcase layered ensembles crafted from Assamese handloom. Ashish N. Soni’s colourful menswear line, tailored with fabrics by Grado, included long kurtas paired with short jackets and cropped trousers.

Androgynous take

Courtesy: Raghavendra Rathore

Androgyny transitioned from prêt to couture as Jodhpur-based designer Raghavendra Rathore sent models down the runway wearing embellished bandhgalas paired with slim pants and ruffled skirts. For the finale, Shantanu & Nikhil created silhouettes inspired by sherwanis, combined with drapes and military details. 

Prints charming

Courtesy: Kanelle (left) and Rajdeep Ranawat (right)

From micro florals to bold animals and graphic geometry, designers offered prints as a bright antidote to the sweltering days ahead. Rajdeep Ranawat presented vivid patterns inspired by Turkey and Ottoman culture while emerging label Jajaabor’s designs were enlivened with colourful horses and fish. Summer is incomplete without a dose of flower power, and Delhi-based label Kanelle made its LFW debut with a collection abounding in delicate floral motifs.