Photos: Highlights from Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2021

1/10

Tarun Tahiliani gave a contemporary spin to timeless crafts such as minakaari jewellery, jamevaar weaves and kashida embroidery. His wedding couture collection, titled 'Age Of Innocence', reflected this with light-weight, jewel-encrusted lehngas that had pockets, and sherwanis were upgraded with jamevaar weaves. The jewels were stitched into the garments or adorned hemlines as tassels. The colour palette was aquas, shell pinks, pale jades and tea roses.

2/10

Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna: Their gowns were sleek and the suits sharp. In shades of deep black and siren red, the designer duo presented a Western bridal wear collection. Titled Parallax, the tailored coats for men were streaked with metallic surface work, while floor-sweeping gowns had thigh- high slits, deep necklines and long fringes to embody movement and glamour.

3/10

Ashish Soni: In the digital video presentation, Soni revealed growing up in Africa and his collection expressed solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Nearly all his models were of African-origin and the collection was dominated by the colour black. But, his clothes, from stark white tunics that can double up as kurtas paired with tuxedos and wrap jackets, had a universal flavour and transcend seasons.

4/10

Abhishek Gupta: Intricate embroidery depicting flora and fauna was the highlight of Gupta’s collection, titled Benares. Lehengas and ankle-length kurtas with ombre shades of light blue to navy and soft pink to red perhaps referenced the many shades of the sky and sunset by the ghats of Varanasi. Sherwani for men, in pure blue and pearl whites, had geometric surface texture perfect for a modern wedding.

5/10

Shantanu and Nikhil: Their sharply tailored, gender-fluid jackets, trousers and shirts were adorned with badges intended to embody power dressing. Devoid of sequins, weaves and embroidery, it was occasion wear with a difference. Military green, navy blue and whites were the only three colours and they signified a strong yet sombre mood.

6/10

Gauri and Nainika: The only designers to inject spring as we know it; as a season of new beginnings. The uplifting mood was reflected in lightweight fabrics, soft colours and floral prints. The complete video was shot in a garden evocatively capturing a languid romantic feel. Most garments, from shoulder-baring dresses, maxis, skirts to blouses, were crafted in light fabrics such as chiffon and tulle in spring hues, like nude pink, and had oversized digital prints of flowers and leaves to bring the outdoors into your home.

7/10

Shivan and Narresh: The designer due, who redefined resort-wear, showcased garments inspired by Gustav Klimt’s paintings, and human and animal anatomy. Inevitably, the prints were wild. In fact, the name of the collection was The Wilding ’20s and it marked 10 years of their brand. Fitted bustiers, fluid kaftans, tailored saris bordered with studs, easy-fit mens shirts captured this essence. It was a showcase high on hope and celebratory spirit.

8/10

Sahib Bhatia: Menswear got a millennial take in Sahib Bhatia’s collection. His label, Amaare Couture, had long ribbed jackets, some with metallic accents, and were paired with scarves and slim trousers. Kurtas, sherwanis and bandhgalas in shades of black, navy blue and wine were befitting as occasion wear.

9/10

Bloni: The collection stood out for its attention to the role of fashion in gender identity as well as eco-consciousness. Bloni’s founder Akshat Bansal decided to divide the showcasing in two parts—with models and a digital recreation of garments to check waste. It was a phygital show and he joined hands with a tech company, ScotomaLab, to create floating 3d garments. The clothes—coordinated sets, dresses, trousers and shirts—worn by models were gender-fluid with textiles developed from regenerated marine plastic waste, brown tweeds, metallic faux leather, and laser-cut foil jerseys.

10/10

Anuradha Pegu: She is a weaver who runs a successful business from her home in Guwahati weaving Assamese mekhela sadors and saris that incorporate traditional Assamese motifs of flora and fauna. She has taken this craft forward by weaving saris with wide borders that represent a fern-like pattern. Her brand, Naturally Anuradha, showcased a collection of saris dyed in turmeric and indigo. The video shot in her weaving workshop and the tea gardens of Assam, beautifully captures the timeless essence of woven saris.

1/5

Flavanols are a type of flavonoid, plant compounds with a variety of health benefits, found in fruits like berries. There are six primary types of flavonoids, each with health-promoting effects. These are Flavonols, Flavones, Flavan-3-ols, Flavanones, Anthocyanidins and Isoflavones (Pexels)

2/5

A large-scale study led by Columbia and Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard researchers found that flavanol intake among older adults tracks with scores on tests designed to detect memory loss due to normal aging and that replenishing these bioactive dietary components in mildly flavanol-deficient adults over age 60 improves performance on these tests. Green, oolong, and black teas all contain high levels of flavanols.  (Pexels)

3/5

The finding also supports the emerging idea that the aging brain requires specific nutrients for optimal health, just as the developing brain requires specific nutrients for proper development. Red wine is a great source of flavanols and in moderation has multiple health benefits, especially with lowering risks of cardiovascular disease.  (Unsplash)

4/5

Additional research, in mice found that flavanols, particularly a bioactive substance in flavanols called epicatechin, improved memory by enhancing the growth of neurons and blood vessels and in the hippocampus. Another great source of flavonols is kale. Kale leaves make an excellent base for salads and can be added to soups and stews to boost their nutritional value.  (Unsplash)

5/5

In the new study, the Columbia team collaborated with researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital studying the effects of flavanols and multivitamins in COSMOS (COcoa Supplements and Multivitamin Outcomes Study). The current study, COSMOS-Web, was designed to test the impact of flavanols in a much larger group and explore whether flavanol deficiency drives cognitive aging in this area of the brain.  (Pexels)

1/10

Zahraa Sayed Ahmed, an entreprenuer who produces rose water and rose flavourings harvests Damascena (Damask) roses. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

2/10

Zahraa Sayed Ahmed produces a syrup from Damascena (Damask) roses, at her house in the village of Qsarnaba. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

3/10

Zahraa Sayed Ahmed produces jam from Damascena (Damask) roses, at her house in the village of Qsarnaba. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

4/10

A worker pours syrup on a tray of traditional rose-infused dessert Kunafa, at a shop in Byblos in Lebanon. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

5/10

A worker pours syrup on a bun as she sells traditional dessert Kunafa, at a shop in Byblos in Lebanon. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

6/10

A woman serves a drink made of rose syrup at a house in Byblos in Lebanon. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

7/10

This picture shows Damascena (Damask) roses that are used for essential oils, sweets and cosmetics, in the village of Qsarnaba in Lebanon. The oil derived from the famed Damask rose --- named after the ancient city of Damascus located just across the mountain range separating Lebanon and Syria -- is a staple of in cuisines of the Middle East and perfumers around the world. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

8/10

Dried Damascena (Damask) rosebuds are used to make herbal tea, at a house in Byblos in Lebanon. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

9/10

Workers drop their bundles of Damascena (Damask) at a warehouse where they are paid based on their harvest, in the village of Qsarnaba in Lebanon. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (AFP)

10/10

Zahraa Sayed Ahmed carries Damascena (Damask) rosebuds to produce rose water, syrup, tea and jam, at her house in the village of Qsarnaba. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)

1/6

Located in a renovated 1921 home, Daspan House (right) offers peace and tranquility, while being the perfect base from which to explore Jodhpur (left). (File photo)

2/6

The Johri is a beautiful boutique hotel in a restored haveli in Old Jaipur, and offers a range of experiences.  (File photo)

3/6

The grand Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner is known for its curated meal experiences, which give you reason enough to stay indoors all day.  (File photo)

4/6

At the Six Senses spa located in the 14th century Fort Barwara, a range of relaxing massages and spa therapies are on offer during the summer months. (File photo)

5/6

Dileep Kothi in Jaipur is another restored family home that is an escape from crowds of tourists (File photo)

6/6

Enjoy music and dance performances by traditional artists at Suryagarh, Bikaner (File photo)

1/7

Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco - May 26, 2023 Red Bull's Sergio Perez during practice. (REUTERS)

2/7

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Formula One first practice session at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Friday, May 26, 2023. The Formula One race will be held on Sunday. (AP)

3/7

Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco - May 26, 2023 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during practice.  (REUTERS)

4/7

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain pulls onto the track during the Formula One first practice session at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP)

5/7

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton enters his car in the pits during the first practice session of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix at the Monaco street circuit in Monaco, on May 26, 2023. (AFP)

6/7

Formula One F1 Monaco Grand Prix: Haas' Kevin Magnussen during practice. (REUTERS)

7/7

Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc during practice on Friday. (REUTERS)

1/4

The collection was presented at a villa in Cannes 

2/4

The ‘La Vacanza’ (Italian for ‘vacation’) includes perfectly cut tailoring and evening gowns, bikinis and terry cotton beachwear 

3/4

‘La Vacanza ranges from metallic miniskirts and sexy bikinis, to butterfly rings and printed  pieces inspired by the Versace SS ’95 collection,’ says Dua Lipa in the press note.

4/4

‘I love the summer and for me this collection celebrates the very best of that time of year. Gorgeous colors,  fun prints, and light silhouettes. Dua loves fashion, I love music,’ says Donatella Versace, in the note. This  collection marks the first time the fashion house has opened up the design process to a collaborator in this way. 

1/7

(FILES) Aerial view of a boat stranded in the dried bed of Alhajuela Lake during the summer drought, in the Colon province, 50 km north of Panama City, on April 21, 2023. (AFP)

2/7

(FILES) Water depth indicators sit on dry land at Pykes Creek Reservoir in Ballan, Australia, some 60 kilometers west of Melbourne on November 14, 2006. More than half of the world's largest lakes and reservoirs are dwindling and placing humanity's future water security at risk, with climate change and unsustainable consumption the main culprits, according to a study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers. (AFP)

3/7

A dry cracked bed surrounds the artificial Vernago lake, in Vernago, near the Val Senales glacier, northern Italy, Monday, April 17, 2023. (AP)

4/7

These photos provided by NASA Earth Observatory shows the Aral Sea is visible on Aug. 25, 2000, left, and on Aug. 21, 2018 between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. (NASA Earth Observatory via AP)

5/7

(FILES) A lone flipper sits on a dried boat dock sitting at the bottom of the Stuart Fork arm of Trinity Lake during an ongoing drought in Trinity Center, California, on October 15, 2022. (AFP)

6/7

FILE - A man stands on a hill overlooking a formerly sunken boat standing upright into the air with its stern buried in the mud along the shoreline of Lake Mead at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Jan. 27, 2023, near Boulder City, Nev. (AP)

7/7

(FILES) The receding reservoir waters behind the Sidi Salem dam, the largest embankment dam in Tunisia, northwest of Testour in the country's north, on April 6, 2023. (AFP)