How fitting that Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011 kicked off in Mumbai with my soul sister (and given our mutual collection and affection for shoes, likely my sole sister as well).
Anamika Khanna showed her “Indian Androgyny” S/R 2011 collection offsite at a racetrack a few days ago.
For me, the collection told a few different stories – which I’ll share with you in future posts.
One that stood out immediately was her subdued take on regal dressing.
With the West so accustomed to the colour and tamasha of filmi clothes – things that they often associate with the notion of Indian fashion, Khanna showed us options that perhaps Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda or Rajmata Gayatri Devi would have chosen, or recent royals may wear.
True maharanis are graceful, not gaudy.
India may be breeding fashion designers faster than we can keep track of each season. For me, Khanna won that race seasons ago. She’s not just an Indian designer. She’s a fashion industry veteran, who happens to be based in Kolkata.
With Khanna’s signature nod to traditional Indian crafts, men’s tailoring and modern aesthetic, her pieces are sure to be coveted by Rajasthani Royals and regular, everyday fashion mavens from Reykjavik to Rio.
Images courtesy of Lakme Fashion Week, rediff.com, bharatstudent.com, indianfashionpolice.com.
