When it comes to regal, sophisticated collections that rival those worn by royalty, Raghavendra Rathore had the perfect offering when his show closed Day Two at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015. From diffusion to bespoke dressing and promotion of rural crafts, the slick display featured three brands offered by a single designer.The “Imperial India Company” is the ready-to-wear designer diffusion label, by Raghavendra, which was inspired by the Raj and featured Indo-Western styling. Here were affordable clothes that exuded a marked elegance and aristocratic character, which will appeal to the discreet dresser. Two-button off-white jacket, brocade Sherwani, black five-button Jodhpur coat, bundgala with printed shirt and red trouser as well as the two-button grey suit were superbly finished ensembles. Colour came in the form of brown bundi with orange kurta, a spark of white cuffs for mandarin collar shirt, dapper Pathani suit, sherwani with pink cuffs and black velvet collar and the final white tuxedo with satin shawl lapel, were perfect wardrobe additions.
“Raghavendra Rathore Foundation” which is a celebration of hope was not only a line for a humanitarian initiative aimed to give the disadvantaged support, but also provide a stable livelihood and promote rural handicraft. Here the opening of the segment was with formal women’s wear featuring red/gold cover over red draped lehenga, a black/gold gown, shimmering Sherwani with a black organza skirt. But it was the men’s wear that was dramatic as male models marched in wearing identical Jodhpuri trousers and bandgala jackets in gold, red, pink, blue, green, purple, fuchsia, navy, black and white; then stopped in the centre of the ramp, stripped down to white T-shirts with the slogan “Je Suis L’Amour” written on them.Finally the “Raghavendra Rathore” bespoke custom clothing menswear collection projected the ultimate in fashion with traditional looks blended into modern day elegance, which the designer unveiled to a very appreciative audience.
Jodhpuri bandgalas and breeches along with black printed kurta, brocade Sherwani and shimmering Jodhpur coat made a striking appearance on the catwalk. Wide dhoti salwars, black and gold angarkha, and off-white kurta with black dhoti, revealed the bespoke/customer clothing menswear label that Raghavendra is known for.Making a heart shopping, show stopping, entry on the ramp was the handsome, Bollywood star, Ritesh Deshmukh who strutted down in a brocade Nehru jacket, black kurta and white churidars.Using the finest traditional textiles for each brand, which were exclusively woven in the Brahmaputra region; Raghavendra Rathore’s collection celebrated India’s rich heritage and textiles that are aimed at buyers who want to add that touch of class to their personal fashion statements.About Lakmé:Contemporary Indian beauty expert Lakmé continuously innovates to offer a wide range of, high performance and world class color cosmetics, skincare products, and beauty salons. In addition to leveraging Unilever’s worldwide expertise, Lakmé also partners with the leading cosmetic house Milan-based Intercos Italia, Schwann Stabilo Germany and Paris-based Fiabila. Combining international cosmetic technology with an in-depth understanding of the Indian woman’s needs, Lakmé also offers its consumers a comprehensive beauty experience through its products and services at the Lakmé Salons and Studios.
