There was something for everyone on Day One of Amazon India Fashion Week (AIFW) Spring-Summer 2018, that kicked off at the NSIC grounds in Delhi on Wednesday. City-based Rimzim Dadu provided the perfect opener with her show that also celebrated her completing 10 years in the industry.

Amazon India Fashion Week

The textile interventionist’s love for surface textures and cords was very much visible in her collection, which comprised stand-alone pieces, dresses, innovative saris, tops, short skirts and jackets. “For this show I have appropriated zari, and reworked it with metallic yarns, and of course, silk thread. The idea was to deconstruct zari — and take it away from the way it’s usually used. I have used it in a very structured way, and given definition to the garment,” says Dadu. The collection was wearable yet quirky, with a shimmery jacket adding drama to an otherwise staid outfit of ankle-length pants and crop top.

While Dadu celebrated innovation, Nida Mahmood gave athleisure wear a funky spin. In collaboration with Deivee, Mahmood presented bright flowery prints in teal, yellow, white and pink on shorts, t-shirts, leggings and yoga pants. Who says one has to look drab while sweating it out?
The lone resort wear offering of the day presented by Schulen Fernandes for Wendell Rodricks, and Anupamaa Dayal with their joint shows. Fernandes presented Indigofera, which as the name suggests, had the shade of blue at its core. The colour in all its variable shades visible in the menswear and womenswear presented. One saw a lot of free-flowing cuts and silhouettes in off-shoulder dresses, tops, wraps and shrugs for the women, while the men had colour-block jackets, and ankle length fitted pants. Ruffled frills, cuffs and crinkled sleeves used to great effect, to add glamour and drama to the outfits.

Heavy collection

And topping the day off with dramatic flair was JJ Valaya, who presented lightweight occasion wear for both men and women. There were churidar kurtas, saris, anarkalis, and lehengas for women, and fitted jackets, bandhgalas, churidars and pants for men. The print heavy collection — with floral and paisley prints playing a starting role — had dominant shades, including blue, orange and muted gold, which contrasted with black and shades of beige.

The embellishments kept to a minimum with gota and gold threadwork. The collection, which drew heavily from jamavar and Valaya’s roots in Punjab, was a throwback to the royal days. The women models wore oversized sunglasses and sported puffed-up hair, adding to the ‘royal look’. All in all, a mixed bag of a day.