A still from the opening of a show at Lakmé Fashion Week winter/festive '12
A still from the opening of a show at Lakmé Fashion Week winter/festive ’12

At Lakmé Fashion Week, we come to see the runway trends and what’s in store for the season. But more interestingly we get to see India’s fashionistas and trend setters surprise us their take on personal style. Both on and off ramp, it was lovely to see the fashion people and common folks who dressed to impress – or just to be talked about. Read on to see what were they wearing this season!

The Fun Gang

Over the course of 5 days at LFW I saw lots of quirky outfits ranging from kitsch prints, fun tees, to cool hair. Don’t you love it when people have fun as opposed to taking things too seriously?

Aarti Patkar in a Beatles tee and Mariia Cherniakovych in a Kanye West tee
Aarti Patkar in a Beatles tee and Mariia Cherniakovych in a Kanye West tee
Polka prints at LFW
Polka prints at LFW

Keeping it simple were, Aarti Patkar, and sexy-funny model Mariia in their musician portrait printed t-shirts.  Aarti rocked a Beatles tee and Mariia did justice to a b/w print of Kanye West. On another note, some chose to be ‘spotted’. Sailex, and fashion blogger Santu Mishra both sported their own polka dotted pair of bottoms.

Colour-chart print shirt, Pia Pauro's neon raincoats
Colour-chart print shirt, Pia Pauro’s neon raincoat

At one show I had to snap a pic of this girl who wore an awesome colour-chart print shirt. Also I missed out on Pia Pauro’s super-cool neon solid rain-jackets (@ Pia, I know you offered me one, but I missed out on it. My bad!!!)

Colour block Narendra Kumar and Payal Khandwala; Sailex
Colour block Narendra Kumar and Payal Khandwala; Sailex

If you wish to use colour in your look, take tips from the above bunch. Designer Narendra Kumar uses his colour notoriously, while Payal Khandwala balances her yellow with chocolate brown tones in a monk-chic style. I also loved Sailexs’ striped t-shirt teamed with a bright and happy pair of mint green jeans.

Rusta dreads and tank's with funny lines
Supertroopers: Rusta dreads and tank’s with funny lines
Suoertroopers: A single exgerrated shoulder and 3D details
Supertroopers: A single exgerrated shoulder and 3D details

Every day I saw two spectrums of style enthusiasts, the comfort-troopers and the super-troopers. One such example was a musician who played at Babita Malkani’s shows in “Rusta-fab” dreads. No high fashion attempt, he just was calm and comfortably rocking about on his drums. (I don’t know what they’re actually called, help!). Then there were the super-troopers, who pushed limits of what people are expected to wear as fashion, and made it work.

The Fine and Fabulous

They were always impeccably dressed and comfortable in their own skin. From shoes to accessories, everything was built up to a complete look.

Aki Narulas style through Lakme Fashion Weeek winter/festive '12
Aki Narula’s style through Lakme Fashion Weeek Winter/Festive ’12

Aki Narula always is eye-candy for fashion spotters at LFW. Every day he kept us guessing with his twist of style and layering. One has to stop and take notes on his unique ways of mixing & matching textures and prints, and how he layers pieces without looking bulky. I loved his black on black layered look which proved to be a style guide for men.

Sailex and Freddy Daruwala
Sailex and Freddy Daruwala

Once again I found myself taking a picture of designer Sailex to document his prep look. Freddy Daruwala, winner of the MissMalini Fashion Awards for Best Male Model, was seen in a fabulous pair of linen pants. I love the Jodhpuri/anti-fit look of his trouser, which he got from his stylist for a film he is doing. Also if I could just point out the cool footwear that Sailex and Freddy are wearing. Same same but different!

Stocking bow and One of Sourabh Kant's pieces
Stocking bow and One of Sourabh Kant’s pieces

Also proving my point that accessories can liven up your outfit are the above two pictures. Rebecca and make-up artist Elton Fernandez both worked their own unique neckwear. I love Rebecca’s innovative bow (psst… they’re actually knotted stockings). Elton wears an “eye-catchy” piece designed by Sourabh Kant.

Rocker-Hippie, Chola and Sweet chic, Mehma
Rocker-Hippie, Chola and Sweet chic, Mehma

Paying attention to details were stylists, Chola and Mehma. Mehma twisted the collared shirt, while Chola channeled her inner rocker-hippie-Janice-Joplin-at-Woodstock look. Just looking at Chola makes me wish to go for a music festival. LOVE!

The Fined!

As every coin has two sides, the other side kept showing up every now and then through the week. Apart from the one infamous costume-changer were a few others who came dressed up but didn’t quit make the cut. I love it when I see people dressing to impress and hate pointing out flaws. But these guys really need to be fined!

No They didn't!
No They didn’t!

Here’s why they are fined! (I intentionally didn’t choose to show faces, it’s impolite)

1. Men shouldn’t wear backless “tops” unless at a gay bar.

2. If you have chubby legs, don’t show it off! Confidence in one thing, delusion is another.

3. Pay attention to your body-shape… a fabulous man in “bright boxy chaddis” is just wrong.

I have made tons of wardrobe mistakes, and so have all of us. It’s all good as long as we live and learn.

So that was the off-ramp round up of the fashion crowd at Lakmé Fashion Week. For tips on style and more check out our previous post on the same topics.