Varun Bahl, Katrina Kaif & Karan Johar with Imran Khan
Varun Bahl, Katrina Kaif & Karan Johar with Imran Khan

Probably the most breathlessly awaited show on the third day of the Van Heusen Men’s Fashion Week was the one by Bollywood director Karan Johar and designer Varun Bahl. Breathlessly awaited, only because B-Town stars Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif were to walk the ramp and Delhi, as a city, is parched for some filmy glamour and glitz. (Wanna see more Imran?!)

Katrina Kaif & Imran Khan
Katrina Kaif & Imran Khan

After over an hours delay, the show started with models wearing clothes that stemmed from Karan Johar and Varun Bahl’s vision of Mediterranean chic for 2012.  “A cruise on the French Riviera, the sunlit sands of the Côte d’Azur, a relaxed stroll on the streets of Florence,” – these are the references that the designer duo have worked with for the Grand Finale.

An outfit by Varun Bahl & Karan Johar
An outfit by Varun Bahl & Karan Johar

The colour palette began with calm, neutral shades like beige, ivory, and monsoon-sky grey. As the collection progressed, summer brights come into play, creating a symphony in salmon, amber, denim blue, pistachio, and mustard. The collection was punctuated with accents of charcoal and black.

Would you wear this outfit by Varun Bahl & Karan Johar ???
Would you wear this outfit by Varun Bahl & Karan Johar ???

What stood out were the silhouettes – a mix of the soft and the severe, with structured jackets that are off-set by slinky cowls. However, not all of them looked wearable. Stiff-falling linens find a match in luxe silk jerseys and summer layering becomes a prime element. Even the interplay of transparent/translucent elements adds to the decadence of the collection as net pullovers show-off constructed shirts underneath.

Earlier in the evening, brothers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra showed off a collection called The Purple Muse. This collection was based on a modern and upbeat flavor of vintage royalty. “The look is crafted on the perfect, chivalrous gentlemen, who are Indian at heart and yet global in appeal. They exhibit effortless style as they dress to impress only themselves,” explain the designers.

Shantanu &  Nikhil explored their purple muse
Shantanu & Nikhil explored their purple muse

Expectedly, they used striking tones of Royal blue, polished black and vivid red with a hint of cocoa and purple plumeria. This was a far more wearable collection on the whole and we loved the innovative ways in which they draped their stoles and shawls on their models (below).

A Shantanu & Nikhil outfit
A Shantanu & Nikhil outfit