Rohit Bal’s nature-inspired collection ends the India Couture Week 2018 on a high

In one of the most anticipated showcase of fashion, Rohit Bal closed the Hindustan Times and Sunil Sethi Design Alliance’s India Couture Week 2018 with a collection inspired by majestic birds and bright flowers. Even minutes before the show, very little was known of his collection. However, the reluctant couturier managed to transport us to the Mughal gardens of Kashmir with a collection that was full of flamingos, lilies, sunflowers and elephants.

Bal’s collection, Guldastah, was exactly that - a bouquet of nature-inspired gowns, skirts, lehengas and sarees. We saw similar motifs on the menswear with bandhgalas that boasted of pink flamingos.

However, what stood out was the way he mixed opulence and minimalistic design. For instance, the ivory jacket that boasted of vibrant, colourful flowers was paired with a skirt. Similarly, the black lehenga with sunflowers all over was perfectly complemented by the sheer blouse.

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Bal’s love for nature-inspired embroidery is quite well known; remember this stunning number Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was spotted wearing? Growing up in Kashmir, Bal was surrounded by natural beauty and this inspiration often finds way into his creations. But with this collection, we know that he is the master of making two over-the-top prints work together, like in the case of this black lehenga with oversized flowers paired with a jacket that had delicate lilies on it. Or the Mughal-inspired design on this dark green skirt is a fitting ode to the many Mughal gardens of Srinagar.

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However, our favourite set of the night was the ivory collection (gowns, dresses and bandhgalas) with bright pink flamingos on it. The collection was luxurious with the silhouettes, yet understated because of his use of the nature-inspired elements.

India Couture Week, presented by Hindustan Times and Sunil Sethi Design Alliance, will be on from July 25 to July 29, in Delhi.

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