Saturday evening saw lifestyle designer Raghavendra Rathore unveil his collection ‘An Ode to the Bandhgala’ at the Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 19. The collection aims at bringing the heritage Bandhgala to light, with modern touches that appeal to a global audience and it reintroduces women’s Bandhgala Collection, from the atelier. Presented by Nexa, the collection navigated through the rich handicrafts and artisanal heritage of India while emphasising on sustainable fashion. It carries the lure of a bespoke tailored brand which understands the orientation of discerning customers and is able to curate their lifestyle requirements.
Seated in the front row were distinguished personalities including Ranveer Singh, Dino Morea, Pinky Reddy, Aarti and Kailash Surendranath, AD Singh with wife Sabina, Darshan Mehta with wife, Renu Chainani, Mozez Singh among others, who were in complete admiration of the eclectic collection. Brand partner Reliance Industries’ CEO, Darshan Mehta was also spotted with his wife .
Bollywood legend Anil Kapoor and the dainty diva Janhvi Kapoor, walked the ramp in bespoke Raghavendra Rathore Bandhgalas. Walking the ramp together for the first time, the Kapoor duo represented how fashion comes full circle, from a timeless dapper man, to his contemporary & edgy kin. For the very first time, the fashion connoisseurs witnessed the profound impact of a tailored Bandhgala as the effortlessly stylish Bollywood icon, Anil Kapoor, walked alongside a young woman of substance, Janhvi Kapoor, an extremely contemporary and stylish family member, a young reflection of what legends are made of!As Janhvi Kapoor strutted the ramp with aplomb, her ensemble reflected a sense of spirited lifestyle- dark and chic yet, sprightly and shaded for evenings. She looked stunning and turned the glam factor several notches higher, in an all-black organza skirt paired up with a gold blouse and a black bandhgala jacket, while the chic and charismantic, Anil Kapoor looked every bit the Raghavendra Rathore Man, suave and splendid in sheen black enhanced by a printed bandhgala jacket.
Modern silhouettes made for impeccable sartorial elegance, inspired by Nexa’s range of automobiles, with the colour palette comprising dark neutral tones of blue, black, ivory and charcoal grey, that struck a balance between classic and contemporary appeal. Speaking at the event, Raghavendra Rathore said, “Nexa is a car, but it is refreshing to see how it is inspiring artists and supporting the creative community, to wake up to a new India of possibilities. A symphony of artisanal values, our heritage, and our rich cultural roots brings together a collection that is called ‘An Ode To The Bandhgala’, The Indianization of Fashion, where primitive values connect with a modern expression of fashion”
Known for placing the iconic Bandhgala on the global map, Raghavendra Rathore’s designs have always celebrated the magnificence of Indian regalia and heritage. Emphasizing on modern styling, complemented by hand-woven textiles and textures, the 2019 Collection is an ode to the artisans and a celebration of the Jodhpuri Bandhgala, reinvented and redefined with an edgy yet timeless charm.
By Riaan George