Payal Singhal at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2012

Payal Singhal called her collection “India in Colour” and what a fantastic rainbow of hues she presented at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012. It was a kaleidoscopic journey of fashion that moved from the gorgeous Rajasthani pinks; to the vibrant shades of the North and then onto the gentle tones of the East. Payal’s inspiration was very rustic and earthy as she drew lavishly from Indian Adivasi costumes of Kutch and Orissa with an acid neon palette of cyan, fuchsia, lime, cobalt and indigo which all came together on the ramp. The silhouettes remained oriental with kurtas, kaftans, tunics, dresses, short ghagras and kalidar saris, which glittered with intricate peeta, abhla and zardozi work. 

Opening the show with an elegant pink linen colour block long dress, Payal followed it with glamorous cowl maxi with gorgeous gold neck embroidery. Mukaish work was lavishly splashed on pants and dupattas; while the asymmetrical kurtas dazzled with abhla work. The Patiala salwars, silk jodhpurs and Banaras jumpsuits were teamed with kurtas, sherwanis or net asymmetric dresses. The more ornate creations had pretty Keri or tota embroidery that glittered under the spot lights. 

 The show stoppers were the very sprightly Shibani Dandekar, popular singer, anchor and model, wearing a mirror work asymmetric lehenga with blouse and the handsome Puneet Pathak, (amazing professional dancer who dazzled audiences in India) wearing an ecru silk kurta and gold Patiala salwars. Bringing together Indian drama and grandeur, Payal Singhal’s “India in Colour” collection was a feast for the eyes as well as the senses on the ramp.