.: Kunal Rawal
At: 7 pm

At 23, thankfully, life isn't driven by profits. Young designer Kunal Rawal's show (held in association with Skoda Fabia), was refreshingly well-packaged, with the adventure of expedition sometimes tottering on the discipline of military. But then who really cares a hoot when the energy is so damn addictive.

Faces smeared with a good dose of bronzer, the kohl-eyed male models stomped in on rock anthems, sporting terribly young outfits comprising skinny pants, Jodhpurs, bandgalas, tees with roaring tiger motifs, all in distressed materials in neutral tones. Kunal showcased menswear mostly, with the exception of a few long tunics, skinny pants and jackets for women. Epaulettes, badges and his trademark Gingham fabric (picture on right), didn't deviate much from the core theme. Kunal's collection should have been showcased on October 22, a day dedicated to menswear.



The West would dig it

Vineet Bahl
At: 9 pm

The Delhi designer's Spring Summer 2009 range was pleasant, but not ground-breaking. Ikat detailing on silk, georgette and cotton dresses and tops, is what all Indian eyes have been trained to look for. The pieces looked pretty, no doubt, but everybody's got a piece of it by now. So, what's the point? But with Londoners and Americans, these kurtis and tunics would sell like hot cakes.

We liked: Vineet's choice of blue Moroccon thread work detailing on geometric tie-front kurta dresses, and the black-white geometric-print saree with heavy flower sequin border worn with a red matte choli.




Runway Samurais

Anand Kabra
At: 9 pm

The fashion fraternity has ODed on the Obi belt, but Anand Kabra's take on the forever-inspiring Chinese-Japanese ideologies, still oozed fresh tranquility. A calm rush is what we like to call the range of handloom cottons and relaxed silks cut into flowing drapes, accentuated with minimal embellishment. A range of sarong-like full-length dresses, some with an interesting net "pallu" emerging from the hemline thrown casually over the shoulder, were predominant. Tracing paper-like sarees with black embroidered flowers teamed with blouses tied by Obi belts, were a stunning desi twist to the collection.



And then some prints… finally!

Preeti Chandra
At: 12 pm

Plain, basic coloured tops and dresses is what the messiahs of fashion are dishing out this season. But, Preeti decided to brave the tide and feature bright, sprightly colours and printed fabrics. Boho dresses with stitched-on denim waistcoats, block print sack dresses and full-length dresses with minimal work, blousons with Ikat work, and detailing similar to Kashmiri embroidery featured on simple ready-to-wear kurtas. Woollen danglers gave it a fun edge. The last piece boasted her draping dexterity. A lime green saree-like-dress saw its pallu covered in crushed, colourful flowers. The model's plastic bra strap was a tad shoddy, but the garment was a definite highlight.






This one is a full flush

Rahul & Neelanjan Ghosh
At: 11.30 am

It was evident that luck had nothing to do with the turnout of this unusually themed, and even more unusually interpreted range. The designers played each hand with panache, often detailing a spade, or a tomato ketchup bottle with embroidery on grand, fishtail canvas jackets. Replete with playing cards, pistols, scooters and crown motifs, shift dresses were bordered with traditional layering, and sarees were draped loosely. We liked the pop art pallu of the saree that model Shamita Singha was clad in. Rajul and Neelanjan mixed fabrics, motifs and patterns with ease, and added a touch of individuality to each garment. 





The good and bad at Raakesh's show

Raakesh Agarwal had a problem with his showstopper, we think. Actor Chitrangada Singh (above right) walked for him in a shaded orange gown that ruined every bit of grace the woman possesses. It weighed her down, and it showed. But we like what he did with a white shirt (above left) that was detailed like a jacket, with the collar skirting the model's jawline.
ere a stunning desi twist to the collection.