Year after year we most look forward to fashion week and one and a half years into this pandemic and let’s be honest we miss the fashion, getting dressed and looking for the best seats in the house to get the best pics to post on our social media. Thank goodness for FDCI & LFW going phygital, which means some of the shows, took place on-ground with social distancing being maintained and a lot of them were digital and while I don’t miss the running around trying to find the network to do my job, I do miss sitting front-row enjoying the fashion. No matter how many times you attend a show there’s always this special feeling of joy you experience. And as always we want to take you through some of our favourite looks from our favourite shows. Scroll on for more.

Day 1:

If you look back at the time gone by you’re sure to notice that a lot of us have gone back to dressing for comfort. Day 1 is totally about to reinforce that these easy-breezy silhouettes are here to stay. Naushad Ali focuses on timeless styles with details like retro collars and oversized baggy shapes, dyed in earthy tones. Shweta Gupta SWGT showcases the softness of the cotton and the sheer fluidity of Chanderi fabric against the harsh, stony landscape. What’s not to love about this asymmetric dress with a draped, cape jacket? Chola by Sohaya Mishra plays to her strengths with free-spirited styles, easy separates, flowy silhouettes and deconstructed designs that encourages one to embrace their best self. Arpita Mehta’s bridal collection is designed for an intimate wedding experience but still boasts of quiet luxury with its rich hues and ethereal hand-embroidered creations. Geisha Designs by Paras and Shalini showcased feminine, flouncy and flirty ensembles where frills and ruffles played a vital role. 3D appliqué and cute boleros over bustier brought an exciting element to the collection. J J Valaya created a striking vision inspired by the Turks and is effortlessly showcased through his play on rich fabrics and amazing prints. Also how fabulous is this deep cobalt colour on this lehenga?

Day 2:

Tarun Tahiliani showcased his passion for Indian textiles and crafts; he is a master at adding a contemporary touch to classic styles. Our favourite is this pristine ivory lehenga with intricate embroidery detail sashaying down the runway. What I loved about The Pot Plant show is how effortlessly gender-fluid the entire collection is not to mention that even the fabrics and styles are easy, fluid and trans-seasonal in nature. Troy Costa truly is one of India’s ace designers because he totally understands how to add spunk to the sometimes boring menswear styles that we’re used to. He plays around with prints, styles and his impeccably well-fitted clothes would definitely add value to any man’s closet. JADE by Monica & Karishma really understand the concept of attention to detail, look at how languidly that dupatta falls over the model’s shoulders resembling the motion of the wave. This beautiful baby pink lehenga is definitely for the modern bride. Abhishek Gupta brings the nostalgia of his hometown, Benares to centre stage with his focus on this traditional weave and its jewel tones. The collection is packed with impeccable fits, tailoring and timeless pieces. Monisha Jaising and Shweta Bachchan Nanda‘s MXS collection is a fun, vibrant ’80s disco-inspired collection filled with a ton of bling. An electric colour palette with an athleisure touch is highlighted through this collection.

Day 3:

Cocccon offered its signature, peace organic silk garments in bright pops of colours, 3D origami-like detailing, strategic cut-out and wired detailing. The Abraham & Thakore collection showcases their designing prowess with attention to details like patchwork, hand stitching and appliqués that form the perfect base for these clothes. Graphic patterns are cleverly merged with prints and relaxed silhouettes to create timeless styles classic colours. Rina Singh’s Eka draws on sublime visions of the countryside, the clothes are an overlay of masculine and feminine shapes punctuated in earthy tones with gentle layering. The collection tells the story of love and longing and the need to slow down. This colourful and sustainable collection paid tribute to the late Satya Paul who passed away earlier this year by Rajesh Pratap Singh. Boy was the show a riot of colours with abstract patterns marked with the ‘70s and ‘80s vibe. The retro vibe of this show hit all the high notes and makes us fall in love all over again with the brands latest vision.

Day 4:

Nikita Mhaisalkar’s resort wear line was easy and glam, marked with abstract strokes, artistic lines, bold stripes, Aztec motifs. She played with a palette of lilac, magenta, aubergine and coffee and there’s an outfit in there for everyone. Pankaj and Nidhi’s collection has a youthful vibe aimed at the trendy, culture-conscious buyer. The colour selection is vibrant and ranges from coral pink, terrain orange, sapphire sea blue and leafy green. The collection bough forth feelings of wanderlust and nostalgic feelings from travelling. The cutwork lace and jacquard fabrics really added the luxe element to this collection. Payal Jain’s collection is a creative rhapsody of colours, handwoven fabrics, and a potpourri of animal-inspired prints that came together in perfect harmony. It was a riot of jungle safari inspired flora and fauna floor-skimming maxis, kaftans and summer wear that were highlighted by fluid shapes. The AK-OK label by Anamika Khanna collection is relaxed and effortless with a timeless quality. It’s a collection that can go from day to night with minimum effort and will make the wearer the centre of attention. The fabric, the flow, the prints and the neutral hues with hints of metallic touches and the styling was simply breathtaking.

Day 5:

Nirmooha’s collection had a crazy rush of bohemian touches with its free-spirited vibe, eclectic prints and sorbet colour palette. There was a dream-like quality about the collection owing to the fabrics and draping styles. Nidhi Yasha’s collection has the qualities of a rule-breaker with its experimental styling and playful use of layers and fabric. It’s a unique take on cocktail/evening wear, to say the least. Ranna Gill’s collection packed a punch with its vibrant use of colours, tribal and floral prints. It’s an effortless merging of textures and prints and tells an unconventional story of a mystery getaway. It was an easy, breezy fun-filled show. Gaurav Gupta, the Lakmé Absolute Grand Finale designer showcased his stunning collection that screams grandeur and pushes boundaries like never before. He’s played to his strengths by playing around with his iconic designs that are structured. Repurposing ocean plastic waste into couture is exactly what one can expect from a master of his craft.