As the models draped in the couture crafted from Muga silk walked the ramp, the nostagia of train journey came alive through Samant Chauhan's collection at the second day of Amazon India Fashion Week.
Samant, who grew up in Jamalpur, a railway town, says the show is an ode to his native place in Bihar as well as the Indian Railways.
"It is a dream come true for me. I've been working on this line for more than a year. Everything in this collection can be traced to what I saw from the windows when I first began to travel.
"As the trains passed through the paddy fields, I used to wonder about people living in the houses that passed by. I have attempted to translate my memories - imagined and factual through my collection today," Samant said post show.
Sauntering down the path nestled between two parallel tracks as vintage trains awaited their passengers to hop in, the models, dressed in royal shades of white and gold, waded through the smoke billowing from the trains.
From single coloured one-pieces to delicate designs combined with a dash of red to boldly embroidered motifs depicting wheat stalks, maize and flowers as imagined by the designer, the autumn-winter line was a visual treat.
The floor-length outfits, ranging from high collars to plunging necklines on the models, were convincingly paired with solid brown trunk boxes and ankle-length shoes.
The show, held off-site at the National Rail Museum, was an extension of Samant's association with Golden Threads of Assam with whom he has collaborated to promote Muga, which is on the verge of extinction.
Talking about the initiative, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, president of GTA told PTI, "Samant has very beautifully etched his train journeys through Muga and recreated his vision in this line.
"He has been associated with us for a long time and also did a fashion show in Guwahati in 2016. AIFW was the right platform to promote this unique silk variety outside Assam."
From flaring Victorian sleeves, saree with corset to sharp-cut suits, Samant's line appeared rich, clean and appealing.
While traditional tea in 'kulhad' served with 'methi mathri' took the viewers on a joyride in the beginning, the jazz and R&B music combined with the chugging of the engines running down the bridge elevated the tempo of the show towards the end.
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