Amid Rohit Bal's impromptu gig and other A-lister designers including Sabyasachi and Ritu Kumar walking the runway, the 25th edition of Amazon India Fashion Week (AIFW) tonight concluded here.
This was the first time that 25 top Indian designers teamed up to pay an ode to the rich "Crafts of India", at the AIFW, which celebrated its silver jubilee.
With the set designed like a Rajasthani fort and the sketches of puppets in it, designers Manish Malhotra, Wendell Rodricks, Suneet Varma, Tarun Tahiliani, Raghavendra Rathore among others presented their two best ensembles inspired by the rich Indian craft in the hues of orange, pink and red.
Varma's collection brought out a lot of drama on the stage with female models sashaying down the ramp in shimmery outfits accessorised with turban.
"Thank you everyone for being here and thank you Amazon for this incredible collaboration with FDCI. I speak for myself and lot of people over here. We were looking at the show backstage and wondering why we had never thought of something this spectacular. I don't think this will ever happen in the near future. It's a real fraternity of Indian fashion," Varma said.
Padma Shri awardee Wendell Rodricks had quite a bold outfit on display. His orange dress had the sides open from top to bottom.
The Goa-based designer remembered the first edition of India fashion week on the silver jubilee celebration.
"I just want to thank the press for being with us all this while. I still remember the first India fashion week... From all of us a big thank you," he said.
Rahul Mishra, who just returned from Paris Fashion Week, said it was a great moment for him to showcase his collection with stalwarts of Indian fashion.
"I have come from Paris last month and when I heard about this concept, I was really excited about it. It's my honour to share the stage with them," said the designer, whose collection had a light weight dress which "one can even wear during a tennis match".
Anamika Khanna's collection had sarees worn in a dhoti style. She completed the Indian look with loads of accessories.
"Such a proud and gorgeous moment for all of us to be here together. I feel thrilled," she added.
Jodhpur-based designer Rathore stuck to his Jodhpuri bandhgalas and achkans. Similarly, Ritu and Sabyasachi drew inspiration from the old Mughal tradition, while Rajesh Pratap Singh introduced electronic head gears worn over Kaftans.
Ritu said, "While we are standing right now we are not aware that we are the only country where we have such an indigenous fashion handwriting. I think that is saying a lot."
"I think it's unity and diversity. It's fantabulous. We are one big family," Gaurav Gupta said.
Designer duo Pankaj and Nidhi was excited to present their collection for the first time in the finals.
"This is my first finale here. It felt amazing. There was so much positivity and energy on the ramp. This was the most incredible and I am very happy to be a part of it," Pankaj said.
The five-day extravaganza commenced from March 25 at Pragati Maidan here.
The Grand Finale was streamed live on the Amazon India Fashion Week page and gave an opportunity to consumers across India to watch the show and participate in the celebrations.
