New Delhi: The much popular event of the Fashion industry India Couture Week 2016 started with a lot of enthusiasm in the national capital at Taj Palace.
And it was ace designer Manish Malhotra who opened the event with his latest collection ‘The Persian Story’. While everyone went gaga over his creations, his stunning showstoppers Deepika Padukone and Fawad Khan stole the show.
Deepika and Fawad looked no less than a royal couple as they walked down the ramp at ICW 22016.
Dressed in black Kurta and deep maroon palazzo-pyjama, Fawad was welcomed with whistles and loud cheers at the ramp, as he opened the show.
Following Fawad, models began showcasing Malhotra's collection as they walked to the tunes of authentic persian music. The collection saw a wide range of heavily embellished lehengas, off shoulder gowns, long jackets, Anarkalis, sherwanis and sequinned dresses which featured elaborate architectural, floral motifs and check shirts and achkans.
The colour palette moved from cream, gold, red, indigo, brown maroon, royal blue to yellow.
The designer tried to recreate the magic of Persia by replicating the traditional marble motifs, popular Persian chandeliers which added more spunk to the entire feel of the event and a small shamiana (a marquee), which helped the models exitingthe ramp.
Talking about his inspiration, the designer told reporters here: "I had Persian Story's idea in mind for so many years. I love Persian architecture, I like the colour schemes of Persia, music and that was a concept I had in my mind and that's how it got generated..."
Deepika, who was chosen to close the show for Malhotra, stunned the audience as she looked ravishing in a beautiful off shoulder choli, with intricate gold embroidery and a long-trailed lehenga. The "Bajirao Mastani" star also wore a polki-pearl choker and a hath-phool from Hazoorilal by Sandeep Narang.
Talking about the fabulous showstoppers, Manish, who has styled globally known names like Michael Jackson, Reese Witherspoon, Kylie Minogue and Naomi Campbell, said: " I am so thankful to Fawad for being here and dearest Deepika I know her since she was a model and her first film...its a very special moment."
Deepika, who started her career as model, said the ensemble she donned at the event was the heaviest.
"The last time I walked for him (Malhotra) I thought that (outfit) was the heaviest. This is much much heavier...," quipped the actress.
For Fawad, who made his debut into Hindi cinema in 2014 with the romantic comedy "Khoobsurat", this was the first time on the Indian runway and shared that the experience was "daunting".
Asked if it was his first time on the ramp in Delhi, Fawad said: "In Delhi for the first time? In India for the first time. Obviously (it was) very daunting..."
Bollywood celebrities like Sophie Choudry, veteran actress-socialist Shabana Azmi, deigner JJ Valaya added their own charm by gracing the event.
Other names from the Indian fashion fraternity like Anita Dongre, Tarun Tahiliani, Reynu Taandon, Rimple and Harpreet Narula, Rahul Mishra, Anamika Khanna, Varun Bahl, Gaurav Gupta, Manav Gangwani and Rohit Bal will showcase their latest collection at the five-day event, which concludes on July 24.
