Archana Rao and SWGT unveiled a delightful and imaginative world on the first day of Lakme Fashion Week in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). Both designers showcased their stunning collections. Archana’s Sun and Moon ventured into the celestial realm, while SWGT’s A Periwinkle Wednesday drew inspiration from the designer’s first experience of love. The event took place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

On Instagram, Lakme Fashion Week shared a set of photos providing a captivating glimpse into the exquisite collections of both designers. The first picture presents a vibrant blue coord set adorned with digital illustrations, while the next showcases a striking black dress featuring full sleeves. The dress was embellished with Archana’s signature floral work. Moving on, the third picture highlights a chic black sleeveless dress complemented by a white collar and intricate floral patchwork. Notably, it is paired with black stockings embellished with motifs inspired by the celestial bodies of the sun and moon.

The next three photos continue to showcase outfits boasting similar breathtaking works of Swarovski crystals and elaborate appliques. The two photos showcase ensembles from SWGT’s shelves.

Archana Rao also reposted some photos shared by FDCI on her Instagram handle, and her stunning collection speaks volumes. From pastel shades to bold colours, her collection showcased on the runway beautifully highlights the stark differences while simultaneously celebrating the inherent harmony between them. Adorned with motifs inspired by celestial bodies, along with Archana’s signature florals and illustrations, the collection embodies the “Less is More” philosophy, guiding the creation of minimalist yet impactful pieces.

Let’s delve deeper into their collections:

Colour Palette

The colour palette, too, echoed the hues of the inspiration, with ivory transitioning effortlessly to gold and dusty pink, while midnight blue and deep black served as the backdrop for the stylish interplay of light and shadow.

Fabrics:

The choice of fabrics and the innovative construction techniques set her creations apart. Luxurious fabrics like silk satin, organza, and faux leather were expertly manipulated to create garments that exuded glamour and sophistication.

Meanwhile, Shweta Gupta’s SWGT collection, A Periwinkle Wednesday, celebrates love in all its forms: vulnerable, witty, poetic, enchanting, and even frivolous. Each piece in the collection sways and transitions seamlessly from a morning look to day and evening attire, capturing the complexities of romance and heartbreak.

The collection featured precise control in structure and style, evident in the collars, gathered knots, and textured pintucks. The geometric textures were created through pleating and pin tucks, complemented by hand embroidery.