When the craft is the centre of attraction in a show, the result has to be one of extreme beauty. The ‘Crafted in Crochet’ show by Mandeep Nagi for her ‘Shades of India’ label was a delicate fresh look at crochet that was brought to centre stage with her collection called “A Summer Poem” during Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2020.
The show opened with pairs of expert crochet and embroidery craftswomen sitting on raised platforms amongst the audience, while long panels of organza with 3D embellishments hung from the ceiling and lined the ramp. To the strains of a live band and the soft crooning by a euphonious singer, the show unfolded to create the beauty of crochet on the ramp.
Crochet, a great summer favourite for lace, is made with single or double threads and has been coveted by women for their summer wardrobe. It’s a craft that is time-consuming but created with great love and care. Mandeep’s collection celebrated the beauty of this craft with fine hand crocheted motifs in soft gentle colours of spring. The beautiful intricate crochet was crafted in Saharanpur and dappled with shimmering zari threads and the glitter of Mukaish, which are dual crafts of Lucknow.
The amazing quality of Mandeep’s collection was the result of hard work put in by 200 craftswomen of Saharanpur in Utter Pradesh, who created 5000 metres of crochet lace and 50,000 crochet flowers only in Mandeep’s chosen colour palette.
So, there was a fabulous, pastel, colourful forest, in spring hues of coral pink, blue, teal, lime, grey and natural tones. Mandeep then further merged these laces with expert jaali work and floral motifs, which she added on soft organdie, Chanderi and Kotah silk.
The silhouettes were loose, flowing, utterly feminine and had the distinct ‘Shades of India’ appeal. Easy, comfy, dresses, tunics, blouses and skirts were a vision of sheer beauty as they floated down the ramp on elegant models. The embroidered saris which were light as the air was sprinkled with the delicate embroidery or prints.
Tiny crocheted boleros, blouses, headbands, spacious bags, totes, tiered dresses, Angarkhas, scarves and dupattas came together in perfect beauty and added to the charm of the collection. Adding more style and substance to the show Mandeep Nagi brought on the ramp 9 women of substance who glided in wearing the beautiful creations from the collection.
Amanpreet Birgisson, Ambica Beri, Ami Shroff, Aparna Piramal Raje, Bharati Chaturvedi, Eka Lakhani, Garima Avtar, Manisha Gera Baswani and Sumaira Abdulali modelled and an assortment of saris, lehengas, blouses and ethnic wear with great aplomb.
Women will long to covet for the coming season, “A Summer Poem” collection by Mandeep Nagi for her brand ‘Shades of India’ which was a grand tribute to the show “Crafted in Crochet”.
