One of the foremost handloom brands in South India, RmKV presented their latest collection “Re-crafting Traditional Silks” in collaboration with creative designer Sunita Shanker at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018
RmKV’s latest collection lends a contemporary twist to traditional outfits. The bespoke saris have been designed taking inspiration from nature, art and architecture.
The Varnajalam range displayed multiple colours in a psychedelic pattern that made it look different from every angle and resonated with the younger audience due to its reversible saris and lightweight Lino range that uses natural colours including turmeric and indigo.
“It was great to launch our new collection at the Lakmé Fashion Week. We have been working tirelessly on the collection and trying to create new techniques while maintaining the perfect mix of traditional and contemporary wear,” says Niranjana Viswanathan, Director, RmKV.
Sunita Shanker, a renowned designer know for her works with ikat, bandhani as well as prints on chanderi, tussar, khadi and mangalgiri, worked on the 12 garments and 26 saris that were showcased.
The venue was turned into a royal South Indian palace with carved pillars and four brocade-covered, wooden, flat, deewans in the centre.
The show opened with a performance by famed Bharatnatyam dancer and transgender activist, Dr Narthaki Natrajwill.
This season Sunita’s collaboration with RmKV Silks resulted in a line of garments that spell tradition with a twist and the evolution of the Kanjivaram sari was the focal point.
Shanker’s play with opaque as well as sheers, such as, organza and tissue with plain silk, created a melody on the ramp. The colours revealed a stunning array of gorgeous magenta, orange and yellow with natural pink, shot green, gold and the latest sensation Rose Clay, creating a rainbow-like appearance.
Staying away from her trademark pin tucks, Shanker worked lavishly with crushed fabrics and pleats instead. Her garments’ cue sheet offered a variety of stylish options that were timeless yet contemporary in nature. A line of over garments, tops, tunics, dresses, kimonos, crushed pants, jacquard woven trousers and capes had a noticeable retro feel. The Kanjivaram pants and the saris teamed with either jackets or cropped tops gave the traditional six-yard wonder a modern edgy appeal. The interesting Chevron weave, the multi-coloured saris, tissues and leno weaves were light as air; while the rich brocades resembling the kinkhab of Varanasi added that final touch of regal elegance.
The woven silk jumpsuit was given a sophisticated image with a luxurious shawl; while another belted version of the same was teamed with a bell-sleeved, flared, floor-skimming coat. For some more stunning glamorous options, Shaker had a long, lean, maxi topped with a gorgeous crushed, silk, long-sleeved coat with an impressive wide rolled collar as the focal point. Dolman sleeved cropped jacket, maxi coat with saris, cropped bolero, pleated smock over pants, crushed long-sleeved blouse with sari and the pleated gown were visions of silk elegance.
The show stopper of the show, former Miss Universe and actor Sushmita Sen scorched the ramp in a reversible fuchsia sari draped trendily over a pair of sleek pants and worn with a figure-hugging corset blouse. “The collection showcases an exuberance in design, while retaining the values, which I have been able to associate with all my life. With a sharp focus on sourcing sustainable material and incorporating it into their products, they are changing the world of handloom silk,” says the style diva.