Delhi-based fashion designer Siddartha Tytler, who showcased a rather unusual bridal collection at the FDCI-led India Couture Week that concluded on July 31, took a a parallel route to couture bridalwear. .
Titled ‘Shan Shui’, Tytler’s collection, which was featured on July 29, was inspired by a style of traditional Chinese landscape painting that depicts natural landscapes, especially those of water and mountains. The ramp was a clean grey one with sand pits while the show started off with a bright red Chinese dragon dancing all around.
Artist Guru Randhawa opened the oriental-inspired show for the designer, oozing charm on the ramp debut, wearing beautiful velvet bomber jacket adorned with golden zari work all over. The show ended with actor Farhan Akhtar walking the ramp for the designer in a signature gold and black velvet sherwani with crystal applique all over it.
With ceremonial Chinese music in the background, the models sashayed down the ramp in scene-stealing ensembles. Tytler’s vision was best showcased in menswear, the first one being a velvet black and golden bandhgala paired with a long voluminous skirt. The rest included zipped bandhgala kurtas with high slits that brought a fresh silhouette change while some were styled with belts for some added structure and parkas over them. There were sequinned mesh vests, trench coats, parkas and bomber jackets - which was quite fresh to see street style mingling with high couture. The back of these kurtas and jackets were emblazoned with golden threadwork featuring oriental elements like a dragon.
For womenswear, there were also cocktail gowns with dramatic, flared sleeves, puffed-up skirts with multiple tiers, shimmery body-hugging and slinky mesh dresses. There were even sarees draped over pants, with Tytler focusing on comfort yet well-tailored designs that scored high on finesse.
Tytler also brought out some typical lehenga outfits in bridal reds that failed to compete with the rest of his unique collection.
The palette ranged from olive green, dark navy, warm red, black and charcoal grey, highlighting the gold embellishments and embroidery dominating the collection. This sure was an exciting new way to serve Indian couture with a hint of street style.