Amit Aggarwal’s French Riviera inspiration at Lakme Fashion Week

India’s renowned couture designer, Amit Aggarwal will showcase his collections ‘Monaco from the heart of Kashi’, at Lakme Fashion Week on August 18 from 7:30pm.

Taking the couture story beyond boundaries, Amit Aggarwal widens the AW’17 collection with flavours from the island of the French Riviera. His transit to the land of Monaco inspired him to draw connections to his home country in terms of art, culture and craftsmanship.

The interior architecture of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco and the Opera De Monte Carlo, the motifs, carvings and drapery reminded him of the brocades from Banaras back in India and his treatment to those that he was already working on.

The details on the glass panels, the tapestry, the gilded panels and their twirling art nouveau patterns formed a perfect motif language which harmoniously blended with the weaves of Banarasi brocades. This marriage of cultural identities allowed for a greater sense of exchange between two histories for a contemporary design ethos.

The designer takes his philosophy of sustainable couture forward with vintage Banaras brocade sarees procured from all over India. These vintage weaves have been restored using his signature techniques of industrial pleating and latticing with recycled polymer strips and have been further reworked with contemporary zardozi embroidery both with metal and fibers, exquisite hand pleated tape embroideries and detailed thread work mixed with unusual industrial yarns.

This exotic palette features amber, sapphires, ruby, jade and black diamond with inherent radiance of gold and silver. Amit Aggarwal says, “I am delighted to partner with Monaco Tourism for our Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2017 showcase.

The collection that started its roots in Monaco is interpreted by use of discarded vintage Banarasi saris that have a history but have lost their purpose; in a hope to find them a new life and a new home.”