Entertainment

LFM Goes Sustainable!

Lakme Fashion Week 2021 was all about hailing new beginnings after the upheavals of last year, with an eye towards sustainability. From a brilliant mix of the green horns and the established, the designers lit up the event with their creations that often swung between opulent and eclectic. The event, backed by Lakme India in partnership with the Fashion Development Council of India, was a “phygital” gathering of craft, innovation and workability. Designers participated from all around the country via spectacular visual art films and live walks. Juveria Tabassum picks eight of the best designers on show through the five days.

Collection: Bloni

Designer: Akshat Bansal

Label: Bloni

Hashtag USP: Local artisanal techniques on marine plastic waste textiles.

Delhi-based Bloni’s Akshat Bansal’s creations were the perfect celebration of the theme, for the event. The designs were showcased as part of the Emerging Talent Category. Fabrics sourced from marine waste and generated through technology were adorned with the age old tie-and-dye craft. Furthermore, the collection, termed Bloni, was gender neutral, which gave them an added edge. Crochet and knitting made an appearance and the designs left an impact with its tasteful use of neon green and shimmery silvers between blacks, whites and greys on eco-friendly, hybrid textiles. The film deployed futuristic elements and was striking in itself, with models standing knee-deep in waters.

Collection: #SNSafari

Designers: Shantanu and Nikhil

Label: S&N

Hashtag USP: Safari chic that can well become the new-age celebration wear.

The designer duo has become a vintage name in the industry with their new-age celebration wear which is transforming what we wear at festivities. Their Safari collection was driven by the idea of “celebration on the move,” paying a tribute to the ceaseless lives of today’s youth. The designs were a smooth mix of casual chic and traditional cuts, satisfying the fashion stipulations of the youth. The collection experimented with cuts and silhouettes in kurtis and jackets for women and shirts and sherwanis for men. Also on the roster were some classic tees and sneakers which lifted some rather conventional garments to a ubiquitous contemporary appeal. The designers said the idea behind the collection was “delineating the belief of celebrating oneself, the journey and the destination.”

Collection: Crafts in the Forefront

Designer: Rahul Dasgupta

Label: Label Rahul Dasgupta

Hashtag USP: Shibori on sherwanis could well become a staple

Presenting as part of the GenNext show by INIFD, young designer Rahul Dasgupta, who launched his label in August 2020, sparkled with his stylish collection for men at the Lakme Fashion Week. Sherwanis, kurtas and jackets infused in Shibori and occasionally splashed with bundi made for a cool collection which might well find a place in many a man’s wardrobe this festive season. Created with organza and cotton, the garments dabbled in blues and grays and delivered a final stunner in red. The mix of Shibori and selvedge of fabric was cut and dyed, then detangled and later stitched together to create a great masculine look. Another stunner was the cotton dori dyed in Shibori, for the jacket that was lined elegantly with Shibori and worn with a silk organza bagalbandi style kurta.

– Collection: Spring/Summer ‘21 – Ritu Kumar x TRESemme:

Designer: Ritu Kumar

Label: The Ritu Kumar Label

Hashtag USP: Soya fabric sarees that embrace the classic and the contemporary

Designer Ritu Kumar was supported by haircare brand TRESemme in this edition of the Lakme Fashion Week. Boho and minimalism went hand in hand with his collection as he blended floral prints and patchwork with a spread of yarn dyes, laces and geometric designs. The collection embraced both the classic and the contemporary feminine as it swung between suits and drapes and dresses. The soya fabric saris created a stir when they appeared in the most unconventional and unique styles with a colourful fantasy of colour and prints. Ritu Kumar kept the hemline at the midi level to allow the fluid silhouettes to swirl around the models. The scarf was the prime accessory in prints, plain or tasselled and appeared around the neck or the waist in a variety of styles. Participating via a film, the collection used natural fibres and incorporated a plethora of contemporary everyday styles donned by the modern woman.

– Collection: Look Book of Conscious Leather Free Creations by PETA India

Hashtag USP: Cruelty-free fashion that ticks all the boxes

Day 2 was Sustainable Fashion Day and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India presented a Look Book of conscious leather-free creations that were curated from numerous top brands. PETA ambassadors Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar donned the creations which ranged from office wear to date night looks. The couple looked gorgeous in the staggering film which was directed by Ravi Shanker and shot at Sofitel Mumbai BKC. Ankita’s red, halter, trapeze-style mini dress was especially striking. The suits, trousers, jackets, and a gamut of dresses were Vegan—all created without fur, leather, wool, exotic skins, cashmere, mohair or silk. Coconut leather was used as an alternative option to conventional leather, and Brands featured included Proyog, Daisy Days, Urvashi Kaur, Outhouse, Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika, Countrymade and many more.

– Collection: Purn Vritt

Designers: Chandra Prakash Jha and Georg

Label: Cocccon

Hashtag USP: Peace organic silks that employ zero waste techniques and conscious Sericulture

German-based designers Chandra Prakash Jha and Georg came together in 2012 to form a luxury fashion label that utilises peace organic silk. The Purn Vritt collection, which marked their first outing on Indian shores, featured fabrics created with strict organic methods employing zero waste techniques. The designs on show were futuristic and made from biodegradable materials which deployed the principle of “Ahimsa” or peace silk where the silkworm is allowed to complete its life cycle. For the presentation, the collection resembled the indigenous performing art of Jharkhand, which spoke about conflict between circular (Jeevan Chakra) and linear (Jeevan Rekha) lifestyle. Voluminous sleeves and shoulders added a spectacular oomph to the cuts. The colours were vibrant and the drapes ranged from summer dresses, sarees to draped lungis, embellished with geometric block prints on bright hues. The collection blended in well with the theme of the event, Mismatched, and created quite an impact with its geometric patterns and summer block prints on these environmentally-conscious garments. The interesting silhouettes appeared comfortable. It says quite something about the times that we live in that “luxury peace silk” not only sounds inviting, but also looks pretty damn gorgeous.

Collection: Marie Claire in Collaboration with Gauri and Nainika : Fall 2021

Designers: Gauri and Nainika

Label: Bata India

Hashtag USP: Florals never looked more elegant

Bata India managed to make a mark at the Lakme Fashion Week with Marie Claire, a women-centric fashion footwear brand that falls under their umbrella. In collaboration with designer duo Gauri & Nainika. The designs play with floral prints inspired by greys, greens and blues—the shades of the earth. Frock dresses, gowns in chiffon set alight by trendy necklines gave a serene illusion to the collection. The leg-of-mutton, long-sleeved, ruffled, collared dress was captivating in its voluminous troughs and crests which were set off beautifully by the Marie Claire kitten heels. The designers stuck to organza and chiffon which maintained the refreshing, floaty, flowery feel of the film. A black, printed addition with a high neckline was a great contrast against the pretty pastels of the collection.

Collection: Art Nouveau

Designer: Varun Chakillam

Label: 6Degree

Hashtag USP: Reimagined traditional festive wear Part of an ensemble by online multi designer store 6Degree, Varun Chakillam managed to hold his own and stun with his reimagined use of classic festive-wear colours and styles. The “Art Nouveau” line for Spring/Summer 2021 aimed at the sensuous, mysterious woman. Sequins and intricate embroidery came splattered on maxi skirts, pre-stitched sarees and trendy kurtis. The colour card featured dainty pinks, greens, mustards and teal set off by hand embroidered garments of voluminous skirts, gowns and other drapes. The collection, stimulated by 18th century art brought finesse and elegance to traditional Indian festive wear. An embroidered kurti over draped lungi and the ruffled dupatta teamed with corset style choli and lehenga brought innovation and elegance to an age-old combination. Showstopper Pooja Hegde looked scintillating in a white embellished lehenga. Her stylishly cut choli set off the look brilliantly.

March 31, 2021

#fashion, #lakmefashionweek, #trendingnow

Turning Pages, Building Communities: Nidhi Gupta on the Evolving World of Reading

In a time when attention spans are shrinking and digital content dominates, the enduring power of books continues to find new ways to resonate. At the helm of Crossword Bookstores, Nidhi Gupta has spent over 15 years shaping not just a retail brand, but a thriving reading culture. In this conversation, she reflects on her personal relationship with books, the shifting habits of modern readers, and why bookstores today are as much about community as they are about commerce. You’ve spent over 15 years shaping Crossword’s journey. What role have books played in your own life, and which titles or authors have deeply influenced you personally and professionally? I’ve always shared a deep connection with books. They hold many roles in our lives, serving as companions, guiding us as teachers, and opening windows to perspectives we might never otherwise experience. Growing up, reading helped shape my curiosity and empathy, and over the years, it’s become integral to how I think and make decisions. I’ve been deeply influenced by authors who combine storytelling with insight, whether it’s literary fiction that explores human complexity or business writing that sharpens perspective. Professionally, books have taught me the importance of staying adaptable and constantly learning, which is essential in an ever-evolving industry like ours. In an age of short-form digital content and shrinking attention spans, how do you see the culture of reading evolving, especially among younger audiences in India? While it’s true that attention spans are being challenged, I don’t believe the desire to read has diminished. Younger audiences today are discovering stories in new ways, whether through curated recommendations, social media, or genre-driven communities. What’s encouraging is that when the right book reaches the right reader, the engagement is still deeply immersive. We’re also seeing a shift toward more accessible formats, relatable

Entertainment

Movies to Watch This Summer May 2026

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Entertainment

Between Film Sets and Mountain Escapes: Kayadu Lohar’s Journey

Long before the Tamil film Dragon became a cultural moment, Kayadu Lohar was quietly building her career across industries. A winner of the Everyuth Fresh Face, Kayadu stepped into cinema in her teens and gradually explored Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil industries with projects like Mugilpete, Pathonpatham Noottandu, Alluri, and Funky. But it was Dragon, opposite Pradeep Ranganathan, that turned her into a viral sensation, bringing widespread recognition and positioning her as one of the emerging pan-South talents to watch. In a candid conversation with Priyanka Goud, Kayadu opens up about sudden fame, navigating multiple film industries, and finding peace away from the spotlight through travel. Acting Was Always the Plan For Kayadu, acting wasn’t a coincidence; it was always the goal. “I always knew I wanted to be an actor,” she says. Winning the Fresh Face title during college became the first big push. “It gave me visibility, auditions, and belief. At just 18, I found myself travelling across cities for auditions, sometimes attending three to four in a single day. As a newcomer, you don’t always get full narrations. Many times, you say yes based on the production house or the hero attached.” Navigating Languages and Cultures Born into a North Indian family, speaking Nepali at home, fluent in Hindi and Marathi, and raised in Pune, entering South Indian cinema came with its own challenges. “South Indian languages aren’t my first language, so understanding the rhythm and culture initially took time,” she says. But over the years, she developed her own process. For Kayadu, learning a language goes beyond memorising lines. “If I’m doing a Malayalam film, I’ll only listen to Malayalam songs during that phase. Music helps me understand the emotion and culture behind the language.” The Dragon Effect Her performance as Pallavi in Dragon proved to

Entertainment

Rajakumari: The Artist Bridging Classical Heritage and Rap

Svetha Yallapragada Rao, professionally known as Rajakumari, is based in Mumbai. She holds a BA in Religious Studies and comes from a family of doctors, where education and discipline were deeply valued. However, it was Indian classical dance that shaped her most profoundly. She began training at a very young age, immersing herself in tradition, mythology, and devotion. Reflecting on those formative years, she says, “Classical dance didn’t just teach me technique, it taught me reverence, storytelling, and the sacred power of the stage.” The discipline of classical arts instilled in her both artistic rigour and spiritual grounding, foundations that continue to define her creative expression. Art with Cultural Responsibility Rajakumari chose her stage name intentionally. “I chose the identity of ‘Rajakumari’ as a vision, almost like embodying the energy of a goddess,” she explains. Having grown up inspired by Devi through classical dance, the divine feminine became central to her artistic identity. While growing up in America, she noticed the absence of Indian artists in mainstream spaces. “I wanted to become the artist I needed when I was younger, someone unapologetically Indian, modern, powerful, and visible.” Breaking into the American record label system in 2016 came with significant challenges. There were battles, resistance, and moments that demanded persistence. Yet, witnessing the cultural shift today validates that journey. “When I meet fans who proudly wear their bindis or celebrate their culture boldly, I understand the weight of the journey. We are all connected, and cultural pride is powerful.” THE RAJAKUMARI CODE Rajakumari believes authenticity is her defining strength. “Trends shift, genres evolve, and paths change, but I have always remained true to my vision and message.” She emphasises manifestation and cultural pride as pillars of her philosophy. “You don’t have to abandon any part of yourself to succeed.” Her work