Amit Aggarwal brings ‘Monaco from the heart of Kashi’ to Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2017

India’s renowned couture designer, Amit Aggarwal draws inspiration from the luxurious wedding destination, Monaco for his AW’17 bridal couture collection which will be showcased on Friday, 18th August at the St Regis.

Jaspreet Chandok, Head-Fashion, IMG Reliance Ltd said,” We are proud to partner with Monaco Tourism for a third time in a row as we celebrate yet another exciting facet of the destination. The show is going to be a perfect marriage of Amit Aggarwal’s sustainable bridal couture with a fantastic wedding destination.”

Taking the couture story beyond boundaries, Amit Aggarwal widens the AW’17 bridal collection ‘Monaco from the heart of Kashi’ with flavors from this 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.

Amit Aggarwal said, “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.”

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.

Rajeev Nangia, India Director, Monaco Government Tourist Bureau says, ” Monaco is the epitome of luxury and glamour, and undoubtedly one of the finest tourist destinations’ in the world to enjoy the high life. We are delighted to join hands with the celebrated designer – Amit Aggarwal at LFW winter/festive 2017. The style and opulence that his collection features are truly synonymous with, the fashion extravagance that destination Monaco is bestowed with, as well as, in-line with the magnificent celebrations and weddings, it offers”.