Lakme Fashion Week 2012: Babita Malkani W/F 2012 Collection.

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Photos credit: http://www.lakmefashionweek.co.in

LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK Winter/Festive 2011: Babita Malkani.

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Suffusing versatility and modernistic approach in designs, Babita Malkani unleashed a distinctive collection based on a contemporary ethnic platform exhuming industrial glamour. Conceptualizing a fusion of art and fashion entitled Metalmorphosis, the meticulous sculptural disposition in collection not only appeared gallant, but also carried the feminine feel. The morphing of metal on the fabric introduced unique experimentation which derived the look for display at the Autumn Winter 2011.

Defining the unusual notion, the collection neatly showed artistic expressions and inspiration taken from sculptures for which she spent hours with her friend and world renowned sculptor- Arzan Khambhat­­ta, in order to draw references and styling inspirations.

Babita Malkani revealed an exclusive combination of raw metals and fabrics which incorporated discarded metal pieces such as nuts, bolts, screws and metal sheets. Despite bearing a reflection of cortein steel and rusting on fabrics including metal distressing, the creation did not give an impression of metallic fabrics.

Though quite radical in its technique, and unusual in terms of a concept, the collection is extremely wearable, emerges as perfect for any occasion and rightfully epitomizes a complete formal evening wear collection. The gorgeous range of free-flowing and drape-style outfits will be unveiled in three different looks, featuring different colour palettes and silhouettes.

The collection encompassed shades of charcoal grey, black, wine, taupe and Prussian blue interspersed with some unrevealed methods of rusting and clamping dyeing techniques to accentuate the motif of attaining an industrial glamorous look.

Designer Babita Malkani and Kalki.

Photos credit: Babita Malkani

Babita Malkani's "Iktar" Collection at Lakme Fashion Week In Mumbai, India.

Photos credit: Limelight PR

Babita Malkani's "Iktar" Collection Is A Rich Inspiration Of Bengali Style & Culture.



Babita malkani with models and Baul Singers.



Designer Babita Malkani has always been inspired by various cultures, different cities and their traditions. This time, travel took her to the state of Bengal where the distinctive style of dressing and unique set of musical instruments of the Baul singers, caught her attention. The Baul religion of these artists plays muse in her new collection, aptly titled “Iktar”.

Baul music is a folk music style that originated in West Bengal and Bangladesh in the 19th century, but their music is over 1,000 years old. Known as wandering minstrels, as they are nomadic in nature, their lyrics and music are typical of the soul-searching genre.

These mystical minstrels are known to have created a neo-religion, which is rootless in conventional religions and not confined to any borders; they celebrate music as a religion. The Baul religion is an amalgamation of many different cultures: Buddhism, Sufism, Hinduism and the study of yoga. It believes in celestial love and their devotional music transcends religion.

Elements of this exceptionally liberal folk music cult and its style flows in Malkani’s drapes, with a similar mysticism and free-flowing charisma distinctive to the Baul style. The collection infused by a syncretism of traditional and modern, characteristic to the religion. Malkani has unified Indian art with the Boho-glam look in self-developed fabrics like cotton silks, Habutai silks and specialised hand-textured fabrics, to present the kind of draped look the Baul singers are known to don.

Her collection feature three different looks that span a variety of moods from serene to glamourous, and will overall present a chic look with a touch of Indian style, maintaining a global, cutting-edge feel.

Using techniques like block printing, spray and hand printing, dyeing techniques, surface ornamentation and light embellishments, the prints on these fabrics will see motifs related to the Baul religion: Bengali scriptures, abstract interpretations of Baul instruments like the ektara and the Baul singers themselves represented in graphic forms.

The show began with a fusion performance of Bengali folk music, Sanskrit shlokas and the chimes of the church bells, to signify the oneness of the Baul religion. In completeness Babita’s collection just like her holds no religious borders and celebrates music as religion.

Photo credit: Limelight PR

Bollywood Stars Flock To Babita Malkani's "Iktar" Collection at Lakme Fashion Week In Mumbai, India.

Babita Malkani with models and Baul Singers.

Babita Malkanis latest collection "Iktar" had the lovely Baul Singers of West Bengal as her showstoppers. Their soulful music, no religious borders and celebration of music attitude which inspired Babita was cheered by the audience.  The models sashayed down the ramp in flowy garments with Bengali scriptures on them.

Many celebrities and Babita's close friends like Sridevi and her daughter, Siddharth Kannan, Suchitra Pillai, Vidya Malvade, Amit Kaur, Leena Mogre, Zoa Morani amongst others.

Designer Babita Malkani with Bollywood Star Sridevi and her kids.

Bollywood Star Sridevi with Designer Babita Malkani.

Bollywood Celebrity Siddharth Kannan.

Bollywood Actress Vidya Malvade.

Bollywood Actress Suchitra Pillai.

Bollywood Actress Sagarika Ghatge.

Photos credit: Limelight PR