Amalraj Sengupta & Sanjay Hingu gave their Feminine & Masculine versions for Winter/Festive 2011 at Lakme Fashion Week

Using the Persian blue, flowery peaches and camel browns for his Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 collection, Amalraj Sengupta presented a line that revealed the creative blends of Asian inspirations. An expert at fabric texturing, Amalraj fused the various versatile options and gave them innovative dimensions that completely left the original feel far behind.

Going for his trade mark asymmetric silhouettes, but adding large doses of feminine touches; Amalraj revealed his unconventional fashion insight. Using a choice of georgette, chiffon, pure cotton, silk, linen and even knits; the designer played with these contrasting fabric weights but eventually produced a harmonious fashionable result.

The men’s and women’s line with extreme detailing, quilting and zipper interest had a marked oriental look with extended shoulders and Obe like leather belts for the women’s waists.

For men, quilting appeared for high neck jackets and yokes while ribbed waistbands added to trouser style.  Shirts were asymmetric or pin tucked and blousons were sleeveless in shades of blue and black.

Women’s wear was elaborately crafted with chiffon blouses that bubbled up with pleats, and accordion pleated skirts were a constant for most of the dresses in muted shades of blue, purple, saffron, pink and grey. The pink and grey mini with pleated inset, the saffron boat neck dress and the ruffled layered top showed that Amalraj was comfortable with some extreme construction techniques. The final gold satin draped bodice gown with black flowing skirt and grey godets revealed that the designer can make an impressive Red Carpet creation.

It was a mix of style, edgy silhouettes, fine detailing and colour contrasts that gave Amalraj Sengupta collection a rather flamboyant appeal for both sexes.

It was a men’s wear line that brought a perfect Indo-western fusion look on the ramp at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011. Sanjay Hingu has always been very experimental in his offering for the stronger sex and this season he had an edgy line for men’s wear inspired by the motifs in Indian wear. His line of creations had ethnic touches for western clothes aimed at the more stylish daring 21st century male.

Using grey as the base, Sanjay added pink and green in large doses for his line, which moved from sporty creations to trendy semiformal and formal clothes. Bringing in digital prints and then splashing them with hand embroidery, Sanjay ensured that the range was masculine with a stylish elegant element.

The silhouettes for the one button jackets were sharp and fitted with just the right detailing interest. Jackets, bomber jackets and suits were well finished and cut with precision, giving the collection a smart fashion direction. There were some playful touches like an occasional brocade pocket, a slash of shocking pink for the jacket with double vents or a double lapel shawl jacket followed by a one button zippered mandarin collar option.

The highlights were the zippered silver biker jacket, striped orange beige double breasted jacket, the trench coat with red cuffs and lapels and the double shawl lapel coat.

Blousons appeared in various silhouettes - some in faux snake skin as waistcoats, others with fleece collars or pink insets. The hooded duffel jacket with toggle buttons, the metallic grey cropped jackets and the velvet jacket with sleeve and back embroidery gave a more daring take in men’s clothing. The final entry with an asymmetric jacket collar was a great way to end the show.

For men who want to move away from the beaten fashion path, then Sanjay Hingu’s latest offering will get them the admiring glances they are aiming for.