ICW 2017: Rohit Bal's Shaahaan-E-Khaas Ensembles Exude Royalty

Opulent, innovative, awe-inspiring and magnificent are just a few words that describe ace fashion designer Rohit Bal's latest couture collection titled Shaahaan-e-Khaas. The master couturier ended the first day of the 10th edition of FDCI India Couture Week (ICW) 2017 with a grand show at the revamped Bikaner House in the capital.

An ode to the lost craft and tradition, Bal's couture collection, inspired by the splendid Mughal costumes, aims to 'revive and reproduce heritage pieces from collections of royal Mughals costumes, which are now only found in museums'.

The designer's ethereal creations set forth a perfect example of how one can fuse the rich heritage of India with a tinge of modernness to cater to the modern sensibilities. While Bal's signature intricate embroidery remained a part of the regalia inspired collection, to everyone's surprise, this time around, the designer instead of playing along with his signature motifs - lotus and peacock, introduced a new patented motif - cock.

The show began with female models walking down the ramp in ivory, off-white, beige ensembles - diaphanous, voluminous gowns, plain gathered skirts teamed with jackets and capes featuring intricate embroidery, saree - and the male models walking in thereafter, donning the designer's couture pieces. The colour story gradually shifted from ivories and beiges to more royal ones including luxurious maroon and emerald. The ensembles featured densely woven in gold and silver threads. The collection also featured garments in black.

The running motif - cock, was placed visibly throughout the collection.

Full-length jackets, crop jackets and velvet capes tailored with modern cuts featuring rich, detailed embroidery were the main highlight of the female wear, the menswear featured intricately embroidered bandhgalas and jackets with Mughal-inspired paintings on them.

Since the collection was inspired from the Mughal-era, the acclaimed designer made use of the exquisite painting style of those times on men's jackets to add a dash of colour and grandness to the otherwise white jackets. Swarovski crystals too were used as embellishments on the ensembles.

And although the splendid collection had the onlookers spell bound, it was mainly Bal's interpretation of the Mughal costumes with added modern sensibilities that stole the show.

While the several male and female models sashayed down the ramp in Bal's master pieces, it was actor Arjun Rampal who closed the show for the designer. Dressed in an elegant all black bandhgala, Arjun walked in at the ramp giving away kisses while the designer looked on.

Besides Arjun's fabulous all-black ensemble which featured the running motif, the actor's footwear too had the brand new cock motif, introduced by the designer at the show, embroidered on it.

Also taking to the ramp were Bal's friends including designer Raghavendra Rathore, film director Mozez Singh, FDCI President Sunil Sethi among others.

Several designers including Varun Bahl, Anju Modi and JJ Valaya attended Bal's show to show their support to the distinguished designer.

FDCI India Couture Week 2017 will be held from 24th-30 July in New Delhi.

(All Images: Rohit Bal Team)