While Jayanti Reddy and Divya Reddy have worked together in the past, it was at Lakme Fashion Week’s Festive/Winter Season that the duo collaborated for a show. While both designers hail from the city and specialise in ethnic designs, their distinct styles shone brilliantly in their collections.
Jayanti Reddy’s collection had a touch of royalty from the Byzantine era.
Jayanti’s collection, inspired by the Byzantine Empire or the Eastern Roman Empire, introduced regal elements of ancient Rome. On the ramp, the models floated suavely draped in gorgeous silks. Luxurious lehengas, beautiful saris and a few kurta and palazzo-pant sets featured in the collection. When Aditi Rao Hydari strutted on stage in a regal black lehenga embellished with gold accents, she looked very much a royal princess.
Aditi Rao, her showstopper, looked quite regal in her outfit
Divya’s collection, on the other hand, was a fabulous marriage of tradition and modernity. The designer took inspiration from the sage leaf and accentuated the fall colours. “That’s why most of my dresses are in deep bottle green. I also wanted to spread the message of peace since there is so much conflict in the world,” says Divya.
While most of her designs featured shades of green, her showstopper dress donned by Taapsee Pannu was a majestic, bright red outfit with a trailing cape that suited her personality. The colour acted as a perfect contrast to the rest of Divya’s designs, making the showstopper stand out — and look fun and flirty.
So, why a red outfit for Taapsee? “It seemed to go with her character. She’s a fun and vibrant person. A vivid colour like red seems more suitable to her than a sober green. Also, its the bridal season and every bride wants a bit of red in her trousseau,” she explains.
Speaking about her outfit, Taapsee said, “It’s really comfortable, yet makes me feel like a princess. It’s beautiful and such a bright shade of red.” Aditi also complimented Taapsee’s outfit, saying that it suited her personality, just as hers suited her. “Taapsee always dresses to enhance her character and I think that she’s done just that today. As for me, I feel absolutely royal in this luxurious outfit,” says the actress smiling.
Talking about her collection, Jayanti says, “The Byzantine era was the time that two monks smuggled silk into Europe. So most of my designs have been made with silk or Chanderi silk.”
Explaining about her colour scheme, Jayanti shares: “My colour palate also sticks to the fashion of the era and I have made use of a lot of dark reds and smoky greys. Purple was a colour set aside for royalty and I have used that in one of my most favourite outfits for the evening.”
