by Shamiso Chimbo
The Pearl Academy is India’s leading creative education institution. This season, they joined forces with Fashion Week & The City (FWTC) to display collections from five alumni who were selected due to their unique design approaches.
Taking place at St John’s Church in Hyde Park, the London Fashion Week show opened with luxury brand Sakshi Khetterpal.
Celebrating 9 years in the industry, Khetterpal debuted their latest collection named ‘New Beginnings (Nayi Shuruaat)’.
The brand is a mainstay in New Dehli, where the designer is based, and is designed to empower individuals to embrace their unique style and confidence.
Inspired by nature, the collection took on a colour palette of light greys and pastel blues that give it an ethereal flair along with intricate handwork and intriguing patterns. The fabrics reflected this with light and airy materials adding to the dreamlike nature. Khetterpal showcased fairytale gowns and eye-catching separates including glitter adorned statement jackets.
Next. Swidhi Arora’s collection was a nod to her hometown of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The city is renowned for its wood carving cottage industry which is reflected in her collection through its use of gold and ivory fabrics paired with intricate designs.
Titled ‘Local Nation,’ it showcased Arora’s elaborate hand-embroidering which included Zardozi and Cutdana styles on a mix of statement suits, matching sets and embroidered dresses.
The designer masterfully combined traditional Indian styles with a contemporary flair in her collection.
With a legacy of over 50 years, Rasook by Manit Pal Singh is recognised for its quality and craftsmanship - specialising in both men and women’s wedding attire.
They presented a collection named ‘Heritage in Harmony: A Celebration of Cultural Diversity in Wedding Wear.’
Based on traditional male wedding outfits in Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and Christian culture, each look was an ode to the opulence and glamour of Indian weddings.
It featured a mix of ivory and black fabrics in silk and velvet materials adorned with rich embroidery.
Following on, Saloni Arora’s brand Label Muslin reflects Arora’s commitment to sustainability and minimalism.
Arora debuted the collection ‘Waste to Waist’ featuring looks made from upcycled materials including tailored separates and dresses.
The highlight of the collection were the corsets which combined the rich heritage of corsetry with modern sustainable materials.
‘Waste to Waist’ redefined corsetry by combining traditional designs with contemporary fabrics. Through combining corsets with cut-out panels and tie-detail, this innovative approach added a unique visual flair paired with a colour palette of brown, white and red to reflect traditional brocade detail and opulence.
The show finished with a bang; Fierce London. The ‘Fierce Ascendancy’ collection was an all- black line but with an edge.
It was a celebration of streetwear with a focus on free self-expression and glamour inspired by the vibrant energy of London street fashion. The runway pieces were comprised of bodysuits, matching separates and structured outerwear which were all made out of fine leather.
One striking piece was a black structured coat with a simple ‘F’ letter belt. Fierce London celebrates streetwear that promotes empowerment and bold individuality with the Director of the brand, Shubh Goyal, having graduated from Pearl Academy in Fashion Luxury Brand Management.
Collections by the Pearl Academy alumni were an exciting blend of innovation and creativity. The designers displayed their unique visions and pushed boundaries with innovative fabrics, unique silhouettes, and intricate details.
Edited by Emily Duff