The 16th edition of India Couture Week will include sixteen designers.

From July 25 to August 2, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) will host the 16th edition of India Couture Week (ICW) in collaboration with Hyundai in the national capital of Delhi.

Swati Bhat

Sixteen of India's top couturiers will take part in the India Couture Week.

In a statement, Tarun Garg, chief operating officer at Hyundai Motor India Ltd, stated, "This powerful partnership celebrates the harmonious blend of two vibrant industries, encapsulating the very essence of Indian craftsmanship and culture." We hope to highlight designs that go beyond aesthetics through our collaboration, as well as create a platform that brings talented Indian artistry to the forefront."

"This edition of India Couture Week encapsulates the spirit of celebration, paying homage to the skilled artisans whose craftsmanship forms the very backbone of Indian fashion," Sunil Sethi, chairman of FDCI, stated. The designers' special collections will create unforgettable narratives that will serve as a monument to our country's rich cultural tapestry."

Participating designers at ICW include Anamika Khanna, Dolly J, Falguni Shane Peacock, Gaurav Gupta, JJ Valaya, Kunal Rawal, Rahul Mishra, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Rimzim Dadu, Ritu Kumar, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, Rose Room, Samant Chauhan, Shantnu Nikhil, Suneet Varma, Tarun Tahiliani, and Varun Bahl.

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The figure-hugging maxi is an in thing of the week

The figure-hugging maxi is a dress type that can be worn in any season and comes in a range of styles to suit a variety of events. The silhouette is flattering for both the fashion-forward customer and those seeking comfort.

Swati Bhat

The figure-hugging maxi, so named for its ability to wrap around the body in a flattering fashion, has to be the dress silhouette of the year. The dress itself is frequently elasticated, allowing it to mould itself to the form it sits on, and it reaches down to the ankles, either flaring out or remaining skin tight. Other variants of this dress style have included cut-out panels, ruched detailings, or slits around the leg, providing the look variety depending on the customer's preferences.

As the eveningwear and eventwear categories regain steam, dresses have risen to become the leading garment in this market. This means that figure-hugging maxis have begun to lead the way, providing an alternate dress style for individuals who need to attend parties in the coming months. While this is a big element of such a silhouette, many of these maxis also come in simple versions, allowing them to be worn in a casual setting and incorporating them into the daywear wardrobe as an elevated staple throughout the year.

Designers experimented with this highly adaptable form on the runway, with several displaying a variety of versions of what a figure hugging maxi could be. Givenchy was one that genuinely embraced creativity, displaying everything from bright printed turtle neck knits to clean cut simple black gowns that swept the floor. Jil Sander, too, blurred the borders with a form-fitting maxi in both fluffy metallic fabrics and pastel tones. Meanwhile, at Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, the maxi dress was firmly rooted in evening wear, either in sheeny metallics or in a sheer stretch fabric inspired by lingerie.

The figure-hugging maxi is a look that can be worn alone in the spring and summer, simply paired with layered necklaces and a handbag to complete the look. The dress pairs well with a variety of shoe styles depending on the time of day, with trainers fitting just as well as strappy sandals, making it occasion-appropriate. If you plan to wear the dress in the cooler months, pair it with under- or over layers like a turtleneck sweater or an oversized knit. A long-line coat, such as a trench style or leather-like pea jacket, can also be worn here. Finish the ensemble with clunky boots throughout the day or pointed heels at night.

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Versace unveils collaboration with Dua Lipa in Cannes 2023

Italian fashion house Versace took over Cannes to present its cruise 2023 collection co-designed with singer Dua Lipa featuring heritage butterfly prints, pastel hues and house codes from the ‘90s.

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Image: Versace; ‘La Vacanza’ co-designed by Donatella Versace and Dua Lipa

The high summer collection entitled ‘La Vacanza’ showcased Donatella Versace’s and Dua Lipa’s shared vision of an elegant Italian vacation, presenting a full Versace lifestyle offering, from evening gowns and tailoring to bikinis, terry cotton beachwear and handbags.

The inspiration for the collaboration was a celebration of summer, explains Donatella Versace in the show notes, as well as honouring and reworking key Versace codes, such as the iconic butterfly and ladybug print from Versace’s spring/summer 1995 collection and the mesh outfits and embellishments of the ‘90s Supermodel era, and the “young people who love fashion and music.”

Commenting on the design process and inspiration, Dua Lipa said: “Donatella and I bonded over our shared love of this time of year while making this collection. Digging through the archives we discovered we were drawn to a lot of the same references which was such an inspiring and fulfilling process.

“La Vacanza ranges from metallic miniskirts and sexy bikinis, to butterfly rings and printed pieces inspired by the Versace SS ’95 collection. There’s always an occasion to wear Versace, and I know I’ll be spending my days (and nights!) in La Vacanza all summer long.”

Versace presents ‘La Vacanza’ co-designed by Donatella Versace and Dua Lipa

This translated into a collection featuring pastel hued buckled bralettes and dresses inspired by the Versace autumn/winter 1992 collection, alongside silk twill printed shirts, tailored jackets and wide-trousers, and twisted and knotted jersey inspired by the spring-summer 1995 Atelier Versace collection.

The collection also includes a fresh take on prints, with Versace and Lipa mixing the archival butterfly print with polka dots in a nostalgic throwback to the 90s, as well as archival ‘Nastro Gianni’ bands at the bust of dresses, inspired by the SS03 collection, and the Medusa hardware from 1995 has been reworked on hardware, belts and jewellery.

Key accessories have also been highlighted in laminated metallic leather, including the mini Repeat hobo bag, stack loafers, and boots.

Donatella Versace added: “I love the summer and for me, this collection celebrates the very best of that time of year. Gorgeous colours, fun prints, and light silhouettes. This is the perfect summer collection—from lying by the pool in a fun printed bikini to dressing up to dance on hot summer evenings in the perfect evening dress—these clothes immediately make me think of my holidays and being in the sun.

“Dua loves Fashion, I love music—we are the perfect duo! We had such a good time designing this collection together. We felt like we were on vacation and that is exactly the spirit we want people to feel when they wear our clothes.”

Like with an album release, Versace has released ‘La Vacanza’ as a ‘see-now-buy-now’ collection, with the co-designed line available at Versace boutiques and online at Versace.com. In addition, Versace will open a series of pop-ups, bespoke in-store displays, and temporary retail locations in cities such as Bangkok, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Shanghai, and world-famous vacation destinations, including Forte dei Marmi and Mykonos.

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