The 2024 edition of Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI concluded last weekend, leaving much to be discussed – sustainability got its due, models walked across chessboards and tea tables, but most importantly, the trends for 2024 were decided. As we are yet to recover from the high fashion fallout from one of India’s most anticipated fashion weeks, we take a look back at the week in fashion.
The first two months of fashion weeks in Paris and Milan have set the tone for 2024. A revival of contemporary style is happening and it’s only gaining momentum. LFW x FDCI 2024 finally gave us a taste of global fashion and a full-scale showcase of the sartorial prowess of Indian designers. From celebrity showstoppers to sustainable fabrics and budding talent, the five-day event was everything we expected and more (including a polo match and cars rolling into the runway).
9 Notable Moments from Lakme Fashion Week 2024
Genderless silhouettes, strong femininity and sharp tailoring incorporating a wide range of fabrics from tulle and sheer to detailed embroidery and embellishment have it all at LFW24. We shine a spotlight on some of the recurring trends and highlight the standout moments we spotted.
Androgynous design
LFW kicked off with GenNext, with label Rosani showcasing a collection that blended masculinity and femininity. Androgynous designs were a central theme, setting the tone for the week, with men dominated by skirts, sheers and more feminine silhouettes. Designers Shantanu and Nikhil ventured into the realm of gender-fluid dressing, with bolder androgynous themes, while still incorporating the classic tailoring the label is known for. Meanwhile, Siddhartha Tytler, known for his gender-pushing designs, stuck to his DNA with experimental clothes. This theme was a recurring trend in showcases such as All You Can Street and Rishta by Arjun Saluja.
Rishta by Arjun Saluja Siddartha Tytler Shantnu Nikhil Geisha, Design by Paras and Shalini Rosani
Suits and well-tailored
Good tailoring never goes out of style, and this season’s LFW season confirmed that once again. Menswear was particularly noteworthy this season. From La Martina x Rajesh Pratap Singh’s equestrian styles to Countrymade’s “The Road Back,” which tells the story of a boyhood through tailoring, classic suits, long jackets and lavish blazers were common on the LFW runways. Brands like Ranna Gill and Ritika Mirchandi also highlighted the trend.
Paiwan Country Maid
Age is just a number
The idea of a picture-perfect model who fits the global beauty standards is changing and unique models from different walks of life are taking to the runways. Urvashi Kaul’s 15th anniversary was one example of this, where models from different walks of life were seen on the runway. The designer’s mother and Archana Rao Pathak were among the many models who walked the runway. The concept of age on the runway seems to be taking a back seat as older models are increasingly seen, including in the ITRH and Til shows. A perfect example of this is the iconic Madhuri Dixit who closed the show as the show-stopper for Rana Gill.
Rana Gill Urvashi Kaur to ITRH
Tea parties, horses, drama
Fashion weeks are, of course, full of drama, and LFW x FDCI 24 did not disappoint in that department. Chola the Label hosted a Japanese-themed tea party for strong women, while La Martina x Rajesh Pratap Singh hosted a global polo match before their showcase. Gaurang celebrated the arrival of Holi with Kathakali dance and a Sanjay Leela Bhansali-inspired set, painting the city pink. All You Can Street and its multi-designer showcase was a journey of the senses, from flipping the color palette to switching to music to flowers being spray-painted black mid-show.
La Martina x Rajesh Pratap Singh Gaurang Chola The Label
No pants? No problem!
Deme, Saaksha & Kinney, Rahul Mishra, JJ Valaya, Esse and more all say the same thing. No pants? No problem! The pantsless trend that has been ubiquitous on runways around the world has come to India as one of the hottest trends at Lakme Fashion Week 2024.
Shantanu and Nikhil Esse Saaksha and Kinni JJ Valaya
The best footwear
When talking about fashion, how can we ignore the influence of shoes? Akaaro and Moscow-born Measure are two brands that feature shoes with quirky designs and voluminous attachments. Boots with golden tape were seen at Akaaro, while Saaksha and Kinni also showed off interesting bohemian boot designs.
Akaaromajor
Floral and glitter
Sparkly florals, crystal embellishments and floral prints were two elements of design that were a part of most of the showcases, to say the least. ITRH, Nirmooha, Kalki were some of the brands that made a statement on sparkle with their full-body ensembles, while Archana Rao, SWGT, Anushree Reddy were some of the many brands that incorporated floral patterns across their showcases.
Kalki Anushree Reddy
Sheer fabric
As one of the most mainstream fashion trends of 2024, the see-through silhouette is here to stay. Indian designers seem to have risen to the challenge successfully, showcasing the see-through silhouette across multiple labels including Urvashi Kaur and Siddhartha Tytler.
Demme Varun Chakkilam Geisha Designs by Paras & Shalini
Deep cowl neckline
Deep necklines seem to be back in style, and at LFW 24, brands like Ak Ok, Saaksha and Kinni, Demme and Rajdeep Ranawat were seen embracing this aesthetic along with many others.
AK-OK Dem Rajdeep Ranawat ITRH
Hero and feature images: Courtesy of Lakme Fashion Week.
