Designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are masters in the art of fashion. For decades they have excelled in weaving stories through fabrics and creating outfits that have paved the way for new trends. At the recent Blenders Pride Fashion Tour in Delhi, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla put up a spellbinding show as they showcased their new collection called 'Ode to the Spirit of One Love'. Adding to the grandeur of the evening was showstopper Sara Ali Khan, who looked spectacular in not one but two masterpieces by the designers.
To an exclusive interview with Swirlster, the designers shared that through their collection they have brought together various fabrics from across India to celebrate unity through diversity. "We had Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bihar, Gujarat... wherever you want to go, we had that. India is such a vast place and it always inspires us as the go-to muse. We also have an incredible team, over 300+ people, who have put in a lot of hard work and collaborated to make this collection."
(Also read: Priyanka Chopra To Sara Ali Khan: Abu-Sandeep Are Bollywood's Favourite Designers)
Sara Ali Khan, who dazzled all with not one but two showstopping lehengas, said, "I love wearing Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla and I love them. The show was a spectacular combination of traditional with modern, which is something they do best. I am very proud to have been a part of it."
(Also read: Sara Ali Khan Never Needs A Reason To Stun In A Salwar Kameez Suit)
With the theme of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour being Craft, Blend and Identity, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla's showcased a collection that was all about 'one love'. They designers stated on their Instagram account, "This collection is also our Ode to the Spirit of One Love. It's about breaking free, ditching the rules and borders that separate and discriminate. Love is inclusive. We have transgender, cross dressers, LGBTQIA people wearing our fashion. Men in heels and women in flat juttis. Love is never shy. We are owning who we are. We are also owning India and our Indianness through our traditional textiles, embroideries and techniques. We do not need to conform, we must write our own rules and walk our own path. All of us together as one. That is the Blend we are passionately committed to and unabashedly proud of."
Charting a unique course, the iconic 15th year of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour comes with a path-breaking format with designer Ashish Soni as curator-in-chief, and an exclusive collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the industry thought leader. By focusing laser sharp on fashion, the tour presents festivals of fashion to create a universe of pride through its three themes - Craft, Blend and Identity. The fashion extravaganza will culminate in a larger-than-life finale, 'The Pride of India', in collaboration with FDCI, in Mumbai with 15 eminent designers.
While 'Pride' as a meaningful expression of success and individuality continues to take center-stage in this edition, it is actually India with its indigenous 'craft', 'blend' of diverse influences, and a distinctive 'identity' that will become the canvas of expression this year.
Here's a look at some of the creations:
