LFW 2024: Emerging trends, silhouettes and designers to watch out for

Mumbai’s fashion commentators, couturiers and creators came together last week at Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI. With sustainability at the very core, we saw stalwarts like Anamika Khanna, for instance, revive tribal motifs, Rajesh Pratap Singh partner with an Argentinian polo brand, and JJ Valaya using royal travel fables as a narrative to work with.

As Mumbai’s fashion commentators, couturiers and creators came together last week at Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI, we saw stalwarts like Anamika Khanna revive tribal motifs, Rajesh Pratap Singh partner with an Argentinian polo brand, and JJ Valaya use royal travel fables as a narrative to work with. We also loved the sartorial elegance of Siddhartha Tytler and the dreamy Lucknow-esque motifs of Rajdeep Ranawat. Another highlight was Saaksha and Kinni’s summery swimwear collection.

Here is what we believe will influence wardrobes in the coming year:

Polo on point

Rajesh Pratap Singh X La Martina: The theatrics of having a fashion show at Mumbai’s race course, with elegant race horses trotting alongside models was thankfully not gimmicky. Rajesh Pratap Singh’s collaboration with Argentinian equestrian brand La Martina saw the polo trend in a resolutely couture avatar: tailored jackets, Jodhpur pants, thigh boots, buttons, epaulettes and equestrian leitmotifs, tailored to perfection for both men and women. The collection drew a parallel between Jaipur, India’s polo capital, with the design sensibilities of Rajesh Pratap Singh.

Models showcased these silhouettes with horses walking besidethem. We saw zardosi badges on jackets, hand block prints, elements of jacquard, silk and twill on shirts. The accessory du jour was the elegant neck scarf, tied jauntily around the neck.

With the polo trend seeing a massive resurgence in global fashion scenes, Rajesh Pratap Singh’s capsule collection gives it a dressier, more contemporary spin with a focus on layering, fabrics and more.

Sustainable tribes