Rashmika Mandanna turns showstopper for Varun Bahl Couture Show

A floral burst of varied colours greeted fashion enthusiasts who attended Delhi-based couturier Varun Bahl's mystical forest and garden-inspired couture show titled ‘New Leaf’ at the ongoing FDCI India Couture Week 2022 yesterday. 

Actor Rashmika Mandanna turned showstopper for the couture showcase wearing a red floral lehenga skirt coming with an embellished corset, and a multi-colour floral lehenga, marking her debut on the runway. 

Putting a spin on traditional Indian silhouettes while taking a leap forward from traditional wedding couture and exploring the new way in which global couture is moving. New Leaf oscillates between Indian wedding wear and red carpet looks with a more global appeal breaking away from the conventions and rigidity of traditional couture.

“With this collection, I have experimented with fresh silhouettes, different textures, appliques such as feathers and sequins, and fabrics such as silks and velvets.” the Designer shares. With the collection taking inspiration from the grandeur of the forest, the set of the show was indeed a mesmerising one, replicating the dense foliage with a bounty of real, rich, tall green grasses.

Varun Bahl brought in a fresh design in silhouettes with sheer dresses, gowns with ruffles and trains, intricately embroidered catsuits, cape jackets, pantsuits, crystal-encrusted dresses, and more. He also reintroduced his signature upcycled patchwork embroidery, in a revamped avatar over long capes, lehengas, flouncy dresses, and a blazer-pant set styled with a pastel bralette. “I am redefining and moving ahead from the pre-existing realm of traditional Indian couture by giving couture a global avatar and taking it beyond the Indian market,” he shares. Beadwork, gemstones, and 3D embroidered flowers and leaves graced the ensembles, taking a leap from traditional wedding couture and exploring global couture in a novel way.