By Preeta Agarwal.
The last of the "big 4" fashion weeks alongside London, Milan and New York, Paris is also the most anticipated, with global names such as Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci and Dior launching their latest collections in front of eager crowds. Day 3 - 28 February 2013 - began in a monochrome mood at Balenciaga but quickly turned colourful when renowned Indian pop designer Manish Arora's models burst onto the catwalk at Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Showcasing Arora's Fall/Winter 2013/14 collection, it was also a dramatic stage on which to launch his second jewellery collaboration with renowned Indian jeweller Amrapali, a brand that looks to the sub-continent's rich heritage as inspiration for modern and relevant jewellery.
After their hugely successful first collection (read more about it here), Amrapali and Manish Arora have once again crafted a vision of the future for contemporary jewellery. Taking Arora's experience at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada and giving it a Rajasthani twist, the new collection is a fusion of traditional Indian craftsmanship and conceptual design. Bold, dramatic and powerful, it is Arora's take on modern India and how he wishes to represent his vision on a global platform.
Using triangles and pyramids, geometric motifs create a psychedelic mirage of forms, with lustrous holographic stones, matt gold, lacquer coating and beads adding texture and contrast. The colour palette is darker and more dramatic than his first collection: sky blue, navy and green, with lots of black and the shimmer of metallic gold. Traditional ring designs are illuminated with the addition of bold coloured stones, while cuffs and necklaces incorporate detailed enamelwork in vibrant geometric designs. Adding to the opulence are turban jewels, nose rings, large hoop earrings and Haslis (the traditional stiff necklaces of Rajasthan).
Arora will also be showcasing the latest Amrapali/Manish Arora collection at the Grand Finale of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013/14. The collection is currently available at the Amrapali Delhi boutique at Khan Market, New Delhi (price on application).
