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This season of the FDCI Lakmé Fashion Week felt like a bouquet of very different flowers. From the Barbiecore at Péro to the festive vibes at Anushree Reddy, and cocktail glam at Manish Malhotra to the avant garde (and slightly eerie) sensibilities at Huemn, there was something for everyone. One absolutely beautiful show in this bouquet of varied flowers was a presentation by Ladakhi designers that brought to the runway the craft and sensibilities unique to Ladakh.
The show, titled “The Fifth Season: A Fashion Story from Ladakh”, was a curation of four beautiful Ladakhi brands—Namza by Padma Yangchan, Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo, Changra Ladakh by Deskit Angmo, and Charkha Ladakh by Rigzin Yangdol, each carrying their distinct sensibilities, with the richness of Ladakh’s textile heritage common between them.
The mood of all the collections was rich, earthy, and vibrant. We saw a bunch of different silhouettes, like long dresses, capes, kurtas, jackets, shirts and trousers, along with the traditional Ladakhi attire. We also saw some beautiful shawls. Textiles reigned supreme, with beautiful brocades and Pashmina taking center stage. We saw a fusion between structure and fluidity, with lots of A-line silk skirts paired with matching structured jackets. These skirts had fine fringes at the hemline, which moved beautifully as the models walked the runway. The collection also featured some vibrant color combinations, like orange-purple-and-yellow, and orange-and-acqua-blue. We saw some irresistibly stunning prints and patterns, including botanical prints, dragons, and bold stripes.
Our favourite takeaway from the show, however, has to be the layering.The show was a masterclass in layering, with looks mixing different colours, patterns, and textures. One look in particular, featured a traditional Ladakhi garment paired with a heavy, sturdy shawl with fur at the borders, and a print to die for!
Zilzom also had Shalini Passi close the show in a printed off-shoulder fishtail gown with fur detailing on the neckline. Fun little detail: Shalini’s penchant for quirky novelty bags found its way into the show as well. This time, her bag came in the shape of a Ladakhi yak. How cool (and cute) is that!
As someone who loves fine textiles, earthy influences, and impeccable craftsmanship, attending this show felt like being a kid in a candy store. But more importantly, it highlighted the beauty and profoundness of the brands that embrace the raw, unfiltered essence of their cultural heritage. It also gives us an appreciation for the pieces that are made with some of the harshest climatic conditions on Earth.