Ashima Leena Show at Synergy 1 Delhi Couture Week 2011 Day 3

This couture collection by ASHIMA LEENA has a vintage Indian soul, harking back to a time when seduction was a fine art, a slow, thrilling attack on the senses, when cupid could strike through a mere glance beneath kohl-rimmed lashes, without revealing an inch of skin, evoking a lover’s poetic longing, rather than provoking the physical.

Inspired by the’ Zenana’ women, the swish of their voluminous robes, the gentle tinkle of ghungroos, the rich gleam of jewels shining through delicate odhanis, these garments are a sensual delight, gossamer thin silks combined with the mellowed richness of old gold brocades, muted brights, refined and restrained over and over again. Layering is in focus here-sheer fabrics overlapping colour over colour, texture over texture, intermingling to create stunning beauty. Similarly silhouettes are layered, peshwaz over ghagras, drapes over churidars, khadadupattas wrapped over ensembles and so on… the colours cross into one another seamlessly, gorgeous Indian pinks moving into antique peachy rose, soft blues, soothing greens, regal mauves and deep reds combined with creamy beiges, wonderful, old weaves, exquisite jaamdanis and kimkhaabs, are artistically fused into each garment as patterns of ancient havelis come alive in age old zardozi techniques, distressed to give a vintage feel, never overdone, allowing both colour, fabric and form to complement one another…
Each piece is lovingly crafted with a great attention to detail, exemplified by many tiny jhumkis sewn on to the clothes, trembling with every movement…
The wearer connects to the soul of a long forgotten ‘adaa’, when skin and bling did not rule… thus enhancing her innate elegance and classic sophistication.