Shilpa Shetty glams up the Wills India Fashion Week finale

It's a welcome change when fashion doesn’t have the Bollywood angle to distract, but it’s also too good to be true. A variety of tinsel town stars descended on the last day of the Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW), including the glamorous Shilpa Shetty, Chitrangada Singh, ‘Bad Man’ Gulshan Grover and TV personalities and stars of the musical Zangoora, Hussain Kuwajerwala and Gauhar Khan.

While Shilpa and Chitrangada walked the ramp for designer Tarun Tahiliani at the Grand Finale, Gauhar and Hussain walked for the designer duo Meera and Muzaffar Ali. Gulshan was there to attend the event’s closing ceremony.

Master couturier Tahiliani’s collection titled New Democrazy was sheer minimalistic grandeur. What the designer understated by the lack of embellishments and glitter, he more than compensated for with magnificent drapes and lavish volume.

While Sufi singers set the tone and tempo live on the runway, models walked in achkans and angarkhas worn with lungis, loose pants and flowing skirts.

Textured handloom and weaves in colours of the desert, such as sand, ivory, ecru and charcoal, gave the saris and kaftans an earthy and serene touch.

Whether the designer was influenced by Rajasthan, Sindh or Gujarat, the turbans, bandhinis , kutchikediyus and silver jewellery left the audience spell- bound. Showstopper Shilpa mesmerised in an ivory and gold lehenga with a sheer and mother of pearl blouse.

Sarees, coats, and kaftans worn with short loose salwars were part of Meera’s and Muzaffar Ali’s Kotwara collection. Known for intricate embroidery and meticulous detailing, their Spring/ Summer 2011 collection was steeped in Kashmiri embroidery and interlaced threadwork.

The long coats in deep blues, natural creams and burnt oranges with elaborate detailing and flower motifs are a wardrobe essential. Sarees in shaded brushstrokes of indigo, grey and red along with kaftans worn with shararas were reminiscent of ancient grandiose. Scarves, stoles and shawls added a regal touch while contemporary ballerinas complimented the ensembles.

Stars of the musical Zangaroo performed at the Kingdom of Dreams and were happy to be on yet another stage. Both showstoppers dressed in black — while Hussain wore a black overcoat on a white shirt with a matching scarf, Gauhar, who seemed more than pleased to be back on the runway, looked elegant in a black and silver sari worn under a long embellished matching jacket.

Designer Anita Dongre’s Grassroots collection consisted of flowing maxi dresses in bright hues of yellow green and blue.

The tiered maxis in traditional handloom prints were dressed up with lace and gota work.

Shorts teamed with white blouses, neon bags and wedge heels make for appropriate summer dressing. Deep necks and cut- out backs on kneelength floral printed dresses spelt boho chic. Frilly frocks and tube tops in pastel shades made for a wearable prêt collection.

Eco- friendly and organic, the ensembles were summery, light and easy on the eye. With chic glasses and pulled- back hair, the line more than fitted the girl- next- door look.