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Fashion: Ritu Kumar showcases Hyderabadi splendour

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Sanea Shaikh for Ritu Kumar

January 30 saw the veteran designer display her latest collection, 'Falaknuma', which highlights the heritage of craftsmanship that the city of royal Hyderabad is renowned for.

'Rich metallics, intrinsic weaving, embellishments and other traditional textile techniques of India's rich repertoire of craft skills' -- that, in a nutshell, is what Ritu Kumar's latest offerings are all about.

The designer showcased 'The Falaknuma Collection', inspired by the historical Hyderabadi palace of the same name in Mumbai last Sunday. The elegant garments -- lehengas, saris, coats, kurtas and Rajasthani skirts -- pay tribute to the rich craft traditions of Hyderabad. Take a look.

Here we see Sanea Shaikh in muted gold from head to toe, both demure and elegant at the same time.

Fading fantasy

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
A Ritu Kumar creation

Next is this kurta and skirt combination, fading from ivory to gold as it cascades softly down.

Empire-waist elan

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Carol Gracias for Ritu Kumar

Carol Gracias steps onto the ramp in a twirling empire waist kurta, worn once again over a skirt and topped off with a mustard-tinged dupatta.

Royal chic

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
A Ritu Kumar creation

The designer continues with the same palette, offering up sharara pants teamed with rich embroidery and wispy sleeves.

Nomadic nymphs

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Ritu Kumar creations

A couple of tribal, mirror-dotted ensembles take to the runway together.

Bright sprite

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Nethra Raghuraman for Ritu Kumar

Looking every inch the catwalk queen, Nethra Raghuraman steps out in a mix of rich yellow and warm orange.

Bold beauty

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Nethra Raghuraman for Ritu Kumar

Kumar plays the dare-to-bare card with this cut-away corset and rich red lehenga.

Sophisticated stunner

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Pia Trivedi for Ritu Kumar

Pia Trivedi makes her presence felt in an elegant, heavily worked jacket, worn over a black dress.

Silvery seduction

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
A Ritu Kumar creation

Silver hints stand out in a sea of gold with this muted number.

Draping desire

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
A Ritu Kumar creation

From cascading skirts, the silhouette moves to drapes with this sensual sari.

New-age ethnicwear

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Surelee Joseph for Ritu Kumar

We see Surelee Joseph next, in a ravishing red anarkali and jacket fastened below the bodice, over which is she wears a kitschy French beret.

Parade of pink

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Pia Trivedi for Ritu Kumar

Pia steps out once more in a becoming pink and gold lehenga, her aqua-toned dupatta creating a striking contrast.

Bridal trio

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Binal Trivedi, Shonal Rawat and Surelee Joseph for Ritu Kumar

Binal Trivedi, Shonal Rawat and Surelee Joseph mesmerise as they step out wearing assorted bridals in traditional hues.

Swirling and twirling

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
A Ritu Kumar creation

Seemingly floating on air, this ghagara choli with its play on colour took our breath away.

Mixing it all in

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Pia Trivedi for Ritu Kumar

Pia shows off her slender bod in a blue-dominated lehenga with touches of green, red and gold.

Hyderabadi haute couture

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Shabana Azmi and Dia Mirza

Shabana Azmi and Dia Mirza, the showstoppers for the evening, don royal Hyderabadi jodas to step out together in style.

Adaab!

Last updated on: February 3, 2011 17:17 IST
Shabana Azmi, Ritu Kumar and Dia Mirza

Ritu Kumar, flanked by her muses as they greet the audience with a gracious adaab, soaks in the adulation.