Lakme Fashion week kicks off with JJ Vallaya's 'Paisa'

Mumbai: The Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) 2008 started with a spectacular show of designer JJ Vallaya here on Saturday.

Vallaya's collection titled 'Paisa' (money) draws inspiration from his own currency - 'The Vallaya Royale' (VR), which he launched during the Wills India Fashion Week in New Delhi earlier this month. Models sashayed the ramp donning Vallaya's designer wear.

“If you want to follow what we have shown today it's really more about structure and everything is more tailored… rather than but its also combined with something to drape so there is a mixed silhouette which is emerging. It's not a total drape oriented silhouette or structure oriented silhouette, It's really a combination and a contradiction which I am personally using in this line,” said Vallaya.

All the motifs inspired and textures inspired by coins bearing his 'royale' signature comprised a colour palette of Red, Black, Brown and Gold.

The collection offered skirts and shirts with halter tops, flared satin skirts and short dresses with red piping matched with ivory slacks. Red halter-tops with multi-layered frill skirts, robe tops and dresses with oversized rectangular folds worn over red pants.

The men's collection encompassed ivory suits, shirts, jackets, black and brown double shaded velvet jackets teamed with slim fit trousers with red ivory piping.

Among the dazzling models that showcased the apparel were model cum Bollywood actor Rahul Dev, who walked the ramp decked in an ivory suit worn over a light grey polo neck T-shirt for Vallaya's collection.

“I liked the show as I was part of his shows initially when I started my career and even today. It's a complete change ….Its ready to wear kind of line and is always better because India has about 140 crore people, so even if say 10 crore people can afford to buy designers stuff so its quite a big volume so be it for everyone,” said model Rahul Dev.

LFW appears to be a good business destination with the participation of 57 well-established designers of the Indian fashion fraternity along with international buyers and fashion experts.

The presence of Bollywood stars is also not unexpected at the LFW that will conclude on April 2.

The fashion fete will also see the likes of New York based Elsye Kroll of trade show Coterie, Albert Morris of fashion store Browns, Pamela and Lydia Pearson and Tiziana Cardini of store La Rinascente.