Counting Colours

After Kat went shockingly pink for the sake of Barbie,Bollywood rained down on Manish Malhotras show at the Lakme Fashion Week.

The Lakme Fashion Week juggernaut rolls on

After Kat went shockingly pink for the sake of Barbie,Bollywood rained down on Manish Malhotras show at the Lakme Fashion Week.

Deepika Padukone and Asin may be the current flavour,but nothing could top the reception that Sridevi received. The actor seemed taken aback when pounced on by photographers and quote-seekers. The stars overshadowed the clothes as usual,as Malhotra stuck to his first love,chiffon and zari. And showstopper Genelia DSouza who walked down the ramp with Tusshar Kapoor,looked supremely uncomfortable in her restrictive lehnga. She could barely walk,much less catwalk.

On Friday,fashionistas had a new set of worry. Not what bag to carry,Gucci or Fendi? Or what shoes to wear? Choos or Loubs? They had to decide whether to place a silent bid on the Roberto Cavalli or the Versace being auctioned by Fashion for Relief. Amid all of that hoopla,the guests just couldnt stop raving about Sabyasachis line. His silhouette is a little more casual this time and he employed net in earthy tones,ethnic prints and patchwork. But there was Sabya off the ramp too,with Sonam Kapoor,Vidya Balan and plenty of other guests sporting the designers clothes.

And now for the show we have been waiting all season long Little Shilpas accessory show. Her collection was amazing last season,but this time it was a notch higher. Exhaust fans and military helicopters mounted on the head made for a brilliant view. Even Adhuna Akhtar seated in the front row couldnt stop raving. I want to own it all, she chirped later.

And it was definitely a day for celebrity daughters. First Sonakshi Sinha walked the ramp for Malaga,wearing a big,gorgeous beadwork neckpiece. I enjoy this so much, she gushed,in between posing for pictures. But the person who really caught the eye was Queenie Dhodys teenage daughter,Tiara. Mum hooted proudly as she strutted down the runway.

Menswear Day was rather ho-hum with the usual straight-cut cotton trousers and leather jackets dished out by Digvijay Singh and Rohit/Abhishek. We really sat up when models had moustaches drawn in kohl. Talk about creativity. If only that had extended to the clothes.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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Counting Colours

After Kat went shockingly pink for the sake of Barbie,Bollywood rained down on Manish Malhotras show at the Lakme Fashion Week.

After Kat went shockingly pink for the sake of Barbie,Bollywood rained down on Manish Malhotras show at the Lakme Fashion Week.