Fashion brand Vian by Sayantan Sarkar and Olivia Sinha Roy launched its latest resortwear collection on April 28 with an arresting show called ‘An Abyss of Love’ at the infinity poolside of JW Marriott Kolkata. The breezy poolside with a view of the illuminated EM Bypass complemented the summery, relaxed, effortless, wearable ensembles in vivid kaleidoscopic hues featuring floral and underwater prints. Following the present trend of minimalism, the outfits were kept in focus by show director Pinky Kenworthy, aptly subduing the rest of the elements. Food and drink from the recently launched Infinity by Angaar at JW Marriott added to the mood for the guests. Snapshots:
The first sequence
The first sequence featuring the ‘ditsy diffused’ floral-print collection showcased a range of flowy silhouettes in soothing colours with smart cuts. Combining silhouettes like off-shoulder draped dresses, button-down dresses and long kurtas for men, the collection in georgette and crepe features complementing shades like peach, yellow, lilac and lavender, with a beautiful play of darker shades near the core and lighter as the prints spread out.
“This is inspired by the thematic representation of the myriad emotions of love and the romanticism around it,” add designers Sayantan and Olivia.
Easy and elegant, Jessica Aaron sported a flowy one-shoulder draped dress.
Rangeet Raheel sported a relaxed three-button pleated, oversized shirt in georgette, paired with draped trousers in crepe.
The second sequence
The second sequence featuring the ‘coral bioluminescent’ prints featured a colour mist of yellow-brown-grey, and blue-purple. The silhouettes designed with a blend of structured and flowy styles were trendy and fashionable, in fabrics like chiffon, georgette and organza.
“As we discover love within us we are sceptical of the unknown that comes with it, the unknown depth of the feeling of discovering love that is the abyss,” added the designer duo.
Rahul Ganguly sported an edgy patch-pocket organza shacket, paired with balloon trousers made of crepe. Sevina Kahlon wore an effortless one-shoulder, draped, knee-length georgette dress detailed with an exaggerated bow on the shoulder
Riya Bhattacherjee wore a simple and appealing deep V-neck, high-slit dress in organza. Perfect as an overlayer over swimwear, it is designed with shoulder drawstring as an accessory.
Kutubuddin Sheikh looked flamboyant in the vibrant organza printed jumpsuit with tie-up detailing around the waist.
The third sequence
The third sequence featuring easy-breezy-style statements in ‘marble-like imaging of diffused floral’ prints was interpreted through a melange of bright and pastel shades, with silhouettes like kaftan dresses, shirt dresses and jumpsuits.
“In the journey of love, its crazy romantics and motley of emotions, one emerges with a superfluous image of life, a translucent imagery of the feeling of being in love like watching through the ripples on the surface of the water. This is depicted by the marble-like imaging of the diffused florals,” added Sayantan and Olivia.
Priyanka Das cut a smart picture in a button-down, centre-cinched kaftan dress in marble-printed super-flowy georgette.
Subhamita Banerjee sported a leisurely yet graceful style in a halter-neck jumpsuit in chiffon, designed with flared and exaggerated hemlines.
DESIGNERSPEAK
Vian has always been working with cotton and streetwear but we wanted to develop our own printed collection. Once we spoke to Sumeet Suri and was shown the poolside, we started thinking of a wearable resortwear collection. It went with the vibe of the location. We wanted to work with florals and underwater motifs and keep a bohemian feel to it as well. When one embarks on the journey of love, everything is kind of fluid, very romantic, floral and aesthetic but as one starts a relationship, the feeling of love and what comes with it is very undefined. It is very infinite. The depth of the relationship is an infinite depth. We start with pastel shades and move on to all the dark shades, the effects of love. So, ‘An Abyss of Love’ is also a journey of falling in love — Sayantan Sarkar and Olivia Sinha Roy, designers, Vian
When I checked the venue, it was breezy and beautiful and the collection was resortwear, so we decided not to build a ramp. The models just walked along the poolside. Because of the breeze, I kept it all minimal, from the choreography to make-up. Everything was flowy and colourful. The whole collection was so spectacular that I did not want to put too many elements to it. I chose the music accordingly where it could be on a beach anywhere in the world. I always choose music according to what the garments are like and what the place is. Make-up and hair I wanted to keep minimal because in resortwear nobody does any heavy make-up anymore — Pinky Kenworthy, show director.
Sumeet Suri, general manager of JW Marriott Kolkata, at the show
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Jewellery: Anokha Jewels
Backstage: Rajarshi Mukherjee
Hair and make-up: Monty Adhikary and team