Spectacular conclusion for WIFW

The fashion extravaganza closed with the launch of ace Kashmiri designer Rohit Bal’s collection, which had Arjun Rampal as the showstopper, presented by models walking the ramp with the Qutub Minar in the background

The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) had actor Arjun Rampal walking the ramp, French footwear designer Christian Louboutin gracing it, singer Shubha Mudgal enlivening it and a display of range inspired by the Mughal gardens of Kashmir.

The grand finale by ace designer Rohit Bal at WIFW spring-summer 2015 at Quli Khan's tomb with Qutub Minar as its backdrop, where models lit up the runway, looked more like a court of the Mughals and was truly larger than life.

Bal, who is from Kashmir, presented his new collection ‘Gulbagh’, inspired by the rich and the lush Mughal gardens in the valley.

Donning lehengas with peplum blouses, embroidered jackets and saris, adorned with rose petals, models looked dazzling. The male models mostly donned achkans and churidars.

With techniques like hand-block printing with vegetable dyes and gold leaf embossing, Bal used fabrics like chanderi, fine mulmul, matka silk and velvet for the new line.

Dressed in a black bandhgala and matching bottoms, Arjun, who walked as the showstopper, sashayed down the ramp adjusting his sleeves. He is no stranger to fashion shows, but he said the experience was "nerve-wracking".

"I've done many shows, but the quality of this show...the experience is different. I think Shubha Mudgal was spectacular. It's the first time I've walked on ramp with live aalap," he said.

Prior to Rohit Bal’s show, singer-actress Monica Dogra lent support to designer Kanika Saluja, who wanted to make people aware that "sex is not a sin", by walking for her as the showstopper at the WIFW spring-summer 2015.

The ‘Fireflies’ actress wore a charcoal and copper coloured leather mermaid lehenga - a reflective mirror work bodysuit - with a kamasutra style chest-defining blouse.

"Through my collection, I was trying to show that sex is not a sin. If people are not educated, crimes like rape and child abuse will happen. Monica is also a fighter of female rights and we have discussed this before, so I chose her to be the showstopper," Saluja said.

"Women need to understand that we don’t need men to be happy. We can have children without a man also,” she added.

Consisting of lehengas, saris, shorts, jumpsuits and gowns, the collection was dedicated to sexuality.

The five-day fashion extravaganza, WIFW, was organised by the Fashion Design Council of India.