Renaissance Reverie is a testament to Falguni Shane Peacock’s love of art and the treasures the designer duo discover on their travels. Falguni Shane Peacock kicked off India Couture Week with the opulent and dreamy collection, continuing their undying love for the Renaissance era in a stunning presentation.
In a world of soft pastels and metallics, intricate threadwork and seductive embellishments, Falguni Shane Peacock tells a story of their favorite journeys through contemporary Indian silhouettes.
Speaking to News18, Falguni Shane Peacock shared their experience when they returned as the opening designers of the 16th edition of India Couture Week, celebrating the architectural marvels and essence of Renaissance culture in their Renaissance Reverie collection and why Kiara Advani was the perfect muse for the show.
This season you returned as designers of the FDCI Opening Show. How did it feel to kick-start India Couture Week 2023 with your collection?
FSP: To return this year as the opening designers of the 16th India Couture Week has been an exciting and humbling experience for us. It is a moment of immense pride to kickstart the prestigious couture week with our ‘Renaissance Reverie’ collection. The experience was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking as we prepared for the week’s spectacular event.
In 2022 your Love Forever collection was influenced by the rich French tapestries and works of art of the Renaissance period, this season you continue your love for the period in your ‘Renaissance Reverie’ collection. What in this era inspired you the most and why?
FSP: As designers, the Renaissance era remains an endless source of inspiration for us. In our 2022 ‘Love Forever’ collection, we took inspiration from the opulence of French tapestries and the intricate artwork that graced this period.
This year we felt drawn back to this remarkable period, eager to study and understand more deeply into its artistic treasures. The collection pays homage to the architectural marvels of the time, awe-inspiring works of art and the essence of Renaissance culture. We then infused our creations with the same sense of opulence, beauty and regality that defined the period. It is a period that continues to fascinate us. It allows us to explore newer aspects of creativity and bring forth collections that showcase the grandeur of this bygone era.
To celebrate the essence of the Renaissance era while demonstrating the artistic mastery of Indian influences, what technique and crafts have you combined in this collection?
FSP: We used an assortment of fabrics for this collection, including tulle, silk, georgette, and velvet. Each outfit incorporates a variety of techniques, including meticulously hand-embroidered silk and metalwork pieces, along with intricately printed chrome appliqués. The motifs are heavily inspired by the Renaissance era and are then decorated with signature FSP elements such as feathers, sequins, etc.
Your designs have been celebrated on the catwalk and iconic red carpets. Do you feel that Indian couture and its crafts have finally made their mark worldwide?
FSP: We believe this is the best phase for the Indian fashion industry. We have made a significant mark on the world and are highly regarded for our contribution to fashion. Today, even global luxury brands recognize and let the world know that some of the most exquisite craftsmanship in traditional techniques, embroidery, etc. is outsourced to our artisans here. Our textiles, our designs, our practices, our techniques, our unique materials, decorations and embellishments, our culture, heritage, arts and crafts are recognized worldwide. The real challenge for us as an industry now is to keep the bar high where we’ve set it.
What are the challenges you face when creating a couture collection in India?
FSP: Creating couture collections in India has been an effortless process for us, with no significant challenges. Our designs have been embraced both at home and abroad. The process of creating these exquisite collections has been seamless, allowing us to bring our artistic visions to life with each of our creations.
You had Kiara Advani as a showstopper, tell us why you chose this ensemble as your showstopper outfit and why Kiara was perfect for this look?
FSP: We believe that Kiara (Advani) is a perfect amalgam of grace, elegance and modernity that resonates with our brand’s aesthetic. Her versatility as an actress and her impeccable sense of style align perfectly with our take on the collection and this showstopper look. The ensemble she wore perfectly captured the essence of our collection, Renaissance Reverie.
The showstopper outfit has been carefully designed to capture the opulence and atmosphere of the Renaissance period while incorporating contemporary elements that reflect the modern woman. And Kiara effortlessly brought this creation of ours to life, exuding the regal charm that highlights the essence of the said period.