The ‘Queen’ of Bollywood, Kangana Ranaut flagged off the India Couture Week 2018 in grand fashion on Wednesday. The 31-year-old turned showstopper for Anju Modi on the opening night of fashion event held at Taj Palace, New Delhi. Kangana was looking every inch regal in a Victorian Era inspired collection by the famous designer. Pictures of the Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi actress in the gorgeous bridal dress will make you croon, “Fashion Ka Hai Yeh Jalwa” from her 2008 movie Fashion. Apart from Kangana, the first day saw another B-town gorgeous Aditi Rao Hydari walk for Tarun Tahiliani. ICW 2018, which began on July 25 is scheduled to last until July 29.

Anju Modi is known for her voluminous, lavishly-embroidered and layered Indian costumes including her work in Hindi cinema like designing Deepika Padukone’s outfits for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period-drama Bajirao Mastani. But the lady turned it around for her new collection at India Couture Week. Anju Modi’s collection was titled ‘A Maiden’s Prayer,’ with all her designs in jewel tone palette. A good display of rich fabric like velvet, brocade and silk in lighter drapes were just in sync with Modi’s theme.

Coming to her star showstopper, someone Anju wanted to work with after seeing her movie, Rangoon, is Kangana Ranaut. The B-town beauty known for being an acting and fashion powerhouse was an epitome of elegance and class as she took over the centre stage. Kangana wore a cream lehenga with multiple drapes and an embroidered blouse to go with it. However, it was the Victorian-styled velvet maroon half-jacket that elevated the look of the outfit.

Kangana Ranaut (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)
Kangana Ranaut (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)
Kangana Ranaut (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)

Speaking about the interesting theme of Anju Modi’s collection, Kangana was quoted saying: “This is a Victorian theme and as you can see I have taken it very seriously. Not all the models. I have done the hair also and everything,” she said. “So I am like in full character and feel like I will soon break into a dialogue,” she further added.

Kangana Ranaut (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)
Kangana Ranaut (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)
Kangana Ranaut (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)

If Kangana bedazzled for Modi’s show, it was Aditi Rao Hydari who shined like a bright star for Tarun Tahiliani. The Padmaavat actress wore a shimmering pink-peach Swarovski-embellished lehenga with an off-shoulder top with a sheer long train adorned with flowers. It was from Tarun’s collection called ‘In Elysium’ Aditi wore chokers and earrings from Shri Paramani Jewels. With her hair neatly pulled back and dewy makeup with smokey eyes, Aditi looked divine. Or in Tarun’s words, a true representation of modern Indian goddess. 

“I couldn’t be more excited to see Aditi in our couture. In Elysium is a celebration of modern Indian goddess and the ethereal lightness of being, and she walked the part with allure and panache. Her effortless poise and individualistic style make her the quintessential Tarun Tahiliani muse - a woman who knows herself and who looks like herself, and who is not weighed down with the burden of projection,” writes Tarun Tahiliani on his Instagram page.

Tarun was truly overjoyed at seeing his creation on Aditi, calling the Bollywood beauty his muse. Speaking to HT, Tarun announced how he would love to collaborate with Aditi in the future projects. He says, “Watching her today, I have got the idea for the next three outfits that she should wear, and some might have no embroidery, and she can wear her flats.”

Aditi Rao Hydari (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)
Aditi Rao Hydari (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)
Aditi Rao Hydari (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)
Aditi Rao Hydari (Photo Credits: Yogen Shah)

So, that was the first day of India Couture Week 2018. On Day 2, Pallavi Jaikishan and Falguni Shane Peacock will be presenting their new collections. Get ready to be enthralled by another dazzling Bollywood show as Kareena Kapoor Khan is going to walk for designers Shane and Falguni Peacock on Thursday. Led by Sunil Sethi, president of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), India Couture Week will see countries top couturiers showcasing their line at the fashion gala.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2018 11:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).