Fashion fraternity celebrates genderless love on the runway

Presented by the Fashion Design Council Of India, the finale on Saturday night was titled ‘Rainbow’. The rainbow, an emblem for the LGBTQ community, was originally created by San Francisco-based artist Gilbert Baker, in 1978 using six stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet to represent diversity and peace.

For the finale, the main show area was decked up with rainbow coloured frames, slogans like “love has no gender” in cut out hearts. There was peppy music and bright lights, lending a lively aura to the presentation. There were several highlights in the show — from designer Gaurav Gupta opening the show with a white asymmetrical one shoulder dress embedded with fairy lights in the colour of the rainbow, to a man wearing a sari styled by Rimzim Dadu. The gala also saw plus-size models walking the catkwalk. Another beautiful moment in the show was when veteran designer Suneet Varma kissed his husband Rahul Arora on the ramp.

Staying true to the theme, designers, who showcased over 40 garments consisting of dresses, pants, swimsuits, pants and saris, chose colours of the rainbow to represent diversity and peace through their range. Other designers who showcased their range in the grand finale were Rina Dhaka, Anavila, Wendell Rodricks, Raghavendra Rathore, Shivan & Narresh and Namrata Joshipura among many others.

Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi, who sizzled on the ramp in an all-white floor sweeping gown, brought down the curtains on the show and the fashion gala. Huma said it was an honour to be a part of such a celebration. “What a show... It was just pure love, wasn’t it? I feel so special because I got to be a part of something that has never happened in this country before. The entire fashion fraternity has worked together to celebrate love and free choice... It’s amazing,” she said.