LFW Winter/Festive 2012 | The sensational collections by Kallol Datta 1955 and Pankaj - Nidhi

It was a Grand Finale, the likes of which had not been seen in India for a long time. The sensational collections by Kallol Datta 1955 and Pankaj -- Nidhi, made the audience leap up to give a standing ovation to these three designers. The show shook the very roots of the fashion world during the Grand Finale to end the Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 season and celebrate the launch of the latest Lakmé Absolute Monochrome makeup line. Pioneering beauty trends for the modern and bold Indian woman, Lakmé launched its latest style statement -- Lakmé Absolute Monochrome -- a collection of chic, edgy and glamorous looks styled to perfectly suit the contrasting roles of the Indian woman. The Monochrome Day and Monochrome Night Looks highlighted the ramp at the Lakmé Grand Finale adorned by the creations of fashion visionaries Kallol Datta 1955 and Pankaj-Nidhi. Sharply graphic, Monochrome is a look that reflects the colour blocking trend in fashion, and channels attention to one part of the face to maximize the impact of make-up. Lakmé Absolute Monochrome looks have been put together with the Lakmé Absolute range of high performance make-up. Colour vignettes for face, lips, eyes and nails, this range promises intense colour and a flawless finish along with a 16-hour impeccable performance. Packed with skin enhancing ingredients, this super luxurious long wear range perfectly balances beauty and science. Kallol Datta said, "For a designer like me, doing the Lakmé Grand Finale was very intimidating. It was also a huge jump from doing regular shows to doing such a big finale for Lakmé. But I'll have to say that the Lakmé team have handheld me through most of the stages and working with them was a fantastic experience. As for Kareena wearing my designs, she has a fabulous body and can carry off pretty much any look. But I've never seen her in something like what I would normally make. So it was an added bonus for me to see someone who is known for her style aesthetic, to wear something this different and carry it off so well." "We are overwhelmed with the great response that everyone has given for this collection. For a duo like us who have always used tons of colour in our creations, the Monochrome Palette was a new challenge and its great to see how everyone is really loving this new side of us. Working on this grand finale with Lakmé and Kareena Kapoor has been a fantastic experience right from the drawing board to the ramp. We couldn't have asked for more", said Pankaj and Nidhi Ahuja. Purnima Lamba, Head-Innovations, Lakmé said, "Monochrome reflects Lakme's commitment to shaping trends in color cosmetics for the Indian woman. Our consumer likes to stay on top of trends with her stylish looks. Lakme Fashion Week will continue to inspire us to introduce style statements reflecting the fashion trends of the season. The show was brilliant and we were thrilled to have creative and futuristic designers like Kallol Datta and Pankaj-Nidhi to interpret Lakmé Monochrome on the ramp and use it as a palette for their designs for the Grand Finale. Also we'd like to thank Clint Fernandes for his stunning work on the make-up show. It was another first to enhance the intrinsic co-dependency between make-up and fashion and at the same time showcase budding talent in the make-up world." The ballroom of Hotel Grand Hyatt was decorated with yards of white tulle on the walls. Three glass frames in abstract forms were suspended from the ceiling and the backdrop covered with the steel squares revolved to reveal gleaming mirrors when the show commenced. The evening started with a lively audio visual of the new Lakmé Absolute Monochrome range featuring the beautiful Kareena Kapoor, which set the stage for the Monochrome Makeup Show by Lakmé expert, Clint Fernandes. From behind the acrylic partition on top of the ramp emerged 11 models wearing the most exciting and avant garde makeup for eyes, lips and nails. Clad in black jumpsuits, the very adventurous line of makeup looks showed the expertise of Clint Fernandes in creating the Lakmé Absolute Monochrome collection. The fashion presentation that followed was a mind-blowing line up of garments which could only be described as the most intellectually creative creations that had not been seen for a very long time.