
As we spade out every new fashion trend from the runways of Lakmé Fashion Week, the one pattern we observed is ‘Back to the roots’. While the globe has been going gung-ho about ancient Indian art forms for a while now, India seems to have finally realized its responsibility of preserving its very own heirloom! And one of the pioneers of this change in the fashion fraternity is Raghavendra Rathore. Regal sophistication wrapped in the flavours of Jodhpuri opulence, Rathore’s fashion itself is a tribute to the bygone era of his royal heartland and his offering at this year’s Lakmé Fashion Week remained a celebration of that heritage.

Rathore’s slick display at the Lakmé Fashion Week featured three lines of brands, all of which were his own offerings. First amongst them-
Raghavendra Rathore Foundation
The most applaud-able line of Rathore’s collection remained the 'Raghavendra Rathore Foundation' which is a celebration of hope. This brand of Rathore’s collection is designed specifically for a humanitarian initiative aimed at not only supporting the less fortunate but also to provide a stable livelihood and promote rural handicraft.

Imperial India Company
'Imperial India Company' is the ready-to-wear designer label by Raghavendra that features Indo-Western styling. This is the affordable line of clothes that exude elegance and aristocratic character. Designs under this label included two-button off-white jackets, brocade sherwanis, five-button Jodhpur coats, the bandhgala with a printed shirt, red trousers, et al. This line was splashed in colours of brown bundi with orange kurta, white cuffs for mandarin collared shirt, dapper Pathani suits, sherwani with pink cuffs, black velvet collars and of course, the white tuxedo with satin shawl lapel.

Brand Raghavendra Rathore
The 'Raghavendra Rathore' bespoke custom clothing menswear collection blend together seamlessly, the traditional into modern day elegance. From the iconic Jodhpuri Bandhgalas to wide dhoti salwars, black and gold angarkhas and brocade sherwanis; Rathod’s designs for this label were a hallmark of Indian heritage teamed with contemporary styling.

Drawing inspiration from the royal lineage of Jodhpur, this time using the finest traditional textiles exclusively woven in the Brahmaputra region for each brand; Raghavendra’s collection this year was not only a brilliant sartorial representation of his royal legacy but was all that with a humble purpose.
Written by Khubi Amin Ahmed on 20th Mar 2015