Dandelion Doing Luxury this month...

A creation by Vidhi Singhania

The other day, while sipping hot mocha, I engaged in an interesting conversation with a young enterprising fashion entrepreneur. We deliberated on whether sales actually do happen at fashion exhibitions. Going by the frequency of all the expositions popping up every fortnightly, there must be some trick to make them become a treat.
My friend though appeared circumspect. She said that the expositions are facing rough weather. Sales do not happen at all. Unless of course the ware at the show is fabulous. And she complained that in the last few fashion and lifestyle exhibitions that she’d been to, she came back dissatisfied.
So, I suggested she come with me to Dandelion, a lifestyle exhibition helmed by Mukta Nandini Jain. We went for it last season and were impressed. So much so, that we can hardly wait for the its luxury edition to roll on the floor at Taj Vivanta Ambassador on the 24th of this month.
Bags by Tissa Fontaneda

Luxury, said the iconic Hubert de Givenchy, is in the details. Reason enough for you to be at Dandelion Luxe that will delight you with its beauty and thoughtfulness. Down to the last details. The Spring/ Summer edition brings together the best in clothing, accessories and jewellery, but in a slow, sustainable and exquisite avatar. Where the emphasis is on handwoven, handcrafted details that renders the creations heritage and luxurious. Designers, textile experts and craftspeople will interact with you to give you the best from their repertoire in an innovative setting that negates the hustle bustle of a typical fashion street. Think rich textures, fabrics and intricate workmanship. Because luxury is timeless, and, you need to spend beautiful hours amidst such precious creations…
Yes, Dandelion is different, not only in the way it is put together but also the labels that showcase here. Because they believe in the prophetic words, ‘In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.’
H Ajoomal Earrstuds

Thoughtfully curated under the expertise of Jain, Dandelion is much more than a lifestyle exhibition. It is an expression of the philosophy behind life. The philosophy that nurtures a love for exquisite handwoven textiles, handcrafted accessories, fine hand embroidery and intricate jewellery showcasing the workmanship on Indian artisans. Designers, textile experts and craftspeople will interact with you to give you the best from their repertoire in an innovative setting. Think bespoke wedding wear, rich handloom saris, extravagant details and finishes, beautiful fine and fashion jewellery and customized accessories. We want you to witness the power and fine art of our artisans and weavers who make fashion such a flamboyant, timeless and classic affair during weddings and other special occasions.
This year there will be a special showcase by textile doyen Vidhi Singhania. Lauded for her painstaking work in reviving the Kotah weaves of Rajasthan, Singhania has also contributed to the vocabulary of the Banaras weaves with her remarkable designs. While her silk kotahs lend a breezy charm, her zari kotahs are heirloom pieces---rich, luxurious and elegant. Working in tandem with the weavers of Kotah, Sultanpur, Mangrol and Kaithun, Vidhi’s aesthetics have given a fillip to the light handwoven fabric, translating to fluid stories in Indian ethnic wear, with a prominent focus on the sari. 
But not one to pigeonhole her creativity, Vidhi’s repertoire stretched itself to the banks of Varanasi. This is heritage handloom in an extravagant light, through motifs that are Indian at heart but global in look. Think parrots and parakeets, elephants and horses, camels and kites. But in hues and perspectives that are modern chic. One common thread that binds the creations is the finesse of the loom. And the eye of Vidhi Singhania.
The jeweller to watch out for at the show is H Ajoomal from Mumbai. Harshad Ajoomal’s art is unique. A peek into his website would throw the spotlight on an artist whose creations are inspired by the vignettes he collects during his travels all across the globe. These inspirations are then translated into fine jewellery that is bespoke, unconventional and also has a thoughtful vein ascribed to it. An award-winning name in the sphere of handcrafted precious jewellery H. Ajoomal Fine Jewellery lays emphasis on avant-garde design, rare gemstones and workmanship. With 20 years of experience in the trade, the unconventional and versatile bijouterie, set in 18K gold, come to life through modern manufacturing techniques and intricate craftsmanship. Using inferences from emerging runway trends and cultural influences of art, product design, travel and architecture, the jewels are global in demeanour.
Luxury leather accessories label, Tissa Fontaneda comes to India with Dandelion Luxe this time.
When you own a Tissa Fontaneda, you own a part of the world. Born in Munich, Germany, Tissa Fontaneda has travelled all across the globe and is now coming to India for the first time with Dandelion Luxe. After her education in Italy Tissa moved to Paris to pursue her teenage dream of working in fashion. It was at Daniel Swarovski that she began her career as a design assistant to Rosemarie Le Gallais and Hervé Leger. Five years later the designer found herself in Madrid at the Spanish luxury brand Loewe to develop the Thierry Mugler handbag collection. At Loewe, Tissa learned about handbag manufacturing and leathers from some of the world’s greatest European artisans. Driven by a strong desire to merge her creative vision with her expertise in the world of luxury accessories, Tissa launched her eponymous label, in 2010. She started creating bags and accessories that were about classic luxury with a modern twist. A name to reckon with in the fashion space of women’s bags and accessories, Tissa Fontaneda is recognised for its impeccable quality, artistic craftsmanship and attention to details. It’s all about encasing yourself in a bubble of luxury with Tissa Fontaneda beauties.
Some of the other labels at the show are Pratima Pandey, Rose by Karishma Dhingra, Nida Mahmood and Basic design by Parool Trehan. We have blocked our date for this one. What about you?
At: Vivanta by Taj, Ambassador
Date: April 24, 2018
Time: 11 am to 8 pm



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