Sonam, Shabana make their way to DCW

Bollywood's leading ladies are adding glamour to the Delhi Couture Week (DCW). After veteran actress Sharmila Tagore walked the ramp, young and stylish Sonam Kapoor along with elegant Shabana Azmi attened the fashion extravaganza to support designers Anamika Khanna and Gaurav Gupta.

Khanna and Gupta opted for an off-site show, away from the main Taj Palace venue. They showcased their respective collections Thursday at the Evoluzione Hotel in Mehrauli.

Clad in a sari-gown, Sonam was looking as fashionable as ever, while Shabana opted for a heavily embroidered maroon suit.

The highlight of both collections was the different interpretation of the sari, which boasted of a modern touch. Sonam liked it and said "it was so incredible".

"They have taken something that was so traditional and so beautiful and presented it in a modern way, which I think was so wonderful. I think they both gave the sari a different outlook altogether. I am incredibly grateful that I could see something like this today," Sonam told IANS after the show.

Khanna's collection was an ode to the powerful Indian women. She said that her garments are "a modern take on traditional silhouettes".

Khanna impressed the audience by presenting sari-gowns with an asymmetrical hemline sans petticoats or underskirts. The colour palette comprised pink, blue, ivory, beige, red, gold and silver.

Gupta, on the other hand, chose to present his interpretation of the "global Indian mindset" that according to him, "is the reflection of new confident India".

Titled The Sylph Aviary, his show stunned many with the design aesthetics that he displayed on the runway. His couture comprised draped gowns, lehenga gowns, his signature sari gowns in reds, pinks, oranges, yellows and nudes.

Sonam, who was mesmerised after watching the collection, said that designers like them have put India ahead of international fashion shows.

"I think Indian designers actually know the definition of couture because we know the embroidery, cuts and drapes. We have reached a standard, which is better than international standards because I saw some of the international shows and for me, this show is beautiful. It was a beautiful production," added the actress who attended Roberto Cavalli AW 2012 show at Milan Fashion Week.

The 27-year-old was also invited by Italian shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo for his show at his headquarter in Florence.

Not only the collection, but the way these designers presented their outfits was also unique.

A very selective audience was allowed to enter in the main show area that was transformed into a courtyard.

From tables to special installation with the 'jaali' artwork, reminiscent of the Mughal symmetry, in the centre, helped in creating the Mughla era.

There was a surprise performances by foreign artists.

Also present at the show were designers Rohit Bal, Manav Gangwani, Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna, Abraham-Thakore along with buyer Alka Nishar and model Pia Trivedi.