Brands
Deme by Gabriella’s “Tropic of D” collection enchants at Lakmé Fashion Week
Mumbai: The Lakmé Fashion Week, concluded with a surge of summery vibes as Deme by Gabriella Demetriades unveiled its captivating “Tropic of D” collection on the final day of Fashion Week (17 March). This wasn’t just a runway show; it was a coronation, anointing “Tropic of D” as the undisputed queen of summer fashion.
The front row, including Bollywood royalty and fashion elite, became a captivated court. Sonal Chauhan, Anusha Dandekar, Shibani Akhtar, Arjun Rampal along with son and daughter Mahika, Farah Ali Khan, and Pragya Kapoor – their mere presence added a mesmerising power to a dazzling evening. Yet, even amidst this star wattage, the true story unfolded on the runway.
Deme’s founder, Gabriella Demetriades, describes the collection as an ode to the carefree spirit of the season. “Flowing silhouettes that dance with every step, a vibrant tapestry of colours that kiss the skin, and a touch of playful charm that exudes confidence,” she said.
“This is the essence of ‘Tropic of D’ – a collection designed to make every woman the radiant star of her summer soiree.”
The fashion runway transformed into a tropical paradise as a breathtaking procession of gowns, each a masterpiece in its own right, glided down the platform. The collection pulsated with the carefree spirit of summer, a kaleidoscope of colours that seemed to explode off the fabric. Fiery oxblood reds mirrored the setting sun, ethereal sky blue whispered lazy summer afternoons, and chic beiges and olive hues echoed lush foliage.
These vibrant hues adorned the forms of Mahieka Sharma (New Age Model of the Year), the phenomenal Super Model Rikee Chatterjee, Pratiksha Shetty, Ikisvon Jamang (a rising star whose powerful presence matched the collection’s grandeur), Sakshi Sindhwani (a champion of inclusivity showcasing the collection’s versatility), and Subhiksha Shivkumar, each model a force in their own right. Some dazzling designs that caught the eye were the Oxblood silhouette, sculpted without sleeves, caressing the curves with delicate gathers, and a playful peek-a-boo cutout adding a touch of alluring mystery, perfect for balmy nights. The black mesh gown is adorned with 3D flowers that whisper of enchanted gardens. A stunning blue mermaid silhouette accented by a unique cowl finish and delicate organza flowers. Whimsy took centre stage with a chic beige halter neck dress adorned with crocheted seashells and starfish, while sophistication reigned supreme in a sleek black malai dress with a criss-cross ruched neckline.
Deme’s “Tropic of D” collection left an indelible mark on Lakmé Fashion Week. Each piece, imbued with the magic of a sun-drenched paradise, promises to be a coveted crown jewel in any wardrobe. It’s a collection designed for the woman who celebrates her individuality with an air of island opulence, a woman who doesn’t just command attention, she reigns supreme.
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
