Anita Dongre Winter/Festive 2011 collection at the LFW

Designer Anita Dongre showcased an exquisite collection at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2011 on Thursday that featured embroidery by the women of NGO Mijwan run by actress Shabana Azmi .

Model-turned actress Lisa Haydon walked the ramp for the collection.

"This is a festive collection on Rajasthani design, which has been embroidered by the rural craftswoman of Mijwan society," Dongre told reporters after the show.

The Mijwan Welfare Society was founded by Shabana's father and renowned poet, the late Kaifi Azmi, in his home district of Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) in 1993.

The festive ethnic wear on display included sarees, lehngas, jackets and elegant salwar kameez suits. Soaked in dyed colours of distinctive Rajasthani fabrics, the garments were complemented with skillfully handwoven brocades from Varanasi, specially the Ikats and velvets.

The delicate gold thread work and the intricate gota patti work were fused with traditional and metallic patterns, which sets the right sparkles for festive season.

Anita also showcased some ravishing evening gowns with more sensuous, classy and truly timeless silhouettes.

"Be it lehenga or the evening gown, the whole look and feel of the collection is extremely feminine and chic, designed for modern Indian woman, who has a global outlook but an Indian perspective," she said.

Her collection at the LFW Winter/Festive 2011 is something that is extremely wearable and not just something that is designed for the ramp.