The white shirt – a timeless classic, a wardrobe essential, a sartorial chameleon. Whether it’s paired with your go-to denim, structured formal trousers, a decades-old heirloom saree, a breezy summer skirt, or a bold metallic drape, its versatility remains unmatched. Designer Anamika Khanna reaffirmed this undeniable charm through her pret label AK | OK’s showcase at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI, where the humble white shirt received an avant-garde upgrade with striking cuts, intricate embellishments, and masterful draping techniques.
Titled Silver Collar, the collection was a tribute to working women, shattering the notion that power dressing must be predictable or mundane. Silver jewellery – and lots of it – played a starring role, elevating wardrobe staples such as structured blazers, sarees, pleated skirts, tunics, churidars, kaftans, and dresses. The bold accessorizing transformed conventional silhouettes into power-packed ensembles brimming with effortless glamour and confident femininity.
Silver chains weren’t just ornaments; they became statement-making elements, doubling up as tops, pocket squares, neckties, and draped layers over crisp white shirts. Chunky silver bangles and anklets added an earthy yet contemporary bohemian charm, creating an interplay of modern power dressing and vintage opulence. The show’s sequencing was a visual treat – opening with an array of black ensembles, featuring sultry jumpsuits, razor-sharp blazers, and commanding power suits, followed by an ethereal wave of white, and finally, an explosion of colour with Khanna’s signature abstract prints.
Yet, amid this spectacular visual display, the white shirt shone through – not with the dazzling brilliance of its silver-adorned counterparts, but with an understated yet compelling sartorial authority. A simple white shirt with a bejewelled collar? Yes, but add silver stacks on both wrists and a draped black skirt, and it transforms into a power statement.
A classic white shirt transitioning effortlessly from workwear to evening glam? Take one with open cuffs and undone buttons, layer it over a statement skirt, and you have an instant day-to-night winner. Love colour? A bright yellow sequin skirt with a voluminous white shirt featuring billowing sleeves is the perfect mix of vibrancy and elegance.
But why stop at the basics? One standout piece from the collection was a celebration of draping – a structured yet fluid white shirt that merged architectural precision with graceful fluidity. Another sheer white shirt, adorned with silver jewel embellishments in place of standard pocket squares, was an instant conversation starter, especially when paired with a mirror-embellished black skirt.
Through Silver Collar, Anamika Khanna reaffirmed that the white shirt is more than just a wardrobe essential – it’s a canvas for personal expression, a symbol of timeless elegance, and, with the right styling, the ultimate power move.
