Photographs by Richard Pereira and Gulshan Sachdeva

With Shweta Nanda doing a jaunty opening walk followed by a touching tribute (which began with an apology for the delayed start of the show - a case of classic good breeding, this one) and then, a panorama of spectacular colours, silhouettes and embroideries. Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla proved for the umpteenth time why they indeed merit a platinum badge for being pioneers in upholding traditional Indian craft. Anna Bredemeyer and a bevy of top models sizzled in hot sellers from the pair's archives, while a black and white film in the background played snippets of previous shows modelled by the Bachchans and erstwhile Miss Indias. Showing their solidarity with FDCI, but refusing to bow to the dictates of a prêt structure, Abu-Sandeep presented us with a 20-year treasure chest of heirlooms. Here's to the badshaahs of Indian fashion.