Ahluwalia Debuts Levi's Collaboration on the FW24 Runway
Exploring tales of folklore and fantasy.
Ahluwalia presented its Fall/Winter 2024 collection at London Fashion Week, drawing inspiration from old Indian and Nigerian folklore and fairytales. Looking at the ways in which storytelling has an impact, the collection looked at famed artists like Jayasri Burman, Raja Ravi Varma and Kelechi Nwaneri, each for their distinctive exploration of iconography and characters from their respective cultures.
According to the show notes, this season’s runway was broken into chapters, with different characters being introduced throughout. Dubbed “Reveries,” the powerful collection depicted “a singular version of an Ahluwalia fairytale.” Alongside draped dresses, printed jackets and new footwear, the collection debuted a partnership with Levi’s which saw the denim brand supply deadstock fabric to support the creation of three looks.
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Read on for Hypebae’s summary of Ahluwalia FW24.
Who: As always, Ahluwalia’s eclectic showcase featured a vibrant range of celebrities on the front row. From Clara Amfo and Jordan Stephens to Nia Archives, Munya Chawawa and Kai-Isiah Jamal, the FROW was filled with rising stars.
Where: Taking place in Westminster’s Central Hall, the regal location set the scene for what was to come.
See: Decorative trees, birds and moon motifs served as the inspiration for print designs this season, alongside body painting techniques and tattoo-like designs on the skin, a practice which originated with the Igbo people. Hooded dresses arrive in deep hues of red, orange and green, while tones of aubergine and azure contrast the color palette. Designed to accentuate the body’s curves, this season’s dresses feature thin ribbed panels inspired by the shape of corsets.
Elsewhere, the standout look comes courtesy of Ahluwalia and Levi’s, resulting in a sculpted, tulip-shaped dress inspired by Ayanfe Olarinde’s “Genesis.” Finally, footwear completes the collection, arriving as new colorways of the Chikari Wave Leather Boot and Atasa Loafer.
Hear: For FW24’s soundtrack, Ahluwalia worked closely with Tom Tripp, joining forces to create a collection of music that represented the mystical edge of the collection. “You can hear a lot of magical storms, rain and natural sounds, plus a real mix of genres,” Tripp explains.
Touch: This season features materials like soft merino wool, felted yarn and recycled viscose, interspersed with organic pique and draped, sari-inspired fabrics. Gems, pearls and sequins adorn tailored trousers and matching tops, while headdresses come courtesy of Ett Hem London, fusing faux foliage with floral designs to add a mystic touch.
Taste: FW24 leans deeply into a fusion of heritage, fantasy and fairytale, adding hints of mysticism and magic to tailored silhouettes, drawing inspiration from cultural backgrounds and nostalgic tales.
