Punit Balana’s 'Johri Bazaar' Brings Jaipur’s Vibrant Essence to Life at Lakme Fashion Week 2024

Jaipur: The bustling streets of Jaipur's "Johri Bazaar" came alive into the runway as renowned designer Punit Balana showcased his Festive 2024 collection on the runway at Lakmé Fashion Week. This collection is a love letter to the Pink City, moving a maximal approach to art prints and saturated colors of the vibrant Rajasthani culture, layered and draped into asymmetrical silhouettes suited for multiple body types and sizes—a very well-thought-of approach to design.

Model Gurfateh Pirzada opened the show and set the bar for the stunning showcase that followed. As the showstopper, Sobhita Dhulipala stepped out into a dazzling creation with custom-made jewelry chosen by Tejpal Ranka himself. The craftsmanship of whose work brought another layer of opulence to the presentation. "Johri Bazaar," from start to finish, achieved a beautiful marriage of Rajasthani culture with modern silhouettes. As the last outfit passed, the energy in that room was palpable. Balana didn't just showcase any collection; she brought Jaipur alive, vibrant, ready to be taken into the closet and treasured by any who find the magic in the everyday.

According to designer Punit Balana, "With this edition of 'Johri Bazaar' at the Lakmé Fashion Week, we hope to celebrate the artistry in creativity while bringing forth the timeless beauty and cultural relevance of handmade couture. We look forward to showcasing collections that will inspire and set new trends in the fashion industry."

Simpler silhouettes wearing Punit Balana's other-worldly embellishments with elan, invited the fashion aficionados to take a dip in his design vocabulary—only to deepen the appreciation for it and its many merits.

Designer Punit Balana got into a frame of pure inspiration as evening fell in Johari Bazaar of Jaipur. Colorful puppets, ornate wooden blocks, and glittering chaandbalis—anything that fills the narrow lanes in the market turns out to be his latest masterpiece as this chance encounter with the timeless charm of the bazaar showcases a collection that sets Lakme Fashion Week ablaze with its brilliance.

Khaka patterns borrowed from puppet silhouettes mingled with regal Mughal motifs, while the jewel-toned palette—from vibrant Gulaabi Gulaal to rich Baingani—painted a picture of the bazaar’s vivid soul. As the final look swept past, it was clear that Balana had not just created a collection but captured the very essence of Johari Bazaar in fabric and thread.