Ace Indian designer duo Shantanu & Nikhil went back to vintage Kolkata, with its Raj-era havelis and magnificent lifestyles, to draw inspiration for their Autumn/Winter 2014 collection at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.

Titled “The Shadows Within,” the collection was timeless and a perfect blend of Indian culture and Western sensibility.

“The narrator of our collection is a girl who lives in this modern-day metropolis but dreams of life in the bygone times. That was the inspiration for our collection,” Shantanu said after the show Mar. 26.

The color palette included ivories, soft pinks, muted blues and purples.

The garments were true to Shantanu & Nikhil’s signature style — an elegant combination of fitted tops and flared bottoms.

Meanwhile, designer Raakesh Agarwal’s pop star-inspired collection oozed glamour. A lot of corsets were used in the ensembles, which gave them red-carpet edginess.

The fabrics used were croc leather, fur, silk and tulle. The silhouettes were corseted peplum jackets, cigarette pants and boleros.