Compilation: Bhavna Khullar
As the Wills India Fashion Week goes live on 12th March, here is a quick sneak peak at this years` participants for one of the most awaited fashion events of the year.
DAY 1, 12th MARCH 2008
12:15 pm
Vikram Phadnis
Phadnis is acknowledged for making the famous celebrities of today what they are. He showcases ethnic wear this season with more of pastel shades and loads of gold embroidery and diamond beads borrowed from the 60s-70s look.
1:30 pm
Mandira Wirk
Mandira’s easy silhouettes reflect class and wearability. Her creations are based on subtlety and her designs bear the forte of being seamless in their style. She is better known for the simplicity she puts in her creations giving attention to every meticulous detail.
1:30 pm
Manoviraj Khosla
Manoviraj is a name to reckon with in Indian fashion industry. He stands out in couture and prêt for both men and women. He has also designed uniforms for many corporate houses, restaurants, bars, hotels, schools and airlines.
2:45 pm
Suneet Varma
Suneet is known for bringing out an exceptional collection representing the youthful concept of mismatch, as opposed to being totally coordinated for Couture.
4:00 pm
Kavita Bhartia
Kavita launched Ogaan in 1989, which has, over the years, set a trend of promoting rich Indian designs. She now aims to showcase a more ethereal theme. The colors include icy tones of candid pink to pale sky blues along with the ever-classic white.
5:15 pm
Gauri & Nainika
Gauri & Nainika Karan are well-known for their feminine and refined design philosophy. The brand is associated with ready-to-wear creations of western wear ranging from semi-formal styles to high-end demi-couture ones. The label offers glamorous, elegant and chic styles at competitive prices.
5:15 pm
Namrata Joshipura
Namrata`s vision is that of a global aesthetic. The Joshipura line gracefully merges modern silhouettes with precise detailing, resulting in contemporary clothing for a confident woman. Namrata`s global aesthetic is the reason for the success of her accessories and soft clothing line.
6:30 pm
Lecoanet Hemant
Lecoanet Hemant is composed of the respective names of frenchman Lecoanet and Indo-German Hemant. They were recognized at the highest level of Haute Couture Creation by the French Government.
7:45 pm
Ranna Gill
Ranna takes dress designing as an art and a journey for her conceptualization, development and production, which goes through various hues till it crystallizes. But the basic theme remains the same, which is aesthetic and uncluttered appeal.
9:00 pm
Rohit Bal
Rohit Bal sees design as an art form. From the village crafts and traditional methods of design, to the sub continent`s urban landscape, the designer brings them all to life in his spectacular yet original form. His deep understanding of the psyche of the fashion space reflects in his collections that are intelligent, well researched and studied, imaginative and always highly innovative.
DAY 2, 13th MARCH 2008
12:15 pm
Gayatri Khanna
Gayatri is a budding designer who is mainly known for using motifs, curvilinear forms and sharply defined outlines in her lines.
Nitin Bal Chauhan
The look of his collection this season is a blend of Goth and folk. It is also an attempt to revive, promote and create sustainable means of employment for artisans in Himachal Pradesh.
Prashant Verma
Prashant’s collections lay emphasis on women`s evening wear, combining signature digital prints, old school embroideries, sculptural constructions, knitwear and leathers. His creations hold an aesthetic of visual severity, gloss and strength. Merging classicism and academic splendor, with a bold and fearless approach to design, Prashant`s work focuses on his greatest strength.
1:30 pm
Zubair Kirmani
Zubair Kirmani with his distinctive signature craft and texture as his forte initiated contemporary lines for both men and women. The mood for his SS/08 collection is just as happy, when in a state of total relaxation, listening to ones own intimacy.
Samant Chauhan
Samant’s material drives his designs, maximizing the use of each fabric, taking into consideration the weight, texture, color, finishing and mix matching of the knit and woven fabric. He loves the inclusion of silk and other natural fibers, like linen in his creations.
Varun Sardana
Varun Sardana managed to impress fashionistas with a charming collection in the previous spring-summer show.
2:45 pm
Gaurav Gupta
Gaurav Gupta launched his collections under the label `atpuG varuaG` in 2004. The label delivers extraordinary collections, experimenting with textiles, innovative pattern cutting and sculptural draping. The look of his collection is always sophisticated but experimental, well researched, with his signature style of cutting, categorizing it to be the most attractive.
4:00 pm
Fightercock by Abhishek Gupta & Nandita Basu
`Fightercock` is a name that captures the very essence of the brand. Designers Abhishek Gupta’s and Nandita Basu`s joint effort emerged very appealing and commercially successful. Their vision of Fightercock is a youth culture brand that is a meeting point for Fashion, Music, Cinema and Contemporary Art.
5:15 pm
Deepika Govind
Deepika Govind is famous for bringing to life the value of natural fibre and for effectively adding to the clothes a sensitive touch. She excels in weaving together the fabric of two civilizations - the warp of the ancient and the weft of the modern. Send My Roots Rain, using ahimsa silk, is a collection that expresses concern for the environment, furthering the `Go-Green` message spelt out in her last line, `Seal of the Sensitive.`
Niki Mahajan
Niki Mahajan expertise lies in layering of various indigenous crafts in a particular medium. Hand block printing, elaborate embroidery techniques, fabric manipulations are all created with restrain and simplicity.
6:30 pm
Tarun Tahiliani
Tarun Tahiliani’s brand is the one with high style and flawless sensibility. The design studio is based in New Delhi. The Design Studio produces bridal trousseaus, exclusive eveningwear for women and men`s line. He has also recently launched a prêt line.
7:45pm
Varun Bahl
Varun’s creations are a distinctive repertoire of designs, mixing vintage and antique look with the new and contemporary lines resulting in a very chic and fresh look. The focus of Bahl`s collection is primarily on surface ornamentation, simple and clean silhouettes and a fusion of techniques. Varun has embellished the works of Annani, a part of Kenzo Jungle, Jeans and Kenzo Paris, and Lacroix`s Bazaar and Jeans.
9:00 pm
Ritu Kumar
With a background in art history and museology, which has enriched her horizons, Ritu Kumar`s understanding of ancient designs and the innovative use of traditional crafts has created a new classicism. Her Indian influence on contemporary wear is unmistakable. Her sub brand ‘LABEL’ is a reflection of modern and global trends that shape our lives today. `LABEL` cater today`s woman, who is increasingly independent, discerning and global. It is a modern offering, focusing on the cut, color, drape and feel of the garment.
DAY 3, 14th MARCH 2008
12:15 pm
Abhijeet Khanna
Abhijeet Khanna’s first collection SS-08 under his label has been selected by a coveted jury at LFW and will be showcased there this year.
Amit GT
Amit GT showed his first ever women`s wear line at Asia Fashion Week. He draws inspiration from different cultures, their art, colors and tradition in different eras and times.
Rahul Reddy
Rahul uses traditional printing as well as embroidery with a nontraditional aesthetic. His collection this time is a leisurely one with muted tones and fabrics such as cotton, wool, silk and tafetta in it.
1:30 pm
Ravage by Raj Shroff & Neetu Gupta
Ravage’s service palette includes designing clothing for men and women, as well as home accessories for Indian and International markets. Ravage has access to the best heritage fabric, weaving and embroidery techniques while
Sirali by Gunjan & Rahul
Sirali stands for Gunjan’s and Rahul’s creative capabilities. Their focus has always been to create a spectacular and a well-priced design.
2:45 pm
Surily
Surily bags appreciation for styling Preity Zinta in Yashraj’s `Salam Namaste`. She has also styled the leading protagonists for `Janeman` and more recently for Rani Mukherji in `Ta Ra Rum Pum`.
4:00 pm
Manish Arora
Manish Arora is known for his creative and exuberant collection that mixes color & craft. `Manish Arora Fish Fry` is currently retailed from its own stores in Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore as well as 55 stockists worldwide.
5:15 pm
Rajesh Pratap Singh
Rajesh has over the years created uniqueness in his style that subtly draws from his roots to craft garments that stand apart due to their faultlessly clean lines and obsessive attention to detail.
6:30 pm
Payal Jain
Payal’s clean silhouettes blended with an extraordinary sense of style speak an international language. Her couture is a perfect paean to an individual expression.
7:45 pm
Ashima – Leena
The Ashima - Leena label flaunts a distinctive and original style, having traditional as well as modern appeal. The brands` design philosophy attempts to bring out the best in a woman through creations that are classic, traditional and contemporary.
9:00 pm
Cue by Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna for Fiama Di Wills
They specialize in Western women`s and men`s prêt wear, emphasize on the cuts and detailing. They believe in contemporary structured clothing, draw inspiration from linear structures, geometrical lines, mosaics, and are influenced by modern contemporary art.
DAY 4, 15th MARCH 2008
12:15 pm
Azara
Azara, meaning of the bride in Persian, is the brainchild of Neeraj and Alpana Chauhan. They include lot of funky of yarn elements in their collection.
12:15 pm
Khushali Kumar
Khushali Kumar aims at catering to women with individuality, confidence and leadership qualities. The label is outstandingly youthful with comfort & fit, innovation & balance, with vibrant colours that highlight the emotion.
Zeal by Shubhra
Funk meets functional in Shubhra Chaudhary’s label Zeal. Designed for a rugged yet comfortable look, Chaudhary’s clothes are designed in cotton enriched thread embroidery.
1:30 pm
Manav Gangwani
Manav Gangwani, known for his unique styling, has styled high profile celebrities such as Soha Ali Khan Pataudi, Sharmila Tagore, Ameesha Patel, Riddhima Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Pooja Batra, Zeenat Aman, Suzanne Roshan, Amar Singh, Sameera Reddy, Sridevi, Priyanka Chopra, Saif Ali Khan, Zayed Khan, Amrita Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Smita Thackrey and many more.
Rehane
Rehane’s collections are identical with a blend of modern Indian sensibilities with a strong sense of European Couture. Great attention to detail sets her collections apart.
2:45 pm
Geisha Designs by Paras & Shalini
Flowers, art, heritage, life and nature creates and inspires the romantic world of Geisha Designs. Besides winning the "Rohit Khosla Award" at the F-awards in 2006, Geisha Designs was conferred the "Fashion Marketer of the Year" by IMM (Institute of Marketing and Management). Geisha Designs was a nominee of the MTV Style-awards 2006.
Priyadarshini Rao
Priyadarshini Rao creates both the men`s and women`s wear lines. The Labels` philosophy is clean, comfortable, yet extraordinarily fashionable.
4:00 pm
Monisha Jaising
Monisha studied Fashion Design at the American College for Arts in London. She has set up a design company manufacturing and selling clothes under Monisha Jaising brand name in 1990.
5:15 pm
Rina Dhaka
Rina Dhaka designs for modern and confident women. This recipient of the Yuva Rattan Award burst on to the Indian fashion scene in a memorable way in the late eighties.
6:30 pm
F Manju & Bobby Grover
Manju and Bobby Grover label has been designing clothes for over two decades now. The past two years has seen a marked shift in their design style.
Monapali
Monapali has always maintained its originality with constant experimentation, combining contemporary silhouettes, styles and textures with diverse influences based on Indian art and craft traditions. Monapali`s Spring Summer 08 collection lays a lot of emphasis on texturing, where an interplay of fabrics translate into a classic design expression.
7:45 pm
VALAYA Base by JJ Valaya
Known for his knack of combining clothes and his unique experimentations, Valaya has been one of the leading face in the Indian fashion industry for the past 16 years. He returns in the fall/winter-08 show by launching his all new ready-to-wear line Valaya Base.
9:00 pm SPONSOR SHOW
DAY 5, 16th MARCH 2008
12:15 pm
Ashish, Viral & Vikrant for Virtues
Their designs have a strong element of Indian Heritage and they specialize in Indian, western and fusion clothing for men and women.
Charu Parashar
Charu Parashar draws inspiration from the cross-cultural impact on Indian fashion. She aims at creating empowering designs for the modern woman of today. Her design philosophy is to work extensively in creating empowering designs for the woman of today by modernization of traditional Indian craftsmanship techniques in western silhouettes. Charu specialises in presenting haute couture & prêt line`s using Indian textile and printing techniques along with old embellishment techniques.
Ekru by Ekta Jaipuria & Ruchira Kandhari
This designer duo from Kolkata is making a debut at WIFW with the inclusion of western jackets, coats, capes, Indian tunics and kurtas in their collection, inspired by the Italian Renaissance. They would be showcasing large bi-symmetrical textile motifs, baroque embellishments in it.
1:30 pm
Puja Arya
The label `puja arya` focuses on hand block printed garments with hand embroidery. Her inspiration has been the idea to breathe fresh air into a dying traditional craft; to create an international silhouette by experimenting with traditional techniques of printing, dyeing, embroidery etc.
Priyaa by Priya Awasthy
Making her debut at WIFW, Priya launched her own brand Priyaa in 2000.
2:45 pm
Anant by Shobhna & Vijay Arora
`ANANT` the label promoted by designers Shobhna & Vijay Arora is based on the philosophy styling ensembles that are evergreen, aesthetic, esoteric & timeless. Embroidery is the forte of this label. The silhouettes are clean, streamlined and the focus is intricate hand embroidery that make the style statements.
Mynah - Renu Tandon
The hallmark of every design of Renu has been elaborate embroidery, exquisite construction and immaculate finish.
4:00 pm
Rathore Jodhpur
Rathore Jodhpur worked at DKNY, Oscar de la Renta, before launching his own label Rathore Jodhpur driven by a holistic vision of luxury and the old world charm of Rajasthan. His traditional upbringing and training of his craft gave him the international edge, the experience and the insight to create an appealing blend of aesthetics, craft and heritage in the products.
5:15 pm
Anju Modi
Visionary Anju Modi has created a style for the woman of today. She is simple, subtle in her designing style and connects with the traditional Indian handicrafts of yesteryears. Her sensibility of creating a modern look from the old and traditional style forms is the essence of what her label Anju Modi stands for today.
6:30 pm
Sucheta V Merh for Earhty Myth
A romance with designing is how Sucheta Merh describes her long involvement with fashion. She devotes her energy to reviving old crafts like Batik and tribal embroidery on saris and fabrics. Her collections are mainly fusion prêt.
Swapan & Seema
They launched their label Swapan & Seema about six years back. Swapan armed with an MBA degree from London along with an acute design sense and Seema, whose creative edge knew no bounds ventured into the fashion field. `Vachi` their flagship store in the heart of Kolkata is canvas to their artistic expressions.
7:45 pm
Falguni & Shane Peacock
Their deep designs reflect innovative blends in fabric, abstract cuts and rich trimmings to develop a range of signature style. A fusion of global aesthetics, inspired with `eastern elements` and mysticism. Falguni & Shane Peacock have set a trend in reflecting the style creating a mark for themselves in the world of fashion.
9:00 pm
Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale
Anamika Khanna
Anamika’s work comprises of two lines - prêt and couture. She specialises in trousseau wear. Her look is global with ethnic Indian craft as her mainstay. Her prêt line borders in seriously quirky, giving the word `trendy` a new definition.
Ashish N Soni
Ashish’s confidence and originality, his intuitive and original sense of style, combined with impeccable garment construction to create simple yet dramatic garments create his unique signature. Continuously expanding while defining trends, Soni has let the industry know that he is indeed building an enviable fashion brand.
