By Rituparna Sengupta Basu
The summer edition of Asian Designer week is back in the capital with its eighth edition to provide a podium to the renowned, established and upcoming designers to showcase their creativity and ensembles that are at par with the international standards. The mega fashion event was organized by Asian Fashion Design Council (AFDC), a not-for-profit organization that primarily works towards encouraging the designers of today and tomorrow through its flagship association, Asian Designer Week.
Vivek Rawat, the creative director of Asian Designer week said, “The last season of ours was a huge success. With our eighth edition, we are hoping to have a bigger and better response as we always try to exceed the benchmark set by our previous shows. Our objective is to formulate a platform for the budding designers across Asia who is immensely talented, and has the potential to take their fashion labels to global markets.”
North East Robert Naorem ruled the ramp
The two-day event was remarkable with the presence of more than 40 young designers from across the country. The show opened with the designs of veteran fashion designer Rosy Ahluwalia who showcased her collection of Bhandej and leheriya which was inspired by the culture of Rajasthan. Students from DIA, Jabalpur along with NextGen designers like Muskan Sainik & Bhawna Verma, Shreya Gupta, Radhika Karwa, VIDM from Bihar, Pavani Mehra and NIIFD Mumbai have just ruled and took away the hearts of people with their amazing designs. Designer Subhadip Mitra showcased his collection called Naksha. Designer Sana Khan showcased her designs which are from Nawabi collection. Designer Khushi Chauhan, who owns the label Celesline99 walked with her Indo-western collection. Coming from a small town, women empowerment was her motive. The day ended with an ultimate collection by New Gen designer Sitara by Chandani & Ruchika. The duo showed the collection name “Klallam” which have traces of our roots and modern days, the collection has been put together with embroideries and fabric from different parts of India.
Drama, grandeur and fantasy took over the ramp on Day Two of the Asian Designer week. A talented designer from North East Robert Naorem ruled the ramp. His collection was more about handlooms textiles of North Eastern state Manipur, blended with power loom textiles. Celebrity Soma Laishram walked as a show stopper for him. Besides that, actress Shibani Dandekar walked on the ramp for budding designer Kraft corridor. The actress walked wearing one of the wedding collection which is inspired by centuries-old traditional hand embroidery styles of Lucknow. In the pre-finale, She- La by Maninder Gulati showcased his collection“BRINGING BACK THE OLD INTO NEW” which was basically inspired from the Mughal era, “Umrao”. Their collection depicted how old silhouettes can convert into modern cuts and style. Veteran designer Rina Dhaka showcased her collection called Dark bewitching blooms. The designs included Big sleeves, romance, shoulders, knife pleats and a slouch. One can wear them with trousers or wear them with a fluffy coat.