9 Indian fashion designers to showcase creations in WOW

Mumbai, Sep 20 (UNI) Nine Indian fashion designers have been chosen to showcase their collection at the Montana World of Wearable Art (WOW) 2006 to be held in New Zealand as part of a tie-up between the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the New Zealand Tourism Board.

Among the designers, selected from 100 entries, is leading Indian fashion designer Manish Arora, who will showcase garments from his collection in a special Exhibition Section on invitation from the WOW.

About 168 creations have been selected for WOW Awards Show in September, a release said.

Ms Rathi Vinay Jha, Director General, FDCI, India's apex fashion body said, ''Through its various initiatives, the FDCI aims at providing a platform to the Indian fashion design fraternity for access to national and international recognition and appreciation.'' ''I am very pleased that the young talent of the country is being showcased at such a renowned forum, which will further strengthen India's position in the global fashion and art arena,'' she added.

Ms Suzie Moncrieff, founder of the Montana World of Wearable Art said, ''India is a hub of creativity is quite evident from the standard of entries we received. I am sure that the selected designers will create ripples with their creations.'' WOW is one of the most coveted fashion extravaganzas in the world, held each year in New Zealand since the last 16 years. There are seven sections in the 2006 Montana WOW Awards. They include HP Children's, Scenic Circle Hotels Bizarre Bra, Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde, Air New Zealand South Pacific, AT&T Illumination Illusion, American Express Open, and the CentrePort Shape It section.

Each section has NZD8,000 in prize money over three placings, with the exception of Bizarre Bra which has 4,500 dollars, while the Supreme Award winner receives NZD10,000, as well a NZD10,000 American Express international travel prize and a trophy created by internationally renowned Hoglund Art Glass, valued at approximately NZD2000.

There are also a number of special award categories.

The show runs over seven nights in September each year with thousands of people coming from all over the country and internationally to celebrate the show.

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