Models to showcase 'chikan' as pret

Lucknow, Nov 16 (UNI) To associate the world famous chikan craft of Lucknow with contemporary fashion, a 'Chikan Ramp Show' and 'Live Chikankari Workshop' will be organised in the forthcoming 'Lucknow Mahotsava 2006' starting from November 26 here.

The theme of the events is 'Lucknow Chikan: Virasat bhi, Vikas bhi' (Lucknow Chikan: Legacy and Development) will feature six leading dress designers of Lucknow showcase series of apparels made from chikan captivating the essense of the centuries old tradition of the fabric on November 28.

The six fashion designers are Ritu/Dheeraj Gupta, Fatima/Naushan Hussain, Masood/Almas Abdullah, Sayyed Rehan Gani, Usha/Meenakshi Mehra and Uma/Surendra Agarwal.

Both the events are being organised by the Dara Nawab Educational&Welfare Society in association with Al Masood Creations Society.

Addressing a news conference here this afternoon, Society convenor Abid Ibrahim said the idea is to popularise chikan outfits as pret among the youth.

''We want to show chikan apparels in a different light, so that people treat it as daily wear also apart from attaching sentimental and traditional values to this graceful fabric,'' he observed.

Besides, students of leading fashion institutes such as Amity Fashion Institute, IIFT and JD Fashion Institute will showcase their wares.

''Local models will sashay down the ramp wearing the creations to appeal to the masses, especially youth,'' Society spokesperson Ali Meesam added.

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