Breathtaking start for Wills India Fashion Week
New
Delhi,
Sep
5:
The
much-touted
Wills
Lifestyle
India
Fashion
Week
Spring-Summer
collection
2008
left
the
fashion
lovers
and
buyers
'breathless'
on
the
very
first
show
by
czar
of
India
fashion
industry
Rajesh
Pratap
Singh
here
today.
The designer came out strong for his Spring collection with a fresh summer breze. Given the less-is-more direction which fashion seems to be heading, he opened the show with simple summer dresses in light weight fabrics of pure white with a fresh sprinkling of vibrant almost neon colours interpreted through graphic elements and geometric floral motifs.
There was a strong reference to the silhouettes of the eighties with off-shoulder necklines for flouncing jersey tops which ended in broad tight fitted hems worn over capris and slim fitted pants and shorts, a smart urban metropolitan look.
Show minus loud and thundering music gave 'divine life' to the collection, which was displyed by 15 sashaying models.
Calling Rajesh's collection "the future of fashion", designer Rohit Gandhi said, ''The best part of the show was that the entire focus was on the clothes and not music.'' Patented leather bags accessories teamed up with the varying clothing styles caught every eye. The focus of the collection was on subtle shimmering fabrics in cool grays and muted shades of blues, such as linen with lurex, flowing jersy knits with metallic effects which enhanced the future fresh-feel of this program.
Highly impressed with the collection, designer Tarun Tahiliani said,'' It was elegant, simple, very fine and beautifully made. It was a pleasure to see Rajesh's collection who is my personal favourite.'' The effortless crisp cuts of the silhouettes were highlighted through strong linear fabric textures which created optical illusion and accentuated the body like a sculpture.
Talking about the collection, Alliance Merchandising Company CEO Sunil Sethi said, "It was breathtaking in the real sense. Rajesh always changes his collection with time and mood which is most important.'' On the absence of considerable number of buyers for the show, Mr Sethi said, ''The clash of the WIFW with the ongoing Mercedez-Benz Fashion week in New York can be the reason for less number of buyers. But this is just the first show. More buyers are expected to turn up as the event progresses.'' About the change in the venue, grand finale designer Rohit Bal said, ''The show says it all and puts an end to all apprehensions about the choice of venue, which was seen by many as a wrong decision. The arrangement is incredible. The fact that the event is organised in Pragati Maidan proves the importance of Fashion industry and its serious status in the country.'' Rajesh Pratap Singh will also be showcasing his creative brilliance along with designers Manish Arora, Anamika Khanna at the September 30-October 7 Paris fashion fete.
Terming the show a "perfect opening " designers felt there could not have been a better start than Rajesh Pratap's show.
Over the next four days, lissome models will walk up and down the ramp, displaying the spring/summer collections of 72 established fashion designers which will include novice in the field in Hi-5 duo, besides Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Deepika Govind, Falguni and Shane Peacock and Kavita Bhartia, Malini Ramani, Mandira Wirk, Manish Arora.
Organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the fashion week is the largest business platform for Indian designers.
UNI