The recently-concluded spring-summer collection at the India Runway Week was dedicated to fashion startups in India. Arjita Mishra reports
The scene was usual with muddled designers tackling last minute frenzy, running helter-skelter. like any other big budget fashion week this one was every inch looking like one. The only difference was a change of venue, lesser known designers, models and a huge gap in the budget. As we took a step into Thyagraj Stadium, the venue for India Runway Week, the nervousness of new designers showcasing for the first time was palpable. Having been started for budding designers giving them a platform and launching them for a meager amount is what set the fashion week apart from the rest.
With projection of more than 11,500 by 2020, Indian startups raised $1.42 billion across 307 deals in the first quater of 2016. But this was not the scene when it came to fashion as not many were willing to put in their money for a fashion startup. It’s really difficult to raise fund even for displaying a designer’s work. Indian Federation for Fashion development (IFFD) has always promoted young talent in fashion industry on platform like India Runway Week (IRW).
Commenting on the significance of the initiative one of the young designers, Chavi Garg said, “I had read a lot about IRW and how they give platform to the budding designers, so it was a dream to showcase my designs here and I feel overwhelmed that it has finally happened. As a fresher, the whole process from brainstorming to execution has been overwhelming. An initiative like this will only give us more opportunities as all the biggies will be able to approach us if they like our collection. These initiatives are good for our confidence and growth.”
IFFD has surely helped these young designers in enlightening their talent with the help of India Runaway Week. It has not only given them a platform at such an early stage but has also bolstered their enthusiasm making them more confident about their craft. One of the distinct things about the week was that all the participating designers were under and of 30. With 50 per cent of the population of India being under 35 it definitely calls for more fashion. Keeping this and many other such factors in mind, the designers were trained to have entrepreneurial skills.
“I came to know about IRW from Facebook through jewellery designer Akaash K Aggarwal. Over the last six seasons it has really evolved, last year we showcased our collection in winter festive edition and this year we showcased spring-summer 2016. I couldn’t believe that our label will get a show stopper like Natasa Stankovic. We really need such initiatives as we hardly have such runways in India. The kind of exposure they are giving in terms of media and buyers is really amazing for us,” said designer Gauri Couture.
Abhishek Roy, who showcased his collection titled Bohurupi, shared that for a budding designer like him, this platform helps in estabilishing their future. “I launched my brand last year and since then, I was looking for an opportunity. India Runway Week has helped me to present my collection to the public with the help of media.” His collection was inspired from the spring season. “You can see a lot of leafs and petals on the dresses. In fact, we have painted leafs on our shoes to show,” said he.
“We sent our entries for selection for India Runway week in November. We got selected for the first round for garment quality and we got selected for the finale. These initiatives have definitely given lot of exposure as people know the value and hidden art and culture,” said Udyan Singh founder of Banka Silk.
Kiran Kheva, the director of IFFD, shared the journey of IRW with us, “We started India Runway Week with 10 designers and in this edition, we have 45 designers showcasing their collection. We are not just providing them a platform to showcase their collection, but we are also providing them a platform where they can meet and make a good relationship with their buyers.”
“We are providing them buyers, media for their promotions and models. Not only that, we are charging very less, too. To participate in the fashion week they just had to pay Rs70,000,” Kheva added.
Actress Mandira Bedi and transgender activist laxmi Naryan Tripathi walked the ramp for Delhi-based jewellery designer, Aggarwal to show their support.
photos Pankaj Kumar