Ready for a style statement

CREATIVE KIDS

Sashaying the runaway in monochromes or myriad hues outfits, there was something unique about what these models were donning in a fashion show held at Kempinski Ambience Hotel. All attires were distinct in terms of fabric, cut or design and why not. After all, this was ‘designer’ work done by students from the country’s the premier fashion institute – National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), who presented the outfits in a show ‘Knitmoda’.

Incorporating traditional styles into Western wear, the final year students of knit­w­e­ar designing presented an amazing fashion show which was the part of the two day long event. Judged by the institute’s director Arindam Das, designer Samant Cha­u­han, GM of Kempinski V. Ramaswamy and industry experts from Woolmark, Niranjan Kumar was declared the winner of the fashion show. He won the award for being the most creative and having the best collection, whereas Rupal Shukla came second. Awards and gold medals were given to best academic performers in their respective departments and Student of the Year Award was given to Apurva Shroff.

On the other hand, stude­n­ts of Textile Design presented an exhibition ‘Tantu’. They presented new patterns and textures in linen. Sawarbh Kumar won the Best Graduation Project Aw­ard for his collection on Kat­hakali while Nayanika Bhatla won the Most Creative Aw­ard in this category.

Sawarbh had worked on a new fabric and introduced Kathakali print on cushions and bed sheets too. Jaswant Daranga presented his collection inspired by ecology conservation. “I introduced new motifs on social awareness topics like child care, conservation of natural resources, population, scarcity of water and global warming. These motifs have been printed on fabrics and cushions,” says Jaswant, who has gone a step ahead and also opened an NGO to support the cause.

The second day was dedicated to the Convocation. With Ritu Kumar as the chief guest and Sunil Sethi president, FDCI as guest of honour, the students were a thrilled lot. Ritu Kumar later commented, “Fashion is a profession – like medicine, where not every doctor can find a cure for cancer. Just go out and discover the treasures of your country and create marvels in the industry.”