Designs and crafts from home

Promoting the fashion and textile industry of the State, ‘Karnataka Fashion Week Bangalore’ will be hosted at Bowring Institute from January 22 to 24. A platform for some of the City’s well-known and up-and-coming designers, it aims to increase the awareness of homegrown fashion while highlighting the culture and glamour of Karnataka.

“For many centuries, Karnataka has been a textile centre in India. We’re also the leading garment exporter in the country with a large chunk of India’s readymade clothes from here. But we tend to forget such State treasures and are also losing out on our art forms. We’ve been dressing up the world but don’t get the recognition as the fashion capital of India. This fashion show will not only highlight Bangalore as the prêt capital but also serve as a platform for over 20 established designers to present their work,” says Prasad Bidappa, the host of the show.  

The three-day extravaganza will be divided in terms of the different looks being presented — day one will focus on khadi and handlooms, day two on bridal wear and day three on ready-to-wear outfits. One can see the works of designers like Nimirta, Pavitra Muddaya, Jason & Anshu, Lokessh Ahuja, Manish Saksena,  Raj Shroff, Tara Aslam, Tahera Peeran and Namrata G to name a few. International designers like Bangladesh’s Bibi Russell, Sri Lanka’s Sonali Dharmawardena will also showcase their exclusive collections.

The curtain-raiser at Bowring Institute saw models walk the ramp showcasing garments from some of the participating designers. From traditional silk saris and embellished suits to red carpet gowns and embroidered shirts, the showcase was a burst of colours and styles. 

Runa Ray, who attended the curtain-raiser, describes her collection. “I’ve tried to combine easy contemporary garments with structured jackets. It’s essentially a black and white collection with a splash of colour. I haven’t followed any trends but just want to make the wearer look good since that’s what creates timeless fashion,” she shares. Designer Sounak Sen of ‘House of Three’ adds, “The collection I’m showcasing is a combination of two seasons. One can expect a lot of different cuts, ensembles and a plethora of silhouettes.”

Smita, a model, is excited about working with natural fabrics. “I’m looking forward to the show, especially since more designers have come on board to showcase the State’s designs and crafts. It’s going to be a lot of fun and hard work for us all,” she says.