Future of fashion

 Lakme Fashion Week announced their list of Gen Next designers for August’s winter/festive 2012. Divya Kaushik spoke to a few of the Delhi-based ones about forthcoming collections

While some have five years experience and brushed their skills under veterans like JJ Valaya and Tarun Tahiliani, others are fresh out of college, and nervous about showcasing for the first time. Lakme Fashion Week recently announced the list of seven Gen Next designers, 15 emerging and three accessory designers who will feature during LFW Winter/Festive season. It is scheduled between August 3-7. We spoke to the Delhi-based designers.

Kanika, ankit and mansi

The three graduated in fashion from Pearl Academy and held shows from then. But they haven’t participated in fashion weeks yet. The next LFW will be their first. They give Avatar, credit for inspiring their future collection.It uses a transparent fabric.

Design Philosophy

The trio take inspirations from subjects like architecture. They worked with designers like Ritika Sachdeva.

Inspiration

Amit Agarvwal, Gaurav Gupta.

Pernia Qureshi

This designer-cum-stylist has been a part of the industry for five years. After a course from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York, Qureshi, “explored styling” through her first Bollywood movie Aisha, and later on Thank You, starring Sonam Kapoor and Akshay Kumar. Pernia worked with designers like Valaya and Tahiliani. She also trained in Kuchipudi with Raja Radha Reddy.

Design Philosophy

“Sophisticated and classic. I believe in neat and simple cuts. One can get experimentative, but a collection should be a part of a wardrobe. Styling is important. My present one has a vintage, 60s retro feel.”

Inspiration

“I love Rahul Gandhi and Rohit Khanna. When it comes to my collection, I look for my own ideas.”

Prashant Chauhan

He is designer Samant Chauhan’s younger brother. Prashant did his PG diploma in fashion from NIFT, Mohali and worked with an export house to learn the business.

His tenure from 2006-2009, exposed him to workshops and, “gave insight into buyers’ mindset.”

The designer showcased his collection during the last season, (resort wear 2012) of Lakme.

His collection was inspired by Tibetan Culture, the use of floral patchwork and focus on handwork.

Design Philosophy

“I believe in sustainable fashion and want to focus on Indian techniques like kantha and handmade fabrics. Each piece I create is a work of art. Silhouettes are modern, but my weaves are desi.”

His present collection takes inspiration from a painting of the Valley of Flowers in Uttaranchal. “I dis some ornamentation based on it,” he said.

Inspiration

Rohit Bal, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Anamika Khanna, Rohit Bal.

Astha and Sidharth

The duo graduated from Pearl Academy in 2009 and started their label in February 2010. Their designs are edgy and quirky. They, might not have showcased at fashion weeks. But their interesting themes have been followed with interest.

Design Philosophy

“We believe fashion is infectious. And it should be a visual expression of one’s personality. Most of our garments are structured. We use transparent fabrics and materials that make our clothes textured.”

Inspiration

Late Alexander McQueen and Rohit Bal.