Fashion business looking up to WLIFW

New Delhi: Over 75 leading fashion and accessory designers from across the country - among them Ritu Kumar, Rina Dhaka, Ashish Soni, Tarun Tahiliani and Manish Malhotra - will feature at the spring-summer edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WLIFW) here Aug 30-Sep 3, it was announced Thursday.

"We have brought together on a single platform India's biggest names in the fashion and creative arena," Rathi Vinay Jha, director general of event organiser Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) said in a statement.

"Designers have obviously perceived tremendous value in participating (in the event)," she added.

"This truly is a national event, with designers from across India - Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur and Jodhpur - participating," Jha pointed out.

Noting that WLIFW "is truly the only Indian fashion event dedicated to the business of fashion" she said the event would also preview India's best in terms of models, make-up trends, hairstyles and accessories for the upcoming spring-summer season.

The participating designers include Anita Dongre, Anju Modi, Ashima-Leena, Ayesha Depala, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Ranna Gill, Rohit Bal, Satya Paul, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Suneet Varma, Kavita Bhartia, Manav Gangwani, Mandira Wirk and Namrata Joshipura.

Said Atul Chand, vice president (Marketing) of ITC's lifestyle retailing division: "We are extremely pleased to present an amazing array of talent who will showcase their creations. We have received an overwhelming response from the designer fraternity for the event.

PAGE_BREAK

"The coming together of India's leading designers at this unique platform is a reflection of the event's stature and grandeur," Chand added.

What makes WLIFW so special for Indian designers?

"It is a platform where a pan-Indian participation is getting stronger every season. Who would not want to be a part of it?" said Leena Singh.

"Being a part of WLIFW is a must for the Indian talent in all related fields, as it has developed the industry to proportions that were unimaginable during the 1990s," maintained Ashish Soni.

"All over the world, due to global warming, the summer is longer than winter thereby increasing the spring-summer buying potential," Rohit Gandhi said.

"There is a certain seriousness to the event as every new (FDCI) member has to go through a panel to qualify to take part in this prestigious event thus making WIFW more exclusive," explained designer duo Falguni & Shane Peacock.

For Manoviraj Khosla, "WLIFW is the only national fashion event which is at par with international fashion weeks. It is perfect blend of fashion and business".