New dimensions of creativity

Being selected for the Gen Next Designer Programme is every aspiring Indian designer's dream.

Lakmé Fashion Week celebrated Gen Next in association with INIFD advisory board has handpicked six designers who presented their debut collections at the winter/festive edition.

Two amongst them, 'Anatomy' by Gaurav Singh and 'Dawn to Reality' by Manjushree Saikia were in Hyderabad, and they shared their vision and idea behind their collection.

Inspired by banana leaf

A design graduate from NIFT, Kolkata, Gaurav's journey as a fashion designer started from college. He says, "What I feel that we become half a designer when in college itself.

It is an important part of being a designer. We learn the basics, little bit about market, client and design etc.,"

His influence to take up fashion in college is his mother who used to work with fabrics. He says, "During my childhood my mother used to collect all kinds of fabrics and used to do patchwork, and that was the first memory of my love for designing.

I was not very clear about which kind of field allowed me to cut the fabrics. When I finally had to choose a career, I knew what I wanted to graduate in."

About his experience at LFW, he says, "It was a great experience. I think it's a great platform, which will help any young designer to get recognition on a wider bigger platform.

This recognition and appreciation are actual take away from the fashion week."

Gaurav Singh's winning collection, Anatomy, drew inspiration from 'Kadali-Patram' (banana leaf). "It's considered sacred," the designer explains.

"My collection acknowledges the architectural dynamics of banana leaves through innovative tailoring, complete with unexpected drapes.

The unprocessed side of a material (especially khadi) that comes with a rough texture has been the driving force for Kadali-Patram," he adds.

The 30-year-old's collection has boldness, softness, fluid edges and linear boning, layering and drapes. The collection includes dresses, jacket dresses, tops and skirts in handwoven khadi, cotton using techniques of draping, layering and boning.

The Ghazipur-based designer has used pleating and boning across the collection to mimic the ribs on the plant's foliage. He feels that, monochromatic will stand out as a trend.

Classic and timeless

Assam girl Manjushree Saikia's chic, stylish, and contemporary, the Ura Maku label's designs drew many hoots and cheers from an appreciating audience at the LFW.

Manjushree has a Bachelor's in Design from NIFT, Mumbai. She presented 'Dawn to Reality' line that explores timeless silhouettes in handmade textiles.

The 25-years-old designer says, "The experience at the LFW Gen Next was very good and I am blessed to have a great group of mentors.

As a young designer, I feel that the future of fashion lies in the reality of fashion revolution, which can be portrayed through a storyline."

About her collection 'Dawn to Reality' she says, "It's an appearance of light before the sun rise that's how I have taken the golden hues and it's all hand woven Eri, Mulberry Silk from Assam and Chanderi tissue combined into timeless tailored silhouettes. The trends come and go but the classic remains."

She states that Indian fashion has started with and is very much classic. "I believe in reviving the art-form and give artisans their due for their contribution to the Indian economy.

Handmade textiles and crafts are biggest trend and can never fade away," adds Manjushree.