5 from city to exhibit creations during London Fashion Week

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 11

Five Punjabi designers, including two alumni and three student designers of the International Institute of Fashion Designing (INIFD), Ludhiana, are all set to showcase their creations at “Fashion Scout” during the London Fashion Week on February 18 in London.

Among winners are two INIFD alumni – Renuka Malhi and Sunil Raj Vinayak— and one present student Disha Kaura. Two runners-up are Gurnam Kaur and Pavneet Kaur, both are pursuing fashion designing from the institute.

It was in 1943 that INIFD student designers had created history at Fashion Scout during the London Fashion Week. Their designs were featured in various magazines such as British Vogue, Daily Mail, Frumpy to Funky.

Renuka Malhi, who herself is a brand in the US, was all praise for her mentoring at the INIFD. Though she entered late in the fashion industry due to family responsibilities, she proudly said she made it big at ‘World Fashion Parade’ in New York. She said she had showcased her talent at various TV and radio channels such as B4U, Radio Zindagi, Nargis Dutt Cancer Foundation and many more. Her brand Re’ Malhi’s unique styles and rich fabrics were applauded at every event.

Renuka Malhi’s collection for Fashion Scout, ‘Iconic Taj Mahal’, is based on the inherent beauty of the monumental art seen in the inlays of Taj Mahal, exquisite jewellery worn by erstwhile queens of India and regal lifestyle led by them.

Sunil Raj Vinayak said his journey had been a roller-coaster ride — full of upswings, pitfalls, encouraging moments and moments of dillusion and disappointment. He said his brand is a much preferred one among the customers in India and abroad.

His collection ‘Birds of Paradise’ being showcased at Fashion Scout is based on the transition of culture — from Indian to western to European — depicted through different shapes and forms of an embroidered bird, which takes its maiden flight from India taking its culture along, imbibing various other cultures into itself and leaving an imprint on other cultures. The embroidery, however, takes on the old-Indian technique called ‘tilla’ work and ‘kala batun’.

Disha Kaura’s collection is named Kohinoor, which is the underlying theme for her designs to be showcased at Fashion Scout. The designs highlight the rich and luxurious attire worn by kings of India and simple attire donned by their wives. “I have tried to bring in the luxurious designs of the kings to the feminine clothes, bringing women on a par with men in the contemporary world,” said Disha.

Student runner-up designer Gurnam Kaur’s love for animals inspired her collection ‘Pichwai Raj’— the backdrop of sculptures of Hindu deities, an epitome of love towards mankind or animals, typically synonymous with Lord Krishna. The cosmic colours used in her collection symbolise the love for animals. The attires have animal motifs and are accessorised with chokers with silk strings, metallic bells. “All my designs and creations are for a modern girl. They have been created using the best of fabrics embroidered and embellished in the richest possible manner.”

Another student runner-up designer Pavneet Kaur loves to experiment. Her collection ‘Modern Mariam’ is an amalgamation of various cultures of the Indian heritage. The basis of her collection is Rani Jodha Bai, who was born and brought up in Rajputana cult of Rajasthan, but was married to a Mughal king. Jodha Bai’s transition from one culture to the other inspired Pavneet to include traditional motifs such as lotus flower and ‘parinda’ – the bird representing Rajasthan and capturing the vast grandeur of the state. Kundan, emeralds, pearls, zardozi and tilla have been used to showcase the richness and royalty of the Mughals.

The designers were honoured by Ritu Kochhar, Founder Director, INIFD. Kochhar said, “Out of 20, 000 students, 500 entries were shortlisted and 11 winners were declared — two INIFD alumni and nine INIFD student designers. Nine student designers are runners-up who have been selected to showcase their collection at prestigious Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week on February 18 in London.”