Gen Next designers to set the ramp abuzz at Lakme Fashion Week

With the Lakme Fashion Week all set to take place on March 29 in Mumbai, there is a lot of excitement and activity in the air. Apart from the regulars and doyens of the fashion industry, there is a new bunch of young designers who are all set to make their debut at the Fashion Week in the Gen Next category. For this category selection process is tough and it’s a big achievement for these young guns to have made it.

Breaking stereotypes, bringing a bold look

New Delhi-based Aqdus Saleem, who sells under the label Aqdus, believes in fashion being a subversion of stereotypes. He blends elements from Islamic traditional wear with contemporary styles to create a different design vocabulary. His line called ‘The Modest Chapter’ is trying to break stereotypes by showing how being fully covered can actually enhance one’s beauty. The modesty element comes from the traditional attire while the contemporary style comes from variations in silhouettes, layering and creative patterning. Agrima Batra, a student of Parsons School of Design, New York, believes in a cocktail of exotic, bold, stark monotones and vibrant overtones. Her collection, ‘To the Stars and Back’, moves from chic day to evening wear. Her label is Agrima.

Focusing on accessible luxury

Naveem Naaz Shaikh believes in everything luxe. The Mumbai-based designer easily mixes a sybaritic aesthetic with a practical sense of style. And when he works around denim, it’s with a difference. He uses it with silk, linen etc using surface texturing with laser techniques. He likes to mix old crafts with new trends and offbeat styles. His label is called Aaylixir. Sohaya Misra, who sells under Chola, loves to focus on accessible luxury. Her collection, titled, ‘The Pyjama Tribe’ is all about easy-to-wear, edgy clothes with minute detailing. She uses textured linen and cotton.

These young designers are trying to set new trends and redefine fashion as it is known. For Saleem, ethic isn’t boring and modest isn’t humdrum, while Agrima wants to create and not recreate. She doesn’t believe in wasting cloth and as such uses all of it to create a stunning pastiche. Misra doesn’t like doing any embellishments on her fabric so as to maintain their integrity.

Lakme Fashion Week is the country’s leading fashion and trade platform. In its 16th year, the mega event will see 90 designers and nine sponsors participating. Bollywood’s favourite designer Manish Malhotra will open the season with an offsite show. In all 17 designers and 11 models will debut at the show. ElektroCouture, a pioneer in bespoke wearable technology, will do a show for the first time in India. The Grand Finale will see ace designer Rohit Bal showcase his creations. Lakme Fashion Week is jointly organised by cosmetic brand Lakme and IMG Reliance, the global leader in sports and entertainment event marketing and management.