Indian fashion designers impress at NY Fashion Week

Four fashion designers of Indian origin made their mark at the recent Fall/Winter 2016 New York Fashion Week. They were Naeem Khan, Bibhu Mohapatra, Ryan Lobo, Runa Ray and Prabal Gurung.

Naeem Khan has established himself as the designer of top celebrities. From US First Lady Michelle Obama, Queen Noor of Jordan, Beyonce to Lady Gaga, all of them have sported his creations. In the collection presented at the show, Russian, East European as well as Middle Eastern influences were evident. He had models wearing goassamer-like embroidered cloth, long gowns, jumpsuits and even a few short dresses. Through these designs he was evoking early 20th century New York City. He said that it was the ‘beautiful life of New York in the 1930s and 1940s. Architecture, art deco, lots of gold, all the metals.’

Bibhu Mohapatra’s collection was a nod to Imperial China. He was inspired by empress dowager Cixi, a 19th century regent who was a powerful figure in China for 50 years. The collection celebrated the ‘prowess and poise of the mysterious female mind’. Ryan Lobo’s collection, on the other hand, was extremely wearable, ranging from casual chic to the sophisticated. Runa Ray with her debut collection showcased a space age look. Striking geometrical designs and grey colours dominated her collection. Prabal Gurung’s collection was dominated with reds, pinks, navy blues, purples etc.

All these designers trace have strong India connection. While Gurung, of Nepalese origin, began his design career in India, Ray grew up in Bangalore, Lobo in Kolkata, Khan in Mumbai and Mohapatra in Rourkela, Odisha.