Shivaji Dutta first Indian designer to show at MBFW

Shivaji Dutta, a young Kolkata-based designer, has become the first Indian designer to showcase at the prestigious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) in Moscow. His collection was based on the theme ‘Sustainable design’, Dutta used scrap leather and converted it into thin strips and knitted it together

to form an interesting range.

Aiming for a global footprint

After

his successful debut in Moscow, Dutta now aims to promote sustainable design and take it to the next level. Talking about this he says, “The world is becoming more and more aware about sustainable designs. A lot of top brands are coming up with a different section catering to sustainable products. H&M has a different section called Green Fashion, Jack & Jones also has sustainable designs, Levi’s has started recycled bottoms. In short, the world is becoming more aware of the fact that we need to use what we have. I want to promote sustainable designs.”

Dutta points out that India is a brand conscious market but doesn’t think much about the environment, while it is a big issue in the West. Dutta believes sustainability will soon be a big issue in India as well and he wants to be one of the first to start the concept in a big way. Talking about the Russia market and his future plans Dutta says, “For us, Russia is a big potential market. We are in touch with a lot of well known people in Moscow who are going to help us get good buyers which will help us start supplying to Russia soon.”

Revealing his future plans, Dutta says, right now he is looking for distributors. “We want to test the water before stepping in. We are looking for distributors and planning to put up multi designer stores where we have lot of designers together. For the next one or two years, we want people to become aware of our products.” Apart from Russia, Dutta is looking at Canada and London for retail growth. “We have just finished the fashion week and have got offers from some stores but are being selective because we need to see that our garment works for the stores otherwise it will end up being a one-time affair.” Dutta wants his designs to be channeled well and will look for collaborations at a later stage. “In time, we would love to open up our own store but before that we want to see how are our collections are moving. If we see it is moving well in Canada, then we would like to open a store in Toronto first and then in Moscow. It just depends on where we pick up. “

Dutta is a NIFT, Kolkata pass out with a masters in textile design. His love for garments led him to take up fashion designing and wants to be known as a sustainable designer. He has showcased at Lakme Fashion Week in 2011 and Vancouver Fashion Week. The Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Russia was his fourth show.