WIFW: Dazzling Indo-Dutch show

The five-day extravaganza, the Will Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) Spring-Summer 2013 kicked off on October 6, 2012 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. It involves 132 designers, 48 models and more than 200 buyers. But the highlight of the event was FDCI’s (Fashion Design Council of India) initiative to collaborate with HTNK Fashion recruitment and consultancy foundation and House of Denim, under the programme titled ‘Dutch Fashion Here & Now India’ (DFH&NI) that saw Indian designer Suneet Varma, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna team up with Dutch fashion designers Jan Taminiau and designer duo Diederik Verbakel and Marieke Holthuis of the label DIED respectively showcasing their mesmerising designs individually as well as in pars with each-other.

The coming together of East and West opened a new window to a cultural exchange of ideas and thoughts in terms of expertise in fashion and business. FDCI Chairman, Sunil Sethi opened the last show of the evening on Day One, with a small speech expressing his gratitude to the Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, Alphonsus Stoelinga, for making such a creative endeavour possible.

Commencing the show, designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna presented a collection in fluorescents colour palette that gradually moved from neutrals like vanilla, cream and grey to bright corals and raspberries. The transparency of the fabrics, hand created texture, techniques spelled out in unexpected cuts revealing the body, asymmetrical lengths and dresses with high-slits stood out as prominent characteristics in the ensemble.

And as the lights dimmed, audience moved into the psychedelic world of *DIED*, a line of hand-dyed and printed silks on gowns and tunics of Dutch designer duo Diederik Verbakel and Marieke Holthuis. Shades of grey, white, black, tobacco brown and occasionally pink dominated the designs.

And then followed designer Jan Taminiau's gothic inspired collection with model flaunting spiked hair, bold and dark eye-makeup and blacks and metals sashayed down the ramp. Known as a romantic designer, Jan showcased a collection of jackets, gowns, tunics and skirts paired with 14-inch platform footwear.

The final treat of the evening was designer Suneet Varma's ensemble range. Blending European couture sensibility with rural Indian handicraft, his collection experimented with drapes, saris wrapped in a way dhotis would be worn or a lehenga choli with a veil and tiara, and, a turban with gold-necklaces dangling from its side.