New Zealand honours Indian designers

Two students of the National Institute of Fashion Design here have been commended for their entry at New Zealand's Montana World of WearableArt (WOW) Awards Show.

Narresh Kukreja and Shivan Bhatia were cited for their entry "Bee Hive Bra" in the bizarre bra category of the event, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) that facilitated their participation, said.

Kukreja and Bhatia were among the nine young Indian designers who participated in the show. This follows a tie-up between FDCI and the New Zealand Tourism Board that gives Indian designers another international platform to showcase their talent.

According to WOW founder, Suzie Moncrieff, "We received entries from across the world, and judging the winners was very tough, given the high quality of work exhibited. However, the variations in the colours and the designs from India were breathtaking, and exuded vibrancy and diversity.

"The winning entry - Bee Hive Bra - is also quite innovative. The overwhelming response to entries from India in the first year itself is heart-warming, and we hope that the number and quality of work will only go higher in the years to come," Moncrieff added.

FDCI chose the nine Indian participants from over 100 aspirants. A total of 168 creations from around the world had been selected to be part of the awards show, held in Wellington.

Leading Indian fashion designer Manish Arora, fresh off the ramp at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and London Fashion Week, also showcased garments from his collection at a special exhibition section of the WOW event and was well received by the audience, an FDCI statement said.

Tarun Tahiliani, one of India's most well-known designers and an FDCI board member, was invited to represent the council at the awards.

"The FDCI is both proud and happy to be able to provide the Indian fashion fraternity with yet another platform to showcase its talent internationally," FDCI director general Rathi Vinay Jha said.

"WOW is a globally renowned fashion extravaganza and the fact that our entrants - both established as well as new faces - have received such positive reviews, is very encouraging," she added, wishing Kukreja and Bhatia "the very best for their careers in the fashion industry".

WOW is one of the most coveted fashion extravaganzas in the world, held each year in New Zealand since 1987. Its aim, says Moncrieff, is to "take art off the wall and onto the body" in a contemporary artistic showcase for emerging and experienced artists, sculptors and designers.

There are no creative boundaries and past entries included materials as diverse as car parts, fishhooks, business cards, sausage skins, human hair and salmon skins.

(IANS)

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