Paris haute couture FW -18, fashion kicked off yesterday with ready-to-wear brands shows. The high fashion event will see 35 fashion houses which includes brands from the US, Netherlands and Belgium known for their ready-to-wear styles.

There are many first timers this time starting from Proenza Schouler and Rodarte, official guests of France’s Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

The Belgium label A.F. Vandevorst and Holland’s Ronald van der Kemp will also be showcasing at haute couture catwalks for first time alongside French brand Azzaro.

The first day couture had designs ranging from copper-frilled skirts to garbage bag gowns as Rodarte showcased in the cloisters of a Parisian abbey in pastel colour pallete.

Gaurang, presented the unique and diverse craftsmanship of weavers of Andhra Pradesh at the ‘India Handloom Show 2017’ in Gujarat hosted by Ministry of Textiles Government of India and inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi.

“We dedicate this ‘Fabric-of-Freedom-Khadi ‘presentation to the empowered weavers of Andhra Pradesh and to their unique artisanal diversity.’ Gaurang said.

GAURANG along with his weavers in Andhra Pradesh infused a whole new sensibility, adding drape-ability to the fabric of freedom-khadi with inventive jamdani twists. The coarse fabrics were not only made soft and supple, but also experimented with various yarns and techniques to make it more contemporary and style friendly.

His 4 masterpieces presentation at the show using the traditional Khadi Jamdani technique by his team of trained weavers from Andhra Pradesh is inspired by tree of life depicting the natural forms of roses, hibiscus and sunflowers translated on a mauve khadi saree with a striking orange border. The details of chintz woven in a sea-green khadi saree textured with muga silk added splendour to his collections.

Goan designer Schulen Fernandes for Wendell Rodricks scored a coup d’etat by opening the Ministry of Textiles’ Weaves of India fashion show. The collection in Malkha cotton Kunbi sari and Handwoven cotton presented by model Laxmi Rana,caught the eye of the Hon Minister for Textiles, Ms. Smriti Irani.

Padma Shri awardee Wendell Rodricks says “Schulen has proved a worthy successor for my brand. Her creativity, maturity and ease to grasp a subject of national repute is incredible. In a few years at the helm of the Wendell Rodricks label, Schulen has elevated the brand to a level that is enviable. I wish Textile India 2017 the success it richly deserves”