In the first ever fashion week that meets the scale of a Maison et Objet or Heimtextil or even Pitti Immagine (A textile and design fair that spreads across the picturesque town of Florence), WIFW Spring Summer 2011 spreads across 165 well designed stalls. With the very industrious, arched roof flanking the hall, FDCI puts forth a spectrum so wide that  two days down and  I have still have many stalls to see.  

It’s a wondrous maze that leaves you lusting for more, a repertoire of visual design that enchants you. Of special mention being the calming beige stall of Cell Design or the tribal inspired space crafted by Charu Parasher that mixes tribal memorabilia both African and Indian. However the one segment that takes your breath away are the Accessory design stalls that grow in number this year to incorporate a new world design .These stalls have something interesting to say. 

Shah Rukh Zaidi’s Vintage Panorama topping my list in design perfection. His rucksacks take you to a vintage past. To a childhood when one travelled three tier sleeper and slept on a rucksack made of khaki canvas cloth with rugged leather edges. In his Tribute to Heroes Collection he simply recaptures that notion. Then there is his collection of Grandma Clutches that remind you of the purse Mom got made on order through the family bag maker. The bearded guy who came home with leather swatches and allowed you to get your red and then converted it into that one bag you could carry for the next ten years.

From Shahrukh’s vintage to Samir’s new age…. It is like getting into the time machine and leaping across three decades to a hip hop new era of studded stilettos, zany closed shoes, well finished Ballerinas and some stylish looks for men. Close your eyes and you could well imagine that you are in Mr. Choo’s shoes in a famed Ferragamo pump….so impeccable is his impersonation of that fabled finish.

I particularly enjoyed the three bling shops that give the Swarovski obsessed diva a sigh of comfort. PVS by Pinky Saraf, Felix Bandhish and Radhika Gupta who together give bold a new dimension. First stop  is PVS where the myth that hundred crystals together will bling your mind out gets busted.  Her soft and easily moldable chains get attached to mega creations in crystals, vintage metal and rhinestones. Bags go bold suggesting that you only dare wear all this on a Little Black dress. But the beauty in her creation is that the bling is also charming. 

Felix Bandish essentially a textile person creates neck laces in fabric highlighted with myriad colored stones and interesting thread inclusions. His studded and embroidered necklines are a design delight. Attach them to any silhouette and you are ready to shine and sparkle. As for young designer Radhika Gupta it is once again great to see India shining in a very nice take on an embellished mojdi and potli collection. India also comes through the accessory line by Payal Kapoor. Her band Famous brings you the bag Miley Cyrus and Cameroon Dias were caught wearing over their white shirt dress recently. A modern and shapely take on the mirror work basta that Payal Kapoor of Famous brand insists is a big hit on the streets of LA.

In the jewelery line as always Amrapali wins hands down with a very loud and showy Envy leaving little to imagination…..All in all a visit to the accessory display is a must do on your list this Fashion Week.