September 2010 - Page 8 of 18

Who started his label in 2004 by selling belts and bags to fashion store…

The renowned fashion label Ravage is run by Bangalore based designer, Raj Shroff, who started his label in 2004 by selling belts and bags to fashion store Cinnamon. But gradually, the name Ravage started to expand its reach globally – from Bangalore to Florida, Milan, London and Colombo, the name very soon became synonymous with clothes that offer sharp silhouettes and imaginative surface treatments and, yet, are still supremely user-friendly.

Meanwhile in 2007, Raj along with Neetu Gupta made their debut at the hi-five of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, drawing inspiration from Raghava’s paintings, the duo recreated the magic of canvas on the fabric using screen prints and garnered a lot of appreciation.

With a believe that fashion in India has its own little tale, which should be the designers’ focus rather than aping western trends. His label undeniably has an international appeal but with an indigenous viewpoint. In Ravage’s case, it’s a style that derives from upbringing, culture and travel, influences as disparate as Simone de Beauvoir and dub remixes of Jilala Sufi trance music. He feels that the clothes keep changing with perspective so he believes in wearing clothes that keep the soul alive.

About his inspiration designer says that he keeps observing life and people around him which in turn inspires him to always create something new. He further adds anything could motivate him, even just two ants walking probably.

The designer has a heap of achievements to boast about. He has designed Sri Sri Collection for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Art of Living. Raj has also been to London Fashion Week, Seoul Fashion Week, Pret A Porter Paris and Colombo Fashion Week to showcase his garments.

Presently, Raj retails from Ogaan, Aza, Kimaya, Samsaara, Melange, Bombay electric and Fuel.

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Nandita Thirani, the talented Kolkata based designer, comes with a rich and knowledgeable background with her forte in designing western outfit as well ethnic wear and has created a niche for herself as a versatile designer in India and abroad. Nandita Thirani has been retailing under her own label for over 15 years and has a proven track record of exporting high fashion garments to leading designers in the USA and the UK.

She has successfully headed two fashion export companies – Anudhi Enterprises Pvt. Limited and Design Partners and steered them towards a success on an international level. Nandita’s new label Contradiction debuted at the Lakme Fashion Week in Winter/Festive 2010. Her label is a battle of choices; it is a combination of opposites a tribute to Indian woman of today. Indian women caught on the crossroads, the choices far too many, far too varied, and the mind confused very confused. The new found freedom, the need to excel, the need for financial independence, the influence of west in juxtaposition to her traditional family values, marriage, children and the various facets of her culture, the urge to breakaway from the confines.

Her association with international labels have honed her skills as a designer and set high standards of quality and workmanship that are raised after every collection where she aims to excel her own self. In India she has retailed her outfits from across the country through her own retailing outlet Nandita Thirani at Lord Sinha Street in Kolkata, Antebody, Melange, Fuel and Zoya in Mumbai, Saks in Chennai and Oorja in Hydrabad. Nandita has exported her creations to many well known international labels in Haute Couture Segment in U.S.A and Europe.

You can get Nandita Thirani at:

www.designpartners.in

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Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has announced the dates for Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (Spring/Summer 2011 edition) which is scheduled to be held at India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), Hall No. 18, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from October 23-27, 2010.

FDCI will be making special arrangements to ensure that the venue is ‘tailor-made’ for an event of such enormity. An exciting assemblage of exquisite lounges, plush salons, exotic on-site restaurants and novel exhibition café counters will ensure that all guests and participants enjoy every bit of their experience at the WIFW. In addition to the ample parking space available, a dedicated valet service will also be provided to the invitees.

“WIFW brings a new season of refreshing talent, exciting color palettes and clothing construction. This edition of WIFW will open doors to manifold trade opportunities through larger participation by designers, buyers, sponsors and the fashion fraternity. With the belief of our stakeholders and the dream of taking the industry from strength to strength we look forward to another edition of the business of fashion ,”said Mr. Sunil Sethi, President FDCI.