Art makes its way on its own and very talented designer…
Nikhil Thampi
Monthly Archives: August 2011
Skaters Meet Horse Riders
Since 1937 Hermes has been making beautiful scarves and it was 1966 when Paul Van Doren sold his first pair of Vans on the streets of California. Over the time two labels have accomplished a cult status in their respective designs; Vans Sneakers being a skater’s delight and Hermes Scarves exuding opulence and elegance are poles apart in their design sensibilities.
But Celebrity Stylist and fashion Guru, Robert Verdi finds this paradox interesting. He asked Hermes to create a series of Slip Ons based on artwork from some of his favourite Hermes scarves. And what popped out is a mere delight. The upscale prints meeting with rubber street soles brought the charm of two different worlds in this exquisite collection.
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Urmi Ghosh
Thinles & Nirajana
Designers Thinles Chosdup and Nirajna Adhya form a perfect pair complementing each other with their distinct idiosyncrasies. Thinles from Leh and Nirajana from Calcutta met at NIFT, New Delhi and graduated with flying colors in 2008 where Thinles was awarded with ‘The Best Menswear Collection’ and Nirajana with ‘The Most Practical Collection’ at the graduation show. Meanwhile, where Nirajana was chosen for a 6 month exchange program at Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Thinles started with an internship with Much Design at Bangalore.
After working individually on various independent design projects and in the corporate sector as apparel and graphic designers for various domestic and international brands, the duo started their label Koslak, blending traditional with the individualistic fashion from the urban life. ‘Koslak’ meaning clothes in Ladakhi truly defining the idea of a garment.
During the past 2 years the duo has been doing a lot of research on the local crafts and handloom industry with an in depth study of the traditional costume and feels that the Indian fashion Industry needs research based projects not just mere seasonal collections. They are of the view that more new talents should come up with new ideas and projects that would help in globalization of Indian fashion and reduce the gap between Indian and International fashion.
You can get Koslak’s designs at:
www.koslak.com
Theresa James & Roger Prince
Canadian ‘Badassadors’ as they love to call themselves, the footloose Theresa James and Roger Prince, who by the way love to prise the boundaries with their gushing creative juices took a tad circuitous route to fashion designing.
Theresa James (aka Holiday) and Roger Prince (aka Capital) met during a Marathon DJ set by House Music legend Danny Tenaglia, but little did they know that their paths would be so entwined in life and arts.
Theresa has a B.A in International Development Studies and was formerly a lawyer and Human Rights Specialist for United Nations, was always drawn to picking up bolts of fabrics during her jet setting adventures. Roger, on the other hand, took his career in Home Restoration and Custom Residential Renovation and merged it with a previously unexplored natural talent in Interior design. On meeting they found their creative forces moving ahead in a direction. They graduated from Blanche Macdonalds Centre for Applied Design in Vancouver bagging awards for Academic Achievement and Excellence in Pattern Drafting.
There came up ‘Retarded Velvet’ along with their debut Fall/Winter 2010 collection titled, ‘Rick James in Rajasthan, Grace Jones in Goa.’ Literally translated ‘Retarded Velvet’ is slang for ‘Incredibly Effortless’, which duplet carries in its work and life. It smacks of the same irreverence as in their progressive and unapologetic style.
In a matter of months, the duo reached the ramps of Vancouver and caused sensation at The Vancouver Fashion Week 2010. They recently awed everyone at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2011 under Gen Next Category. Now with two seasons under their belly, they continue to refine their language of aesthetics.
You can get Theresa & Roger’s designs at:
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Sidharta Aryan
The art bug stung this Mumbaikar at the very young age and what began was a chaste chase of interpreting ancient Indian culture through haute couture. Sidharta Aryan treaded on the colorful journey of fashion some 11 years back after graduating from L.S.Raheja technical Institute of fashion technology. Over the time Sidharta sharpened his skills and discovered the multi-faceted industry under the aegis of contemporary designers of India like Tarun Tahiliani and Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor to finally launch his eponymous label in 2010 with a vision to create garments which are both luxurious and wearable, with an identifiable edge that is purely nostalgic to the buyer.
Sidharta’s style serves as a bridge between Indian and Western cultures with a deep affinity for merging idealism with realism to adapt with the ever-evolving world of Indian fashion. Whilst Sidharta believes in staying humble and enthusiastic, he aspires to be a fashion legend someday soon. With an unmistakable gamine look, the label plans on entering the Prêt sector with cleverly constructed offerings of clothing.
The designer was selected for the Nelson Mandela’s Love Life foundation World Groundbreaker’s meet in Johannesburg, South Africa where he presented a fashion show featuring in a television series in 2004. He presented a series of Prêt-collections at Globus, Mumbai under self-titled F21-022 style designer label, after winning the Globus Mid-Day Contest in 2003. Sidharta was also a regional finalist at the Smirnoff International Fashion Awards 2000.
Designer Sidharta Aryan currently retails under his eponymous label ‘Sidharta Aryan’ in Mumbai.
You can get Sidharta Aryan designs at :
www.sidhartaaryan.com
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Shashank Raj & Prajwal Badwe
While graduating from NIFT Mumbai, budding designers Shashank and Prajwal had learnt that creativity has no boundaries and that it could grow by leaps and bounds by exploring the unexplored. Driven by mysticism and curiosity of unexplored duo took a plunge to explore the inherent possibilities of fashion, trend, and style and soon came up with an eponymous label, ‘Shashank and Prajwa’l, letting the world taste their elegant and contemporary styles.
Through its designs the duo has converged ethnic richness and contemporary boldness to bring in a perfect reflection of élan and elegance. They have successfully tried to give an altogether new dimension to clothing by using the most contemporary technology in sync with the opulence of Indian embroideries and patterns. In this journey they had an experience of working with prestigious designers. Shashank and Prajwal have realized that it is essential to keep in mind what exactly the customer wants. Accordingly they have maintained the right balance of simplicity and comfort in our complete range. Their designs have an element of inspiration – inspiration from likes and dislikes of customers, prevailing trends, Indian culture, street wear and the ever desirous fashion industry. In short, the label ‘Shashank and Prajwal’ is all about experimentation with fashion and trends to create magic in designs and silhouettes.
Designers Shashank and Prajwal currently retails from their flagship store in SHASHANK & PRAJWAL DESIGNS in New Delhi.
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Nikhil Thampi
It doesn’t need the big universities to unleash an artist in one. Art makes its way on its own and very talented designer Nikhil Thampi attests it. The debutante on the floor, awed all and sundry with his designs. Not formally trained in fashion, he gave designing a shot and the consequence is palatable.
A psychology graduate, who is primarily into family business of aviation, took a flight of glamour as he believes that fashion has always been in him and soon, he came up with eponymous label, ‘Nikhil Thampi’. It’s the wearability rather than outlandish creativity which rules the spirit of his label. The label, as of now caters to both the sexes targeting the youths predominantly.
Nikhil goes on the philosophy that it’s not about feeling the fabric it’s about fabricating one’s feelings. He designs for bold, adventurous, confident and experimental generation of today. And it clearly reflects in his designs which are of no fuss and crafted to cater one’s needs. Playing with the best fabrics while relying on traditional Indian techniques of crafting, Nikhil is all dedicated to create the sartorial delight for his admirers and critics alike.
The designer currently retails from his store ‘Nikhil Thampi’ in Mumbai.
fashionfad’s fashion feed on Shashank & Prajwal JJ Valaya Nishka Lulla Mayank & Shraddha at LFW W/F 2011 Nandita Thirani Collection Preview Vans meets Hermes and more…
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Asia Supermodel 2011
One of the Asia’s biggest Model Contest, Asian Supermodel 2011, organized by Rashmi Virmani of The Ramp in collaboration with the China Bentley Culture Group recently unveiled its 16 Indian finalists at F Bar & Lounge, New Delhi.
The contest which is seen as the dreams-come-true affair amongst the models selects 36 young beauties every year from 13 Countries: China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Colombo, Thailand & India participate in the two-day “model contest" in the King-style place in Nanning, China to showcase their talent with their Asian style & charm.
To shortlist the ultimate 3 finalists who will fly to China, an event is scheduled on 23rd August 2011 at The Grand, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. This year, Rashmi Virmani would also be a part of the judging panel of the final contest to be held in China.
Treading on the social path, the organizers have joined the hands with the ‘Earth Foundation’ to provide it a new platform where they can come and spread the word about the importance of the girl child.
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