For the first time, India joins the International Fashion Showcase that’s part of London Fashion Week’s public programme. Fashion Utopias: The International Fashion Showcase 2016 features a series of fashion installations by emerging designers from 24 countries. Designer Ruchika Sachdeva of Bodice was invited to be a part of this by the British Council and the British Fashion Council.
The West Wing at Somerset House is where visitors can currently witness versions of Utopia presented by young designers. Typically, each country is given a pavilion, but India is “next in line” – which is to say that it didn’t quite get a pavilion dedicated to its emerging designers, but it did make the cut for a special selection by the British Council. And it might be a strong contender for the next edition.
Sachdeva was invited to present her contemporary take on Indian design. “They called me for a particular look – the indigo look. They were keen on the story behind it. They didn’t want a clichéd view of India,” says Sachdeva. “The look is made from khadi, uses natural dyes and the batik technique. Yet it’s very wearable, modern and global in a sense.”
Fashion Utopias: The International Fashion Showcase 2016 is on from February 19-23, at Somerset House, London. Design.britishcouncil.org
The tweet announcing Bodice’s participation, earlier in February:
India joins #IFS2016 for 1st time! @_Bodice blends nature w modernity in commune #FashionUtopias #Utopia2016 pic.twitter.com/a5UyZlVdWY
— British Council (@British_Design) February 6, 2016
