Fresh florals, sheer separates and head-turning accessories — the key trends at India Couture Week 2018 to amp up your wardrobe.
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Photographs: Gulshan Sachdeva
FDCI president Sunil Sethi tells us what made India Couture Week special this year important—they go hand in hand with good fashion. Rohit Bal was the perfect example of this in the way he closed ICW 2018 with his collection, Guldasta.
ELLE: Which were the standout shows this season?
Sunil Sethi: A lot of designers who were not previously in couture have used the India Couture Week (ICW) platform to establish themselves in the field. It was great to see new players take part, such as Amit Aggarwal, who brought in his new-age fabrics and architectural pieces. His participation was all the more special for me because of his textile collaboration with my daughter, Tanira Sethi. I also loved Rahul Mishra’s show; his exquisite embroidery outshone everything else.
ELLE: What do you think makes a show successful?
SS: Breaking rules and producing something that’s never been seen before. What’s in the background is important too. For instance, the opening show, Tarun Tahiliani, had a beautiful set and accompanying music. Show aesthetics are very
ELLE: What are your tips for aspiring couture designers?
SS: Do what you believe in. Establish yourself and your style by having your own store. If you are working for someone else, make sure it is an experienced couturier so you can learn the ropes before branching off on your own. Some people only get into the field because they want to make money; others do it because they may not have done well in the ready-towear market. But this should not be the motivation. Realise the beauty of Indian crafts and recognise our artisans. Couture is not about churning out lehenga after lehenga. It requires an intimate knowledge of tailoring, embroidery and surface ornamentation. It is an art.
Guldasta by Rohit Bal
ABOUT FASHION DESIGN COUNCIL OF INDIA
Creating a kinetic space for path-breaking ideas, and offering limitless possibilities with an eye on the future, Fashion Design Council Of India (FDCI), a not-for profit organisation, is the apex body of fashion design in the country. It represents over 400 members, and was created to promote and nurture the most incredible talent in India. Its prime objective is to propagate the business of fashion in India, and globally, by adding flair in the form of coveted fashion weeks. As part of its initiatives, FDCI’s events calendar includes the annual pret week for womenswear and menswear for Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer—Amazon India Fashion Week—and the yearly luxurious offering, India Couture Week. Over the years, in a bid to take India across shores, it has spearheaded exciting collaborations with different countries and their fashion bodies for an interchange of designers, and to create a new breed of supermodels. It also continues to foster fashion designers, retailers, models, make-up artists, hairstylists, choreographers and manufacturers, as it takes style beyond perceived boundaries by improving business practices, while creating domestic and international opportunities. FDCI has integrated designers from various states, cities and towns of India into one cohesive body, guiding them towards sustainable growth. Armed with an understanding of the complex crafts of the country, it works with textile designers closely to create a unique handprint. With its unerring prism and various CSR initiatives, it sets superlative quality standards, sparking a revolution for ‘fashion with a soul’. FDCI is the fulcrum for activities that have been supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Textiles, and the Gujarat State Khadi and Village Industries Board, as they actively facilitate trade at various fashion weeks. With each passing year, FDCI builds on artisanal fortitude and embarks on a journey with a brilliantly dynamic approach fired by inspirational ideas.
