IBFW is one passport for many great experiences: Pallav Ojha

Anand Kabra, Vikram Phadnis and Pallavi Jaikishen are set to showcase their collection at the upcoming India Beach Fashion Week in Goa which is set to begin from October 26.

India Beach Fashion Week (IBFW) in the last four seasons has seen a number of designers and exhibitors congregating to participate in the B2B and B2C congregation. Entering its fifth year, India Beach Fashion Week is now part of the international fashion calendar under the resort and destination wear category and is estimated to reach USD 20 Billion by the end of year 2017.

Pallav Ojha, the man behind India Beach Fashion Week talks to us about season five, future aspirations and what fashion means to him.

What can the audience expect from IBFW season 5?

The Fall Winter and also Season 5 of IBFW is poised to be really strong in terms of the runway content.

Anand Kabra opens the season for us. The runway will also feature household names such as Rocky Star and Pallavi Jaikishan. And Vikram Phadnis shall create magic at the Finale.

This season will also feature a lot of entertainment for audiences through the IBFW Passport we have launched. One passport for many great experiences! This season will also feature a live festival stage with a line up of artists who will add to the vibe at the beach facing venue in the Goa Marriott Resort and Spa. The production quality of the runway shows is top notch this time.

How did IBFW start? What made you get into the space of beach fashion?

India Beach Fashion Week is born out of the need to be an open platform for the fashion industry. Not confirming to a select set of people one will bump into at every other fashion week but reaching out to a community at large that believes in living inspired. The resort wear market in India is burgeoning by the day and IBFW as a platform champions the cause of being a destination fashion platform in the country.

Our country is evolving and so is the taste of people. And beach fashion will play a big role in times to come. India boasts of such a lovely coastline. Can you imagine a country blessed with so much beauty!

Where would you say resort fashion, beach fashion and destination fashion are positioned in India?

This is a niche. India is a global destination and we all know this. It is such a healthy mix of cultures, traditions, rich history and modern thinking. Genres such as destination fashion will evolve with time because the fact is people like you, me and many others now want to travel in style. It feels good to dress well and look a part of an occasion, whether it is a destination wedding or a cruise party or an international holiday for that matter.

You are all set to launch COMO - Designers Collective. Tell us a bit about it.

Yes COMO is a designer collective. It will feature designer labels at affordable prices. COMO was born because we always encountered aspiring youth and people who were disappointed to have not been able to find anything good to wear at an affordable price.

Well, taste for fashion can become an expensive affair but then the idea to offer designer labels at a competitive price to our audience is where we would like to create value. Look at what brands like Zara have done to the world!

What do you think is the USP of IBFW?

We deliver a great experience to our audience and I think this is the USP of IBFW. Added to that is the fact that we strike a balance between the serious nature of business and the great vibe of Goa.

How has beach fashion evolved over the years? How can on define beach fashion?

Beach fashion evolves with people visiting a beach. Beach destinations are the most popular travel and tourist spots across the world. And beaches witness a very distinct style of fashion.

It’s not about showing skin but it’s about letting go all the baggage you have been carrying. What would one like to do on the beach? Just do not be bothered and let yourself loose. So the state of mind plays a lot on the fashion as well.

What will the highlights be this season?

The highlights this year would include a grand finale by Vikram Phadnis. There will be some great emerging talents as well as some old timers who always manage to create magic on the runway. We believe that there will be a great vibe over all!

Where do you position IBFW? What next for the brand?

We are evolving as India's only fashion festival now with a three day indulgence at a location like Goa. I think we would like to go global now, take Indian resort, beach and bridal fashion to global destinations.