As the 21st edition of FDCI’s Wills India Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2013 kick starts today in the capital, one can see very many interesting fashion-inspired installations at the hall number 18 of the widespread Pragati Maidan. The central theme is revival of Indian textiles and handloom, and one can see that colourful venue primarily done up in shades of blue, which signifies the indigo dye. As one enters the venue, a huge wooden weaving machine with skilled weavers welcomes you. Since, this is the second season of Ministry of Textiles and FDCI collaboration, the most-interesting installation at the venue is set by the team of the Development Commissioner Handlooms from the ministry. Mister B.B. Paul, director (North Zone) at the weaver’s service centre, mentions how this association with the mainstream fashion industry is aimed at promoting the local weaves and textiles. He says, “We have installed the handloom machine, which is specially brought here from Varanasi. There are two seasoned weavers — Sri Baduddin and Hanumanta, who will be showcasing the art of weaving to the designers and students, so that they can learn about our rich textile strength. Here one can see how the silk threads are weaved together to create the beautiful brocade designs on saris. We feel that these textiles and weaves can be moulded into mainstream products like stoles, dresses, decore items etc.” The organisers have even collaborated with the mainstream designers Abraham and Thakore to bring the humble handlooms back in vogue. Sunil Sethi, the president FDCI, mentions, “This is the India fashion week so how can we leave the original Indian fashion behind We planned all the Indian elements that are required to strengthen the Indian fashion industry. The fashion followers and designers need to understand that fashion and textile go hand in hand, and our strength is textile. This is an excellent platform to promote it and a lot of people are enquiring about it.” Another interesting dekko at the venue is the wall of caricatures, where one can find the framed cartoons of their favouite runway designer. Designer Manish Tripathi, who sketched all the cartoons in less than a week’s time, says, “I have done caricatures of all the 58 designers who will be showcasing on the runway this season. The sketches are done in indigo blue and black colour as the theme of this season is Indigo. The idea is to promote local dyes and colours on the commercial front and all the installations placed in the venue revolve around this theme.” The other interesting installations that one shouldn’t miss at the venue are big blue blocks strategically placed in front of the two main showcasing areas. The other popular spot for shutterbugs are the wearable art installations, placed in the mid are fixed to depict different elements of universe.
