DESIGNERS ACING THE RAMP THIS LAKME FASHION WEEK 2024

The most awaited five-day LAKME FASHION WEEK x FDCI was hosted at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Center. Lakme Fashion Week, in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), also gave four fresh designers a chance.

INIFD, in celebration of its 37th edition, presents Gen Next, a gateway for young brands to showcase their work on the global platform runway. Lakme Fashion Week drew attention by commencing the winners of four fresh Gen Next designers of 2024: Kriti Greta Singhee, Shimona Agrawal, Charmee Ambavat, and Rohitash Notani, who will be presenting their collections at the show as part of INIFD. As the talented designers gear up for the big show, take a look as Roselin describes their unique collection.

Kriti Greta Singhee

 Kriti Greta Singhee, a NIFT Kolkata and Istituto Marangoni graduate, aims to pay tribute to our heritage and culture by crafting meaningful clothing. Her unique design won her a place among INIFD GenNext winners, offering a chance to showcase her collection at LFW x FDCI.  Her ‘Third Space-Sustainable Future’ collection explores the interplay of space, time, and metaphysics, seamlessly integrating handwoven silks and Bengal cotton silks. The collection is inspired by the mathematical art of lines, folds, and pleats in geometric patterns. The fabrics employed are organic, sustainable, and eco-friendly hand-woven natural silks and cotton silk sourced from Fulia in Bengal. The label ‘Kriti Greta Singhee’ aims to reinvent techniques, textiles, and designs for women’s and men’s wear, honouring heritage and craftsmanship.

 Her Label’s USP is crafting Sustainable, modern, and innovative designs by utilizing a diverse range of materials and surface patterns. It focuses on repurposing iconic silhouettes like sarees or men’s kurtas, empowering wearers to explore multiple interchangeable styling options.

Shimona Agrawal

Shimona Agrawal, a NIFT Gandhinagar graduate, strongly emphasizes sustainability in her HUE collection, which features intricately handwoven Banarasi silk. Her collection revolves around creating clothing made from purely handwoven silk from Varanasi. The use of vibrant hues symbolizes the diverse range of colours in her collection that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and comfortable.  Her label ‘Shimona Agrawal’ is set apart for its innovative use of Indian textiles, crafting fashionable clothing with high quality, comfort, and style.

The USP of her label is the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, resulting in pieces that are simultaneously timeless and contemporary. This collection distinguishes itself through its innovative utilization of 100% pure handwoven silks and meticulously handcrafted intricate detailing, embodying both environmental consciousness and luxury.

Charmee Ambavat

Inspired by African tribal cultures, Charmee Ambavat, a NIFT Mumbai graduate, presents her Indigene collection, featuring trans-seasonal designs. Charmee’s latest collection, ‘Indigene,’ has earned her the prestigious INIFD GenNext award.

‘Indigen’ is inspired by the tribes of Africa and the painted mud houses in rural Africa. Its collection combines masculine with feminine elements. Garments are made using 100% locally manufactured cotton by conscious weavers in India.

Her label, ‘The Terra Tribe,’ focuses on sustainability to make the planet a conscious tribe. The collection is 100% plant-based and cruelty-free, approved by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Each piece of clothing is crafted with care to minimize environmental harm. Its apparel is an excellent merger of design and conscious fashion.

The USP of her collection is to create apparel drawing inspiration from timeless and versatile archives.

Rohitash Notani

Rohitash Notani, an alumna of IED Milan, aims to redefine menswear with innovative designs. His collection ‘Anima & Animus’ takes him to the premium platform for its reimagined narrative in menswear. Conventional masculinity associated with feminine energy is incorporated into his designs. Traditionally, soft embroidery with structured fabrics, boxy volumes with floral motifs, and crinolines aren’t seen together in menswear, but these elements are found together in his designs. ‘Anima & Animus’ also features high-end embroideries and workwear fabrics.

Rohitash Notani’s label ‘Rosani’ is meticulously handcrafted to celebrate the power of limitless identity.

The label’s USP is to push limits, celebrating the complete range of masculinity and femininity in its designs.