Eco-friendliness and global themes inspire budding fashion designers in Kolkata show

And, the student designers literally travelled the world to draw inspiration from prison attire to Raja Ravi Verma, from Australia to Africa to Indonesia, from social functions to traditional head gear, from musical instruments to the huqqa, and more.

Designers Sharbari Datta and Agnimitra Paul, actor-director Arindam Sil, and actress Tanusree Chakraborty were the guest judges.

Mainak Mitra, HOD (Fashion Department), INIFD said: "This year, the participants of Tomorrow Makers have focussed on creating environment friendly apparels with eco-friendly fibres".

The entire event was divided into 30 sequences, each with a separate theme.

Among them, 19 were created by students of the fashion department, Kolkata Campus, two from the textile department, and two by students from the Lucknow campus.

Mahasweta Sinha, HOD Textile Department, INIFD said: "The textile department of the Lindsay Street campus focused on the different shades and shapes of nature."

This year's fashion show focused on some unconventional themes reflected through the dresses presented, the backdrops, music and lighting.

In a sequence called Trapped Inmates, the collection was inspired by the black and white striped uniform worn by prisoners.

Another drew instantiation from legendary painter Raja Ravi Verma and his muse Sugandha.

The Demasoni Cichlid  from Lake Malawi, Africa chose to focus on  sharp looks, bright colours and fish patterns.

Models attired in billowing Balloon Dog dresses inspired by the works of US artist Jeff Koons walked the ramp for the Jeff Koons Balloon Dog'.

Vibrant nature and her denizens were reflected in Enchanted Forest.

Even ideas such as the Arabic Huqqa, the Australian wind instrument Didgeridoo of the Japanese Gangsta Manga were creatively incorporated into aspects of dress designing.

Other sequences drew inspiration from ideas such as Tokhme Morgh - a Persian tradition of egg decoration during New Year; Indonesia's traditional Legong Dance, Mexican Calavera, Kokoshnik - a traditional Russian headdress, etc.

A lot of attention was paid to use props and colours to bring out the innate qualities of the original themes.
                                                                                                                             
It was interesting to see how the INIFD designers took inspiration from Australia's aborigine art and used dot paintings of lizards, crocodile, fish, trees, etc. in their Batik work on cotton muslin and malmal.

The winners in various categories included Director’s Choice for best stylization: Huqqa; Best Design Collection Fashion, Best Fabric Development, and Comercially Viable Design: Didgeridoo; Best Design Textile: Dot to Do; Best Ramp Appeal Fashion: Calavera; and Best Ramp Appeal Textile: Swarupa

Apart from this, Apsaras of Cambodia swept away numerous awards as runner ups in various categories.

Patron Susan Mantosh, who also showcased five collections based on Kantha said, “The techniques of this hereditary craft is usually passed down from mother to daughter but tonight I decided to present n entire new twist to how Kantha is perceived.

Young singer Charishma regaled the guests with her renditions.

(Reporting by Sagar Ghosh)