Seen here is a Vandna Sawhney and Divya Bindra creation Dabiri, the Golden ThreadFashion fervour begins

New Delhi: Amid all the hype and fanfare that normally surrounds the biggest fashion event in India, the sixth India Fashion Week kicked off on Tuesday at the Grand Hotel, New Delhi. And the glamour and glitz can be felt everywhere. Even if you are not fashion conscious, youre sure to sit up and take notice this week.

And sure enough the Grand was crammed with the media, the designers (and their omnipresent hangers-on), the models, the public relations agents and everyone else who makes it a business to be seen (even if some had only stepped in to beat the sweltering heat outside).

More organised, but as hectic as ever, the week will see 63 designers Rina Dhaka, Ritu Kumar, Wendell Rodricks, Narendra Kumar to name a few displaying their creative fashion statements (up from last years 57). And the show now also boasts the famous Mumbai duo, Abu-Sandeep, who will be showcasing for the first time. Incidentally, Fashion Week will also see accessory designers in the fray this time around.

Unfortunately for Mumbaikars, our city really seems to have taken a back seat to Delhi answering the age-old debate about Indias fashion capital. Considering most of our socialites are missing from the front row, most of our models missing from the ramp (they didnt have auditions in Mumbai this year), and, as always, fewer Mumbai designers than their Delhi counterparts. The four shows of the day have gone by without a hitch and it looks like we are in for one fashionably fabulous ride.

A model displays a Ritu Kumar creation. AP PhotoRitu Kumar sacks her make-up men

Ritu Kumar had got into a bit of a tiff with her make-up artistes from last year, Yatan and Jojo, and this year the duo have been unceremoniously dropped from the Fashion week.

Considering Kumar is chairperson of FDCI, the organisers, we arent surprised by this display of power.

Clint Fernandes took over their job this year. And did a fabulous job, may we add.

Ritus collection a tribute to natural handlooms weaved to more contemporary designs was flawless as always.

With a collage of block prints, weaves and use of kari, most left the fashion show very impressed.


A model displays a creation by Indian fashion designer Nandita Basu on Wednesday. AP PhotoDilli ke thugs

Its barely been a day since Fashion Week started, and we hear someone has been stealing from the green room during the fittings that took place on Tuesday. Apparently, debutant designer Shantanu Goenka lost his luggage and wallet, while designers Shane and Falguni lost a briefcase.

Considering everybody is so engrossed in their work, and have little time to watch over their belongings, the thief sure found himself a good place to loot.

Says Goenka, It was the first day of my first Fashion Week, so the loss is unnerving. If it had happened in Kolkata, it might have been easier to handle. Hopefully, things will get better.

So, now designers have another worry on their heads, besides worry about their designs being stolen.

Michael Fink (second from right) general manager of US fashion store Saks Fifth Avenue watches a show yesterday. AP PhotoIs desi high-fashion finally a business?

Clearly, Fashion Week seems to be moving away from hype and glamour, and moving towards a serious business venture.

In keeping with the trends in the West where Fashion Week is primarily about the business of fashion vs the glamour of fashion this year sees a tremendous increase in the number of international buyers almost 60 accredited buyers from across the globe, the last we checked.

Which incidentally is a five-fold up from last years 12. And whats more, Harrods has joined the ride this year. The number of domestic buyers has apparently come down though, because FDCI didnt want any riff-raff around.

Definitely, Indian fashion is finally making a statement in the West with several design houses using an Indian influence in their collections. Are our designers finally getting their due?

Indian Idol turns model

Sure, the men have gotten a raw deal at Fashion Week, and from what we hear only 13 shows will even have men walking the ramp, but Indian Idol Abhijeet Sawant has managed to find himself a modelling assignment.

And what is more, the singer, who will be wearing Shantanu and Nikhil at the Samsung show today, will walk the ramp with members of the Indian cricket team.

From what we hear, Virendra Sehwag is on the list. No wonder the men got a raw deal, they have plenty of replacements on hand.

A Rina Dhaka creation.
Pic: Rajeev TyagiDhakai sarees, Rina style

We overheard Sunil Sethi, a buyer from Londons Selfridges, very enthusiastically tell Rina Dhaka, after her show that he loved the sexy little outfits from her collection obviously. So impressed was Sethi with one of Rinas saris that he openly expressed his disappointment at not seeing more on the ramp.

A modest Rina said, The sari is the one thing I always seem to get right. No matter what I do, I can always pull off a sari.

Rinas collection was definitely one of her best. The designer seems to have grown from her earlier shock-appeal days to a sophisticated line that had just the right amount of sexiness a peek-a-boo collection predominantly in black, with straight-lined silhouettes, Lycra churi pants, skirts and sensual dresses.

Rina already stocks at Selfridges, and considering the reaction of the buyer, this relationship seems like one that will last a while.

Rakhshandha Khan
at the Lakme salonShow me the Sony

Lakm seems to be doing what it can to keep the patrons happy, with free beauty treatments and makeovers at their ad-hoc beauty salon at the venue.

We caught up with Sonys Rakhshandha Khan from Jassi and Shama Sikander from Yeh Meri Life Hai enjoying the luxury.

The two are in town playing host to the Sony show that is covering the event live. Asked to name her favourite designer, pat came Rakhshandhas reply: Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.