With the replica of the famous Ganga ghat of Banaras in the backdrop, Amazon India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 16 supported the ‘Make in India’ campaign in an unique way through their Grand Finale, titled ‘Born in Banaras’.
The show, which had more to offer than just the visual treat of beautiful clothes, was brought together by 16 ace designers showcasing three creations each, focusing on the craft and weaving of Kashi.
Dominated by famed Banarsi Silk and karigari, the finale was an stunning walk through the streets of the historic city, curated by designers- Abhishek Gupta, Abraham & Thakore, Alpana Neeraj, Anupama Dayal, Arjun Saluja, Ashish N Soni, Atsu, Gauri & Nainika, JJ Valaya, Malini Ramani, Manish Arora, Namrata Joshipura, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Sabyasachi, and Tarun Tahiliani.
The show that primarily had black, golden, red, maroon and beige rule the ramp saw a completely different side of internationally acclaimed Indian designer Manish Arora, who chose suave colours like beige and sky blue in his lehangas’ teamed with long jackets full of his signature embroidery.
One of the most favourite celebrity designers, Sabyasachi created the Banarasi bliss by mixing three different shades of green in his designs of lehanaga, saree and sherwani.
Valaya, who is known for his heavy and intricate designs, chose the combination of bottle green, champagne pink and red, for his floor length anarkali and lehanga.
Sunil Sethi, President of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), commenced the gala night by welcoming all the designers, guests, designer-politician Shaina NC and Diego Piacentini, Senior Vice President, International Retail, Amazon.
Shaina NC praised the fashion fraternity for encouraging the craftsmanship of Banaras and supporting the model of ‘Make in India’ in a best way possible.
The fashion design industry rocks because it believes that there is something called corporate-social responsibility.
“What started with six designers in Mumbai, went onto become 70 designers in Banaras and today we have over hundred designers from all walks of life, big, small, established, not so established, working in Banaras, paying a tribute to the master weavers and especially the artisans,” the designer said.
She said that this is the model which shows, that the skill starts when the designer creates commercially viable collection, and artisans are encouraged.
“To all the sixteen designers I only want to say we owe a huge round of applause for master weavers from Banaras, who are present here,” she said.
With the promise of reaching to the weavers and artisan in every state of India, the AIFW Grand Finale ended on the celebratory note with tunes of ‘shehnai’ soothing the night full of glamour and glitz.