Revolutionising designs

Introducing something new every year, the Madras Couture Fashion Week is one of the very few platforms in the city for fresh design talents. With a primary objective to showcasing designs of aspiring apparel creators, on a stunning ramp, in front of critics and fashion enthusiasts, the programme will also focus on building their business opportunities.

Spread over three days, the MCFW will have more than 10 shows with about 13 design labels hitting the ramp. “We wanted to provide a platform for fresh graduates to showcase their talent. To roll out a ramp with a good crowd for them, will be a great push in their career,” shares Sathish Jupiter, the primary organiser of MCFW.

Talking about bringing new styles in apparel designing, designer Fernand Ratier says, “Design and fashion are the two extreme forms of art that we all possess. To me they are simply a way of living — a chic transcend between vintage and future and exposing yourself. I am so happy to be part of MCFW!”

With the highlight of the show being, the range of ‘Adaptive Clothing’ by Shalini Visakan, the show will have models who are differently-abled, styled in fashionable apparels that are also comfortable. Talking about inclusive clothing, the creator of       Suvastra Designs, Shalini, shares, “I started making adaptive clothing for my husband at first. He was attacked by polio and has been in the wheelchair since childhood. I wanted to make dressing up, travel and other daily activities easy for him. Adaptive clothing with small adaptations like magnetic buttons, velcro, longer zips, comfortable material, detachable sleeve and more make their lives easier.”

Being the first designer in India to make adaptive clothing in Indian and indo-western wear, Shalini wants her designs to be fashionable with a utility value. “It is unfortunate that adaptive clothing is not so common in the market. More fashion designers should cater to the genre. It takes about three attempts for me to get one perfect outfit because everyone needs a proper fit. To deliver pan-India from Chennai, takes a lot of time — but I am getting a lot of custom orders.”
Revealing that the adaptive clothing has brought a whole new change in his lifestyle, Shalini’s husband, Visakan Rajendran, says, “The differently-abled spend about 50 per cent of their energy, wearing clothes every morning! After my wife made changes in my clothing, I don’t expend a lot of time and energy — the worry is halved! Some of us are so used to normal clothing that we fail to understand the lifestyle change after switching to inclusive fashion.”

Adding that maintaining the body weight is important, Visakan concludes with a message to the specially- abled saying, “Eat healthy and maintain your body. If people stare, it is because you are special —flaunt your confidence!”