Passionate, patient and hardworking would probably best describe Rachna Kimtee. The fashion design student may be just 21 years old, but Rachna is the only designer from Hyderabad who will be presenting her collection at the India Fashion Week in London next week. She is also the only student selected for the Gen X category. While she has already been a part of the Mysore Fashion Week and The Hlabel show, Rachna is excited about her first solo show in the fashion capital of the world!
A student at Hamstech Institute of Fashion and Interior Designing, Rachna says, “I will be leaving for London on November 8 and the show is on the 12th. I am glad that India Fashion Week is encouraging young designers. There are 15-20 other designers, including established ones, who will be part of the Gen X category.” Elaborating on her plans, she adds, “Since it’s an international platform, I want to showcase Indian fashion. I am reviving one of the most intricate double-ikat weaves and a dying art, the Telia Rumal for the show. I am also implementing Banjara needle crafts. There will be a Western twist to the collection.”
Rachna describes how she got in touch with a weaver from Pochampally, Om Sanam. “He is the only weaver who can weave Telia Rumal and has a store in Hyderabad. Sanam is very hardworking and weavers like him should be encouraged,” says Rachna, who wants to continue working with weavers even after the show.
A model walking the ramp wearing one of Rachna’s creation at Mysore Fashion Week
“While Telia Rumal comes only in dark red and black, Sanam and I decided to use colours such as blue, maroon and white too. It’s a huge platform for us and I am delighted,” she adds.
The selectors from the India Fashion Week were impressed with Rachna’s collection. “Neeta Lulla inspires me. I got an opportunity to work with her during The Hlabel show. While I am in love with fashion, the only thing that I find challenging is to choose a strong theme and stick to it all along. The best thing about fashion though, is putting your thoughts into action,” she adds.
Rachna took 15 days to put together her collection for India Fashion Week. Her friends at Hamstech are excited about her achievement as are her parents. “There will be celebrities and fashion experts from all over the world there, so I am also a little nervous. However, I am confident about my collection — I have put together 12 outfits. Whatever I design, I imagine myself in it. So, I make sure that my outfits are comfortable as well as eco-friendly,” she concludes.
