For fashion designing students Rishika Jain and Jaslene Kaur Wasu, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. The girls, who are pursuing their bachelors in fashion designing from Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), had the privilege of being the only students from Telangana to showcase their work at the recent New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Their creation was worn by a model at the coveted fashion event. In the run-up to show, the two also got a chance to travel to Mumbai to get professional help with the fittings.
“Working with Joseph Anthony Toronka (fashion stylist and art director) during the fitting sessions was a dream come true. We are grateful to our director Sanjay Saraswat and our faculty for trusting us with the opportunity to represent our country,” says Rishika.
The opportunity came their way because INIFD and London School of Trends (LST) have joined hands to put Indian fashion on the global map by celebrating the creativity of talented Indian students.
“We are fortunate to be a part of the collaboration that gave us the opportunity to participate in the NYFW to showcase our collection,” says Jaslene.
Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India in New York and other dignitaries were present at the event to support these young Indian designers.
Both Rishika and Jaslene nurtured an interest in fashion since childhood. “We loved to explore new things and were curious to help others match their accessories and look perfect,” they shared.
A model wearing the dress designed by the girls at NYFW.
This clubbed with the interest they have in Indian culture, specifically Telangana, prompted them to work together. In fact, a collection of jackets and overcoats they designed were even shortlisted for the Lakme Fashion Week. The inspiration for the outfit they created for NYFW came from the Pochampally Ikat weaves of Telangana’s Bhoodan district. The outfit had a deep V-neckline with embroidered cap sleeves, including one-sided embellished skirt wrap merging with very subtle colour combinations. The traditional geometric patterns were accentuated with embroidery and decorative embellishments.
A mesmerising outfit is the fruit of hard labour and the duo needed a lot of patience while making theirs. “Fabric sourcing to attain the purest and richest form of the material was a strenuous task. Excellence comes from having vision and passion. We believe fashion is about living in now. That is why fashion continues to be viable for us,” they shared, adding that their ultimate goal is to become world-renowned designers.
After all, the baby step they’ve taken has given them a unique sneak peek into the world of high fashion.
HT06
