Cheers to Chennai!

For the first time, city-based designers have been brought together to showcase their talent

Usually, post Fashion Weeks, city style stores feature the runway-to-mainstream spin offs by famous designers from the country's fashion hubs - Mumbai or New Delhi. This time around, the scene is different. Evoluzione has put together a show to celebrate the works of Chennai-based designers.

While Rehane has staked her claim on national runways, Erum Ali has left an indelible mark on the trousseau-fusion scene. And Vivek Karunakaran, a staple at the Lakme Fashion Week, also has the distinction of being chosen to show his clothes at a leading national retail chain.

"These are some of the designers who have put the city on the national fashion map and are doing well for themselves in a wider market. That explains why we chose to showcase their work," says Atul Malhotra of Evoluzione. An interesting dimension to the show will be their muses. "For the launch, the designers will be accompanied by the women behind their creative spur," informs Atul.

The lines launched at "The Chennai Designers Meet" this evening at Evoluzione, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, will be available to the public from tomorrow

REHANE

Designer’s cut : Generally, fashion houses stock the works of designers from outside the city. But here’s a special platform for creative talent from the city. My line is an amalgam of what I showed at the two Fashion Weeks. But it’s less flamboyant and incorporates some vital commercial elements. I’ve done dress – many shifts. The shift is the new tunic and can cover problem areas too. It can be teamed with skinny trousers or stockings. Wear flat sandals or simple ballerinas and you complete a chic picture.

Muse : A woman of substance and distinctive style — writer-dancer Tishani Doshi.

VIVEK KARUNAKARAN

Designer’s cut : To me, it’s a homecoming since I started my career as a designer for Evoluzione’s own label. The city designers meet is a great step forward in fashion, so my line reflects the positive spirit. It’s about interpreting royal India through the eyes of a global traveller. Since it’s a royalty-inspired line, colour, fabric and silhouette are the focal points. The silhouettes are close to the body and I’ve created some contemporary jodhpurs in satin, silk and georgette. Layering, surface textures, ribbon work and embroidery add interesting accents. The palette ranges from rich red and orange to subtle ecru and teal.

Muse: Must be real, understand the nuances of design and do justice to my garments. It’s Sabina Narayan of Principal Cues who has a passion for environment and community issues.

ERUM ALI

Designer’s cut : It’s great to make it to a store in your own city for a show. It’s never happened before. Novelty apart, it’s a friendly concept. My line is the essence of what I’m good at — Indian and fusion. As an experiment to test the market, I’m also displaying a sprinkling of lounge wear in mono tone and printed satin. I’ve played on colour and tried out different combinations. Since it’s not my typical trousseau line, I’ve worked on saris and a few lehngas and salwar suits that go light on embellishment. Perhaps, you could wear them to a Sangeeth.

Muse : Well, muses! Priya Selvaraj and Farah Aggarwal. Both are thorough professionals and embody a cosmopolitan spirit.