The first fashion week of Coimbatore has come to an end, but left us asking for more! As curtains came down for The Kingfisher Premium Coimbatore Fashion Week, produced by Storm Fashion Company, the organisers said they would be happy to come back. Gaurav Sharma, CEO of Storm Fashion Company, said, “Coimbatore was a wonderful experience. We hope to make it an annual calendar event and the next time we are planning to hold it for four days.”
The general manager of The Residency, Erine Louis, said the event was a grand success. “Almost 350 people turned up every day. We are planning to hold this on a grander scale, and rope in 12 designers next time.” The three-day-long event at the hotel featured the collections of Hari Anand, Shravan Kumar, A.D.Singh, Jules Idi Amin and Riyaz & Reshma Ganji.
Kochi-based designer, Hari Anand, opened the show with his collection ‘Kara’ or border. Models in saris and gowns with intricately worked borders, walked the ramp. Hari Anand said: “The border of a garment is its life. I have given the traditional kara a modern twist by using ribbons and Swarovski crystals.”
The showstoppers of the day were former Mr. India-actor Ganesh Venkataraman, and Miss India Earth 2008 and actor Tanvi Vyas. They made a grand entry as they waltzed on to the ramp. Ganesh Venkataraman, who was dressed in a sherwani and white dhoti, with a thick kasavu border, said: “Hari Anand’s clothes are comfortable and sophisticated at the same time.”
On the second day, Hyderabad designer Shravan Kumar showcased his collection, called ‘Blanc’. It was a fusion of Sufi and Victorian fashion. “The collection also used craft forms of Andhra Pradesh such as Etikoppaka,” he said.
The designer used kalamkari prints on wide pleated white gowns. The Etikoppaka toy parrots looked pretty on the models’ hair. The Kolhapuris and hand-woven bags went well with the kurtas and dhotis worn by the male models. Drum rolls and wolf whistles greeted the showstopper of the evening, former Miss India World and Billa2 actress, Parvathy Omanakuttan, dressed in a flowing white gown. She said: “It is great to be associated with Shravan. Young models can relate to his style. What we all look for in fashion is the ability to wear them, and his collection is special because of this.”
A.D. Singh’s ‘Crystal Fountain’ featured bridal garments studded with original Swaroski crystals. The jewellery of Jeevas Trenz complemented the sparkling lehengas and saris. The showstopper for his show was Nathalia Kaur, winner of Kingfisher Calendar 2012. She danced to ‘Gangnam Style’.
Jules Idi Amin’s ‘A Secret Rose’ focussed on the inner beauty of the woman. There were floral motifs on the gowns and rose crochets and flute pleats. The showstopper of the evening was Priyanka Shah, Miss Tourism 2007.
The finale of fashion week was marked by the bridal collection, ‘Truth’, by Mumbai-based designer couple Riyaz & Reshma Ganji. Speaking about their collection, Riyaz Ganji said: “In India, the family decides the bridal garments. Traditional designs never go out of fashion. Our collection is called Truth because these designs are timeless.”
The show, which began with black suits and gowns, moved on to sherwanis and lehengas. The models sashayed down the ramp to Bollywood party numbers. The show brought out a festive mood as the gorgeous models in their glimmering, detail-rich garments entertained the audience with their bhangra moves.
The fashion week ended on a high note with the entry of actress Namitha in a gold sari.
The students of the Department of Costume Design and Fashion, Bishop Appasamy College of Arts and Science, lent backstage support. The students said it was a great learning experience, organising and helping out with the make-up.
The make-up and hair dos were by Page 3 Salon and the show was choreographed by Rahul Dev Shetty, who declared: “I think the crowd in Coimbatore is just amazing.”
The Hindu was the media partner of the event.
