Style of Oz

This isn’t the first time that FDCI has partnered with another country. Last year saw designer Suneet Varma team up with Dutch couturier Jan Taminiau,while designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna of the label,Cue,partnered with Dutch label *DIED* to co-create collections that were showcased at WIFW Spring-Summer 2013. “This fashion diplomacy works two ways and has been fruitful. While the Australian designers worked on textiles woven by Indian weavers,a senior Indian designer would head to Sydney to work on a collaborative collection as well. We would announce the name on the inaugural day of WIFW,” said Sethi.

According to a spokesperson at the Australian High Commission,this connect with weavers in Varanasi was facilitated by an Australian NGO,Artisans of Fashion (AOF),led by its founder Caroline Poiner. The NGO works to bring together the global fashion industry and Indian artisans in the textile space with an aim to ensure that traditional techniques,skills and crafts of the artisan community are not lost to

future generations.

The designer duo at Romance Was Born,known for their colourful and quirky ensembles that include “a pastiche of craft work such as applique,tie-dying and crochet”,will showcase a collection of 25 exclusive ensembles made using silk brocades woven by weavers of Varanasi.

Not new to fashion design or multi-tasking,cricketer-singer Brett Lee,who already has a signature menswear label to his credit,will launch his limited edition line of scarves called “The Brett Lee Six Stitcher Limited Edition Scarf Collection”. Made from 100 per cent Australian merino wool,the scarves have been woven by Kumaon-based Panchachuli Women Weavers. The largest independent women’s cooperative in the state of Uttaranchal,over 800 women from a total of 32 villages in the region are involved in the production of high-quality woven and knitted products. “I’m looking forward to being part of Oz Fest’s return and launching my new collaborative fashion project at WIFW,” Lee said in a statement.

As part of the Aussie flavour at WIFW,a photo exhibition,“Yatra”,highlighting AOF’s work,will also be on display till October 13.