Designs on India

After travelling to Delhi,Bengaluru,Lucknow,Ludhiana,Mumbai and Hyderabad,the Signature Premier World of 8 International Fashion tour was in Pune on Friday evening. Collections by designer Silvio Betterelli from Milan and J J Valaya were showcased at Hyatt Regency,Viman Nagar. And naturally so,the city’s who’s who turned up for the event in their evening best. After a round of cocktail conversations,the spotlight shifted to the ramp.

That was when J J Valaya’s collection – anarkalis,knee-length ones to the floor-touching ones,paired with net dupattas and churidars; brocade lehengas teamed with short silk jackets; and bridal saris – floored the city’s fashionistas. We loved the stone-embellished purses tucked into silver and golden belts which were like high-waist kamarbandhs for the saris. Actor Irrfan Khan was the showstopper for Valaya. Currently working on international productions like The Amazing Spiderman and The Life of Pi,the actor confidently carried off a white sherwani with heavy silver work. “My designs and Irrfan (Khan) share the attribute of being very researched and deep in their work. He is the perfect showstopper to represent my wearable line. A lot of thought and hard work has been put into the collection,” said Valaya.

Miss Italy 2011,Nunziata Tania Bambaci,was the showstopper for Betterelli,whose line was inspired by seductive,bold,rough and well-fitted cuts in black and white. “Indian designers should not hesitate to explore international markets. They can make it really big in the global fashion industry,” said Betterelli. “I’ve observed many similarities in the fashion culture of India and south Italy. The fashion in both these places is colourful and rich and a lot of importance is given to embroidery,” he added.