First Day,First Show

Two hours was enough for Tanya Narula to learn to play the part of a perfect designer. The 23-year-old has been selected as the Debut Designer by a four-panel jury,comprising designers Namrata Joshipura and Rohit Gandhi,fashion educator Asha Baxi and Rinku Kaicker,head of design,ITC’s Lifestyle Retailing Business. While the contest took place at the Wills Lifestyle store,South Extension,last week,a formal announcement will be made at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week,which will take place at Pragati Maidan from April 6 to 10.

Comprising simple but stylish trousers and shirts with pearl bead work,Narula’s collection titled ‘India Tomorrow’ managed to impress the fashion frat. “This is my signature style and I like to keep it simple and stylish,” gushed Narula,who has won a job with the ITC as a designer. Was she hoping to win the contest?

“I was 99 per cent hopeful about winning,” she beamed,recalling the experience of looking at professional models peddling her creations. “They really carry the outfit very well,” observed the petite designer.

In its fifth year,the runners-up position at the contest was bagged by Lucknow-born Shashank Singh. A student at Pearl Academy of Fashion,Chennai,he unveiled a garment that has sparked a debate in France — the burqa. The 23-year-old presented a bejewelled version of the traditional outfit.