Artline

Prabhdip Brar is more than justified in sitting back, to rest her aching back, to take a well deserved break. Back in town after a two ye...

Prabhdip Brar is more than justified in sitting back, to rest her aching back, to take a well deserved break. Back in town after a two year course in knitwear design, from the premier fashion training institute in the country-The National Institute of Fashion technology NIFT, Prabhdip is simply enjoying the quality of life of the city of her birth.

Prabhdip or Daphy, the latter is the name Prabhdip is identified with, has returned armed with laurels galore. While in her final year of her post graduate course at NIFT, Daphy was nominated to go to Germany for the Heim Textile Fair, from the Knitwear department. And for her graduating collection, Daphy was awarded the most innovative use of yarns8217; award also called the best cotton and blends collection.

The 1997 visit to the Heim Fair was also tied up with a visit to France, where the small select group visited some top fashion houses and high fashion stores. 8220;It was a wonderful experience. From setting up the pavilion to display, we had to do it all. The meticulously professional attitude and the business acumen were things which were rare commodities for me. I was also exposed to the variety and range of knitwear fabric. In fact I bought bits and pieces of blended fabrics, which I then used for my final collection. Paris of course was great fun, but again the back breaking work which goes into success stories was also inspirational for me.8221;

Knitwear design and technology is the key to future fashion trends. It is a new concept-no darts, no ironing no creasing and the stretch ability imbues the fabric with so many inherent qualities, like body fit, terrific drape an fall, and of course easier to maintain.8221; Her reconnaissance trip to Tirupur in the South of India was a great eye opener. 8220;I did not know that so many kinds of knits were being manufactured in India too. Ludhiana too has a variety of knits which has great possibilities.8221;

Daphy has already done a range of designs for the progressive group Raja Hosiery. 8220;I was lucky to work with Raja, for the group is also experimenting with the latest fabric, particularly from Australia.8221; For Raja she had designed capes and pants, in stripes, which was a great success.

Fascinated by the medieval English King, Arthur, Daphy centered her award winning collection around knights and armour. Done in stark black grey and silver, the collection was powerfully dramatic and drew attention and appreciation from designers and aficionados leaving Daphy satisfied and content. Her past training, first a BFA in painting from the Chandigarh College of Art, and a post-graduate course in History of Art from Punjab University. 8220;My course in painting helped me greatly in the use of colour, identification of forms and development of ideas through the kaleidoscope of colours. The art history course helped me greatly through the basic knowledge of the history of art forms, the study and the lives of the old masters, and the importance in the making of art8217;.

Right now Daphy has her hands full while she is stoking the fires of creating for her next collection. She is mentor for a group of students at the Northern Institute of Fashion Technology at Mohali, helping them prepare for their final collection which will emerge at their passing out show to be held on the fourth of October at Hotel Mountview, Chandigarh. She is also a visiting faculty at the Chandigarh College of Architecture in their Graphic and Sculpture department.