Nxg

YOUTH BRIGADE The collections of young fashion designers were quite a hit at the Vimonisha show. MADHUMITHA SRINIVASAN

(Chic quotient: FADE’s design for the urban woman.)

Twenty years after introducing Chennai to talented designers year after, show after show, Vimonisha celebrated the landmark occasion the way it knows best — by hosting a mega style souk featuring 30 designers from all over the country. At the show NXg met with a few young upcoming designers who have just begun to tread the runway to the world of fashion

Sonali Balakrishan

Now who would quit a job with a super-brand like Armani to venture into unsure waters? Well, Sonali did. This Bangalore-based lass took off to New York after her schooling to study at the School of Design and then worked at Armani before leaving for her homeland to start her own brand. “I started out with a Yoga line for which there was a need and then I branched out into the prêt line,” she says. Her collection of tunics, frilly tops-with-a-difference and sarees labelled Devyani — her birth name, is aimed at bringing out the Goddess in you. Currently retailing at a boutique in Bangalore and working out of a workshop, Sonali is constructing her own place which will also house an art studio and a coffee shop, she reveals.

Urja Shah

The mother-daughter designer duo Sneha and Urja Shah started the Fashion and Design Engineering line of clothes in 2002. Bombay-based youngster Urja shifted stream from a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology to fashion, has interned at with DKNY while graduating with an AAS in Fashion Design from the prestigious Parsons School of Design, New School University, New York. She had also worked with an accessories import firm which supplied to labels such as Tommy Bahama and Juicy Couture, before starting out on her own. The duo started out by designing custom bridal wear and over the years developed a loyal and excusive clientele. They have now grown to also include western prêt under their brand. Sticking to what they do best, their collection at the Vimonisha show was largely bridal — sarees and ghagras, with a mix of dressy tunics as well, with an emphasis on traditional handwork. There fabrics, the colours, the work and the cuts were all screaming festivity.

Kiran Jaisinghani and Meghna Agarwal

Kiran Jaisinghani and Meghna Agarwal’s Myoho is a name that has been attracting attention for its inspiring feminine collection showcased at the Lakme India Fashion Week since last year. Kiran, a SNDT graduate and Meghna, a NIFT graduate, apprenticed under designer Priyadarshini Rao prior to setting out on their own. Their collection featured a lot of tunics with the signature cowl necks that seemed to be quite a hit among the customers.

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