LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK LAUNCHES 3 DESIGNER LABELS FOR NEW GENNEXT BATCH OF LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK 2020

By Team Tech Outlook Published on September 25, 2020, 23:38 IST Last updated September 25, 2020, 23:38 IST

LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK LAUNCHES 3 DESIGNER LABELS FOR NEW GENNEXT BATCH OF LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK 2020

LakméFashion Week (LFW) announces the 30^th batch of its most prestigious talent discovery programs –GenNext. Three winning designers were chosen from the first ever virtual jury selection process that saw participation from over 200 aspiring applicants. The selected designers will be presenting their creations by INIFD at Lakmé Fashion Week’s first ever digital destination to be hosted between 21^st to 25^th October.

Given the physical limitations of submitting one’s designs this season, the applicants had to submit a video montage of their ensembles to complement their presentation. The applicants were shortlisted and presented their collections digitally to an expert jury comprising Anaita Shroff Adajania, Amit Aggarwal, Pernia Qureshi, Tina Tahiliani, GenNext mentor Sabina Chopra along with Ashwath Swaminathan- Head of Innovations, Lakmé and Jaspreet Chandok, Head of Lifestyle Businesses, IMG Reliance.

After being announced winners, the new GenNext designers Dhātu Design Studio by Anmol Sharma, MISHÉ by Bhumika & Minakshi Ahluwalia and THE LOOM ART by Aarushi Kilawat were taken through a series of Masterclasses over 3 days with Sabina Chopra, the Lakmé Fashion Week team as well as industry experts to give an understanding of brand building, business and marketing skills in addition to feedback and advice on their upcoming showcase and collection.

All 3 winning designers are conscious designers and have a sustainable collection. GenNext, for the first time, will be showcasing a fully sustainable collection on day 1 of Lakmé Fashion Week. This season, ‘Sustainable Fashion Day’ is going to be celebrated on both day 1 & 2.

In order to address the uncertain times that the design community is challenged with, Lakmé Fashion Week this season has announced several initiatives to support the GenNext designers that have been introduced in the past as well. LFW will provide free stall space to all GenNext designers in the LFW virtual showroom. These GenNext designers will also get the opportunity to be a part of the schedule through a look book format of showcase without any designer fees. LFW will also support the GenNext designers through promotions on the LFW digital handles for the next 6 months to help them market their brands.

Since its inception, the ‘INIFD presents GenNext’ programme has been famed for identifying new talent, providing young designers with a nurturing platform, and turning them into the new design stars of the industry. This season, unlike any other before, the GenNext program takes on a new avatar and gives the winning designers the chance to showcase their creations in a first of its kind virtual format.

Announcing the latest batch of GenNext designers, Ashwath Swaminathan, Head of Innovations, Lakmé said, “Discovering new talent who will be the future of fashion is one of the key pillars of Lakmé Fashion Week. We look forward to the 30th batch of the GenNext program display their collections on the virtual runway and reinvent the paradigms of fashion to be more future fit.”

Talking about the GenNext programme Jaspreet Chandok, Head – Lifestyle Businesses, IMG Reliance Ltd said, “The GenNext programme is aimed at nurturing remarkable young talent in the country and giving them the support that is needed both business wise as well as for brand building. Despite all the challenges of the pandemic, I am happy to see the participation and enthusiasm of so many young designers. It is our endeavour to whole-heartedly support them as well as all the GenNext alumni in these trying times.”

30^th Batch of GenNext designers:

Information on the designer and the collection:
Name: Anmol Sharma
Age:34
City: Gurugram

After graduating from NIFT, New Delhi in 2010, Anmol had successful stints at Wrap Studio, Royal Enfields Apparel Department and Brij Designs export house before founding his label in 2019.
With “DRESS TO REFORM” Anmols designs boast a Circular Design Approach (Designed for Disassembly) coupled with Protective Technical Silhouettes. Fabrics used include Social and Cultural Value Fabrics like GI (Geographical Indication) Registered Hand-Woven Pure Pashmina, Non-Violent Hand-Woven Bhagalpur Ahimsa Silk and Hand-Woven Mangalgiri Cottons. The label has a utilitarian design approach, honoring the relationship between material, product, and individuals. Focusing on cultural skills and provenance the studio engages in community-based development & responsible sourcing of authentic handloom, natural, and eco-friendly textiles to preserve, reform, and take the traditional Indian arts and crafts of hand weaving to a wider platform. Designed for comfort & longevity these well-thought-out designs are intended to be practice, rational, and accessible to all people.

DHĀTU DESIGN STUDIO by Anmol Sharma

MISHÉ by Bhumika & Minakshi Ahluwalia

Information on the designer and the collection:
Name: Aarushi Kilawat
Age:25
City: Jaipur

A graduate of Fashion Design from the prestigious Pearl Academy has worked with an array of fashion companies before she started The Loom Art in 2017
Aarushis collection ‘Between The Lines’ which will be showcased this season is a depiction of the current scenario and the uncertainty that surrounds us. Her ensembles have been handcrafted using 100% Handwoven Cotton silk, Chanderi silk and Matka Silk which are then further enhanced with Sujini and Kantha embroidery. The core technique depicted in this collection is ‘Arashi Shibhori’ which was applied as the base of every fabric. Owing to the delicate nature of this technique, each panel of the garment had to be dyed separately.

THE LOOM ART by Aarushi Kilawat

Lakme Fashion Week