Blending the old with the new and creating interesting designs are three fashion students — Rachel Soares, Rishika Duggar and Arpana Tripty — from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad.
The youngsters displayed their collections recently at an event called Fashionova-2017, where Dr M.A. Khuddus, Director, Khadi and Village Industries Commission was the chief guest. They received several accolades.
Talking about her designs, 21-year-old Rachel says, “My collection is called Quixotic Matriarch and was inspired by my grandmother’s home in Goa. I was always fascinated by old houses and when I visited her a few months ago, I decided to take her house as an inspiration. My designs have a sensual, romantic and nostalgic feel to them.” Rachel, who used sheer, organza, silk georgette and tulle, among other fabrics for her collection, won the Best Finishing and Garment Construction Award at the event. “They gifted me a sewing machine!” she says excitedly, adding, “I worked for six months on my designs and I’m happy that my hard work has been appreciated.”
While Rachel took inspiration from old houses, Rishika was inspired by the Drokpa tribe in Ladakh. “I read about the tribe on Instagram and then learnt about their lifestyle through books. They use nature in their clothes and I wanted to do that too. My collection, The journey within, is a tribute to the tribe,” says the 21-year-old, who won The Best Creative Design Collection Award. Talking about her love for eco fashion, Rishika adds, “Indians have always used sustainable clothes. It was Westernisation that affected our fashion industry. However, many designers are going the green way again, I’m happy.”
Arpana, too, promotes Indian textiles by using banjara embroidery and ponduru khadi in her designs. The 22-year-old says, “My designs are all about looking back to look forward, and are called Nomadic nostalgia. I love to play with colours and fabrics. It was a proud moment at the competition, as models walked the ramp wearing my designs.”
While Arpana is interning with designer Sashi Vangapalli and wants to work with Rohit Bal and Tarun Tahiliani in the future, Rachel aims to work with Sabyasachi. Rishika wants to start a label of her own.
