LYCRA AND SPONGE BALLS

One hundred-and-twenty five sponge balls wrapped in royal blue lycra — that’s how Kolkata-based Tanishta Saha,22,from National Institute of Fashion Design (NIFT),Kolkata,depicted a women’s journey through life for the Triumph Inspiration award. The award is held annually across the world to celebrate the empowerment of women through innovative lingerie,and the finale will be held in Berlin,in July.

Saha’s design was judged the best,over 300 other entrants,in the India round of the contest. “I wanted to depict women’s journey through several themes of relationships,attachments and bonding with close ones. The 125 sponge balls are a tribute to the 125th year of the awards,” says this NIFT alumnus,who flew to Delhi to attend the fashion show and award ceremony held at The Ashok hotel on Thursday.

The design took her four days to construct and Saha used techniques she had learnt as a child at her mother’s boutique in central Kolkata. She is excited about representing India in Berlin. “The garment has already been sent and I can’t wait to get there,” says Saha,who will be travelling outside India for the first time.