Newbie designers steer clear of fashion shows choosing to test the market with stalls instead

At a time of economic uncertainty, designers just starting off are staying away from the runway. The new entrants in Indian fashion are marking their presence with stalls at fashion week, which give them an opportunity to meet potential buyers, while keeping their overheads relatively low.

One of the Delhi boys marking his debut at WIFW is 29-year-old Arpan Vohra with his collection Canvas of Life — characterised by simple, clean lines and layers of light fabrics in creams and beiges, as well as shimmering splashes of bronze and gold. After studying design in the London College of Fashion and an apprenticeship with iconic British hat designer Philip Treacy and then Indian designer Rina Dhaka, Vohra launched his own label, Arpan Vohra in 2004. “I have been in the fashion business for past five years, and the best way to expand is through fashion week. I prefer the stall because I want to dedicate my time interacting with buyers,” says Vohra who retails from Samsara, Ogaan and Madhu Pallo, a fashion store in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, designers Nalandda Bhandari, 39 and Rimzim Dadu, 23 have also pitched a fashion tent at WLIFW. The two designers were reasonably feted at the Lakme Fashion Week and while Dadu is thrilled to show on home turf (she’s a Delhi girl), Mumbai based Bhandari is holding a ramp show — cranking out 23 looks from her Dawn to Dusk collection. The collection is sexy with soft ruffles, short pleated dresses and floral shorts paired with sequined asymmetrical blouses—designed keeping the young customer in mind. “The fashion scene in Delhi has progressed hugely and a lot of the younger generation is schooled internationally,” remarked Bhandari.

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