Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) The first-ever Tokyo Fashion Week on an Indian runway has got a thumbs-up from Indian designers, who termed it a great step towards cross-cultural activities and an invaluable exchange of ideas for both countries.

Three leading Japanese fashion brands — Anrealage, Mintdesigns and Suzuki Takayuki — showcased their creations on the fourth day of the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Saturday. It was the first time that Japanese designers travelled to India to participate in any Indian fashion week and they received warm appreciation from designers sitting in the front row.

For handloom revivalist Neeru Kumar, the collection was “very coherent” and the Japanese designers did outstanding job with fabrics like ikat.

“Each collection was very coherent and all the three designers carried the theme very well. The collection of course had a Japanese sensibility. Japan is known for their ikat technique and these designers are masters in giving it a glamorous role,” Kumar told IANS.

“I think shows like this will help both countries in terms of exchange of ideas. They (Japanese designers) are very understated and focused and we (Indian designers) must learn these skills from them,” added Kumar.

Designer Nida Mahmood, who is giving this edition of fashion week a miss due to prior commitments, specially came to watch the show and was mesmerised by the Japanese designers’ creativity.

“I think the collection was very interesting. I quite like the pixellated prints and edges on clothes. The colours were bright and fabrics were light which was nice amalgamation. Also, Japanese fabrics were interestingly done,” Mahmood told IANS.

“It’s just amazing to see two countries collaborating on fashion runway. This marks an effort to extend, explore and give fresh talent a chance to take India to international shores and what better way to collaborate in this sense where designers are showcasing here and some are showcasing in their country,” she added.

Designer Anand Bhushan is impressed with the Japanese designers keeping in touch with their roots and showing their culture on an Indian runaway.

“I think the show was a common melting point with different designers coming together and collaborating. The more we interact with them, the more we will get to know about the culture and of course fashion. They showcased their design sensibility and now it’s our chance to show them our USP,” Bhushan told IANS.

The designer also said that if ever given a chance to showcase his collection on a Japanese runway, he would maintain his “design sensibilities”.

“If I will ever make clothes for a Japanese clientele, it will be according to my sensibility. There is no way that my inspiration and design aesthetics will change if I am on different land.”

“It has to be an Anand Bhushan signature but I will obviously research their fashion choices,” he added.