Chennai International Fashion Week

One of the cities which have remained untapped by the fashion industry is Chennai. Come December, the city is going to witness the largest fashion week of the country, or so they claim! Chennai International Fashion Week (CIFW) will see the participation of more than 10 international designers from 12 countries across the globe along with a hoard of our talented Indian designers. With the vision of providing an international platform to the Indian designers to showcase and market their collections to the global fashion world, the gala event is scheduled for December 14-20, 2009 at the luxurious Le Royal Meridian in Chennai. It is also aimed at showcasing India as an important fashion destination for foreign buyers and designers' who want to make it big in the South-east Asian markets.

So why Chennai as the venue? Gaurav Sharma, the head of Storm Fashion Company, the organizers and the producers of the event said on a lighter note, "The city has been always known for its hot weather so we thought of making it haute! The first edition has been strategically placed in Chennai for its proximity to Tirupur; one of the largest garment export hubs in India. 30 Indian fashion designers, 10 international guest designers, 35 fashion shows, 60 models from India and abroad – all will be clubbed together in this event. The designers will present the latest fashion trends that will dominate the Spring/Summer 2010-11. The show will also have 10 international beauty Pageant Winners from various countries walking the runway! The event is being backed by a very strong and accomplished board of professionals. Headed by marketing and services professional Gaurav Sharma, the team's advisors include Chennai's very own Shakthi Girsh, Pratap Pothen , Arun Mammen , Girish Ramdass and Meera Chopra. Some of the Indian designers who will be participating include Pria Kataaria Puri, Shane & Falguni Peacock, Vikram Phadnis, Sanchita Ajjampur, Aslam Khan, Satya Paul, Jason & Anshu, Nishka Lulla and Neeta Lulla.

Designer Anshu of the label Small Shop shared, Since we are based in Chennai and already have stores, we thought it would be good to be a part of such a huge event. We will be showcasing our Spring-Summer collection called- Na Ati. Pria Kataaria Puri is scheduled to open the show with Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra as her show stopper. The grand finale will be by designer Neeta Lulla and this event will also offer a platform for 10 new designers to present their talent.

Talking about the sponsors of the event, Gaurav revealed, Kingfisher is the main partner. In addition to it, Arvind Mills is one of the associates and we are looking for more associations. Steadily moving towards the main event, the organizers have planned out an All India Model Auditions in Bangalore on November 8, 2009 and the models will be critically valued by a panel of judges comprising of Anupama Verma (Super Model, Actress & Fashion Producer), Mehar Bhasin (Fashion Choreographer/Grooming Expert), Pravin Talan (Celebrated International Photographer) Atul Kelkar (Consultant), Rahul Dev Shetty (Fashion Model/Choreographer). Says Mehar Bhasin, show director CIFW – It's been my dream to perform at Chennai and CIFW has come as a unique platform with the concept of global fashion. Out of the 35 shows, I'll be choreographing ten main shows. We are looking to have fresh faces with good catwalk styles. Plus it is an opportunity to present modelling world with debut faces. One of the jury members, Rahul Dev Shetty added, During model auditions, I am looking for someone who is, fresh, vibrant, young and confident. The model need not be pretty but must have attitude, good height and proportionate attractive body, he signs off.