Goa to get stylish

Adding to the burgeoning number of fashion weeks in the country, is the India Resort Fashion Week which is slated to take place at Candolim beach, Goa from November 28-December 2. The event that will see 24 designers displaying their resort wear creations includes well-known designers such as Rocky S, Narendra Kumar, Neeta Lulla, Arjun & Anjalee Kapoor, Pria Kataaria Puri and James Ferreira as well as some new names, with Falguni and Shane Peacock as grand finale designers.

Talking about what makes this event different, Pallav Ohja, Director IRFW says, “This is a unique amalgamation of fashion and music. Aside from the designer shows, there will be a fashion village where garments will be displayed and a music fest that brings some of the best names in music, ensuring the event is entertaining and fun for buyers as well as guests. We want people to let loose and experience the aura of Goa.” The musical line-up includes acts such as Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Chicane, Starkillers, Megha Kawale and Ma Faiza aside from a host of other names. International style icon Paris Hilton too will be participating and taking to the DJ console on December 1. Riddhi and Siddhi Mapxencar who gave the Mumbai fashion week a miss, will be participating here for the first time.

“We’ve never done a resort line before. Known for our structured designs, we wanted to do something different — more relaxed and loungey in lightweight fabrics. People often have the misconception that resort wear is merely swimwear but don’t realise it includes so much more like dresses, jumpers and gowns as well. This event is also special for us, since we are from Goa and wanted to break into that market,” they explain. This will also be a first time for Rocky who feels resort fashion weeks are very rare in our country.

Designer Babita Malkani says she feels such fashion weeks work with her sense of style. “I’m more into bohemian and leisure styling so such a platform is apt for me. However, last year I did find there weren’t many buyers, but it’s more about offering a place to showcase your creativity.”

While the event promises to be five-days of fun, is there a good market for resort wear and will there be sufficient buyers in Goa? “The demand for resort lines are growing every year and it’s not just restricted to summers. People are constantly travelling, and with more weddings being planned at holiday destinations there’s an even greater need for such designs,” adds Pallav who is expecting a number of buyers from India and abroad. Talking about choosing Falguni and Shane for the finale, he adds, “Currently they are the top Indian designers in Hollywood, and their collection is edgy and stylish — a perfect combination for such an event.”

http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_goa-to-get-stylish_1766345