Sunday, 23 February 2014

Designer Rahul Mishra bags Woolmark Prize at Milan Fashion Week

Known for his forte of working with crafty natural fabrics and materials, Rahul Mishra once again demonstrated his flair for the same by winning the prestigious International Woolmark Prize (IWP) at the Milan Fashion Week last Friday. I think Rahul's one of the few new-generation designers in the country who can really work the magic of heritage and handloom fabrics within very chic, western silhouettes without going the Bohemian route. Now with this prize, he displays the very same expertise with merino wool, joining the list of iconic designers such as Karl Lagerfeld.


Rahul's collection titled The Lotus Effect comprised of 6 ensembles, which were first shortlisted in the Indian/ Middle-East regional round of IWP. Aiming to portray the process of metamorphosis, the mostly twin-tone garments featured complex 8-petal Buddha's lotus motifs that gave way to structures inspired by the tessellation work of artist MC Escher, and of course -- the tree of life. The weaving was inspired by our very-own chanderi.


 His collection was appreciated for the intricate embroidery through wool -- zardosi style -- but what I personally loved about it all is the fact that you can don these outfits as stylishly in the summer as winter. Rahul wins AU$100,000 and the outfits will be stocked in global retailers such as Harvey Nichols, Saks Fifth Avenue, 10 Corso Como, Joyce, David Jones, Colette and more from August 2014 onwards.


The judging panel included prime names from the fashion fraternity including Frida Giannini, Franca Sozzani, Tim Blanks, Colette Garnsey, Angelica Cheung, Alexa Chung and representatives from the global IWP retail partners. Being the first-ever Indian to win so, Rahul said on the occasion, I feel like this is a dream and this is giving me new hopes for my future career. This award will change the perception of global fashion in regards to Indian fashion and this is all because wool - an amazing fibre, the fibre of possibilities.” Also added Sunil Sethi, President FDCI,“I congratulate Rahul on winning the International Woolmark prize, and it is indeed a proud moment for FDCI and India. Winning this prize has not come easy with the stiff competition from designers from all over the world. FDCI has partnered with The Woolmark Company since its inception in India and has been responsible in the selection of the India representative and I thank The Woolmark Company and the Australian High Commission for making this initiative a grand success."

No comments:

Post a Comment