It was India shining at WIFW autum-winter 2013 (Review)

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) Themes, colours, drapes, fabrics and even collection titles - the just-concluded edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) here, was all about India and its rich, colourful tradition and heritage. Not surprisingly, the ratio of national and international buyers was uneven.

Several designers claimed the business was good, but the presence of domestic buyers surpassed those from abroad, even though one spotted representatives of fashion houses and stores from places like the US, Britain, Middle East, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

"The turnout is more for national buyers. We have got queries from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad. International buyers are lesser and the ones who came are not new. We can see same faces who came in last seasons," Meghna Agarwal of the brand Myoho, told IANS. It is her third time at the event.

Designer Puja Arya, who has been a regular in the fashion industry, told IANS: "The business has been pretty good. The domestic buyers are more and international buyers are less then past editions." Arya said she doesn't cater to Kuwait or Middle East buyers.

Even young designer Vaishali Shadangule managed good business.

"I have got orders from across all big stores from India including Fuel, Ogaan, Atosa and others. Also orders have come in from buyers from Kuwait, Dubai, Singapore and stores from Chennai and Hyderabad," said Shadangule.

This autumn-winter edition saw as many as 128 designers presenting their creations, on the ramp and racks, at the five-day fashion extravaganza, which concluded Sunday. It is organised by the country's apex fashion body, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).

Young designer Masaba Gupta's first line for brand Satya Paul kickstarted the 21st edition of WIFW, and the grand finale was staged by ace designer Manish Arora. The buzz was equally good for both the shows, and they didn't fail to impress the fashionistas.

Post Arora's finale, Masaba tweeted: "When I grow up. I want to be Manish Arora. Mother bee of finales."

Among other designers who dazzled the ramp with their creations included Tarun Tahiliani, Shantanu-Nikhil, Vineet Bahl, Nikasha Tawadey, Namrata Joshipura, Abraham & Thakore, Anju Modi, Manish Malhotra, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Nida Mahmood.

Several designers did choose to go the global way with their lines, with gowns, dresses, tunics, skirts and pants, while there were designers who chose to stick to desi roots and present its culture, embroidery, techniques and textiles with a contemporary twist.

Nikasha Tawadey's Raat Ki Rani, Anupamaa Dayal's Ishq-e-dilli, Tarun Tahiliani's Kumbhback and Samant Chauhan's Rajputana Bikers were some such shows.

Lauding the creativity quotient at the event, Hiba, a buyer from Kuwait, told IANS: "Though I have been part of FDCI for long, this edition was good, when it comes to using the rich traditional designs of India. Vineet Bahl and Tarun Tahiliani are some of the designers who took my breath away."

Japanese buyer Keiko was also stunned to see a few designs.

"This is my second edition here and I really liked the ambience which was full of colours. My favourite designers are Pankaj & Nidhi and Ranna Gill," she said.