AIFW 2016: Menswear to shine, with wellness in focus (Curtain Raiser)

Fashionistas, get ready for a dose of the new trends for the autumn-winter of 2016 at the Amazon India Fashion Week that gets underway here on Wednesday. With a 101 designers showcasing on the ramp and racks, the forthcoming edition will not only have dedicated menswear shows, but will also focus on pushing the idea of being 'fashionably fit'.

Two menswear shows on Friday will give a platform to a string of designers like Ashish N. Soni, Abhishek Gupta, JJ Valaya, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Rohit Bal, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Troy Costa and Varun Bahl to unveil their latest creations.

Organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) -- the country's apex fashion body -- AIFW will this time be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

"A man's wardrobe is now an integral part of the design narrative. Our coveted designers are showcasing a modernistic collection, which is bound to make an impact on the contemporary fashion repertoire," FDCI president Sunil Sethi told IANS.

Apart from the menswear shows, the runway of 27th edition of the event, in association with Maybelline New York, will be the platform for the fashion statement of 45 designers, who will showcase their collections at the five-day event through 30 shows.

There will also be international buyers, but their identity, according to Sethi, is "a very closely kept secret".

"FDCI is concentrating on the business of fashion and this season won't be any different," he added.

The buyers and audience at AIFW will be getting a chance to witness works of Rajesh Pratap Singh, Anita Dongre, Gaurav Gupta, Namrata Joshipura, Samant Chauhan, Malini Ramani and Rina Dhaka among others, who have drawn inspiration for their lines from myriad sources.

Bahl will open the gala, while the finale, which will feature the works of multiple designers, will be themed on 'India Modern'.

Gupta's showcase, 'Melt A/W 2016', has been inspired by the much talked about issue of climate change.

"This collection, Melt A/W 2016, takes the conversation of climate change from the table straight on the ramp. This is a plea to self-reflect, personally and collectively," Gupta told IANS.

Chauhan, who also has a separate show at the fashion gala, is excited about his debut at the finale.

"This is my first finale and I am equally excited to share the platform with the likes of Rajesh Pratap Singh and many more, whom I admire for their designs. Also, the India Modern theme is equally special as I have always believed that India has a rich culture and heritage to flaunt to the world," Chauhan told IANS.

Meanwhile, menswear designer Suket Dhir, who won the 2015-2016 Menswear International Woolmark Prize, will be felicitated by FDCI for making India proud internationally.

Apart from showing the best of fashion to the world, the forthcoming edition of AIFW will also be high on glamour, with actress Athiya Shetty taking to the ramp for the 'Maybelline New York presents Namrata Joshipura' show, actress Shriya Saran walking for Kanika Saluja's brand Anaikka and Aditi Rao Hydari turning muse for designer Shruti Sancheti.

There will also be Malaika Arora Khan for Mandira Wirk, and Randeep Hooda will be the showstopper for designer Rohit Kamra.

Another celebrity presence will be in the form of wrestler Sangram Singh, who will launch a sportswear range, SGX by Sangram Singh.

In view of this, Sethi steered attention to how 'healthy living and wellness' will be in focus at AIFW this time.

"In today's life, it's not only about looking stylish and fashionable, but you have to be 'fashionably fit'. So, in order to promote that, we have associated with Raw Pressery and they will serve fresh juices at the venue. There is also Fitbit, which will keep a check on your fitness level, as our wellness partner," he added.

(Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)