Rahul Mishra honoured at WIFW

Designer Rahul Mishra, the first Indian to win the coveted International Woolmark Prize (IWP) in Milan, was Wednesday honoured at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) autumn-winter 2014 for his achievement.

Sunil Sethi, president Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), presented Mishra with a black cashmere scarf for winning the 2013-14 (IWP) in February.

"It's a beautiful textile and can be draped in many ways. I am going to keep this in a special place," Mishra told IANS.

Designer Rina Dhaka praised Mishra and said: "The collection was beautiful. You (Mishra) have given hope to people here."

His Merino wool collection, which won the prestigious award, attempted to portray the journey of human race and the process of metamorphosis that earth has undergone in the last century.

Speaking about the collection, he said: "I created wool in such a way that it's trans-seasonal. I thought about lotus. I was inspired by Buddha's philosophy that lotus is found in womb of the world."

He said the garments are not just about consumption.

"The idea is to work with more people in the process," said Mishra, who teamed up with weavers from Kerala, Odisha and other parts of the country.

He will present his autumn-winter collection at the ongoing WIFW Thursday.