The prestigious Lakme Fashion Week kick starts today!

Lakmé  Fashion Week (LFW), the leader in promoting creative excellence and the business of fashion in India, today announced the list of 87 participating designers and 8 sponsors who have come together with one common agenda of presenting the very best of fashion industry on the ramp in March. A robust line-up of fashion stalwarts and the brightest young designers will showcase their ready-to-wear brands on the runway and exhibition area.

As the pioneers of fashion weeks in India, LFW has always strived to achieve its objective of nurturing and consistently introducing innovation and talent in the Indian fashion fraternity. LFW continues to be the torch bearer by promoting the business of fashion in India and  launching  new initiatives and creating some of the best fashion designers in the country.

LFW SR 2013 will focus to set a new benchmark in the fashion community and meeting the ever-changing demands of the Indian fashion industry while engaging all their stakeholders - designers, buyers, sponsors, media and talent. Taking this prestigious event ahead and making it even more enterprising is LFW’s strong line-up of committed partners that have played a significant role in making this event a grand success.

Continuing as the Associate Sponsor for the sixth season, is one of India’s leading Mobile Services providers – Aircel. As LFW’s longest running partner, DHL continues its support as the Official Logistics Partner of Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013. Rejoining as Co-sponsor is Official Car Partner, Volvo Cars, joining the family as  Co-Sponsors are Tigre Blanc and Zovi.com and INIFD - Official Knowledge Partner;  Kingfisher – Official Good Times Partner continue their support and Grand Hyatt, Mumbai remains the Official Hospitality partner.

Present at the occasion, Purnima Lamba, Head-Innovations, Lakmé  said, “We are excited to officially announce Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013. We have the perfect blend of accomplished as well as fresh designers showcasing their creative excellence this season. We are proud to have with us Namrata Joshipura whose contemporary, cutting-edge aesthetics are sure to set a bold Lakmé trend statement this season. We believe that our choice of the Grand Finale designer further reinforces our commitment to showcase great talent and continue the infusion of contemporary energy into Lakmé Fashion Week.”

Sharing his views, Mr. Saket Dhankar, IMG Reliance said, “As thought leaders in Indian fashion and trade, our endeavor is to strengthen LFW as a platform every season. This edition of Summer/Resort will bring the best of Indian design to the runway. We are especially excited to have Indian-born, international designer Naeem Khan’s first ever show in India which demonstrates our efforts to integrate India and build its reputation as a fashion destination globally. Additionally through the growth of engaging properties such as LFW TV, Talent Box and Indian Textile Day, we continue to provide an integrated experience of knowledge, engagement and business for all our stakeholders at Lakmé Fashion Week.”

R.S. Subramanian Country Manager, DHL Express India, said, “This is the 7th year of Lakme Fashion Week for us and the 7th year of International partnership with ING reliance. Every year we showcase an exclusive show with one of the designers but this year we are showcasing two designers Shivan & Narresh and Masaba Gupta. Every year we bring out collections with different theme for DHL.”

“DHL is an international company and at present we are covering 220 countries, we have given them an open brief this time to think ‘International’, to reach out to international audience and these young designers with their designs bring their thoughts to life and the upcoming collection would be truly fabulous,” Subramanian added.
In terms of opportunity, he added, “Our association with designers and fashion industry is a small bit of DHL. We associate with Fashion week because we want to be associated with it. Otherwise we are associated with the designers and the manufacturers and the retailer’s right up to customer’s doorstep and help them only in the backdrop. So, for us this is an opportunity to face the show and  come live on the ramp.”

In terms of opportunity Manish Chopra, CEO, Zovi.com said, “Of course a platform like LFW has a great opportunity for fashion brands and this association is expected to take our brand further. This will give us an opportunity to showcase the products we have.” 

When asked about expectations, Subramanian said, “Every year we look for growth and we want the fashion industry to grow. We are seeing it growing from past 20 years and this is a progressive forum to take this industry forward. It shows the great face of India through designers to the world and that is the reason for being part of Lakme Fashion Week.”

Highlights of Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013:
•          Opening show by Tarun Tahiliani
•          One of India’s most renowned and beloved fashion designers, Tarun Tahiliani will open Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Report 2013 with a grand off-site show for Tigre Blanc. An embodiment of design philosophy that encompasses the modern and the contemporary whilst embracing our historical past, Tarun Tahiliani is synonymous with the epitome of Indian luxury and couture.
•          Lakmé  Grand Finale
•          India’s acclaimed fashion visionary Namrata Joshipura will be the Grand Finale designer at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2013. This reiterates Lakmé Fashion Week’s pledge to provide a platform for India’s finest talent and the show will also mark Joshipura’s first-ever showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week. Her collection will bring to life Lakmé ’s style statement for the season
•          International designer Naeem Khan to present for the first time in India
•          The international flavor of luxury fashion makes its way to Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013, with Naeem Khan debuting in India with his exquisite collection, including custom made pieces for LFW SR 2013
•          Talent Box
•          Launched in August 2011, the Talent Box is the only platform of its kind in India dedicated to promoting young, emerging design talent. This international concept of mini preview shows will feature 19 designers participating this season. On invitation, outstanding fashion designer Anupama Dayal will be opening the Talent Box this season
•          Industry stalwarts in attendance
•          Showing their Summer/Resort collections at LFW SR 2013 will be industry stalwarts Manish Malhotra, Narendra Kumar, Arjun Khanna, , Anupama Dayal, Vikram Phadnis and Rocky S
•          YouTube:
•          LFW TV will be streamed live on LFW’s official YouTube channel, the first partnership of its kind for a fashion week in India. This will allow potential buyers and fashion enthusiasts all over the world to catch the action on the ramp live within the comfort of their homes and business. In addition to the live shows audiences will gain behind the scenes action, exclusive interviews, and parties and much more into India’s premier fashion trade platform. Catch  it all at www.youtube.com/Lakméfashionwk
•          INIFD Presents Lakmé Fashion Week’s Fashion Workshop Series - Edition VIII
•          INIFD Presents Lakmé Fashion Week’s Fashion Workshop Series - Edition VIII: The 8th Edition of the Fashion Workshop Series (FWS) will focus on how designers can remain unique as fashion trends evolve and are reinvented. The session titled “Fashion fades, Style remains: The secrets behind a designer’s signature look” will bring together some of the biggest names in fashion to share key insights on how they have been successful at maintaining a signature style.
•          Zovi Gen Next
•          A platform conceived by LFW, the Zovi Gen Next Program, has become the most coveted program for encouraging young talent in the country and has nurtured some of the leading names in the industry today.  Renowned Stylist and Designer Aki Narula will continue to mentor these young designers. This season, 6 exceptional designers from across the country will showcase their debut collections and through this first-of-its-kind partnership with Zovi.com, one exclusive garment from each designer will be retailed on the portal.
•          Celebrating Indian Weaves & Crafts
•          As part of the continued endeavor to bring the dominance of Indian textiles and crafts to the fore LFW this season will be once again paying tribute to Indian textiles. This season, LFW will be bringing together industry veterans for workshops and installations. Additionally, show featuring textile designers, curated by Mayank Mansingh Kaul, will be a highlight of the day’s activities. Furthermore the LFW Heritage Award presented by Maximiliano Modesti, a one lakh cash prize, will be awarded to the designer from this day who can best incorporate Indian weaves and craftsmanship in their collection