As Tokyo, Japan’s most fashionable city is all set play host to the 12th Japan Fashion Week, one lucky Indian fashion designer will be rubbing shoulders with some of Asia’s leading designers at the event.
FDCI recently announced that Gaurav Jai Gupta, Ajit Kumar, Neelanjan Ghosh, Divya and Nidhi Gambhir and 11.11 by CellDSGN have been shortlisted by the organisers of the Fashion Grand Prix to select the one, who will be representing India at the Asian Designers Collection in Tokyo.
In the past two years, Nitin Bal Chauhan (2009) and Ritesh Kumar Ridzyn (2010) had marked India’s presence there.
Gaurav Jai Gupta of Akaaro, who had his first runway show at the WLIFW Spring/Summer 2011 is very excited to have been shortlisted as his fashion sensibilities are akin to Japan’s vivacious fashion scene. He says that Japanese buyers have picked up stuff from his S/S collection and he has got great reviews from them.
“Japan means good business for new designers. It is a very progressive and experimental market. Like India, it is all about your identity, simplicity and sticking to your roots for them,” says Gaurav.
Another designer Ajit Kumar, who has never been to Japan, is equally excited at the prospect of being in Tokyo if he gets selected. He may not have high expectations in terms of business, but he feels that it is always good to have an international experience. “I don’t know if I will be selected or not, but I think it is a good platform to be seen by the world,” says Ajit.
Ritesh Kumar Ridzyn, who was there for the 11th edition of the event has only good things to say about his participation. “It was my first international show and it has definitely bolstered my business. At that time they had one day solely dedicated to Asian designers and the entire media was there to see our work. So it helped us catch the attention and strike right deals,” adds Ridzyn.
FDCI president Sunil Sethi added that Japan is a growing market which Indians must explore. He says, “These kind of events encourage young talent to step out of their comfort zone and take up challenges.”