Fashion Garments

Mumbai: Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and now even Hyderabad fashion seems to have become a national interest. The Hyderabad Fashion Week is spread over three days — commencing on November 16 and concluding on November 18.

The list of designers — Abdul Halder, Archana Kochhar, Deepak and Pooja Shah, Dipti Reddy, Lina Tipnis, Shaahid Amir, Soumitra Mondal and Swapnil Shinde — seems to be impressive. Swapnil Shinde says, “I think it is a brilliant opportunity. India is a huge country and fashion should become as accessible as cricket and Bollywod.”

Lovell Prabhu, show director, Hyderabad Fashion Week, says, “It is the first time we are hosting a fashion week. We have been planning for a year, but things had to be put on hold for two reasons. First, was Mr Reddy’s demise and then we didn’t want to clash with the other fashion weeks. We are certainly not competing with them. Hyderabad Fashion Week is more local. Also the designers will be showcasing the current season that is Fall/Festive.” Talking about the buyers, Lovell adds, “There are two international designers who are participating too. But there will be only local buyers. We want fashion to penetrate the South and hope that people take it as part of their lifestyle.”

Tollywood is big in Hyderabad, but we guess Bollywood will also need its presence there. Lovell agrees, “Yes. Designers are talking to stars to be their showstoppers. As of now we have not got any confirmations, but glamour will certainly be a past of the fashion week.”