The Gen Next programme has been a unique initiative of Lakmé Fashion Week since 2006 that has encouraged premier design talent, mentored and groomed nearly 200 participants into world-class brands. Being part of the Gen Next programme has been the dream of every young designer and a lifetime opportunity to make a debut in the world of fashion.
The 30 designers reinvented their popular iconic looks from their debut collections and presented them in a contemporary style. To the beat of the live trio of drummers, the most sought-after alumni of the programme, created a fabulous, fashion, explosion during the opening show on the runway with their amazing creativity were:
Rahul Mishra, Swapnil Shinde and Nida Mahmood (2006) Nachiket Barve, Kunal Rawal, Nitin Bal Chauhan, Rimzim Dadu, Anuj Sharma and Aneeth Arora, (2007) Anand Bhushan, (2008) Paromita Banerjee (S/R 2009), Masaba Gupta and Amalraj Sengupta (W/F 2009), Ruchika Sachdeva (W/F 2010), Nikhil Thampi (W/F 2011), Archana Rao, Yogesh Chaudhary, Shikha Grover & Vinita Adhikari, (S/R 2012), Farah Sanjana and Sneha Arora (W/F 2012), Ragini Ahuja (S/R 2013), Sreejith Jeevan and Ujjawal Dubey (S/R 2014), Anuj Bhutani and Dhruv Kapoor (W/F 2014), Alan Alexander and Kanika Goyal (S/R 2015), Kriti Tula, Ajay Kumar and Siddhartha Bansal (W/F 2015), Sohaya Misra (S/R 2016).
It was a mind-boggling parade of extreme creativity as gowns, heavily embellished midis, creatively constructed minis, pant suits and dresses appeared in quick succession to the beat of the drums. Men’s wear was designed keeping the 21st century male in mind, so layering was constant with construction and sharp tailoring as the focal points of attention on the runway.
Making a grand showstopping entry, were Bollywood’s hot stars, Vicky Kaushal and Janhvi Kapoor who took the ramp in their stylish strides. Vicky looked dashing and dapper in a Kunal Rawal creation that comprised an asymmetric hemline, black, heavily textured, button less, sherwani, over a black and white colour blocked chevron inset kurta and fitted pants. Janhvi looked gorgeous in a fully embroidered tulle gown dreamt up by Rahul Mishra as she gracefully glided around the serpentine catwalk.
The showcase will also lead an exclusive Lakme Fashion Week 20-year celebration collection available in Trends stores across the country and online on AJIO.com.
Vipin Tyagi, COO, Reliance Trends said, “Lakmé Fashion Week with the Gen Next designers was an extremely exciting concept. I would like to thank all the “Gen Next” Designers for being a part of this show and help brand TRENDS, stand true to its gene of bringing alive everyday fashion statements. We were witness to some of India’s ace designers and how they brought alive the latest in global fashion trends. I’d like to thank IMG Reliance in giving fashion brands like us an amazing new opportunity to associate with the fashionistas, industry tastemakers and fashion trend-setters, get to experience path breaking fashion trends at Lakmé Fashion Week,”
Ashwath Swaminathan, Head of Innovations at Lakmé said, “The Gen Next programme is one of the key pillars of Lakmé Fashion Week. So, it’s great that we have designers discovered from this platform coming together at the opening show to make the celebration of 20 years of LFW even more special.”
Mr. Jaspreet Chandok, Head – Lifestyle Businesses, IMG Reliance Ltd said, “Perhaps the biggest contribution of Lakme Fashion Week for the Indian fashion industry has been to develop and nurture new talent. As we begin the next 20 years of our journey, we look back at and share the joy with the designers that have made a mark in the industry through our discovery platform.
The Gen Next Programme presented by INIFD has been responsible for discovering and nurturing potenital talent with the right mentoring and grooming for the exceptional designers that the fashion industry knows of today. Since the programme’s inception in 2006, nearly 200 designers have had the once in a lifeitme oppritunity to make their presetigious debut in the world of fashion.