Quirky designs by students of LS Raheja Technical Institute
Quirky designs by students of L.S Raheja Technical Institute

Over the weekend, Team MissMalini had the privilege and pleasure of watching a truly top-class fashion show by the graduating students of the fashion design department of L.S. Raheja Technical Institute in Mumbai.

What stood out for us was the sheer talent, dedication and hard work that each of these young designers put into creating their avant garde ensembles.

We pick out five of these bright young talents and present them to you because, in barely a few years, we strongly feel they will be names to reckon with, within the Indian fashion industry.

Take a look:

PRITI KATARIA

A design by Priti Kataria
A design by Priti Kataria

We were mighty impressed with Priti Kataria‘s accessory designs. That she won the award for the Best Accessory Collection came as no surprise.

A design by Priti Kataria
A design by Priti Kataria

Says Priti, “Accessories, for me, is the element that gives an impact to one’s personality. My love for accessories has been cultivated since I was a child and it became a passion as I grew up. Accessories are my favourite possessions.

A design by Priti Kataria
A design by Priti Kataria

I have incorporated various art forms such as Kalpasutra, Madhubani, Gond, Ajanta paintings and Mandana in my accessories which are made from jute, suede, rexine, metal and wood.

A design by Priti Kataria
A design by Priti Kataria

It has been detailed with techniques like handwork embroidery, machine embroidery metal cutting, laser cutting, and wood carving. I wanted to maintain the raw look of art forms.”

KHAN MEHFUZ RRHEMAN HAMIDULLAH

A design by Khan Mefuz
A design by Khan Mefuz

We loved Khan Mehfuz‘s collection because it reminded us of a trippy Alice In Wonderland. We loved his vibrant use of colours and the fun element in his designs.

Says Khan, “I have brought to life a collection called I Love Drama, to show people what I absolutely and truly love. In my first ever collection that will show the world how capable I am as a designer, I have used neon colours as my main element of drama.

A design by Khan Mefuz
A design by Khan Mefuz
A design by Khan Mefuz
A design by Khan Mefuz

To me, bold, bright colours signify drama and these colours can lift up any soul and radiate joy. The structured and avant gard silhouettes add oodles of drama to the garments. The accessories are very obviously inspirations of the circus, like hats, boots and gloves.”

ZAINAB DARVESH

Designs by Zainab Darvesh
Designs by Zainab Darvesh

Who says the hijab, a traditional garment for Islamic women, cannot be highly fashionable? Zainab Darvesh pulls out all the stops to give the ladies of her community some fashion-forward options.

Says Zainab, “My theme for this concept was that I Love My Hijab (hijab literally means a scarf or a veil used to cover the head). But more than just being a piece of cloth, it gives you an identity, it becomes an emotion and it becomes a part of you.

Designs by Zainab Darvesh
Designs by Zainab Darvesh

Through my collection, I am showing that women can be fashionable, even after being all covered up. My concept is directly linked to Islamic art and Persian art, which inspired me to use fabrics like intricately woven jamevars, plush velvets and silks. I have used the traditional colours of Persian textiles like maroon, blue, green and beige.

While the silhouettes used are A-line and tent shaped, they have been detailed with machine embroidery.”

Designs by Zainab Darvesh
Designs by Zainab Darvesh

Zainab won the Dare To Dream Award which encourages one to pursue their dreams and to remain absolutely true to their creativity with an all-consuming focus and passion.

SIDDHI S. GEETE

Designs by Siddhi S. Geete
Designs by Siddhi S. Geete

Love colour-blocking? Check out what Siddhi S. Geete‘s collection is all about.

Says the designer, “The theme for my collection was I Love Colours and the purpose of exploring this concept was because I always associate my life with colours. How boring would it be to live a life in black and white, without colours? I can’t imagine my life without colours. I feel that each colour has its own importance. For example, red symbolizes love, yellow symbolizes friendship, white symbolizes peace etc.

Designs by Siddhi S. Geete
Designs by Siddhi S. Geete

I have used my favourite colour schemes in my collection, which are primary, secondary and tertiary. I have stylized my garments by making horizontal and vertical divisions to highlight colour blocking. The collection consists of one-pieces, t-shirts and trousers crafted from stretchable fabrics such as cotton stretch, pico etc.

Designs by Siddhi S. Geete
Designs by Siddhi S. Geete

I have paid special attention to colour blocking my accessories – shoes and bags – as well.”

ANWAR KHAN

Anwar Khan wins Collection Of The Year
Anwar Khan wins Collection Of The Year

There’s a reason why this young man, Anwar Khan, won two awards for his collection – the first for Excellence In Execution and the second (the most important) Collection Of The Year.

A design by Anwar Khan
A design by Anwar Khan

Reveals Anwar, “My collection called I Love My Workshop, is about enhancing the innocence of plain fabric by using surplus materials from my workshop. I have shown different facets of workmanship like pleating, applique work, patchwork and other texturing methods.

A design by Anwar Khan
A design by Anwar Khan
A design by Anwar Khan
A design by Anwar Khan
A design by Anwar Khan
A design by Anwar Khan

Adds the designer, “This collection truly celebrates the fit-n-flare silhouette. I have used fabrics like linen, jute, cotton, muslin and blends of wool. And to stay true to my inspiration, I chose a colour scheme of tints and shades of khakee along with polychromatic colours.”