Kallol Datta  | Photo Courtesy: MissMalini
Kallol Datta

His designs have been slotted as goth, grunge, edgy, and avante-garde… but those who know Kallol Datta‘s work  know that all he is, is fearless with a vision. He is among the new breed in Indian fashion with a strong aesthetic – one of the few designers without a cookie cutter approach to design; someone whose clothes have an identity of their own.

After skipping fashion week for a few seasons, his label Kallol Datta 1955 (1955 being his mother’s birth year) will present SS’14 at WIFW in the coming weeks. With the onset of the fashion season in India, straight from the talented designer, we present Kallol’s five point guide for designers to survive fashion week:

One – Cut the Cord!

Once you arrive at the venue, learn to let go. You always have a great backstage team + show director in place. Let them do their jobs.

You've done your part now sit back and let the magic happen | Photo Courtesy: Still from Who are you Polly Magoo
You’ve done your part now sit back and let the magic happen

Two – Pause. Breathe. Refresh. Repeat

Identify the nearest exit to your booth. Helpful for nicotine breaks.

Cigarettes are injurious to your health - Not pausing for a break is fatal | Photo Courtesy: Still from Fight Club
Cigarettes are injurious to your health – Not pausing for a break is fatal

Three – Put down the champagne glass and get to work

Stay away from the lounges as much as you can. Treat all five days as a 10 – 6. Leave the venue as soon as your booth shuts for the day.

Step away from the bar and nobody will get hurt | Photo Courtesy: Still from The Great Gatsby
Step away from the bar and nobody will get hurt

Four – Dress for war, not for the camera

Let the others (posers, blogger magnets) wear the ‘fashion’. Wear what you will be comfortable in order to survive the entire day.

Stilettos are divine but not when you have to run down the stairs with 30kgs of clothest | Photo Courtesy: Still from Rocky Horror Picture Show
Stilettos are divine but not when you have to run down the stairs with 30kgs of clothes

Five – Don’t be a Jerk

Be nice to people. Don’t be a d***. Don’t be a drunk at your workplace. You are in a place to conduct business. Not to partake in the moronic ‘fashion ka jalwa’.

Being a drama queen does not get you anywhere | Photo Courtesy: Still from Party Monster
Being a drama queen does not get you anywhere

Add these helpful tips to your fashion week game-plan, and while you wait for the next show to start, check out our Race to the Finale series with none other that Kallol himself!

With Anjana Sharma of Stylista & Aparna Badlani of Atosa | Photo Courtesy: MissMalini
With Anjana Sharma of Stylista & Aparna Badlani of Atosa