By IANS,
New Delhi : Kolkata-based designer Abhishek Dutta has been invited to participate in the autumn/winter edition of the Tranoi fair in Paris next year and he says he has already begun work on the line he will show.
“I have already started working on the collection and soon after the Tranoi fair I will be participating in the WIFW (Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week). I want to present two different collections at these prestigious events,” Dutta told IANS.
So what did Michael Hadida, the owner of the Tranoi fair, like in his line?
“He was looking at those designers who could present Indian sensibilities with western twists. Also, he wanted the designs to have commercial saleability and I guess my designs fitted the bill perfectly,” he said.
Dutta, 26, will be exhibiting his works at the Tranoi fair being held during March 5-8, 2009.
The designer has participated in four seasons of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) and made his debut last month at the spring/summer edition of WIFW. According to him, the WIFW gives an upper hand to designers as far as business opportunities are concerned.
While LFW, held twice a year in Mumbai, is more like a platform for commercial brands to show their latest lines apart from a few signature designer collections, the WIFW is a business-to-business event where young and established designers get a common stage to exhibit their creativity and interact with international buyers. The WIFW is also held twice a year but in New Delhi.
“WIFW gives designers better business opportunities as the event witnesses influx of both domestic and international buyers, which gives designers an exposure to the international market unlike LFW that has more glamour quotient and mainly attracts domestic buyers,” Dutta said.
“After being a part of these two fashion events, I have decided to stick with WIFW only, as now I’m concentrating on expanding my business overseas and WIFW is the right place to be in,” he added.
The designer had launched his couture line Abhishek Dutta in 2002 and then in 2004, he unveiled his pret line Adnormal. He specialises in Indo-western outfits that cater to the younger lot.
Dutta made his debut at WIFW 2004 as an exhibitor, shifted to LFW for four successive seasons and decided to come back only this season.
“At that point, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) were a bit apprehensive about giving me showcase slot, so I moved to LFW because it is important for a young designer to show his collection to create an impression in the minds of buyers,” he explained.
“After six years when I had created an impression, I knew it was the right time to be a part of WIFW to attract international buyers,” Dutta added.
The designer admits he made two mistakes at WIFW that he will not repeat in the future editions.
“It was my first time so I was bound to make mistakes. As there were many buyers from the Middle East and my collection was predominately for the European market, I simply fell short of pieces that could have attracted more Middle East buyers as they like bling and my line had more neutral tones.
“I did fairly good business but I feel I could have done much better,” he maintained.
“Secondly, I thought I should have decked up the ramp and related it with the theme of my line, the way veteran designers do. This creates a lasting impression in the minds of audiences and the buyers,” he said.