IIFT INTERNATIONAL FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA 2011

For the first time in the history of this ‘paradise on earth’ island country, Mauritius recently witnessed a 3 days grand International Fashion Extravaganza, involving Designers from India, Pakistan, Mauritius and South Africa and Supermodels from India and the host country. This event coincides with the opening of another international centre of IIFT at Mauritius, as the Corporate office gets ready to celebrate its 21st Anniversary.

Says the local Director Anup Johri, “Initially IIFT at Mauritius shall provide Indian Degree and Diploma courses in Fashion Technology- Fashion Design, Apparel Merchandising, Textile Design and Interiors”.

Says the Chairman of IIFT Corporate, Ratnadeep Lal, ‘ I would like to congratulate the entire team of IIFT, Mauritius, especially Anup Johri, Bijaye Madhou and Mona Ramrachheyya for starting IIFT and also creating history by organizing the International Fashion Extravaganza, for the first time at such a grand scale. After the grand success of the Fashion event during the Delhi Commonwealth Games with Bradford College, UK, this is our second Fashion extravaganza in a row.”

The plans of the event began about 3 months ago, followed by meetings with the Mauritian Prime Minister and Education Minister, who consented all Government support for a Fashion Technology hub in the paradise island, in order to give a boost to the local Textile industry and also opening up avenues for career options for the youth. “Mauritius aspires to create top Fashion designers who can stand globally and rub shoulders with the best designers of the world at the Fashion Weeks and in the international markets”, says Ratnadeep Lal.

The inaugural ceremony and the next three days were attended by a huge crowd of the elite from Mauritius, including the Prime Minister and his wife, Dr. The Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam and Education Minister Mr. Rajesh Jeeta and a host of other Ministers and Govt. dignitaries. A host of Indian and Mauritian models showcased the designer collections of the local designers and the students of IIFT Corporate centre from New Delhi. The evening was spiced up by a classical dance recital by South Indian film actress and danseuse Swanramalya Ganesh and local contemporary pop dances by Jerry Nayna and Group.

Choreographed by the team from Mumbai- Rakshanda Khan, Swetlana Casper and Kedar Gawde and anchored by Pallab Bose, the first day witnessed showcasing of exquisite designer collections by Indian Designers namely Pushkaar, Sonam Dubal, Shivangi, Anshu and Jason and Pakistani talents like Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY), Sara Gundapur and Sahar Atif. The collections were a mix of the Bridal, Royale Mughal styles, traditional yet contempory and the black and bold western range of HSY. Finale of the day saw Indian Swapnil Shinde showcase his exclusive range that had got lot of accolades at the Lakme Fashion Week.

The second day saw the showcasing of Mauritian designers like Saman Arif Nayna, Nalini Aubeeluck, Dharna Hassija and Sanjeet Boolell who designed costumes inspired by the marine life of the island, Pakistani designers Mehdi, Shaiyanne Malik and Adnan Khan stuck to their classy embroideries and Mughal styles, JJ and Haroon Hansrot from South Africa presented their haute couture collections inspired by Hollywood, while Indian designers like James Ferreira showcased the Red carpet collections.

Says James; “This is simply amazing. Thanks to IIFT for promoting Indian designs here and such a wonderful confluence of cultures and designs on a single ramp. I am amazed.” Celebrities from India who attended the extravaganza included TV stars Apurva Agnihotri, Shilpa Saklani, South Indian Film star Laxmi Rao and Miss Mauritius Laetita Darche.

The final day belonged to none other than the Bollywood star designer Manish Malhotra. With a team of 45 Indian and Mauritian Supermodels he presented his varied range of haute couture inspired by Indian traditional culture, Royals and Princely states and of course Bollywood. The audience went wild and gave him a standing ovation.

“We have never seen anything like this before. This is like a dream”, says wife of the Prime Minister. Manish Malhotra expressed his desire to open a Couture Studio at the Paradise island.

Curtains drew on the Fashion extravaganza with the announcement that this shall be an Annual affaire and shall move towards a bigger scale ala the Mauritius Fashion Week.