Date:23/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2006/12/23/stories/2006122302590500.htm

The variety of design

Pearl Academy of Fashion recently presented the final collections of their fashion design graduates. Called Portfolio-'06 it showcased the works of 44 graduating students of 2003-2006.

More than 220 ensembles were displayed on the ramp. The collections mainly included women's wear. The students experimented with different fabrics. The silhouettes ranged from structured jackets and depiction of surrealist art to street wear for the youth and even fashion for older women.

Some of the renowned models that walked the ramp were Sonalika Sahay, Jesse Randhawa, Tina Chatwal and Nethra Raghuraman.

Attending the event as chief guest Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhary presented the awards to students for the best creation in various categories.

But adding glamour to the show was Bollywood actress Isha Koppikar. She walked the ramp wearing the collection of Sanjay Udaiwal who received the award for the best design for his work - `revival of craft' - a marriage between old and new.

She said, "I am glad to be associated with such an event. It was a pleasure wearing and walking the ramp in the creation of an emerging designer."

Congratulating the students, Renuka Chowdhary said that it's time to market Indian fashion and textiles in the global market. "Since fashion has a huge international market, our designers should get the necessary exposure," she added.