Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI: Meet This Season's INIFD Presents GenNext's Winning Designers

With a continuous effort to propel emerging talents onto both national and global stages, Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI is all set to kick off its 49th edition with INIFD presents GenNext.

Celebrating its 37th edition of its GenNext programme, the platform announced four talented designers: Rohitash Notani (Rosani), Charmee Ambavat (The Terra Tribe), Kriti Greta Singhee (Kriti Greta Singhee), and Shimona Agrawal (Shimona Agrawal) as its winning designers.

To make their runway debut on March 13th, at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI hosted at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, the designers share with News18 what emerging as winners means to them, the USP of their collection and the things they admire about the programme.

ROSANI BY ROHITASH

What does winning INIFD Presents GenNext mean to you?

I’m truly humbled by this opportunity and really excited for what’s to come. It’s not just an accolade; it’s a validation of Rosani’s ethos and the hard work behind our vision. Being recognised in our debut year at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI adds a layer of responsibility to uphold the innovative spirit we’re being celebrated for. It is a surreal moment in our journey that fills me with immense gratitude for the INIFD presents GenNext programme and the platform. This will push us even more to deliver on the promise that we first started Rosani for – which is not just to design clothes, but to weave narratives that resonate deeply with the evolving identity of today’s man.

Your collection won a spot at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, how do you plan to showcase it on the runway?

For Rosani’s first-ever runway show and that too on a platform such as Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, we want every piece from the Anima and Animus collection to speak for itself. We want the collection’s innovative silhouettes to stand out, showcase the intricate detailing, and create a fusion of textures that challenge and expand the menswear narrative. Expect a lineup that feels fresh, where each outfit not only looks great but also sparks a conversation about what menswear in 2024 can be.

What’s the USP of your brand and what makes this collection special?

Rosani challenges the conventional gaze. Our USP lies in our commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing the full spectrum of masculinity and femininity within our designs. The Anima and Animus collection stands out because it’s more than just clothing. It’s a statement on the fluidity of identity and the freedom to express oneself beyond traditional labels. We’ve incorporated elements that traditionally aren’t seen together in menswear, like soft embroidery with structured fabrics, to show that fashion is a playground without rules. This collection invites everyone to question, explore, and celebrate their unique style. It’s a collection that champions freedom of expression.

Things about the INIFD presents GenNext programme you admire.

1. The visionary leadership of women steering the programme sets a powerful example for aspiring designers. I applaud this so much.
2. The invaluable mentorship offers a rare glimpse into the heart of the fashion industry’s craftsmanship and creativity. This gives upcoming designers an incredible opportunity to learn from the best.
3. The INIFD presents GenNext team’s openness and approachability were immediately apparent, creating a welcoming environment that eased my transition into this new chapter. Their warmth has been both comforting and encouraging for me on this journey.
4. The programme and Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI’s commitment to diversity, reflected in its inclusive selection process, have been so impressive. To me, it mirrors the vibrance and multitudes of our country—and, of course, makes space for a rich tapestry of design philosophies and cultural narratives.
5. Lastly, the exposure and platform provided by INIFD presents GenNext is unparalleled, propelling emerging talents like me onto a global stage. This invaluable opportunity to showcase our work to the world is a launch pad I am profoundly grateful for.

THE TERRA TRIBE BY CHARMEE AMBAVAT

What does winning INIFD Presents Gen Next mean to you?

There are goals and dreams that you set for yourself and there are things you never even dare to dream of. Being a part of INIFD presents GenNext and getting the chance to present my collection at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI felt like a farfetched dream and I feel extremely elated to have had that opportunity so early on in my career as a designer. I cannot thank the entire team for the programme and platform, enough.

Your collection won a spot at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, how do you plan to showcase it on the runway?

To be able to put our best foot forward at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, the team is working day and night to design new prints, colours, and silhouettes. We are working on every piece of feedback we have gotten in every session with our mentor. The collection is inspired by the culture in Africa, and we hope to bring Africa to our audiences on the runway with our collection.

What’s the USP of your brand and what makes this collection special?

The brand makes minimal elevated everyday collection, and the collection takes light cultural references from indigenous tribes of Africa and the intricately painted mud houses in rural Africa. I am really excited for the world to see it.

Things about the INIFD presents GenNext program you admire.

1. The Top 5 things that I really admire about the INIFD’s Gen Next Programme at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI are that it gives a young brand like ours a global platform to showcase our work on the runway.
2. They are also giving us mentorship and training from industry stalwarts to ensure that we are ready for our big day and that the opportunity given to us does not go in vain.
3. I also truly appreciate that they will be providing our brand with the opportunity to showcase in a showroom setup and connect us with buyers from across the world at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI.

KRITI GRETA SINGHEE

What does winning INIFD Presents Gen Next mean to you?

Winning the INIFD presents GenNext means that it is a wonderful opportunity for the brand and the collection to receive mentorship and guidance from industry experts and get the opportunity to showcase our work on a prestigious platform like at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI.

Your collection won a spot at Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI, how do you plan to showcase it on the runway?

Third Space – Sustainable Future is the concept and theme of the collection. I look forward to presenting the designs and silhouettes that display the techniques of various hand pleating methods and details in creative textiles and clothing.

What’s the USP of your brand and what makes this collection special?

The USP of the brand lies in its approach to reinventing innovative techniques, textiles and designs in womenswear and menswear while paying homage to heritage, craftsmanship and maintaining its relevance in modern lives.

Things about the INIFD presents GenNext program you admire.

I admire the mentorship, guidance, exposure, and the opportunity that the brand has received through INIFD presents GenNext, to present the brand and the collection to excellent industry leaders and ultimately gain access and support in all aspects that’s needed for a young designer to aim towards excellence. To be able to do all of this on the stage at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI is truly an honour for us.

SHIMONA AGRAWAL

What does winning INIFD Presents GenNext mean to you?

Winning INIFD presents GenNext means a tremendous honour and recognition. It’s given me validation of my creative vision and hard work, providing a platform like Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI to showcase my talent and work to a wider spectrum of audiences.

Your collection won a spot at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, how do you plan to showcase it on the runway?

For showcasing my collection at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, I plan to create a runway experience that encapsulates the essence and inspiration behind my collection called HUE.

Like the hues on canvas, women embody strength, resilience, and grace, creating a tapestry that celebrates the essence of femininity. The show will start with a display of vibrant hues, symbolising the diverse range of colours in the collection, that enhance the theme and storytelling of the garments.

What’s the USP of your brand and what makes this collection special?

The USP of my brand lies in its fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, creating pieces that are both timeless and contemporary. This collection stands out for its innovative use of 100% pure handwoven silks and handcrafted intricate detailing, making it environmentally conscious yet luxurious.

This collection is special to me for several reasons: a) It marks a significant milestone in my fashion career; and b) This debut on a prestigious platform like Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI signifies the beginning of an exciting journey in the world of fashion, filled with growth, learning, and endless possibilities.

Things about the INIFD presents GenNext programme you admire.

1. Its commitment to nurturing young talent in the fashion industry.
2. The mentorship and guidance provided by industry experts helped us refine our skills and develop our unique voice.
3. It offers to showcase collections at one of the most prestigious fashion events in the country, like Lakmē Fashion Week and FDCI, giving us (designers) invaluable exposure and a global platform.
4. It encourages us to think creatively, think outside the box, and experiment with new ideas.