The Hindu Business Line : Delhi to host mega fashion event

FOR the fashion-savvy people, the most happening event to assemble and savour is the biggest fashion event to be held in the Capital from March 29 to 31.

As many as 165 design-industry teams would showcase their collections in the event.

The Ministry of Textiles and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) have already hired event management company, Australian Fashion Innovators (AFI) at a cost of Rs 3.56 crore.

The management company has been hired on a turnkey basis for event marketing, production, promotion and sponsorships.

Officials associated with the event told Business Line here that contract details were being hammered out between NIFT and AFI. The CEO of AFI, Mr Simon P. Lock, the International Marketing Director, Mr Jodi Pritchard, and the Production Director, Mr Jarrad Clark, have already visited India and have initiated work on the event.

Christened as dsyn04 to mark design, synectics and noetics, the three-day fashion jamboree would feature technology focus with hi-speed fashion manufacturing and creating greater value-trends in supply chain, marketing focus; sourcing in competitive world and strategic linkages between manufacturer and retailer and design focus; integrating Indian fashion with global design and creativity; on how can young designers set up fashion businesses.

Sources said the International Federation of Fashion Technology Institute has agreed to underpin dsyn04 formally and has also agreed to conduct the annual general meeting and the conference to coincide with the fashion event in the country.

Among the top industry sponsors are Du Pont Lycra, Mafatalal Industries, Indian Rayon and Industries, Century Mills, Bharat Vijay Mills, Himmatsingka Seide, Tencel, Levis, Reliance, Grasim, Donear, Raymonds, S.Kumars, Madura Garments, Stallion Garments, Poppys Knitwear, Vipul Fashions Pvt Ltd and Centwin.

Sources said the final product categories to be displayed include men's sportswear, women's sportswear, women and men's ready-to-wear, denim and street wear, resort/beach/surf wear, hand woven and crafted, kids wear, corporate uniforms and institutional wear and evening/glam. Already, design committee for reviewing the dsyn04 collections is being constituted, comprising eminent designers and industry members such as Francis Wacziarg, Neeru Kumar, David Abraham, Rakesh Thakore, Muzzafar Ali, Sandy Starkman and Raghuvendra Rathore.

The Apparel Export Promotion Council, Synthetic Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council, Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council and Indian Cotton Mills Federation too have agreed to help bring in a number of leading buying agencies and exporter-members into the network for participation in seminar and shows, sources said.