138 designers to participate in WIFW autumn-winter 2012

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) The upcoming edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW), to be held next month, will witness a record number of 138 designers showcasing their collection on the ramp and racks.

The number beats the maximum number of designers at the previous two editions of the bi-annual gala. While the spring summer edition 2011 saw 120 designers, the autumn-winter 2011 edition had 130 designers.

The WIFW organising body, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) Friday announced the list of designers who will take part at the five-day extravaganza, which starts Feb 15.

The list includes 14 new runway and stall designers, showcasing their creations.

"This year we have a list of outstanding designers with representation across geographies who will display their creative excellence on the runway," FDCI president Sunil Sethi said in a statement.

"With combined elements of innovation, creativity and tradition of the WIFW, these designers will give a fresh perspective to the autumn-winter collection, we are hopeful that this edition will also break all records like the past season," added Sethi.

Some established names whose works will be seen include Abraham and Thakore, Anand Kabra, Anju Modi, Gaurav Gupta, Meera and Muzaffar Ali, Manish Malhotra, Rahul Mishra, Rocky S, Rohit Bal, Shantanu and Nikhil, Tarun Tahiliani, Abdul Halder, Charu Parashar, Wendell Rodricks, James Ferreira and Gauri and Nainika.

The list of first-time designers includes Kanika Saluja Chaudhary, Vijay Balhara, Kiran and Meghna, Nupur Kanoi, Ritu Pande, Shakshee Pradhan, Tahera Peeran, Shantanu Singh, Vaishali, Pallavi Singhee, Payal Pratap, Chhaya Mehrotra, Ruchi Mehta, Pragya and Megha Samor and Pallavi Foley.

The event will take place at Pragati Maidan.