14 Indian entries for WOW awards 2011

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) After India won a title at the World of Wearable Art (WOW) awards in New Zealand last year, 14 student designers from this country have been chosen to compete at the innovative event this year.

The final 14 entries were showcased at on the second day of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW), organised by apex body Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) here Thursday.

The audience was mesmerised by a dazzling preview of creative pieces of the designers, who have used their creativity to create unique garments.

FDCI president Sunil Sethi feels the imagination and innovation is par excellence and is improving every year.

'It is encouraging to see such new styles and ideologies that young Indian blood has. It is just par excellence. We have been in association with WOW for six years now and the scale ofbeing innovative is increasing with years going by,' he said.

'Last year we were the winners, and we are hopeful we could earn it this time too. I really feel the distance or the thin line between fashion and art is breaking now. People have started thinking out of the box,' Sethi added.

Last year, Yogesh Chaudhary and Manas Rarve won the accolade with the Supreme Montana WOW award for their Loops garment.

FDCI and WOW have been in partnership since 2005 in a bid to promote Indian fashion. They encourage design enthusiasts across the nation to participate for its annual show in New Zealand.

The WOW awards show, held annually, is an international arts and fashion extravaganza where designers are encouraged to challenge their creative boundaries. They are expected to create an extraordinary outfit, which may not necessarily be practical or commercially viable.

The 14 pre-selected pieces included dresses made out of plastic pipes, paper, iron sheets and metal wires depicting various characters, moods and emotions.

New Zealand High Commissioner Jan Henderson said: 'Indian entries are eagerly anticipated at WOW for the sheer brilliance and precision in each garment. We have received overwhelming response from India and I am delighted to see the work.'