AIFW: When stylists, designers turned models for 11.11/eleven.eleven

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) It was a show unique in its own way as some of the known stylists, designers and editors of fashion magazines turned models for brand 11.11/eleven.eleven at the ongoing Amazon India Fashion Week (AIFW). Designer Shani Himanshu and Mia Morikawa feel that they cater to the common man and hence this different presentation.

"We design for people like them hence rather than having an imaginary person in mind, we thought of these people. We usually don't know models so it was fun to have this show," Himanshu told IANS post the show.

Added Morikawa: "They are the kind of the people who have their own identity so it was not difficult at all to work with them. Also our designs are for common people hence it would be great if get someone like them who inspire many commoners."

The designer duo represented their autumn/winter theme on the third day of fashion gala that started Wednesday at Pragati Maidan here.

Some of the faces who walked for them were Lauren Massoulier, Rashmi Kaleka, Elton Fernandez, Rakesh Thakore, Divya Singh, Asit Bhat, Jeet Thayil, Nitin Chauhan, Malika Verma, Ameet Sikka alone with designers themselves who represented their own range on ramp.

There were sari pants, Egyptian cotton shirts teamed well with high-waisted black silk trousers, short kimono coat, mini short dress, summer jackets, trousers in cotton linen - all dyed in natural indigo, long kimonos, parsi jackets and many more.

There was also heavy display of bandhini and miniature tie dye on clothes along with block printing.

"We have used our signature textile: a selection of fine silks vegetable dyed and hand-painted contrasted with our anchor handlooms rustic khadi denim and khadi kala cotton," said the designers, who shared their show with another designer label titled Eka.

Titled "seekers-keepers", the collection draws inspiration from within.

"I sought stories from my friends, across the world... small villages, big cities, travellers, gatherers, socialites, writers, readers, homemakers, a few very popular & others- loners, some giving up on all accumulate knowledge, some still on a learning curve, but all of them holding on to some smaller experiences, stories that made them," said designer Rina Singh

Wrapped in pearly off-whites and rustic tones, the collection works with materials like wool, silk, linen, treated-boiled merinos, chambray herringbone, thick jacquard in merino wool and chunky basket weaves, block printed pattern overlay checks and stripes combine to create a story of the collection.