Designers' thumbs up for Delhi couture week

New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) As Delhi gears up to host its first couture week in July, designers are excited to be part of it and say that it was long overdue.

'I think it is great. It was long overdue. It was me, Suneet (Verma) and Rohit (Bal) who have been working in this field from the beginning and it's good to see that more people are coming in,' designer J.J. Valaya told IANS.

Rohit Bal felt the timing was just right time for couture week with the onset of the wedding season.

'I think the idea is great. It is something that was being thought about for a long time. It has finally taken shape. We have some of the best couturiers and it is the most appropriate time with so many events and weddings happening,' Bal told IANS.

The Pearl Delhi Couture Week (PDCW) hosted by the Fashion Design Council of India will be held July 20-25 at The Grand Hotel in Vasant Kunj. Nineteen designers will participate in the event.

Said Gaurav Gupta of the event: 'Designers here are known for couture and Delhi is a major couture market. This was much awaited.'

After showcasing his collections in Mumbai, designer Suneet Verma says he is excited to be a part of the couture week happening in the capital.

'It's wonderful. Couture is a celebration of craft, skill, talent and brilliance all over the world. For me, once you are given a platform like this as a couturier, it means you are considered to be among the best. Here you would not be competing with other designers but also with yourself,' Verma said.

Designer Manav Gangawani was also happy that the couture week has finally come to his city.

'I am really excited because I primarily do couture and I am really happy that it has come to my city,' he said.

Of the designers participating in the couture week, 13 - Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Anamika Khanna, Manish Malhotra, Gaurav Gupta, J.J. Valaya, Manav Gangwani, Pallavi Jaikishan, Raakesh Agarvwal, Rina Dhaka, Rohit Bal, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Suneet Varma and Varun Bahl - will showcase their creations on the ramp.

The remaining six - Ekru by Ekta & Ruchira, Geisha designs by Paras & Shalini, Jaya Rathore, Monapali, Reynu Taandon and Puneet Nanda of Satya Paul label - will display special installations.

FDCI has already hosted two editions of the HDIL India Couture Week in Mumbai. The third edition is slated for later this year.