Entering the fashion world

Published on Page 4 Weekend
with The New Indian Express
Coimbatore edition, dated January 13, 2007


By Francis P Barclay

Fashion designing is a virtuosity that demands a creative instinct for innovation, knowledge about the fashion world and a yearning for change. It seems, today's youth have all these in abundance. A testimony to this was
`Saffron', an expo-cum-sale presented by the final year design students of Sri Jayendra Saraswathy Maha Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore.
The three-day exhibition, which ended on Friday, was a sumptuous spread of apparels, meant for all gender and age, and accessories.
What was the motive behind the expo? Vinayagamurthi, Head of the Department of Costume Design and Fashion, had this to say: ``It was our maiden attempt to understand the customers' needs and preferences and we succeeded. In fact, we were overwhelmed by the sales volume and customers' response. We sold about 110 apparels on the first day itself.''
Of the 380-odd garments displayed by the 40 students, 180 were in assorted styles. An elated Vinayagamurthi said ``More such exhibitions will roll out from us.''
There were a few virgin styles that everybody did appreciate. Archana E, a student, said ``Change is recurrent in fashion. At present, apparels with embroidery and kundan works are in great demand. So, we have brought out
innovative designs.''
``Fashion had never been so important as now. Its monetary worth is also increasing, for the attire not only adds to the physical look, but also boosts the inner spirit. It is the outlook of the mind,'' she added.
Her contrasting work on a saree was alluring. A big rose that comes a little above the chest of the wearer and the branches running across the rest of the saree have made her work remarkable. The roses are painted with fabric colours and embellished with sequence and beed work.
The highlight of the show was that many garments were designed and created based on themes. For example, labelled as `Natural view', there was a skirt, blouse and handbag set, all made of jute and coconut fibres, with a little touch of sparkling paint.
Another was Mohanapriya's `Autograph', a saree with a mass of scribbles on it as design. An ordinary saree has been given a new look with sequence and 3D work.
Similarly, Tamarai Selvi dyed a white saree and made it more attractive with a design of small knots. She gave it a wonderful name also - `Tie `n' Dye'.
Meenambika's kundan and embroidery work on a cotton silk saree took one month to complete. A plain saree, that she had bought for Rs 300, carried a price tag of Rs 2,000 at the exhibition!
The accessories on display included ornaments of kundan work.
Fashion jewellery making is a profitable vocation, and anybody can learn it. ``I have made fashion jewels for my use. Now I make them for sale because they have great demand in the market,'' said Aathi Selvi, another student.