Kathmandu

An extravagant ramp, glitzy attires, gorgeous models, and the obvious perception that one holds of the swanky fashion industry — at first glimpse it comes across as glamorous and even a bit frivolous. However, there is a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears along with artistic inspiration that makes up its façade.

Celebrating the hard work of people who make the Nepali fashion industry, providing a platform for new talents and continuing to uplift the fashion standard in the country, Ruslan The Himalayan Times TGIF Nepal Fashion Week 2017 begins today (April 5) at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. Just like its previous editions, this year’s fashion show will continue to have its glamorous charm, but with a little twist — there will be a lot of business as well as social aspects involved.

The Nepal Fashion Week was started by IEC and Sunsilk in 2004. In 2007, it was organised under the name of Lakme Nepal Fashion Week. In 2009, The Himalayan Times took the show under its wings and thus was born what we know today as The Himalayan Times TGIF Nepal Fashion Week. The event immediately raised the bar for fashion events in the country and has been continuing the legacy.

This year the show has stressed on promoting designers who can use the platform to connect with potential buyers — opening a direct line of communication at the four-day event. The event will unveil the latest 2017 Spring-Summer collections of 42 designers — established and aspiring ones. Some familiar names such Siwangi Pradhan (Si), Daljit Sudan, Rasna Shrestha (Mu Ce), Manish Rai, Anu Shrestha, Mukta Shrestha (Muku), Antee Gurung (Inspiron), Swornim Rai, Uma Nemkul, Sushma Singh and Khusbu Rana will be once more making their entries. New faces like Sweata Acharya, Surakshya Purja, Runa Manandhar and Amit Baral will be stepping up to the plate for the first time. Apart from professional designers, 10 aspiring designers from IEC School and College of Art and Fashion will be making their debut.

The designs will vary from heavy bridal wear to modern wear to fusion of traditional and contemporary. A lot of in-trend elements have been incorporated in the collections, and pastel colours have been played with. The designers have invested not only their time, but also emotions and feelings in each piece.

“TGIF Nepal Fashion Week is one of the best platforms for upcoming and established designers to showcase their collections. I am expecting wonderful audiences and potential buyers this year,” says Mukta. Whereas Acharya shares, “TGIF Nepal Fashion Week is a stepping stone for designers like me to build a reputation. I am really looking forward to showcase my hard work. Hopefully it works out for the best for me.”

On the other hand, Shailaja Adhikary, Managing Director, IEC, who has been associated with the show since the very beginning says that every year the show has been raising the bar for fashion in the country. “This year designers will be getting a greater mileage, and will have the opportunity to connect with the buyers,” she states.

Interested buyers can purchase the designers’ outfits at the venue — each day, after the show, the day’s featured designers’ collections will be displayed for sale. Furthermore, the weekend after the event, a special two-day event will be conducted where all the outfits of the designers will be exhibited for sale.

A certain amount from proceeds of the sales will be going to Maiti Nepal.

Donning the beautiful creations of these designers, 18 models will walk the ramp. These models have been selected amongst 400 models who participated at the auditions for the Nepal Fashion Week in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Along with some well-known names such as Aastha Pokharel, audience will see many new faces like Shashi Shrestha, Priyani Maya Webster, Shimran Shrestha, Nikita Mahat, Sudipa Pathak, Barsha Thakali, Sandipa Limbu to name a few.

Sijan Bhattachan, choreographer of this year’s fashion gala reveals, “The models have worked very hard during their training sessions. This year the choreography will be different compared to previous years, there will be a lot of variations.”

Lastly, another buzzing aspect of the event is the hottest after-parties, where DJ Suraj will be making the audience dance to his beats.

The glam filled affair is sponsored by Ruslan in association with Tresemme and powered by Mahindra KUV100, with Silk Air as the airline partner.

The show will end on April 8.