KATHMANDU: Along with a galore of designers, The Himalayan Times TGIF Nepal Fashion Week '09 is also the event with a wide range of themes and inspiration that have driven these artists of fabrics.

The sequences of the very first day (September 7) itself prove the range that one can see in the five-day fashion festival. Traditional and contemporary dominate the themes, however they are not totally separated from each other as some designers have brought these together in their designs.

The celebration of glamour and style, which begins on September 7 at Hotel Yak and Yeti, will also include musical refreshments with a DJ session by a well-known name in Nepal's party circuit DJ Ankit, who is also doing the sound design for the show with his house of music Playmysound.

The Himalayan Times TGIF Nepal Fashion Week 2009 is being organised by IEC in association with Chivas Regal. The main sponsor is Löwenbräu and supported by Linen Club. The creative partner for the event is Echoad and VLCC is the beauty partner. The official host of the event is Hotel Yak and Yeti while the official carrier is Nepal Airlines and Avenues Television is the official news partner.

The ticket for the event is priced at Rs 1,720, which includes dinner and a complimentary drink.

Day 1 Desingers

Theme: Bridal Festimonia

Designers: Rekha Mitruka, Mathura Shrestha, Bina Shrestha and Ganga Maharjan (Kathmandu)

It's on her wedding day when a girl looks the most beautiful and 'Bridal Festimonia' will be presenting exquisite cholis and blouses meant to accentuate bridal glamour. Embellished with sequins and embroideries using pearl, kantha and mirror work, these garments are in vibrant hues of red, orange, maroon, yellow and blue.

Theme: Party DeLounge

Designers: Mamata Limbu, Neelam Shahi, Deepika Maharjan and Binu Rai (Kathmandu)

Short dresses with both A-line and sheath silhouettes perfect for partying sums up this theme. Made up of fabrics like satin, chiffon and crepe, these party dresses have embroidered gathers, pleats, flowers and frills for that special touch of oomph.

Theme: Touch of Nepal

Designers: Kanchan Hyoju, Sushila Shahi, Sovita Shrestha and Roshi Shrestha (Kathmandu)

Clubbing together traditional and contemporary elements — this is what Touch of Nepal is all about. The designers have used Nepali hand woven fabrics of Bhaktapur to create garments with modern silhouettes like A-line, ballooned and flared. In colours like yellow, magenta, blue, orange black and red, the collection includes variations of dhoti and draped trousers. These garments also features surface details like patchwork, cuts and piping.

Theme: A walk in the clouds

Designers: Sony Shrestha,

Sajana Kayastha, Deepti

Maskey and Sushrita Tamang (Kathmandu)

Fusion is the inspiration for this collection that includes dhoti, Jodhpuri and draped trousers along with waistcoats, vest tops and also dresses. The designers have used

Nepali handloom fabrics for these designs.

Theme: Dramatic

Cotton and

Hot winter's

collection

Designers: Sajani Rai, Muna Mibhak, Sujata Rai and Purna Kumari Rai (Dharan)

Dramatic Cotton: While others have brought fusion in their theme this collection will put forward a mixture of various fabrics. The collection that includes dresses, skirts and tops and three-piece summer garments made out of mixing different printed cotton fabrics. The fabric featured are floral, checked, abstract and striped.

Hot Winter's Collection: Coats, pants, shirts in sober colours like brown, grey, cream and navy blue and cool colours like ocean blue are included in this collection. Using corduroy, wool georgette and knits, elegance is understated. Accessories like hats, woollen caps mufflers have also been included.

Theme: Street Ghetto

Designers: Alisha Rai, Sharmila Tamang, Sakuntala Gurung and Dawa Sherpa (Dharan)

A unique style sense that exuberates attitude and completely different from the conventional type is what defines the dressing sense of ghetto. This very 'dare to be different' attitude is the muse for these designers who have brought trousers, skirts and dresses meant for the youngsters. They have used colours like chocolate brown, black, blue and maroon and their choice of fabrics include terry cotton, khadi, printed shimmer, plain shimmer, raw silk and polyester.

Theme: Teenage Beauty

Designers: Bishna Rai, Nuna Shrestha, Kamala Shrestha and Rekha Limbu (Dharan)

For every city, a look at the teenagers is enough to get a sense of what's in fashion. The most stylish and ready to experiment lot, teenagers always emote the latest style sense and attitude. Made for these flamboyant generation, this collection has tops, skirts and one piece attires made up of tissue, brocade and satin in colours like green, golden and lemon yellow.

Theme: Off Spring Beauty

Designers: Deepa Khand, Menuka Rai, Sahana Thapa and Ranjita Sunam (Kathmandu)

While the name might suggest a child, the designers actually are aiming to give a sneak peek of what is going to be rage in spring. Mostly short dresses, the garments of this collection are cut out of chiffon, cotton and cotton lycra. The presence of floral bold prints and specific details like bows add up to the vibrant look that the designers are trying to project.

Theme: Mughal Mania

Designers: Zeba Sarfraz, Reshma Maharjan, Asha Baniya and Aliena Gurung (Kathmandu)

The collection takes a look back to the older era for inspiration. Very rich in art and culture, the Mughal era has left quite an influence in the world of fashion as well. This collection depicts this very era's style with Anarkali kurtas and salwars. These age

old garments which have not lost its stylish touch are have patchwork and embroidery. These

majestic garments are of georgette, chiffon and net while the colours used are mostly purple and earth tones.