South Asian Designers Showcase Their Styles At VFW!
By R. Paul Dhillon
VANCOUVER – The fall Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) Opening Gala in downtown Vancouver on Monday brought out a bevy of Vancouver’s most stylish fashionistas.
VFW has changed the venue from Chinatown to the upscale Queen Elizabeth Theatre (in front with tents). It reflects their upward mobility with big sponsors like Pantene and CoverGirl coming on aboard.
A lot of new designers including a number of South Asians have been busy showcasing their designs during the week with the conclusion show on Sunday night.
India’s Shravan Kumar is back and his fabulously grand designs got the biggest ovation at the Gala and showcased his designs along with a number of other South Asian designers Thursday night.
Shravan Kumar
Indian designer Shravan Kumar Ramaswamy made his foray into the fashion industry at the age of 17. Overwhelmed by the response his work got, he established his label Shravan Kumar and the Shravan’s Studio in Hyderabad. Fashion is a religion rather than a profession’ an adage Ramaswamy lives by. A true-blue fashionista based out of Hyderabad, has unparalleled command on the latest trends and styles. Known for his unusual creations using the rich variety of handlooms available in India, Ramaswamy has often shocked the fashion community with his bold usage of unconventional fabrics in his designs. His style of design is research oriented and he focuses on creating new trends every season instead on run-of-the-mill fare. His collections usually reflect his way of approach to life that is ethnic and regal. Ramaswamy believes fashion is a “recurring cycle” in a nutshell. His motto is that there is no good or bad fashion; one should wear clothing that suits their palette.
Atiz Designed by Swati Padmaraj (Seattle)
Àtiz Founder-Designer, Swati Padmaraj, is originally from Mumbai and has achieved two Masters Degrees including inorganic chemistry and business, yet fashion has been a lifelong passion. Àtiz creates sophisticated women’s wear for those seeking to encounter classic style in beautiful new ways. Eastern tradition and Western innovation merge in the elegance of a single style that is the vision of founder and designer Swati Padmaraj. Striking textiles of her Indian homeland, combined with classic silhouettes of Western daywear, create stunning and modern designs for the international woman who is ready to travel the world.
Papa Fashions
Papa Fashions Imports Ltd. was established in 1991, and has been manufacturing, importing, and wholesaling quality women’s clothing and accessories ever since. We have been operating out of our head office in Surrey, BC for over 20 years. Papa Fashions’ in house design team guarantees the latest trends and best quality for today’s contemporary and fashionable women.
Heer
A graduate from Blanche Macdonald Fashion design program. Honing my skills with some technical training, inspired by Nature , Architecture and very strong influence of Indian craftsmanship. Ranjit understand women who loves to be Creative not only on canvas, writing and music but also in fashion. Ranjit’s first ever fashion show was her graduation show which was bridal couture . Her second Show was BCITMA fashion show spring/summer 2013. “Office works”, another BCITMA Show s/s 2014 “ The Roaring 20’s “. As Well Custom Designed Couture Dress for contestant Miss world Canada 2014 “Victoria Kalitowski .“
Taranjit K Cheema
Taranjit (Taran) Cheema is a Canadian-born designer who has a strong eye for colors and graphics. She explores mix media and always strives to create unique and inspirational pieces. In addition to fashion, she also enjoys exploring other passions such as photography and fine arts. Originally, she pursued her love for fine arts, which naturally progressed into an interest in fashion design. In 2009, she got accepted into Parsons The New School for Design in New York City. Taran Cheema graduated from Parsons with a Bachelor in Fine Arts. In May 2013, she exhibited her thesis collection at the Parsons 560 Exhibition and the Parsons Benefit Gala. Within her graduating class in the fashion program, she was recognized as being among the students who received a high score on her thesis collection.
