Stylefile '14 – The Lifestyle Exhibition

VARUN & NIDHIKA

A crisp freshness and a design attitude that expels flamboyance introduces the design label “Varun & Nidhika”. Varun and Nidhika established their label in 2010 withstanding a vision of individuality and strong dose of personal style statements. The brand stays close to trends but interprets them a little differently, and a little privately.

Detail oriented, with color, craft and texture as their forte, they experiment with Indian embroideries and textiles. Personal connection is the very quintessence of their work and plays a major role in understanding the mood of their design. The brand relates to their customers and buyers. Their design realm brings to the fore front, details and visual play. Their style of working is inseparable from their design ethos. The brand believes in striking a balance in the entire process, working in sync through all their process of planning, designing, marketing and retailing.

Their Pret Line ‘VARQ’ by Varun and Nidhika introduced in 2015, caters to the RTW segment. The brand currently retails from 25+ domestic stores including Ensemble (Delhi & Mumbai), Aza (Delhi & Mumbai), Ogaan (Delhi), Evoluzionie (Chennai), Elahe (Hyderabad) and more. Internationally, their Pret brand retails from many concept stores and multi-designer stores in US, UK, France, Sweden, Spain, Italy and Middle East (Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai and Jeddah).

ABHA DALMIA

Abha Dalmia has been working on the revival of the ancient craft of Benarsi weaving to support the talented weavers for the past 30 years. She has meticulously revived the traditional Indian art in weaving and embroidery, concentrating on the Benarsi silks.

PANKAJ & NIDHI

A talented young designer duo who launched their label in May 2006, Pankaj & Nidhi are celebrated for their fresh and crisp sensibility. They are one of the few labels in the country which have struck the right balance of winning critical acclaim as well as being wearable.

NACHIKET BARVE

An Indian fashion designer of Mumbai, India, Nachiket Barve’s eponymous fashion label was launched at the Gen Next show at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

A Bachelor degree holder in commerce from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Nachiket Barve studied apparel and accessory design, at National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad. He was awarded a French government scholarship to study at École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD). There, he worked with haute couture ateliers learning handmade flower making, pleating, and working with feathers, leather and accessories. Barve completed his final project with mentors Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, and he was an intern at Celine, a subsidiary of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy LVMH and with the textile designer, Neeru Kumar. In 2010, Barve received the British Fashion Council and Elle Magazine “Young Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year” award.

Nachiket produces bespoke fashions and Indianwear. The Barve Nachiket label has been sold in India, the US, Singapore and Nigeria. The label has also been sold at the Pernia pop-up shop, and the Rent: The Runway internet shop. Nachiket’s designs are inspired by his travels, science, nature and functionality. He experiments with fabrics, the joyous use of colour and the intricate surface detail. His philosophy is to challenge pre-existing norms and make fashion relevant to women no matter race, age, size or body type.

SHANTANU GOENKA

Shantanu Goenka is a couture brand known for its exquisite craftsmanship and luxurious detailing. An alumnus of NIFT Kolkata’s inaugural batch and with an award for the most creative designer, he started his label specializing in haute couture, bridal and occasion wear for men and women. He is popular for his use of Swarovski crystals and exotic fabrics sourced from around the globe. His refined and laborious embroideries, classic styles and seamless finish have a loyal clientele globally.

SIMAR DUGAL

Based out of Delhi, Simar believes in the revival of old ancient embroideries and focuses on comfortable clothing which she believes is just as important as style.

VASUNDHARA

Vasundhara showcases her exclusive collection at StyleFile for yet another year. Drawing inspiration from the purity and serenity of Indian flowers, her carefully hand-crafted collection is all about spiritual significance.

MOUSUMI BISWAS

Mousumi Biswas (born in 1978) is a Bachelor of Visual Art (Painting) from the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata (2003) and Masters in Fine Arts (Painting) from Kala Bhavan, Visva Bharti, Santiniketan (2005). She has participated in several exhibitions and has received the Kolkata Art Foundation Award (2005), ‘Rathin Maitra Award’ from OVT College of Art and Craft (2003) and the ‘Certificate of Merit’ from the Government College of Art and Craft (2002). Her works can be found with leading art collectors in India and abroad.

The artist lives and works in Noida, UP. An especially eye-catching piece is Mousumi Biswas’s painting of the green-eyed Afghan girl, Sharbat Gula, made famous on the cover of the National Geographic magazine.

PRAJJWAL CHOUDHURY

A degree holder in Painting and Print Making from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata and Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, Prajjwal Choudhury has participated in numerous exhibitions across the globe. His work currently features in The ESSL Museum, Vienna. He gathers his preliminary fuel from everyday objects that are taken for granted, to engineer his thought-provoking creations.

SAPTARSHI NASKAR

Saptarshi Naskar’s (born in 1979) paintings function in duality celebrating within a geometrical structure moment of nostalgia as well as the present reality. A Bachelors of Visual Art (Painting) from Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata (2003) and a Masters degree in Fine Arts (Painting) from Kala Bhavana Visva Bharati Shantiniketan (2005), Naskar has participated in several exhibitions in India and abroad – Sixth Sense, presented by Arushi Arts, Travancore Palace, New Delhi (2008), ‘Born Free’, Genesis Art Gallery, Kolkata (2007), to name a few.

He has been awarded the Certificate of Merit from Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata (2001), a Silver Medal from Avantika Regional Art Exhibition, Kolkata (2002) and ‘Atul Bose Award’ from Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata (2003).

G R IRANNA

G R Iranna studied at the Wimbledon School of Art, London, graduating from the College of Visual Art and completed her MFA from Delhi. She has participated in many group and solo shows both in India and abroad. Apart from winning several awards, she has also published two books.

PRAFULL SINGH

Prafull has done MFA from MS University, Baroda. He has received the Harmony Award (Reliance Industries) in 2004, Bendre-Hussain Award from Bombay Art Society in 2003 and Gujarat Lalit Kala Academy award in 1999. Most of his work displays surrealist overtones as he tries to transcend the everyday world of chaos and disharmony and reach a realm of peace guided by the practice of meditation.