Alchemy

The Royal Festival Hall is set to play host to ‘Alchemy’, an eleven-day festival celebration Indian culture – art, film, dance and fashion. Beginning on Friday 15^th April Alchemy will showcase India’s sartorial side on Monday 18^th April.

Invited by The British Council, Prashant Verma, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Morphe by Amit Aggarwal and Sanjay Gargwill’s designs will sweep through the Royal Festival Hall’s Clore Ballroom.

Prashant Verma, having graduated from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, proceeded to set up his eponymous label 5 years ago. Verma’s designs were sported by Isabella Blow and are stocked in various stores worldwide.

      

Credit:http://blog.hippiecouture.com/

Gaurav Jai Gupta trained at Chelsea College of Art and Design and NIFT. Grazia India gracing Gupta with a Young Fashion Award for innovation in fabric. Appreciating the balance between craft and designs and the importance of handcrafting has helped define Gupta’s aesthetic and lauded him with fans like Jimmy Choo.

 

Credit: akaaro.com

Another NIFT graduate, Amit Aggarwal began work at Indias Creative Impex, a branch of Creative Group – manufacturer of Alberta Ferretti, Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier and Kenzo. But, by 2008 Aggarwal started Morphe - in collaboration with the Creative Group. Morphe’s first show at India Fashion Week landed him the Debutant of the year award from both Marie Claire and Elle. The look is raw and electric, morphing shapes and materials to create a modern angle.   

Credit: www.morphe.in



Sanjay Garg’s label Raw Mango is all about colour. Growing up in the vibrant Rajasthan, working out of Delhi and spending time with honed craftsmen, Garg’s designs use traditional techniques in a new way. Garg’s collections reflect on contemporary India and the country’s hand-woven textile heritage.

 

Credit: http://www.rawmango.in/

  

Needless to say, the Idol team are very much looking forward to ALCHEMY!

http://ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/festivals-series/alchemy

By Lucy Morris