Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) announced the 30th batch of its most prestigious talent discovery programs –GenNext. Three winning designers were chosen from the first-ever virtual jury selection process that saw participation from over 200 aspiring applicants. The selected designers will be presenting their creations by INIFD at Lakmé Fashion Week’s first-ever digital destination to be hosted between 21st to 25th October.
Given the physical limitations of submitting one’s designs this season, the applicants had to submit a video montage of their ensembles to complement their presentation. The applicants were shortlisted and presented their collections digitally to an expert jury comprising Anaita Shroff Adajania, Amit Aggarwal, Pernia Qureshi, Tina Tahiliani, GenNext mentor Sabina Chopra along with Ashwath Swaminathan- Head of Innovations, Lakmé and Jaspreet Chandok, Head of Lifestyle Businesses, IMG Reliance. GenNext, for the first time, will be showcasing a fully sustainable collection on day 1 of Lakmé Fashion Week and all three designers would feature their presentation on the given day.
MISHÉ by Bhumika & Minakshi Ahluwalia
In order to address the uncertain times that the design community is challenged with, Lakmé Fashion Week this season has announced several initiatives to support the GenNext designers including a free stall space in its virtual showroom and an opportunity to be a part of the schedule through a look book format of showcase without any designer fees. LFW will also support these designers through promotions on the LFW digital handles for the next 6 months to help them market their brands.
Dhatu Design Studio by Anmol Sharma
Announcing the latest batch of GenNext designers, Ashwath Swaminathan, Head of Innovations, Lakmé said, “Discovering new talent who will be the future of fashion is one of the key pillars of Lakmé Fashion Week. We look forward to the 30th batch of the GenNext program display their collections on the virtual runway and reinvent the paradigms of fashion to be more future-fit.”
THE LOOM ART by Aarushi Kilawat
Talking about the GenNext programme Jaspreet Chandok, Head - Lifestyle Businesses, IMG Reliance Ltd said, “The GenNext programme is aimed at nurturing remarkable young talent in the country and giving them the support that is needed both business-wise as well as for brand building. Despite all the challenges of the pandemic, I am happy to see the participation and enthusiasm of so many young designers. It is our endeavor to whole-heartedly support them as well as all the GenNext alumni in these trying times.”
(Source- Lakme Fashion Week)
