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Dressed in Ritu Kumar’s collection of Indian and western attire, which have been crafted by versatile people from West Bengal, Brazilian model-turned-actress Gisele Monteiro, kicked off Kolkata Fashion Week-II on Wednesday.
Eighteen models adorned the ramp with the marvellous collections of Ritu, 65, who entered the fashion industry forty years ago with just 4 hand-block printers and two tables.
Gisele Monteiro, who was seen in ‘Love Aaj Kal’, added to the extravagance of the star-studded conclusion of the inaugural event of this five-day affair.
"Today's collection was a tribute to the craftsmen in Bengal," Ritu Kumar later told reporters.
She was at a loss to words to praise the skill of the craftsmen of Bengal and its hinterland saying: "You have great hand weaving in Phulia, embroideries of Uluberia and painting of Sreerampore."
She had started her ensemble with traditional lehengas, salwar kurtas and sarees with light, muted colours like cream with heavy golden embroidery work after which she also introduced darker shades like black, green, purple, magenta before ending with the muted orange lehenga of Monteiro.
She has admitted that the designers should be responsible to highlight the work of the craftsmen. It is our duty to bring out the best of the talents from these craftsmen into the ramp," she added.
KFW-11 has "Earth Couture" as the theme celebrating India's ethnic roots.
"As far as silhouettes are concerned, I started with the Mughal period, moved through Indian history, where we showed the sarees and the unstitched garments. In between, we showed modern India with jackets with paintings," the Delhi-based Kumar said.
One of the paintings was by city-based Jayshree Burman.
Kumar added: "Our craft is very multi-dimensional where you can actually customize every generation and for everybody and that was the whole essence of it."
The inaugural event came to an end with the beauties walking in bridal collection.
Talking about recession and its effect on the industry, she said: "It's a cyclic phenomenon that will keep happening but craftsmen will continue with their work."
