Embassy of India, Rome
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Press Release
DesignIndia - Fashion design contest announced in Rome
As part of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence of India, the Embassy of India in Rome is glad to announce a DesignIndia Contest. The contest is an initiative of the Embassy of India and Associazione Sakshi, a non-profit organisation which facilitates Indo-Italian relationships.
Organized with the collaboration of Supermodel Marc Robinson, who is the driving force behind this innovative contest, and several premier Italian design Institutes, the contest will focus on promoting Indian handloom textiles and raw materials for the first time bringing them together with Italian design. The project has also received the patronage of the Camera Nazionale della moda italiana.
The aim of the project is to showcase Indian textiles in collaboration with Made in Italy brand. The participants will be working with high quality Indian textiles, and will be expected to propose creative designs, focussing and exalting the quality and the aesthetic of the chosen material. The Indian textiles which will be used by the contestants would be of superior quality and sustainable due to the use of ancient techniques and know-how.
Thirty fashion design students will have a chance to participate in the contest, ten each from the Fashion Design Faculty of the Universita’ la Sapienza of Rome led by Professoressa Cinzia Capalbo, The Accademia di Belle Arti of Brera, led by young Italian designer Francesa Liberatore and the Istituto Europeo di design (IED) led by Prof. Olivia Spinello. The project will also be supported by the Accademia Nazionale dei Sarti, with the participation of fifteen of its best students as the operative arm for the designers. The shortlisted fifteen designers will be each assigned a tailor and the duo of stylist/tailor will bring the designs to life.
The creations will be showcased in a dazzling finale on the Runway at Milan Fashion week in February 2022 and an Indo-Italian jury will select three winning teams of designers and tailors who will be suitably rewarded.
The contest hopes to strengthen the relationships between the two countries while illustrating the advantages that they may bring to each other -a true fusion of Italian design with Indian production. DesignIndia will also challenge the creativity of the Italian designers while also encouraging wider use of Indian handloom in the high fashion segment.
Rome, December 03, 2021
