The Vogue India Fashion Fund is part of a global initiative to mentor the next generation of fashion designers. Started in India in 2012 in collaboration with Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the Fund brings together a panel of industry experts to identify six finalists and one winner.
BODICE’S RUCHIKA SACHDEVA WINS VOGUE INDIA FASHION FUND 2014
Paper butterflies hanging from fairy-lit trees, bottles of Tigre Blanc vodka lined up at the open air bar and five mannequins representing Vogue’s favourite upcoming designers of the year – the finale party of Vogue India Fashion Fund 2014 took place on October 28 on the breezy rooftop of The Dirty Martini at Olive Qutub, Delhi.
After months of preparation and two rounds of judging, the VIFF jury finally announced their winner last night–if you haven’t already seen the verdict on Instagram, click here.
The applause for winner Ruchika Sachdeva of Bodice—who beat out finalists Karishma Shahani Khan, Quirk Box, Ragini Ahuja of Ikai and Hemant & Nandita—began even before Vogue fashion features director and VIFF judge Bandana Tewari said her name: “Earlier today I snuck into our winner’s store in Hauz Khas and I found myself looking at a display of beautiful minimalist garments.” What the judges loved most about Sachdeva’s work is her ability to create fuss-free designs with a perfectionist’s eye. “Less really is more,” said VIFF judge Sunil Sethi.
"Ruchika Sachdeva was a unanimous choice among the judges," said Priya Tanna, editor of Vogue India. “We love the simplicity, elegance and minimalism she showcases and the manner in which she plays with contradictions. We are proud to helm an initiative that nurtures talent of her calibre.”
There to support and celebrate all five of the Fashion Fund finalists were Tarun Tahiliani, jury member Suneet Varma, Shivan Bhatiya, Narresh Kukreja, Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Atsu Sekhose, Anand Bhushan, Pranav Mishra and Shyma Shetty of label Heumn, Dhruv Kapoor, Niamat Bakshi, photographer Anushka Menon, Kalyani Saha Chawla of Dior, Kitsch’s Priya Sachdev Rishabh Tongya of DIACOLOR and model Leno Kenze.
While designers Ragini Ahuja, and Rixi Bhatia and Jayesh Sachdev of Quirk Box followed Sachdeva as first runner-up and second runner-up respectively, designer duo Hemant & Nandita was awarded for creating the best phone covers for Micromax (one of the judging requirements). Ragini Ahuja’s Tigre Blanc vodka-inspired ensemble created in the second round of judging was chosen as the best amongst the five contestants.
Not only did Sachdeva leave the party having earned Rs 25 lakh to help grow her label, the designer will also be featured in Vogue India, and has won a chance to design an exclusive collection of clothing for Van Heusen. Winning the Fashion Fund has also given her access to prominent platforms in the industry, mentorship from Vogue, PR support and media coverage, and a year-long business/creative/marketing mentorship with an industry professional.
"I feel so lucky, humbled and honoured. The whole Vogue team and the jury has been so supportive,” Sachdeva said. In print, the designer sounds every bit the perfectly calm winner. But if you’d been there, you’d have seen her grinning giddily on stage, fighting photographers off with a rushed “Jaldi karo mummy ko phone karna hai!” (“Hurry up, I’ve got to call my mom!”)
IKAI BY RAGINI AHUJA: CAPSULE COLLECTION
QUIRKBOX BY RIXI BHATIA AND JAYESH SACHDEV: CAPSULE COLLECTION
HEMANT & NANDITA: CAPSULE COLLECTION
RUCHIKA SACHDEV: CAPSULE COLLECTION
[KA] [SHA] BY KARISHMA SHAHANI KHAN: CAPSULE COLLECTION
The designer duo’s clothes always aim to mix Indian elements with sport luxe. Their signature elements (motifs, prints and embellishments) were evident at the judging session too. We spotted floral embroidery and exotic birds made with metallic thread in their capsule collection.
Ragini Ahuja’s label is known by fashion insiders for its boxy silhouettes, edgy illustrations and animated details. The best part of her designs is the minimalist androgynous feel that comes through her use of fuss-free, supple leather.
With all those colours wrapped up in one collection, it was hard to miss [Ka] [Sha] at the VIFF 2014 judging. Khan describes her label as one that comes from contemporary India but is obsessed with the past. It promotes handcrafted traditional techniques.
Sachdeva’s minimalist aesthetic landed her a spot in Vogue's 2014 Style List, and her label is a fashion week favourite too. Her understated creations are gender-neutral and are an attempt to challenge preconceived notions of Indian fashion.
Quirk Box’s USP: wearable eccentricity. The label is now synonymous with offbeat prints and rainbow-bright colours. The label’s last big red carpet spotting: a multi-coloured jacket worn by Deepika Padukone.
What about the rest? Designers who did not make the cut, provided they still fall within the criteria can apply again next year.
Follow @VFFIndia on Twitter for updates.
VIFF 2014’S TOP 20 MEET THE JUDGES
Mumbai’s Palladium hotel opened its doors on the morning of June 24 to a pack of fashion enthusiasts: models ready to take on a day full of hair and make-up, 20 of the country’s brightest upcoming designers, and seven fashion veterans, on a mission to eventually decide the winner of Vogue India Fashion Fund 2014.
Handpicked from all over the country, VIFF 2014’s 20 finalists stand to win not just a hefty cash prize. Last year’s winner Archana Rao of fashion label Frou Frou also won a fashion shoot in Vogue India, one-year business mentorship with a professional from the industry and the opportunity to design for retail giant Westside.
This was the first time some of 2014’s semi-finalists met the judges — Vogue’s Priya Tanna, Anaita Shroff Adajania, Bandana Tewari and Oona Dhabhar, Dr Alka Nishar of retail bigwig Aza, Sunil Sethi of the Fashion Design Council of India and Tina Tahiliani Parikh of multi-designer boutique Ensemble.
“The experience just feels crazy!” says Ridhi Mehra – a VIFF debutante already well-known for her Bollywood fans (we’ve spotted Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha in her floral pieces). “The judging day is already here; I’m both nervous and excited to meet the jury.”
“Each of the judges have so much expertise in fashion, the key is to just be honest when you’re talking to them,” adds Ruchika Sachdeva of Bodice, who is making her second appearance. “I’ll be showcasing my most recent collection because it’s the most relevant part of my work.”
After meeting all the contestants (“I can’t tell you who my favourite is yet, but there were some names that shone brighter than others,” says judge Bandana Tewari) the jury will now pick its five favourite hopefuls. Results will be out soon!
Follow @VFFIndia on Twitter for updates
Today Vogue India Fashion Fund announces its list of semi-finalists for 2014. The following 20 designers (in no particular order) have been shortlisted from hundreds of entries.
This number will be whittled down to 5 finalists in early July. Stay posted via @VFFIndia on Twitter!
1. HUEMN by Pranav Mishra & Shyma Shetty
2. Aarti Vijay Gupta
3. ikai by Ragini Ahuja
4. Ridhi Mehra
5. ilk by Shikha Grover & Vinita Adhikari
6. Quirk Box by Rixi Bhatia & Jayesh Sachdev
7. 431-88 by Shweta Kapur
8. Sneha Arora
9. Urvashi Kaur
10. Surendri by Yogesh Chaudhary
11. Chhaya Mehrotra
12. Hemant and Nandita
13. PINNACLE by Shruti Sancheti
14. anavila by Anavila Misra
15. Mrinalini by Mrinalini Gupta
16. [Ka][Sha] by Karishma Shahani Khan
17. Divya Sheth
18. Bounipun by Zubair Kirmani
19. GaGa by Tanya Sharma
20. BODICE by Ruchika Sachdeva
Note: Talented designers who did not make the cut, provided you still fall within the criteria, it is possible for you to apply again next year.
High-res
Archana Rao takes a quick picture with her cheque alongside VIFF judges Anaita Shroff Adajania and Bandana Tewari at the Vogue office.
It’s barely been a month since Archana Rao won the second edition of Vogue India Fashion Fund on October 25, and she finds her days are suddenly fuller than ever.
“It’s been really busy. I keep jumping from Hyderabad to Mumbai for work now - but it’s fun,” says the name behind label Frou Frou on her visit to the Vogue India office, where she met the entire team and picked up her winner’s cheque today.
Along with the Rs 25 lakh, which she plans to use on growing her label through trunk shows, fashion weeks, and retailing from more boutiques around the country, Rao has also won a one year business mentorship with a professional from the industry and the opportunity to design for retail giant Westside.
“The critique I received from the panel during VIFF has taught me a lot,” Rao says. “And winning has made me much more confident as a designer. I’m more open to new opportunities and risks.”
Follow Vogue India Fashion Fund on Twitter
Archana Rao winning the Vogue India Fashion Fund 2013 on October 25
The Vogue Fashion Fund, a brainchild of US Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, was a project undertaken to support America’s budding talent. With India’s own crop of designers growing every day, it seemed only fair that we start the initiative on our soil — and last year we did just that.
The contestants for the second edition of the Vogue India Fashion Fund had more than one reason to give it their all—a year-long business mentorship with an industry professional, a cash prize of 25 lakh rupees, a retail partnership with Westside, a chance to show at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, editorial and marketing support from Vogue India and a fashion shoot in the magazine. Quite a haul, indeed.
From over a hundred applicants, the group was whittled down to 20, and then five—a task shouldered by our intimidating panel of judges. And after much deliberation, exhaustive questioning, meticulous research and intensive factory visits, a winner was chosen. We’ve got just one thing to say before the big reveal: the future of fashion is bright.
VIFF 2013 second runner-up Tanvi Kedia, winner Archana Rao and first runner-up Masaba Gupta.
“I’ve always loved the term ‘frou frou’. It’s the noise fabric makes when it rubs against itself,” explains Rao with her characteristic shy smile. While the term might evoke visions of all things girly, the designer knows just where to draw the line. “I’m inspired by contrasting elements,” she says. “The juxtaposition of soft with harsh, dreamy with sharp.” Her preferred palette of pastels and nudes is rooted by no-nonsense khakis, beiges and whites, the silhouettes a seamless blend of femininity and structure. In modern-day India, it’s the sort of ethos that appeals right away.
Vogue loves: Her sweetly girly vintage aesthetic.
