Fashion maven imparts draping tips

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 2

It was difficult to gauge whether the dresses worn by models at INIFD were just creatively wrapped in different ways and there was not even a single stitch on these.

The same red colour was used for all drapes in different fabrics to showcase that the possibilities of draping even with one colour were endless. Just on the second day of the workshop by celebrity Bollywood designer Kawaljit Singh, students came with the design which impressed him so much that he offered to take some of them for a week in Bangkok for Mr and Mrs India beauty pageant.

He also offered another student Bhavdeep Singh to work with his son designer Puneet Singh in Mumbai for a week.

Singh said he was charged up and energised seeing the talent of students at INIFD as well as dedicated faculty and Arvind Gupta and Mona Lal at the helm. After draping session of the workshop with him, students came up with creative designs and impressive sketches and created the draped outfits without his supervision, which was remarkable, he said.

“As a workshop also, draping is a great concept to be able to quickly come up with an elegant attire entirely by creating wrapping around and without a single stitch,” he said.

He said the students of Ludhiana were no less than those in Mumbai.

More workshops at INIFD

Arvind Gupta, Director, INIFD, Ludhiana, said as the institute was into its 21st year of operation, they are going a step ahead this year to call more celebrated designers to impart the skills to their students. “Last week, celebrity stylist Imam Siddique held a workshop for students here. So, we will keep inviting such industry veterans to share the essence of years of their experience with students so that they have a head start,” he added.

Humble beginnings...
Celebrity Bollywood designer Kawaljit Singh said his father wanted him to become an engineer and even got him admitted to an engineering college, but he wanted to become a designer. His mother, however, supported him in following his dreams. He ran away to a friend's shop and started designing clothes. A lot of Bollywood stars appreciated his work. “It was in fact Neetu Singh and her mother, who recognised my talent and give me a space in their bungalow, where I started showcasing my collections and then fashion shows became common. There was no looking back after that. There is not a Bollywood celebrity, who I have not worked with in these 42 years,” he says.  He said Madhuri Dixit and Sangeeta Bijlani were his favourites. Even Deepika Padukone is a fabulous person to work with as they give creative freedom to designers. 

Ludhiana connect 
He said he feels he has a special connection with the city as his mother Tejinder Kaur and 'nanaji' were from Ludhiana. He often used to visit Ludhiana, but as a designer, it was his second visit, he said. He had come here with former Miss India Manpreet Brar for a fashion show years ago.