Wills Lifestyle presents 7th edition of ‘The Debut’
Felicitates India’s aspiring fashion talent
Mumbai, February 26, 2013
Wills Lifestyle announced the seventh edition of ‘The Debut’, a first of its kind initiative for recognizing India’s promising young talent in fashion arena. The third regional round of this edition kicked off today at the Wills Lifestyle store at Oberoi Goregaon mall in Mumbai. ‘The Debut’ is an extension of Wills Lifestyle’s association & commitment with India’s most prestigious fashion event ‘Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and aims to encourage students of fashion through showcasing, recognizing & launching outstanding talent of tomorrow.
This year the contest received an overwhelming response through more than 340 online registrations and 150+ portfolios received from Fashion schools across the country – namely, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT); National Institute of Design (NID); Pearl Academy of Fashion; (NIIFT) Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology; Amity School, Noida & J. D. Institute of Fashion Technology. The Debut - 2013' winner would be chosen from one of these 150+ creations and will get to felicitate at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.
The Debut has also leveraged the Social Media platform to expand and engage with the larger pool of Design talent. Four young design students whose creations got the maximum votes on the Facebook page have made a wildcard entry to the regional rounds across Kolkata, Bangalore & Mumbai this year.
Mr. Atul Chand, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC’s Lifestyle Retailing Business Division said, “The Debut by Wills Lifestyle is a unique platform that nurtures and recognises young talent in the field of fashion design. This initiative provides encouragement to budding creative talent and facilitates interface with the leading names of the Indian Fashion fraternity. We are delighted at the overwhelming response received and we are sure the initiative will go from strength to strength in the years to come”
The short listed finalists will be competing at The Debut finale to be held in New Delhi on 05th March 2013. An eminent panel of representatives from the design team of ITC and other fashion institutes like NIFT, NID, Pearl Academy, along with renowned fashion designers of Fashion Design Council of India will judge the winner, on key parameters like Creativity, Technicality and Commercial Viability. The winner will get an opportunity to visit an international fair of repute and will be felicitated at the forthcoming edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in March 2013.
The 12 candidates in Mumbai were judged by the celebrated fashion designers Rahul Mishra, Priyadarshini Rao and Ms. Nien Siao, Director, Pearl Academy. The candidates have been selected after the first round, wherein their illustration-based design portfolio was evaluated.
About Wills Lifestyle:
ITC’s Wills Lifestyle has been established as a vibrant fashion brand for the premium consumer. It offers a complete lifestyle wardrobe, incorporating the latest fashion trends for both men and women. A nationwide chain of exclusive specialty stores provides the Indian consumer a truly 'International Shopping Experience'. Currently there are 88 Wills Lifestyle stores in 40 cities. It is also available in leading department stores and multi-brand outlets across the country. For details visit www.willslifestyle.com
