Indian design student bags WOW Factor Award in NZ

2007-10-11 13:55:26

NP Jayaraj , an Indian design student from Pearl Academy, New Delhi, won the prestigious WOW Factor Award on 21 September, 2007 in Wellington, New Zealand. Jayaraj won the WOW Factor Award given for the most innovative garment and was awarded a prize money of $ 5000. His collection, 'The Weaver Finch Colony' was a creative synthesis between art and fashion.

Earlier, in April this year, the FDCI had short listed and sent entries of 18 young designers for review by the WOW Judges in New Zealand. Out of these, the WOW Judges in New Zealand selected 8 Indian design students to showcase at the WOW event. Apart from the WOW Factor Award won by NP Jayaraj, the FDCI has also announced award money of Rs.30, 000/- each for the three best Indian entries sent to WOW. Travel and stay for these top three entries was sponsored by Tourism New Zealand Board. Besides NP Jayaraj, the other two top entries who won this prize money include R.S Rajasekran from NID for his collection the 'Metal Petal', and Jasmina & Satbir from NIFT, New Delhi & DCAC for their collection 'I Explode'.

The FDCI has officially tied up with the Montana World of Wearable Art(tm) ( WOW� ), one of the most coveted fashion extravaganzas in the world, held each year in New Zealand, to promote and encourage Indian participation for the show. This received an overwhelming response with young designers from across the country sending their entries for WOW� 2007. Of these, garments of eighteen finalists were sent to New Zealand for further scanning by the jury at WOW to showcase their designs at the WOW Show in New Zealand.

Rathi Vinay Jha, Director General, FDCI said, "The design students have definitely done India proud in New Zealand yet again. The collection from India displayed creativity and went beyond the traditional concept of design and art. The Montana World of Wearable Art(tm) (WOW) is a globally renowned fashion event. This year, we saw an overwhelming response from institutes from India, who had sent in their entries. FDCI is proud to have partnered with Tourism New Zealand to create this opportunity for these talented students to showcase their creativity at such a prestigious platform." It may be noted here that last year also, 2 NIFT New Delhi students, Narresh Kukreja and Shivam Bhatia, were awarded the highly commended award for their entry - the 'Bee Hive Bra' in the Bizarre Bra Category.

Says Suzie Moncrieff, Creator and Director of World of Wearable Art, "On behalf of World of Wearable Art, I am extremely pleased to be associated with the FDCI, as India has contributed tremendously with progressively innovative and fascinating design entries each year. This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring designers to exhibit their creative talents to the world, who are encouraged to push their creative boundaries at the World of Wearable Art. The entries received from India this year have been remarkably promising and it gives me great pleasure to present this year's MainPower WOW Factor Award to the 'The Weaver Finch Colony' creation by N. P. Jayaraj from India, for its innovative design concept and exceptional execution. Judging by the extraordinary Indian talent displayed this year, I am very optimistic about the FDCI's future participation in WOW and hope to continually receive their support in the years to come".

An ecstatic N. P. Jayaraj said, "I would first like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to the World of Wearable Art and the FDCI for giving me a chance to be a part of this prestigious event. Not only have I been able to showcase my design talent, but have also been acknowledged for my creation with this Manpower WOW Factor Award. The World of Wearable Art experience has been overwhelming, exciting and memorable, and I would definitely encourage other design students to take part in the World of Wearable Art! Thanks to every one who supported me especially Mr. AKG Nair, Director of Pearl Academy of Fashion"

WOW� is held annually in September in New Zealand to an audience of 30,000 per season. WOW� accepts designs from all over the world, including Australia, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, India, United Kingdom, United States of America and Japan. The Montana WOW� Awards show selects around 150 garment entries designed by a national and international array of artists, designers and inventors and celebrates them in a totally unique environment.

The designers are challenged to create something completely original, a garment that has impact on the huge stage, is impressive up close, is constructed to withstand the movement of individual choreography and has that overall 'WOW Factor'. Some designers even use materials foreign to body draperies such as bicycle tubes, plastic bottles and paper clips, which call into questions conventional perceptions about clothing and the body. Each year the Awards performance combines unique sections into a distinctive two hour theatrical extravaganza showcasing incredible garments, stunning sets, dance, music, lighting and choreography.