Gaurang Shah’s designs to debut at IIFA

Hyderabad designer Gaurang Shah, known for his traditional attires, will be showcasing his collection Umarao at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards at Hotel Shangrilla La, Kaula Lumpur on Saturday. A self-taught designer who learnt on the job at his family store believes that bringing back happiness in the weaver communities is the true fabric of culture and revival of tradition. His passion for textiles kindled at the age of eight when he used to spend time at his father’s clothing store.

His love for saree grew while watching his parents, grandmother and many other women who used to walk to his father’s store. And, in 2001, he took up the challenge of reviving the traditional handlooms and bringing them back in vogue. After a lot of painstaking years, when the handloom sarees started getting fame, was born the label ‘GAURANG’.

Gaurang Shah will make his debut at the IIFA awards - after being chosen to showcase 26 looks from his latest collection 'Umrao', an insight into the traditional Indian exotic fabrics and intricate details, and ornate colors that has modernity. He teamed up with stylist Pallavi Datta to bring Umrao’s inspired collections to life.

“The collection is a resurrection of Umrao's elegant style. This an ode to an entertainer and an ebbed star. The color palette of Umrao begins from off-whites and beiges going into pastel tones of blue, sea green and wine; finally ending into bright yellow, green and red”, says the designer “The anarkalis, ghararas, lehengas, odhnas are crafted in Organza Woven in Benaras and Kanchipuram blended with kota and chikankari.

These luxurious outfit and sarees not only define haute couture perfection, but also offers that-grabbing appeal for the red carpet. I’m very proud of Indian textiles and our ancient craft of hand weave, opportunities like IIFA will help expand the art that few years ago were almost fading away. It’s also a tremendous presentationopportunity. I don’t know what to expect but it’s going to be very stimulating,” he adds.

“Gaurang Shah always had incredible vision, determination and talent, and is a fantastic example of the great things a passionate textile designer can go on to achieve,” says Kirron Kher, an ardent collector of Gaurang creations and the designer behind her looks in ‘India Got Talent’ show.

Actress Vidya Balan, who walked the ramp for Gaurang at the LFW Summer Fest confessed after the show that she never knew handlooms offers tremendous diversity. She expressed her awe for the fusion of kanchi with organza in pink and gold zari combination, the designer had given her to wear. Style icon Sonam Kapoor calls his creations timeless and inventive.