PA/34/14 30 September 2014
Australian-Indian designer Roopa Pemmaraju to show at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week
Australian creativity and style will again take centre stage at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week when luxury label ROOPA PEMMARAJU presents its collection at the Spring Summer 2015 show.
ROOPA PEMMARAJU, created by Ms Roopa Pemmaraju, a Melbourne-based and Bengaluru-born designer, will showcase a luxury ready-to-wear collection featuring original artworks by Indigenous Australian artists on garments using fabrics created by Indian artisans.
Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling said fashion was at the forefront of the cultural connection between Australia and India, and had strong potential in the expanding trade and investment relationship.
“We are proud to present stylish and luxurious contemporary Australian fashion that exemplifies the quality artistry of two ancient artisan cultures – Indian weavers and Aboriginal artists,” Mr Suckling said.
This collection has been created in collaboration with renowned Indigenous Australian artists – including Warlukurlangu artists from Yuendumu, Rosie Napurrurla Tasman from Warlpiri culture and Reko Rennie, whose art incorporates his association to the Kamilaroi people.
Elisa Jane Carmichael, who will travel to New Delhi for the runway show, is a descendant of the Quandamooka people of Moreton Bay, Queensland – the people of the sand and seas, Yoolooburrabee.
In developing this collection in India, ROOPA PEMMARAJU has collaborated with weavers from Varanasi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Studio Calantha, a Bengaluru-based atelier founded by Ms Pemmaraju. The production team helps turn the vision into modern silhouettes and beautifully-produced garments.
ROOPA PEMMARAJU has previously worked with weavers in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan. The garments are created using natural fabrics such as silk, cotton and linen.
ROOPA PEMMARAJU is looking forward to sharing the unique Indigenous artistry of Australia with the Indian people.
"It is a privilege to be working creatively with two ancient cultures and to be able to bring them together in a contemporary way for the modern woman,” said Ms Pemmaraju.
“Although we are working to preserve a traditional craft, we are always seeking ways to create new innovative fabrics or testing the limits of the traditions to create beautiful modern designs.”
Last year ROOPA PEMMARAJU was showcased alongside Indian fashion legend Manish Arora at a gala fashion event in Sydney.
Australian fashion returns to the runway in New Delhi at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week with the support of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).
“I would like to thank the FDCI and its President Sunil Sethi for their support in nurturing links between the Australian and Indian fashion sectors,” Mr Suckling said.
“This is a prospective industry for designers, manufacturers and retailers in both our countries.”
Mr Sethi thanked the Australian High Commission for its efforts to further strengthen the fashion relationship.
“The Australian High Commission has continued its generous association with the FDCI for the upcoming WIFW SS 2015. This proves their commitment to promote the cause of Indian handloom and weavers, who have faced innumerable challenges,” he said.
“I am delighted to welcome Australian designers to this edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. We hope that this will aid the developmental sector and address the needs of the craft industry and continue to the affable partnership between both countries.”
The ROOPA PEMMARAJU showcase builds on the growing fashion linkages between India and Australia.
Earlier this year Australian designer label Easton Pearson launched their label in India at an event at the Australian High Commission and last year Australian design duo Romance Was Born unveiled their collection at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2014.
In February, Rahul Mishra became the first Indian designer to win the International Woolmark Prize, an internationally renowned prize funded by the Australian wool industry.