Vogue Talents x FAD Scouting for India
The initiative aimed at supporting Indian creativity is now in its third edition: here is a detailed account of the journey FAD has taken along with Vogue Talents.
Promoting the talent of a new generation of Indian creatives was the objective behind the launch of Vogue Talents x FAD Scouting for India in 2017. This global project was developed by Vogue Talents in collaboration with FAD International Academy and FAD Institute of Luxury Fashion & Style. The scouting initiative, which is now in its third edition, invites Indian designers, based in India or abroad, to take part in a special selection process. The winners have the opportunity to present their collections in Milan during Fashion Week in September. “FAD has been investing in the future of Indian talents to support its students and industry and give Indian talents a global footprint through the initiative,” said Shivang Dhruva, founder and director at FAD International Academy and FAD Institute of Luxury Fashion & Style. Each of the two previous editions of the scouting initiative has served to showcase incredible artisanal and creative abilities as well as innovation from a new generation of Indian creatives. For example, the first edition had finalists like Bav Tailor and her eco-sustainable collection as well as Ara Lumiere, a female collective that makes ethical hats. What’s more, the event in Mumbai served a networking purpose, allowing the brands and designers present to meet and form relationships in order to grow internationally. For example, Helena Bajaj Larsen, one of the finalists of the womenswear brand of the same name known for its colourful painted fabrics, met Roma Narsinghani, a jewellery designer who took part in the special portfolio review with Sara Sozzani Maino, head of Vogue Talents. The two designers then participated together at the Super show during Milan Fashion Week. For both editions, winners were asked to present their collections during Fashion Week in Milan as part of the showcase featuring the Vogue Talents platform. The duo of Huemn by Shyma Shetty and Pranav Mishra, which won the first edition of the scouting initiative, and Anvita Sharma, who won the second edition with her brand Two Point Two, showed their collections in September 2018 and September 2019 respectively, at Palazzo Cusani, in the “showroom open to the public” as part of the Vogue Talents event. Both winners were chosen by an international jury. For the finalists of the two editions, it was truly an honour and a concrete opportunity to get tips from industry experts. In the second edition of the initiative, for example, Anvita Sharma was declared the winner by a jury made up of prestigious professionals that included Anaita Shroff Adajania, fashion director of Vogue India; Bandana Tewari, a columnist for The Business of Fashion; Mickey Boardman, editorial director of Paper Magazine in New York City; Sabyasachi Mukherjee, fashion designer; Sara Sozzani Maino, head of Vogue Talents; and Shivang Dhruva, founder and director at FAD International Academy and FAD Institute of Luxury Fashion & Style. The third edition of the scouting initiative is underway, and is open to creatives working in ready-to-wear, accessories, and on sustainable projects. In addition to the scouting function, there is also once again the opportunity to meet with Sara Sozzani Maino for a special portfolio review. What’s new for the 2020 edition is a focus on the world of photography. There will be a portfolio review for photographers with Francesca Marani of PhotoVogue. The best shots from the Scouting for India photo section will be on display at the event in Mumbai.