Lakme India Fashion Week 2003 :: Payal Jain

Payal Jain presents ‘Voyage’ – Fall Winter Collection at Lakme India Fashion Week with Liberty ’2003

Payal Jain unraveled a story of the designer’s journey through ‘Voyage’ – the Fall Winter Collection at the finale of Lakme India Fashion Week 2003 today. The collection showcased an amalgamation of a spectrum of fabrics, interesting textures, avant-garde styles & alluring layers, creating a look of perfection.

Some of the highlights of the collection were crushed velvet jackets with elaborated detailing in rich Brocade and old Zari Borders, seamless blend of Chikankari & Block prints on Lycra, an intense play of surface effects and embellishments in an earthy and rusty color palette, specially created prints and tasteful blend of fabrics with conventional detailing.

The evening unfolded with some of India’s top models Nina Manuel, Sheetal Malhar, Vidisha Pavate, Viveka Babajee, Tupur Chatterjee, Joey Mathews, Sapna Kumar, Cleo Isaacs and Indrani Dasgupta.

Describing ‘Voyage’, Payal explains, “As a couturier, I feel making beautiful clothes is a form of art. To create a live image of my successive layers of inspiration is a long journey with creative hurdles & inventive madness. Voyage is inspired by the cadrant interpretation that is perfectly in tune with my evolution as a designer. Each ensemble is contoured to narrate a story and represents different moods, emotions & inspirations. In this collection I have tried to experiment and redefine the tried and tested & break the conventions to create a new look.”

Elaborating on the highlights of the collection, Payal said, “Marked by precious detail, accentuated by specially created prints, exquisite blend of fabrics and exotic detailing, the collection bodes a unique tranquility. Hand Block Print from Kutch with ‘Bakhia’ stitch done in geometric forms is sculpted into Blouses worn with wrapover bodies in printed Lycra. A lot of experimentation has been done with Chikan on Lycra in a layered camisole look in rich earthy tones.

As the evening unfolds, the resonance of this amalgamation portrays Payal’s forte for adapting and synchronizing various fabrics to avant-garde silhouettes. Payal has collated nearly 100 different fabrics together, which come alive through an extraordinary and asymmetric use of these appliqué pieces in contemporary ensembles. Needless to say, ‘Voyage’ symbolizes that the journey has only just begun.

This year, nearly 58 leading fashion designers showcased their collections - Prêt-a-Porter (ready-to-wear) and Diffusion (a line between ready-to-wear and high-fashion) at the Lakme India Fashion Week’ 2003. According to Payal, “I have been participating in Lakme India Fashion Week for 3 years now. Being the largest and most high profile fashion trade event in the country, LIFW is the perfect vehicle for fashion designers to develop business opportunities with trade professionals such as buyers, retailers, corporates, channel partners (wholesalers, distributors & agents), real estate developers and fashion observers.”

A Summa-cum-Laude graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, San Francisco. Studio Payal Jain was set up in 1993. Payal further embellished her skills in working with couturiers like Jacqueline De Bery and Ulrich Engler in Europe. A strong foundation in neo-classical aesthetics coupled with an unparalleled standard of perfection in production is the essence of Payal’s designs. Clear silhouettes, innovative fabrics and a wealth of crafts come alive in her creations.

Payal Jain - Profile
Couture, Pret-A-Porter, Corporate Design

A Summa-cum-Laude graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, San Francisco, Studio Payal Jain was set up in 1993. Payal further embellished her skills in working with couturiers like Jacqueline De Bery and Ulrich Engler in Europe. A strong foundation in neo-classical aesthetics coupled with an unparalleled standard of perfection in production is the essence of Payal’s designs. Clear silhouettes, innovative fabrics and a wealth of crafts come alive in her creations.

Speaking the International Fashion Language:
Over the past few years, Payal Jain has carved a niche for herself as a designer with a penchant for integrating Indian weaves and embroideries with western silhouettes. Her designs are homage to the modern woman, who is a blend of sensuality and confidence, of professionalism and strength. Today, Payal’s ensembles are sold at exclusive outlets across Europe and India. Over the years, Payal has successfully pursued her dream of making garments at par with international standards.

In Payal’s designs one observes an impeccable balance between the past and the present. Graceful cocktail dresses, evening gowns and simple yet elegant casuals mark the classic Payal Jain signature. Payal also does Haute Couture for her special clients to compliment their individual personalities. Her couture work has endeared her creations to some of the most stylish women across India and Europe.

Payal has always looked for new challenges to put her skill to test. In the past she has worked for and raised funds for a number of charities. She has been instrumental in raising funds for NGOs like Tamana Special School, Vatsalya for street children in Mumbai, Cancer Patients Aid Association in Delhi and Prayas Foundation for Integrated Learning in Delhi.

Interpreting an Extraordinary Spring Well of Creativity:
Payal strives to perfect each design, experimenting with unusual textiles and embroideries to create the right character for the collection she has envisioned. She also lays emphasis on a play of surface effects and embellishments to create a remarkable harmony in design. She also plays around with the warp and the weft to fashion exciting new fabrics. In this tedious, but exciting process of creating new textiles, she is assisted by a team of weavers and craftsmen. These craftsmen have mastered a multitude of traditions and they contribute a great deal to the perfect finish that is distinct in every Payal Jain creation.

In her aim to revive age-old Indian traditions of weaving, printing and creating new fabrics, she has established a new language of perfection. She has undoubtedly captured the Indian soul in her classic Western silhouettes.

Payal Jain, in her endeavor to take up new challenges, has been designing uniforms for prestigious hotels, hospitals and schools. Payal’s corporate design work is a synthesis of functionality and elegant style. Contemporary fashion design in a corporate environment is about creating synergies. This evolves a clear understanding of the cultural nuances and the ethos complemented by the detailed design requirements the environment demands. Payal Jain’s clientele are a testimony to the quality of her work and style.

Payal Jain’s Prestigious Corporate Clients:

• Grand Hyatt, Dubai, Delhi, Mumbai

• Hyatt Resorts and Spa, Goa

• Hyatt Regency, Delhi, Kathmandu, Mumbai, Kolkata

• Leela Palace, Bangalore

• Chalet Marriott, Mumbai

• Nikko Metropolitan, Delhi

• Leela Beach, Goa

• Leela Kempinski, Mumbai

• Max Healthcare, India

• Moolchand Hospital, Delhi

• Landis & Staefa (Siemens India), Delhi

• NEPC Airlines, Chennai

• Tamana Special School, Delhi

E-mail: payal_jain