UTTARAAGAM 2022

The Department of Fashion Design, GEHU hosted its Annual Fashion Show UTTARAAGAM22 of the final year students, on 12th November 2022.

Uttaraagam’22 focused on the importance of ‘Sustainability and climate change’ through Avant grade as well as Ready to wear garment collections.

The fashion show began with ‘ZEST’, an Athleisure wear collection by Rinki Kokliyal, that urged us to feel the zeal and carefree vibrant attitude post pandemic.

‘SMALL ESCAPES’, by Gursimar Kaur Wasu, inspired by the “duality of nature” as portrayed in Pablo Picasso’s painting “Girl before a mirror”. The collection stimulated the thought process ‘Waste is not a waste until you waste it’, by emphasising “reuse of post-consumer waste of fashion industry”.

UKIYO – Living in the moment, by Divyanshi Rautela, rejuvenated locked down wanderer’s soul and set them backpacking, through its multifunctional garments, of convertible and reversible functionality. Designer Divyanshi Rautela, received ‘Best Designer’ Trophy for her collection.

‘METANOIA’ – Journey of change, by Aakansha Deorani, focussed on multipurpose clothing for comfort and functionality for the “New Normal”.

Phygital Allure – Dress like a boss’, by Simran Lamba, inspired by American painter Karl Benjamin’s painting – “Stage II”, presented bold use of colour, interconnected geometric shapes, and clearly defined lines.

‘The Disappearing craft of Likhai’ by Ajita Bhandari, promoted wood carving ‘Likhai’, the lost folk-art & craft of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.                         

Collection ‘Indigenous Saura art’ by Ayushi Panwar, promoted the extinct art from Odisha in an attempt to revive it, through its exquisite garments.

Inspired from Japanese culture, the next collection “Arcane – understood by only few”, focussed on the thought that future is fluid, where expression has no gender. The collection designed by Doli Thapa, won ‘Best Presentation’ award Trophy in the show.

The next line of collections emanated from the belief that the entire universe is a creation of the five elements, also called as ‘Panch-mahabhootas’ namely Space (Akasha), Wind (Vaayu), Fire (Tejas), Water (Apas), Earth (Prithvi) and emphasized importance of maintaining balance of these five elements, to bring peace and harmony.

Renascence, raised voice against Landfills, and how they are becoming one of the major threats to the environment.

Enmesh, aimed to create awareness about the global concern of marine life destruction due to ever increasing pollution in water bodies.

‘The Taj – a Love poem in marble’ merged royal Mughal look with a hint of modern feel and depicted the Taj Mahal in its ethereal beauty, along with the withered colour of modern times. The collection won ‘Best Collection’ trophy of the fashion show.
BLAZE showcased the anguish of forest trees and wildlife, through hand-painting and asymmetric style lines.
A ready to wear collection ‘The Lost Sparrow’, aimed to raise voice for diminishing sparrow population, due to the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation from mobile network towers. The collection was awarded ‘Best Innovation trophy of the fashion show.

The event culminated with a powerful presentation by collection ‘Rudra – The Wrath of Shiva’. The collection raised VOICE against alarming situation of melting glaciers. The collection received ‘Most Creative and relevant theme’ trophy of the fashion show.

All the garment ranges presented during the fashion show were accessorised by the students, through their hand-crafted products  like head gears, necklaces, hand-cuffs, bracelets, earrings, face masks to name a few.

Varied concepts of environment sustainability like Re-use, Recycle, up-cycle, Minimalism, circular products, Regenerative change, Zero Waste, Gender Neutrality, Transformational garments, and Responsible Fashion were highlights of the mega event that presented a beautifully crafted endeavour of the budding designers of the Final year of Fashion Design.

The proud moment of the scintillating evening was celebrity TV actor and an alumni (2014-17 batch) of Graphic Era Hill University -Akshay Kharodia, who walked the ramp as a show stopper.

Our esteemed guests of Uttaraagam’22:

Mr. Rajesh Jain, Founder Tatsat Ventures & Shilp Retail -New Delhi, member Academic council, GEHU, Almora

Mr. Ranbir Vij, National President, Textile Association of India, Secretary General – Polyester Textiles and Apparel Association, New Delhi

Mr. Sachin Garg, Creative Director-Artistic Alliance, Fashion Designer & Fashion Business Consultant, Jaipur

Mrs Vrinda Aggarwal, Fashion entrepreneur, Owner -Fashion brand MAYORI, Jaipur,

Dr Toolika Gupta, Director -Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD), Jaipur,

Dr Mona Suri, Education Consultant & Associate Professor, PFHEA, Higher Education Academy, UK & Adjunct Professor & DRC member, Department of FD, GEHU,

Mr Sanjiv Mehan, Co-founder & CEO, Brand iloveshe.in, Delhi

Ms Meenu Chopra, Executive Director, All India Artisans & Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA),

Prof Kusum Chopra, Former Chairperson, Department of Fashion Design, NIFT, Delhi,

Mrs Shashi Chowdhry, Retd Associate Professor, Fashion Design, Delhi University,

Dr Anjila Gugnani, Retd Associate Professor, Delhi University

The fashion show commenced with lamp lighting ceremony by Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Kamal Ghanshala, Graphic Era Group, followed by a speech by the Head of Department (Fashion Design) – Prof (Dr) Jyoti Chhabra, who stressed on the need of the hour – to endorse sustainability in our daily lives and maintain harmony and balance of the natural elements.

Vice Chancellor, Prof (Dr.) R. Gowri and Pro Chancellor Prof (Dr.) J. Kumar proudly witnessed the mega event.