Hemant & Lecoanet introduce Monsoon and Summer 2008 Collection

Designer Hemant Sagar’s atelier is not far from the gently flowing River Seine or the 14th century classic Gothic architecture of Notre Dame. He is the only Indian to be part of the exclusive, even snobbish, Parisian club of Haute Couture that had just about 15 designers as members.

Sagar was trained in Germany and at Paris' Ecoles de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, the only school in the world that is said to teach the unique craft of haute couture, which, literally translated, means "high sewing". It is here that he met his design partner, Didier Lecoanet.
Lecoanet stands for liberty, and luxury; and Hemant, humour, and "habit," the French word for dress. The two alphabets - L and H-- on their logo reflect heady optimism.

Together they have dressed up Texan millionaires, Arab Princes and Hollywood stars. Mattel's Barbie Doll got three Lecoanet Hemant dresses in as many years. This is what Lecoanet Hemant aspires: joy through style. And in 2003, they came to India to dress up New Delhi's rich and famous and beautiful. The design-duo's clothes were sold out in no time. Hemant, whose mother is German and father Indian, says they have no plans to Indianise their patterns.

Their latest collection for 2008 has been inspired by Mumbai! This introductory collection for monsoon and summer 2008, entirely dreamt, thought and made in India is dedicated to and inspired by this beautiful style of the Art Deco buildings and monuments they call Tropical Deco, and Lecoanet & Hemant thus salute Bombay with a 'Grand Bonjour'. "

Sharp and angular lines assert their Geometry by contrasting curves ... the silver mosaics seen on Mumbai's Marine Drive have become metallic mesh, framed by patent leather to become a sleek top, buckled on bare skin with chrome ... sensuous dresses in gun metal lame reflect monsoon clouds and find themselves veiled by a shawl of 'seamiest' ... in silk georgette ... and tight body hugging tops are not sure whether they are shirts or jackets ... that's the tropics!

With a full line of fashion, including women's and men's garments as well as accessories, the designers introduced their collection to India for the first time at the recent Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

The traditional Indian silk was given a contemporary occidental twist, reminiscent of a sari at second degree. This progressive urban collection is India International, and was entirely dreamt, thought of, nurtured and finally executed in the country. The collection has been designed with the vibrant and colourful undercurrent of Mumbai in mind. The very spirit of the city during its fiery monsoons comes alive in the clothes.

USA: Jes Switaj wins Designer of the Year award.

Jes Switaj from Phoenix won the Designer of the Year award at the Scottsdale Fashion Week.

She started her fashion design career on a tiny Singer sewing machine, the one her mom took to college. She displayed her collection on the runway.

As part of Scottsdale Fashion Week, which features marketplace tents, runway shows and parties, local designers were invited to enter the competition. Online voting narrowed the field to four finalists for another vote. The runway show featured Switaj and the other finalists.

Switaj, 27, also will meet with boutique owners and buyers to show her line, said Lesley Oliver, spokeswoman for the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, the sponsor of the runway show and competition.

Switaj sells her accessories online at jesswitaj.etsy.com and sells accessories and clothes at Bunky Boutique, Retail Laboratory and Gold Lion in Phoenix.

She also is an assistant sewing teacher in the fashion-design program at Phoenix College. She is one class away from her associate's degree in fashion design.

Switaj saw her friend's handmade purses and decided to do it herself. She started with handbags, improved on her technique with classes, bought a new sewing machine and expanded her line. Each piece is usually one of a kind, and at times Switaj makes a limited number of pieces.

She's inspired by nature and organic elements, typically using wool, silk and cotton corduroy fabrics. "I really like ocean stuff - you can see in the octopus dress," she said. "I like things that look like they move in the ocean, like jellyfish, just flowy and floating and organic-looking."