COVENTRY GIRL IS RCKC 'YOUNG DESIGNER OF THE YEAR'2002
22nd October 2002

Budding local fashion designer Kulvir Badh from Foleshill, Coventry took centre stage on the MELA 2002 fashion catwalk as Winner of the RCKC Young Designer of the Year Competition. MELA 2002, which took the Midlands by storm over the weekend of the 18th to 20th October, was this year's biggest indoor celebration of Asian culture and in the UK thius year with over 30,000 visitors over the 3 days.

RCKC Competition entrants were asked to design an outfit which fused the glitz and glamour of both Hollywood and Bollywood. The diversity and quality of designs submitted were fantastic and the panel of judges had the difficult task of selecting only twenty designs out of the hundred sent in.

Kulvir, 23 graduated from DeMontford university with a BA in Fashion and Textiles in 1999. Since then she has gone on to win various design competitions including one set by Company Magazine and Warehouse. For this particular competition, Kulvir was at ease with what was required of her. With her knowledge and experience of western designs, the dress she submitted takes key influences from Hollywood including the bare back and midriff. Her eastern upbringing allowed her to choose the colours carefully to successfully create an outfit displaying true fusion creativity.

Amit Rastogi, Managing Director of RCKC and judge for the competition said: "The standard of the designs was outstanding and it has been a difficult task to select only twenty for the final. I am delighted to see so many young talented individuals committed to making their mark in the world of fashion, this combined with the creativity of designs fusing Eastern and Western cultures will make this a truly exciting grand final"

Kulvir will be jetted off to India on an all expenses paid two-week placement with leading Indian based fashion designer, Anamika Khanna, whose greatest works of art have often graced the catwalk of Indian Fashion Week and have adorned a host of Bollywood celebrities.

Anamika Khanna says of her involvement 'I was delighted to have been asked to judge such a high profile competition and am looking forward to working with the winner in India. As a designer I hope that this will smooth the path of entry into the industry and give young talent the opportunity to be seen!'

The placement will mean that the winner of the RCKC Young Designer of the Year Competition will play a role in the creation of Anamika's next collection, as well as learning first hand about key eastern techniques from design and cutting through to classic hand embroidery.

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