Didier Grumbach, president of the Federation Francaise de la Couture Du Pret-a-porter des Couturiers et des Createurs de Mode, who selected Arora for the participation, said: "Manish's collection is perfect and provocative which is a must for fashion in Paris. It's not exactly folkloric, yet could only be a creation of an Indian designer."

Arora himself couldn't help beaming. "It's a moment of great pride to be the first Indian designer to be a part of the Paris Fashion Week. I have always dreamed of it - and here it comes."

Arora's collection in this year's WIFW played around the theme of 'Time and Space'. Trapeze and A-lined skirts and shift dresses dominated his collection. The compilation also had a hint of the typical Rajasthani look.

The Paris Fashion Week is scheduled from Sep 30 to Oct 7, 2007.

ARORA UNVEILS SPACE-INSPIRED, FUTURISTIC LINE

Arora has drawn inspiration from the mysteries of space for his fall-winter collection, which he says "people will sport in 2015". The vastness of the universe and planets came to life as models, clad in outfits with disproportionate metallic discs and images embroidered onto dark backgrounds, displayed Arora's collection "Time & Space" at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) here.

"The collection is futuristic and geometric. It has a 1960s look and is all about illusion, space, aliens and painter H.R. Giger's work. It is about what people will wear in 2015," Arora told IANS after showcasing the collection Saturday evening.

"Time & Space" revolves around Arora's vision of the future and symbolises planets with little flora and fauna, devoid of light and an abundance of space. The creative entrepreneur has given life to his vision by creating outfits with dark backgrounds having embroidered and digitally printed images of rocket launches, astronauts, space crafts and childlike robots.

The ambience was also made space-like and futuristic with audio-visual illusions, spatial music, green laser beams, thick smoke, models sporting colourful wigs, goggles and faces painted white, yellow and blue. "The make-up was done to enhance the futuristic look," Arora explained. Disproportionate embroidered metallic discs, metallic embellishments, sequins, glitter paint, digital patterns and zig-zag motifs were repeated for an added effect.

Arora's silhouettes borrow slightly from the 1960's. Period dresses were structured in a slight trapeze with shaper cut shoulders. There were shapely, puffed and harsh A-line skirts as well. The line also included waist-binding hot pants, tops with bizarre necks and flared sleeves, over-length trousers and hood jackets having a spiked look.

The collection has stiff and glossy fabrics like lurex, satin, velvet, leather, wool, Varanasi silk and printed with metallic, luminescent dyes. All of Arora's garments have a black base with bright colours over it. "I have used a lot of hand woven silk of Varanasi this time. In fact I myself weaved it ... I almost turned a weaver for this collection," he laughs.

"In this line, I have used a lot of colours with outfits having a black base. This is the first time I am using so much black." The collection is accessorised with goggles, appliqué wristbands, elbow-length leather gloves and high boots. "For me, apart from the garments, the make-up, hair-do and shades are the stars of the show. This shows that the USP were the goggles," he added.

Wholesale prices of the collection range from $100-$2,000. Arora claims his line is aimed at prime global fashion stores and reveals that most of his unusual pieces are sold in India itself.