Eight designers showcases exquisite Benarasi silks at FDCI show

New Delhi (India): This year, on February 9, 2023, Haryana Tourism and the Fashion Design Council of India collaborated to present a fashion show at the 36th International Surajkund Crafts Mela. It was dedicated to the enduring Benarasi silks with the title “Benaras – A tribute to the Senses.”

Eight designers presented their takes on this holy city, which has been a powerful leitmotif, bringing to life the splendour of the ghats, the tranquilly of the river Ganga, and the magnificent ode to the calm it imbues. Six ensembles were presented by each of the following: Abhishek Gupta, Amita Gupta Sustainable, Asha Gautam, Hemang Agrawal, Pawan Sachdeva, Shruti Sancheti, Suket Dhir, Tanmaya and Manish. The scenery took the viewer into the city’s enchanted spirit, which is steeped in fascinating myths and legends.

To paraphrase Shri M.D. Sinha, IFS, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Haryana, and Vice Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority: “The city of Varanasi is a microcosm of all that defines India. Kashi is a living, vibrant, and colourful place that is wonderfully rich in history and legends despite having seen numerous ancient civilizations rise and fall over the course of many centuries. During the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, we put on a fashion show that reflected the city’s residents’ joie de vivre and vivacity.

As Sunil Sethi, FDCI, put it: “Benaras symbolises diversity and harmony in human existence, which post-covid has become imperative to embrace. Our designers have revitalised the loom in order to further this idea through the medium of its luxurious silks, which have an inherent radiance of their own. We’re thrilled to be working on this project with Surajkund Mela and the Haryana Tourism Board, which will showcase the splendour of this exquisite textile.