Celebration of Change in Design: JDADA 2018 Kochi

One of the most exciting times in the life of a fashion design student is participating in the annual fashion show. The JD Annual Design Awards is put forward every year to bring out the best from the students and send it down the runway. With an aim to bring design excellence and skills of the graduating students, JD Institute of Fashion Technology Kochi was back again with glitz and glamour and brought a burgeoning fashion scene to the city. On its 30^th year awards night, this star-studded event at Crowne Plaza was a centre point for all.

The event commenced with the lighting of the lamp ceremony by Mr Nealesh Dalal (managing trustee), Ms Sandra Sequeria (Director south) along with Mr Dalu Krishnadas (Celebrity fashion choreographer). The mood of this year was one of glamour, ideas and Change, as designers tapped on their problem-solving skills to bring a new interpretation in Design on the grounds of sustainability, ethical and innovation. Change as the name suggests is an inevitable phenomenon which can be most sort after or can be the most frowned upon. To embrace and to accept change is a matter of grace and understanding, while to cause involves identification and implementation.  This got the Jediiians thinking to alter the existing norms of negligence with a fresh breeze of thoughts for the betterment of the entire ecosystem. The term sustainability is a matter of choice. A s responsible designers, they took sustainability beyond the materials to promote holistic living, sanitation, mental and physical health as a part of social sustainability and human values.

Presenting the work of the fashion design course students, the runway witnessed collections suitable for local and global high fashion market understanding the needs of the people and industry. The collections explored unconventional fabrics which focused on organic dyeing, screen printing and marbling technique. Models walked down the ramp adorned with designs from Size adjustable garments, to anti-radiation ones. Among the line on parade, it was the unisex collection and metamorphosis of clothes into bags that proved to be most explorative and eye catchy. Committed to bringing a change, students explored recyclable materials and opened the doors of fashion for the breast cancer survivors. The show attracted thousands of spectators including celebrities, industry specialists and more. This gave a boost to the JD Kochi students to flaunt their acumen.

Each collection was geared up with heavy research, skills and craft that paved the way for real innovation. The show was a mirror to the latest trends and theme in fashion. It is a prestigious and gratified moment as the students are succeeding with their ideation and Change and bringing a meaning to their designs.­­­