• DIVAlicious London, presented by DIVAlicious and Sterling Media in association with Danube Properties, will feature haute and affordable Indo-Fusion Designer Couture, jewellery, décor and accessories, through its unique format of a mobile boutique, under one-roof on 25^th – 26^th March 2017 at The May Fair Hotel, London

• DIVAlicious London to host renowned Indian designer Anita Dongre in exclusive soiree with A List Bollywood muse, presented by Dubai based multi-brand retail store The Rack – by Kachins.  

• UK and India celebrate 70 years of Cultural partnerships expanding to arts, fashion, and science.

3^rd March 2017, London:

After amassing cult popularity the world over in destinations such as the UAE, India, Kenya, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Hong Kong and Indonesia, London is set to host a unique, luxury boutique pop-up exhibition – ‘DIVAlicious 2017’ – on Saturday 25^th and Sunday 26^th March 2017 at The May Fair Hotel, London.

Presented by DIVAlicious, a unique mobile fashion concept brand launched in Dubai in 2011 to popularise Indian fashion and design globally, and the international business and communications consultancy Sterling Media, in association with one of the leading U.A.E property development companies Danube Properties, DIVAlicious London aims to close a vital gap in the market by introducing to UK shoppers both affordable and luxury designer apparel. The event is supported by Sterling Realty, a boutique luxury property firm, specialising in the finance, sale, investment, development of residential and commercial properties in the UK and internationally.

UK shoppers will have the opportunity to see, experience and purchase creations by over 20 established and emerging Indian designers along with accessories, jewellery, and home décor brands from Dubai, India and Hong Kong, all inspired by the East and toned for the West. The finest Indian designer apparel will be brought to the event courtesy of The Rack – by Kachins, a luxurious multi-designer retail hub part of Kachins Group, the iconic Dubai-based suit makers. The designer collections they will showcase at the event include:

• Anamika Khanna – Credited for introducing the dhoti pants to reinterpreting nine-yards, Anamika Khanna has played an instrumental role in reinventing traditional outfits with a contemporary take.

• Gaurav Gupta – Recognised as the ‘Future of Couture’ by Altaroma Altamoda, Gaurav Gupta, the man and the brand, have carved a world that is future primitive, reflected through sculpture-like garments with a sense of infinity and rhythm. Changing the face of the sari

• Pankaj&Nidhi – Celebrated for their “fresh & crisp sensibility”, this talented couple’s designs are truly eclectic, with a generous use of colors, inspired by craftsmanship, symbolic and cultural objects from all over the world.

• Payal Singhal – a leading contemporary South Asian fashion house, the fashion house launched custom made-to-order as well as ready-to-wear line for bridal, contemporary, and occasional wear inspired by the modern South Asian woman who is confident, cultured, intelligent and in touch with her roots.

• Tarun Tahiliani – Tarun Tahiliani’s distinctive signature has evolved as a fusion of textile detail, refined luxury, and meticulous tailoring. The Tarun Tahiliani Design Studio creates couture, diffusion, prêt-a-porte and accessory lines, which are Indian in their sensibility, yet international in their appeal. The rich heritage of the subcontinent is reinvented as contemporary high fashion through the genius of Indian craftsmanship and the finest textiles; along with Italian pattern cutting and construction and new technologies such as digital textile printing.

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Private banker turned fulltime fashion entrepreneur Vanitaa Bhatia launched DIVAlicious in Dubai in 2011. “DIVAlicious’ success has been driven by a gap in the market we first identified. Most of the time, international Indian fashion exhibits just cover haute designer apparel, however we also invite affordable brands to showcase their creations to provide a holistic and direct-to-consumer shopping experience for customers, under one roof.”

In explaining why London was the obvious next stop destination for Divalicious, Vanitaa Bhatia adds: “London is a fashion-conscious market with an appetite to invest in brands catering to an affluent market. After taking DIVAlicious to ten global cities and with it’s growing popularity, 2017 seemed the opportune time to bring DIVAlicious to the world’s fusion capital – London.”

DIVAlicious London’s partner is the globally renowned, multi-award-winning business and communications consultancy Sterling Media. Established in 1995, the company has a specialist luxury-lifestyle division, providing strategic consultancy to a range of clients including Harrods, Ralph & Russo, Aston Martin, Raghavendra Rathore of Jodhpur to The East India Company.

Speaking about the company’s partnership with DIVAlicious, Natasha Mudhar, CEO of Sterling Media says: “We are incredibly excited to work with DIVAlicious who have showcased the best in Indo-fusion design couture, by introducing them to a UK audience with a growing appetite for South Asian fashion. DIVAlicious London represents everything that London stands for: culture, innovation and creativity.

“With 2017 representing a landmark year celebrating the business and cultural partnership between UK and India, DIVAlicious London further embellishes the special relationship shared between the two great nations, bringing together a platform for cultural engagement.”

On the by-lines of the exhibition, DIVAlicious London partner The Rack – by Kachins will present renowned celebrity fashion designer Anita Dongre to an audience of cultural tastemakers, international fashionistas, business stalwarts, and VIPs, in a special soiree on Saturday 25^th March. Gracing the event will be a soon-to-be-unveiled Bollywood muse.

Hot off the ramp of India’s Lakme Fashion Week’s Grand Finale, Anita Dongre has been at the forefront of fashion for over 20 years, having created one of the most successful fashion houses in India. A metaphor for supreme craftsmanship, Anita Dongre’s designs showcase Indian aesthetics in a contemporary language.

Inspired by Rajasthan and India’s rich craft tradition, her handcrafted bridal gotapatti lehengas and handwoven heritage benarasi creations are coveted by brides across the world. Anita Dongre’s commitment to revive, sustain and empower the Indian crafts and textiles led her to launch Grassroot, a sustainable and eco-conscious luxury prêt label.

Anita Dongre’s prominent clientele include an array of Bollywood celebrities such as singer/actress Priyanka Chopra (ABC’s Quantico, Baywatch), L’Oreal ambassador Sonam Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, to evergreen beauties such as Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi.

Stars such as Hrithik Roshan and Arjun Kapoor have adorned her exquisite collections for men. Anita Dongre is also a favourite amongst personalities and public figures internationally including HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, who recently graced an event hosted by The Buckingham Palace to mark India-UK’s 70 years of business and cultural partnerships.

DIVAlicious London marks Anita Dongre’s inaugural London showcase. Speaking about her participation at DIVAlicious, Anita Dongre says: “London is an exciting city with an eclectic mix of art, architecture, fashion and business. DIVAlicious is planning a wonderful event to bring designers, buyers and clients on one platform. I look forward to being back in London to showcase this season’s bridal couture.”

DIVAlicious London will exclusively showcase Anita Dongre’s acclaimed collection “Alchemy” (A Magical Transformation). Speaking about their association with DIVAlicious London, Neetu Ramchandani of The Rack – by Kachins says: “The Rack – by Kachins was launched to fill a void in the U.A.E fashion retail landscape given the non-availability of Indian designer brands in the region. Both DIVAlicous’ and our vision is in complete sync presenting a natural synergy as we strive to fulfill the demand for South Asian fashion across international shores. 

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring to London a preview of our A List designer collections and we look forward to showcasing our brand to the UK shopper at DIVAlicious London, without the need for them to travel to us in the U.A.E.”

Danube Properties is UAE’s leading property developer and is the market leader in affordable housing. Speaking about their association with DIVAlicious London, Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, said, “We are extremely pleased to be part of DIVAlicious in London this year and look forward to giving visitors a peek of our project portfolio. Since our inception in the property market, we have garnered immense interest from international markets such as London and through the DIVAlicious exhibition we want to make our offerings a known to a wider majority.”

DIVAlicious London coincides with announcement of the launch of DIVAlicious Online Store in May 2017, which aims to bring global shoppers who cannot access DIVAlicious or their Fashion Week designers even closer to global customers

COMPETITION

FREE TICKETS EXCLUSIVE FOR THE ASIAN TODAY READERS!

Get your hands on tickets to the upcoming DIVAlicious London Luxury Pret Fashion Exhibition by answering this question:

Which Bollywood Actress Starred in the 2008 Film Fashion?

Deepika Padukone

Priyanka Chopra

Sushmita Sen

Anushka Sharma

Bipasha Basu

Be sure to email competition@theasiantoday.com by the 23rd March to be in with a chance of winning!

DIVAlicious London Luxury Pret Fashion Exhibition takes place from 10.30am – 6.30pm on Saturday 25^th and Sunday 26^th March 2017 at the Danziger Suite, The May Fair Hotel, Stratton Street. Tickets to the main exhibition are priced at £10* per person.

Limited VIP invitations to the exclusive “The Rack – by Kachins’ Soiree with Anita Dongre and Bollywood Muse” are priced from £100 per person. 

To book your tickets to the events and for Terms & Conditions, please visit: www.sterlingrealty.co.uk/divalicious