Considering that this was the first time that India was witness to an exclusive men’s fashion week, it was not surprising that it generated so much media hype. Therefore, there was an impressive list of designers like JJ Valaya, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Rohit Bal and Tarun Tahiliani.

Wanting to make a big splash FDCI in association with Van Heusen announced the Van Heusen Emerging Designer of the year Contest 2009. The contest that was open from August 5, 2009 for all students and professional who had three years or less than three years of experience.

An independent jury debated over a hundred entries and chose three. Amalraj Sengupta, a NIFT Kolkata, student was the winner. All three were also given a chance to exhibit their work on the last day of men’s fashion show.

With this over it was back to the usual business. Shantanu and Nikhil’s collection was inspired by Alexander The Great. The entire collection spoke of power and the ruler who was just as sensitive as he was ambitious. Whites, reds, black and gold – signs of power, serenity, boldness and calm, all combined to lend the collection depth and emotion of a man and his journey.

The designers had used velvet for most of their creations and why not. After all it is and has been a cloth worn by the royalty over hundreds of years. Each creation had its own unique appeal. Ramp Show

White has always been a colour that has a heavenly appeal to it, teemed with gold, the effect was truly magical. The reds on the other hand left a powerful mark--it was aggressive, alert and agile. The result was stunning, graceful and classy.

JJ Valaya’s, one of India’s most senior designers, fall-winter collection 2009 was a no frills no nonsense master pieces. Using a combination of jodhpurs, jackets, shirts and long (almost touching the ankle jackets) were glamorous, chic, elegant and grand.

Not using too many colours in one creation – Valaya managed to create an aura around his pieces – an aura of peace and non-violence that is otherwise so much a part of our lives.

Despite being colours of gloom, black and grey have a strange appeal to them. The jackets with their fine cuts would make any one stand out in a crowd. Walk in wearing one of these and all eyes are bound to be drawn to the wearer; such is the exquisite workmanship of his collection.

To sum up, Van Heusen Men’s Fashion Week managed to fascinate Delhiites and yes, they are ready for more!