(Source: https://runstripe.com/ekta-unveils-debut-springsummer-2016-collection)

It is said that life begins on the other side of fear, and for Ekta Kalan this could not ring more true. After resigning from her life as a strategic consultant, Kalan bid her goodbyes to the corporate world in exchange for a world more vivid – one filled with bright colours and textured fabrics; a life of expression.

In 2016 the EKTA brand was born. Borrowing from Kalan’s rich cultural heritage, extensive travels and her tailored craftmanship, EKTA was an unstoppable force. Now with three sucessfully-launched seasonal collections, two of which have been showcased at SAFW, it is obvious that Kalan knows what she is doing.

With her first collection often described as an explosion of colour, it was this Playhouse introduction and its strong design aesthetic that instantly garnered attention. It was no surprise that the internationally renowned, Not Just Another Label awarded Kalan with Black Sheep Status as a young designer to watch. But this honour was certainly not the last of her ever-increasing media attention. Frequenting CNN and local television programme Mela, as well as having her pieces grace the pages of South Africa’s most loved magazines, EKTA has fast become an influential and recognisable brand.

Just a few months after the launch of Kalan’s first collection, her second collection, Spiritual Warrior emphasised solid lines and reiterated her love for bold colours, while all at the same time Kalan had similarly conquered the local fashion scene. With Spiritual Warrior, evidence of Kalan’s travels to Europe was brought to life in both aesthetic and emotion. Geometric lines and patterns formed the basis of the collection, finding inspiration in international architecture. 

Spiritual Warrior was the collection that saw Kalan cement herself as a respected local designer  after the collection showcase marked her first SAFW debut. She has since presented her third collection, and perhaps her most commercially appealing one, at SAWF’s AW18 shows. Not only did the latest collection show strength in design, styling and texture, but Kalan’s choice of colour palette proved to be right on trend, featuring blush, salmon pinks and natural greens to marry a visually pleasing aesthetic with forward thinking artistry.

As the word EKTA represents the concept of ‘we are one’ and unwavering unity, it is fitting that Kalan is able to create a beautiful marriage of all aspects of design so effortlessly. 

Visit www.ekta.co.za to browse the collections, and follow the EKTA journey on Instagram at @ekta_official and Facebook at @EKTAclothing.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia

It has been over thirty seasons and fifteen years that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia is operating in Russia.  During all these years Russian fashion industry gave the world a whole bunch of fashion stars. It was to a large extent MBFW Russia that was the first to set the professional directions and rules in the Russian fashion environment. A series of seasonal fashion shows of Russian designers which Artefact Agency (owner of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia and Russian Fashion Week) started doing in 1999, became the new milestone in Russian fashion world. Since then the Fashion Week has changed several names – from the local brand Russian Pret-a-porte Fashion Week to the national Russian Fashion Week, finally changing the name to the global one - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. Recent years the permanent venue of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia has become Central Manezh. However Russian fashion is no longer restricted even by the walls of Manezh, anyone can see live broadcasts from the runway of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia and enjoy new collections from Russian designers online from any place of the world.

The main reference points of Fashion Week remained former - to look for new names, give to designers new opportunities,  propagandize the Russian fashion within the country and beyond its limits. 

Since establishment of the Fashion Week, over 400 designers and brands have been demonstrated on the runway. Among all-time participants of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia are the best names of the Russian fashion such as Slava Zaitsev, Alena Akhmadullina, Dasha Gauser, VIVA VOX, Julia Dalakian, Julia Nikolaeva, Laroom, PIROSMANI BY JENYA MALYGINA and many others. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia offers convenient, clear and familiar format welcoming foreign designers, buyers and mass media. The largest fashion event in Eastern Europe attracts international well-known brands including Vivienne Westwood, JC de Castelbajac, COSTUME NATIONAL, Frankie Morello, Julien Macdonald, Francesco Smalto, Jeremy Scott. At different times, guests of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia were top models, members of royal houses, major characters of the world fashion, movie stars, well-known Russian and international bloggers, best personalities of the world fashion magazines. In the first rows one could spot Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Her Highness Sirivannavari Nariratana – Princess of Thailand, Karolina Kurkowa, Joan Smalls, Jessica Stam, Steven Seagal, Boy George, Ornella Muti, Boris Becker, Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and many other. Meanwhile legendary Jean-Charles de Castelbajac dedicated one of his pictures to Russian Fashion Week.