Beauty of Odisha yarns sets the ramp afire at Toshali Mela

Bhubaneswar: The ramp oozed glamour and the models dazzled in elegant and fascinating Odisha handloom sarees and outfits in a kaleidoscope of colours, which were the ultimate showstoppers fading out the eye-catching backdrop and electrifying background score at the 12th Toshali National Crafts Mela in Odisha capital last evening.

While dedicated shoppers thronged the different stalls put up in this exhibition-cum-sale fair, a majority of them were glued to the enchanting sight of the gorgeous stage where models showcased choicest of Indo-western wear in fabrics and designs of Odisha.

With the bedazzling lighting of the stage, flashes of camera phones and panning of video cameras, the ambience reverberated with applause and wolf-whistles as each segment of the fashion show organised by Boyanika ended and another began celebrating ethnic Odia ensembles in a variety of patterns, styles and colours.

“The 14 models were draped in rich and vibrant handloom sarees, including, Eri Silk, Single Ikat, Double Ikat, Bomkai, Simonia Silk, Tussar, Sonepuri and Khandua. Designers engaged by Boyanika had crafted the beautiful outfits using Odisha handloom for the fashion show,” said Bishnu Prasad Mishra, Managing Director, Boyanika.

The sarees were in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 2 lakh, he said.

Mishra said the choreographer and the models were flown in from Mumbai for the show, which was conducted with the support of NIFT and KIIT School of Fashion Technology. “The two-hour show was a packed house and we were happy to showcase our rich handloom products at the fair which is an annual affair,” he added.

Debasis Panigrahi, Director (Vigilance), was the chief guest of the show, which was also attended by Subha Sharma, commissioner-cum-secretary of handloom, textiles and handicrafts department.