Yogitha lives by the quote, “Every job is a self portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence.” True excellence is that you would witness in her collection.

How and when did u realize that fashion is your cup of tea?

I always liked fashion! Nevertheless coming from a conservative background, it was tough for me to break open the barriers. Fashion industry was considered to be too way off in our community. Only after completing my graduation in English, I was allowed to get into fashion. My parents realized that I was quite enthusiastic about it and finally allowed me to pursue my passion, for which I am really grateful. After that, there is no turning back. And today, my family is proud of who I am!

Please tell our readers about your label and collection?

My label is named ‘FaYo,’ – taking the initials of ‘Fa’ from fashions and ‘Yo’ from Yogitha, basically an acronym for ‘Fashions of Yogitha!’ I started it just a year back and response is tremendous! My inspiration comes from the rich Indian heritage of fine designing and detailing.

My collection is based on classic and exquisite pieces that are entirely hand woven items, made without the assistance of any mechanical device! The motifs are generally in vibrant and rich hues! My characteristic style is the fusion of ethnic work with futuristic trends, to achieve a look that is unique and contemporary yet deeply rooted in Indian craft. I love working with handloom and natural fabrics. I believe that my forte lies in expressing complex designs in simplest ways.

When most of the designers are going behind indo – western or western garment making, what made you choose designer sarees?

Saree is one such ensemble that would make any ordinary woman look like a diva! It fits women of all sizes and ages equally well. Moreover, it’s no more just a traditional attire; the sari has now made its transition to the contemporary wear for the contemporary lady. In fact it has become an essential part of one’s wardrobe. In addition, saris have become a hot favorite with the western women too! I even have foreign ladies ordering my saris! However, I have not limited myself to saris! I do make kurtis and salwars and extended into making handmade bags as well! But, it all revolves around Indian ethnicity and prefer to stick to it.

How do you evaluate Bangalore as a fashion city?

Bangalore is sure a fashionable city. People here do give a lot of importance to dressing. In addition, they are quite open to experimenting. I have seen girls trying out new trends and they even carry it off with ease. Fashion events happening in every nook and corner is yet another proof.

What are your achievements in this field so far?

I have worked on numerous projects of fashion forecasting and creative conceptualization both nationally and internationally and my clients are all over the world. I have also had the privilege of designing for some renowned celebrities like Suhashini Maniratnam, wife of the legendary director Dr. Mani Ratnam. Till date I have done hundreds of fashion events that include the international fashion weeks as well. Taj Group of Hotels, Accenture, Duetches, Big Bazaar, Malayalam Manorama, Esprit, Schwarzkopf etc are some of my celebrated clients that I have worked with.

You are an all rounder in fashion. Apart being a designer, you are also a fashion choreographer and a fashion writer. Could you please share with us your expertise in these fields and which one appeals to you the most?

Fashion choreography is something we have been doing from college days. We used to choreograph are own shows and that continues till date. I love to maneuver shows – it’s fun, exciting and what’s more is that your creative power is unleashed.

Being a literature student, reading and writing has always been a part of me. Thus I got into fashion writing as well. I do write for fashion magazines, newspapers, literary journals and online fashion portals. I have also written a complete book on ‘Fashion & Styling,’ that is awaiting publication. Each one has its own appeal and fun in its own way.

How do you compare Indian fashion with world fashion?

Indian fashion is catching up immensely. The designers here are making a mark globally. There has been a drastic improvement in the past couple of years and I am sure it’s bound to get even better in the years to come. In short, the Indian fashion scenario is quite promising.

Do you have any favourite saree print or design? Please tell our readers about that.

Every design is like my baby! I don’t think I can differentiate between my designs. Some take ages to make, few are more about trial and error, however the end result is the same – I love it all!

You have had the chance to design sarees for the beauty pageant – Miss. Queen of India, 2011. Could you please share your experience?

It was a wonderful experience indeed and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I am particularly impressed with the determination and will power of today’s generation – the way each girl wanted to win the crown badly was an experience in itself.

What is your piece of advice to the upcoming talents in fashion?

Fashion is a competitive field -failures and set backs are bound to come our way. The key is to learn from the mistakes and move forward. Just stay focused and never give up, no matter what!

What are your upcoming projects or future plans?

I would like to take on the Indian craft globally. Indian fibers, embroidery and fabrics are known throughout the world for its magnificence and splendor. It’s unique, exceptional and one of its kind. We can do wonder with the resources available here. My motive is to work on these natural fibers and take it in a big way both nationally and globally. Considering aspects like global warming, I feel designers have a major role in promoting eco friendly fashion too.

Rapid Fire:

Favorite designer: Ritu Kumar and Alexander Mcqueen.

One show you would love to do: Miami International Fashion Week

Bangalore Fashion Week (BFW): Will happen soon!

Your dream show stopper: Angelina Jolie

Favorite color: Black – ‘Black’ is always fashionable in fashion.

Arun said, “I used to watch FTV during my early years. I always dreamt of working with models, who had walked for FTV.” “Later as I aspired as a fashion choreographer I made my dreams come true and worked with models like Carol Gracias, Upen Patel, Jessie Randawa, Rachell, Gauri Arna etc. “ he added.

His brilliance has been proved by being the lead choreographer for beauty pageants, Miss. South India, Queen of Malabar, Miss. Hyderabad, Navy Queen and other reputed fashion shows both in national and international levels.

How & When did you start as a fashion choreographer?

I belong to Calicut in Kerala. I started as a fashion designing student. In Calicut inter collegiate competitions used to happen. I used to do my own shows as well as people from different colleges used to call me for working out concept, choreography etc for their shows. This is how I started as a fashion professional.

Please tell us why did not you continue in designing?

In comparison to designing, my expertise was in choreography. So I took up choreography and excelled in it.

Please share with us a wonderful experience or show you had during your initial stages of career?

As I had mentioned that my service was sought for fashion shows. In January 2008 I did a fashion show called, ‘Punks of Lilliput’ for the Rotaract Club of Calicut. For this show I took male models of height ranging from 5 ft 3 inches to 5 ft 6 inches. I had to train these guys and they rocked the show. Normally modeling is not advised for men who are of this height. But this show was a success and of course a trend setter.

How potential is Kerala with regard to fashion?

Kerala has talents. But people here are not very open minded when it comes to a career in fashion. I feel that they should change their outlook and embrace fashion as any other profession or career.

What are your achievements in this field so far?

•3rd Prize Winner for National level Designers Contest in Coimbatore, 2000

•Sree Chithira Thirunal award for the best fashionist, Kerala, 2008

•7 times Judged South India level Fashion Show Contest

•Rotract Excellency Award for the best Fashionist in 2010

•Zenora Fashion Week 2011, Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Would you like to thank anyone in particular for paving your path in fashion and helping you succeed?

I would like to thank everyone who had worked with me. Though my list includes many names. I would specially thank these two, Ajith Pegasus and Sageer Zenora

What are your new projects?

•Miss. Queen of India, Bangalore
•Miss. Face of India, Dubai
•Miss. South India
•Contemporary fashion show, Europe.

What is your advice to upcoming talents in fashion?

Be passionate about what you do. Respect your profession and give it your best.

Rapid Fire:

Your Role Model: No one

Your dream show stopper: Naomi Campbell

One show that you would love to choreograph: Miss. Universe

Your style statement: Be comfortable in what you wear

Usually fashion choreographers are not to be seen in the limelight. But their effort to get the best out of a show is very appreciable. Because a fashion choreographer is the one who helps the models and the designer to convey his or her designs to the audience the best way. As his or her endeavor plays a vital role there are certain qualities he or she should posses to showcase the best.

A fashion choreographer has to be an expert in these areas:

• First and foremost, he or she should be an expert of different styles of walks. Because keeping the artistic objective of the show, style of walks would differ.

• Fashion choreography is a creative art. Hence he or she should have strong sense of style, form and colours.

• He or she should have a thorough knowledge about all aspects of style, fabrics and garments. So that he will be an expert in selecting the suitable theme for presenting the assigned designer’s clothing line to the audience.

• A fashion choreographer should train the model in ramp walk, postures and poses.

• Music plays a great role in a show. Hence he or she should be an expert in selecting the right music, strictly keeping the theme in the mind.

• At times a fashion choreographer will select the make – up or hair styles. Hence he or she should have string sense of make – up and hair styles suiting different clothing collection.

In short a fashion choreographer should be an encyclopedia of fashion.

How did the choreographer in you took shape?

When I realized that there are plenty of models in Bangalore but we lacked in good choreography. My career started as a model and I was watchful about my steps. I did shows for many choreographers who didn’t suit my taste.
From that experience I realized that I can do much better than what I was asked to. So took up choreography as my domain and excelled in the same.

Do you regret for not continuing in modeling?

I don’t. I chose choreography to show that Bangalore can do the best.

What is fashion to you?

Fashion is my soul. A wrong step or a small tear in wardrobe takes me off the work. I strive for perfection and I deliver the same.

What are your achievements in this field so far?

•Winner of best choreographer 2008, held at
Bangalore.
•Lead choreographer for Miss South India for the past
3 years.
•Shows in plenty from Launch of Shubh Jewellers to
Davanam in Bangalore. Have made myself available for most of the brands. Corporate firms take my services for their employees to walk the ramp occasionally.

What is your milestone in this profession & have you achieved it yet?

I believe that there are no milestones in this field of work. Learning never ends and so does innovations. This is a creative field and everyday I invent a new trend. Achievement per say are many, I am happy with the journey, I have come this far.

Rapid Fire :
Your role model – San Antonio

Your Dream Show Stopper – Jessica Notelo

One show that you would love to choreograph – Lakme Fashion Week

Next Project – Miss. Queen of India

Style Statement – Wear what you are comfortable in

His journey of success has shows like Miss. Kerala, Miss. South India, Miss. Karnataka, Miss. Tamilnadu, Miss. Andhra Pradesh to his credit. His fervor for his profession has led him to conduct sunsilk Miss South India continuously for 7
years.

Bunuval, a model from Kerala says, “He is a Choreographer who never gives tension or stress to the models who work with him. Thus he creates a favorable ambiance to give his/her best for the client or on the runway. He is one of the best choreographers to work with comfortably”.

Dalu’s love for this industry has made him an expert in grooming upcoming models for various pageants and helping them in personality development. He also handles artiste casting, model co-ordination, celebrity management etc. His prestigious firm ‘Dalu’s Fashion Factory’ is a mile stone in the fashion epic.

He also runs an Event Management Company called E2F Events which is into

• Fashion choreography
• Fashion Show
• Fashion Styling
• Costume Designing,
• Event Management
• Celebrity Management
• Belly Dancers Coordination
• Concept Designing
• Model Management

Manish Dev’s Clients include:

• Globus
• Provogue
• Club Mahindra
• Loreal
• Lg
• Reliance
• Kalyan Silks
• Fosters
• Samyaak
• Venfield
• Pizza Corner
• Pizza Hut
• Sigma Mall
• Chennai City Center
• Abirami Mega Mall
• Spencer Plaza
• Forum Mall
• Garuda Mal
• Kosmo Club
• Royal Le Meridian
• Flame Club
• Zero G
• Radio City
• Radio Mirchi
• Jeevan TV
• Asianet
• Kerala.com
• The New Indian Express
• Nyks
• Sutra and more….

He has also worked with some of the prestigious agencies like:

1. Ogilvy & Mather
2. Redifussion
3. Lindas
4. Draft Fcb Ulka
5. Percept H

Contact Information
Mobile : +91 99863 94404
Email : castinge2f@gmail.com or 
        manishdev@in.com
Website : www.e2f.in