Desinger Nikhil's Stylish Collection

Designer Nikhil Thampi is all set to showcase his 2013 spring summer collections at the New York and Dubai fashion weeks later this year

It's no secret that Lakme Fashion Week promotes new talent, especially in the Gen Next segment which introduces promising new designers who've gone on to become names to reckon with. Kallol Datta, Swapnil Shinde, Aneeth Arora and many of today's top designers have made their debut in the Gen Next section. Nikhil Thampi who debuted a year ago in the Gen Next show at LFW Winter Festive 2011 is set to do India proud, with his collections at the coming 2013 spring summer shows in New York and Dubai. "Yes, they've approached me, and I am going," Nikhil confirmed.

A self-taught designer, Nikhil is known for his dexterous use of crinkle silk. His second collection showcased at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2012, called 'Survivor', featured crinkle silk for fluid skirts. The garments were a study of balanced construction, as styled tops and cholis were teamed with crushed silk draped maxi skirts.

Embellishments were metallic, and Nikhil used chains, plates and 'salli' work creatively on the garments. An interesting innovation was the chain mail halter corset held together with leather straps. Striking entries in menswear were a sheer black kurta, the side-belted jacket and a black velvet sherwani with a slit back.

Nikhil has designer friend Masaba Gupta to thank. Nikhil was working in his family's aviation business, when Masaba noticed his knack for design. She egged him on till he finally decided to pursue fashion design seriously two years ago.