The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, came together to launch the first edition of the theme based fashion show, The Bengal Fashion Expo 2017 (TBFE), at ITC Sonar on Saturday, 11th February 2017. The theme of ‘Walk the Winter in Cotton’, was set to present a whole new look for the season, moving away from the traditional thought of getting out woolens and silk in winter. The show was crafted by some of the best designers of Eastern India, a region renowned for its creative use of the natural fabric.

TBFE’s Walk the Winter in Cotton edition showcased the latest creations of top designers of Kolkata, including Shamlu Dudeja, Sharbari Dutta, Nandita Raja, Agnimitra Paul, Sayantan Sarkar, Pranay Baidya, Swarnali Kanjilal, Keya Seth and Abhishek Ray.

The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with a long and illustrious history, has been involved with industrial and developmental activities, ranging from the brick-and-mortar age to the high technology, silicon chip era. With the course of time the Chamber has also increased its canvas of activities and is engaged in advocacy vis-à-vis adoption of an interceptive approach aimed at developing emergent technologies and sectors which are the needs of the hour. Our new approaches include development of sectors like Agriculture, Education, Skill Development and many more. Keeping in tune with the times, the present initiative of the Chamber ‘The Bengal Fashion Expo- Walk the Winter in Cotton’ focused on developing textiles with special emphasis on fabrics like cotton. The event showcased the textile industry, enriching the business ecology it inhabits, while trying to tap emergent opportunities in the field of cotton textiles.

Exclusivity of the event was based on its central focus – encouraging the use of cotton as the new age winter fabric, and showcasing the finest creations of some of the finest designers. The focus of the event was on nurturing and strengthening business opportunities in the realm of textiles and apparel industries, besides offering an excellent platform for textile designers, fashion houses, and other key players in the indigenous and ethnic fashion industry to highlight their creativity.

Ms Swarnali Kanjilal of Adi Mohani Mohan Kanjilal, Mr Sanjay Agarwal of Century Ply, Ms Keya Seth of Keya Seth Exclusive, Ms Anita Agarwal of Minu Sarees were the Associate Partners of the event, while FDDI and Fratelli Wines were the Backstage Partner and Pouring Partner, respectively.