Indian fashion in a great moment: Spanish designer

New Delhi -  The Indian canvas appears like a paradise for those who love colour, according to veteran Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada who believes Indian fashion is growing very fast and experiencing a great moment.

The 51-year-old visited India as a part of the "Spain, New Urban Cultures", an initiative to promote cultural exchange between Spain and India, and said: "I love colours, hearts, simplicity, freedom and avant garde and it's dominant in my creations..."

"It is not my first visit (to India), I have been here before and I love it. I'm a big fan of India because India is the paradise for colour lovers and that is exactly my style," Agatha told IANS in an e-mail interview.

An old name on the fashion scene, Agatha began her fashion career in 1980 and showcased her first collection in Madrid in 1981. Since then she has been an integral part of international fashion shows, including those in Berlin, Japan and France.

After making a splash on the world canvas, she now aims to impress Indian fashionistas with her collection.

"I think Indian fashion is in a great moment and is growing very fast. It's very popular and recognised by people all over the world. The designs here are vibrant and refreshing."

Lauding the Indian fashion industry, she said, it is in a "good position, not only because of the good prices but because of the Indian sensibility".

"I wish to showcase here (in India), it is a dream for me. Hope it happens soon as India has always been a great inspiration for designers all over the world. The land here is charismatic and people are very warm, it proposes a variety of options from fabric to colours to designs," she added.

If she is fascinated by the variety available in India, Agatha also praises designer Manish Arora's designs.

Her own design sensibilities are not limited to the apparel market. Agatha designs furniture, reinforced doors, motorcycle helmets, books, pet accessories, lingerie, cosmetics, bags, jewellery and wedding dresses.

The wide range of products are distributed through exclusive designer shops in Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Milan and New York in addition to multi-brand stores in over 140 countries.

Her designs are also inspired by Spanish culture.

"My design is not restricted to colour, but has also to do with shapes because I have been playing with shapes all my life. Another persistent theme in my collection is 'meninas', which were part of the history of Spain.

"The meninas were the maids of honour in Spanish courts in the 17th century. The costume of the meninas, the gown constricted till the waist, with a basket-like skirt, has been my favourite silhouette, something also repeated in poster art," she said.

The Embassy of Spain, the organisation Casa Asia and Instituto Cervantes are currently hosting an exhibition of Agatha's posters called "Carteles", which summarises her work in fashion, theatre and ballet. The exhibition is on till Jan 22 at Instituto Cervantes in the capital.

For her career in fashion, she credits her father, an architect.

"Because of him I had the opportunity to meet all the big painters and artists in the 1960s and 1970s. Before becoming a designer, I wanted to be a painter, and that's why I am so graphic. I was always drawing and it changed my life completely. That has been the big influence of my life."