The city on Sunday saw the inauguration of one of the biggest fashion schools of technology – Fashonista by celebrated designer Abdul Halder and ace model and actor Jesse Randhawa.
The occasion was also graced by Fashionista Managing Director, Neetu Pavan Manikatalia along with Guest of Honour, Punjab MLA Sukhpal Khera and city Centre Head, Fashionista, Honii Sandhu.
A veteran of the industry, Honii brings with her a rich experience of 15 plus years to the school. “Coming from a fashion background makes me passionate about the subject. Fashionista for me is a labour of love and not just another business venture. Being from this field, I always wanted to take the fashion industry to another level. The kind of quality teaching Fashionista imparts, I could see my dreams come true for this is the perfect platform to the world of fashion,” comments Honii. Her aim is to develop artistic and academic potential in budding designers and support creative diversity. “Fashionista is a school where students will be exposed to the creative and business aspect, get a chance to intern and interact with the best of the industry and make use of the infrastructure the school provides including a first-time ever e-library and laptops,” informs Honii.
For ace designer Abdul Halder, who has been associated with the school since its inception a year and a half back in Delhi, feels that what makes Fashionista different is its approach. “From ISO Certification, e-learning to tying up with professionals in the field, exposing children to practical training, Fashionista makes sure they teach everything about the industry,” says the designer who is known for his aesthetic Indian traditional attire and who started his career designing for the king of pop Michael Jackson in 2002. “Fashionista is the perfect response to today’s fashion industry which demands vision and novelty and that reflects in their quality of work and dedication,” Abdul adds how it is perhaps the only fashion school to have photographers, designer and choreographers on board and as teaching faculty. Ask him about fashion, and he says it’s his dream. “Fashion is my survival, it’s everything I live for.” His advise to budding designers, “Plan out, go easy, learn well and then explore.”
Nominated as the Best Newcomer (for Gulaal) at the Screen Awards this year, Jesse Randhawa is seriously considering an acting career. “But only substantial roles and character-driven scripts,” says the model who grabs any chance to come home to Chandigarh, and this time, it was Fashionista. “The city needed a school like this and I’m glad to be associated with it,” she says. For Jesse, being fashionable is carrying your own style, your own personality and perspective.
Neetu Pavan Manikatalia expresses, “Fashionista promises to broach dazzling style statements by providing professional education and training in the field of fashion as per the needs and demands of the industry.”
Lauding the efforts of Honii Sandhu, the Guest of Honour, MLA Sukhpal Khera feels this is a great endeavour, one that will steer children in the right direction in the fashion industry. “It will not only promote fashion, but open the doors of region to this fabulous industry which goes beyond the glitz and glamour,” he adds.
