Currently based in Hong Kong, Sanskrit is now looking towards Chinese mainland and Shanghai's rapidly developing fashion and interiors market.

Representing around 16 designers, Sanskrit offers a range of products from household furnishings to one-off items of clothing, including their own brand label, which is aimed at those with a slightly lower budget.

Intricately beaded handbags sit perfectly next to colourful, embroidered "kurtas", with something to appeal to practically every taste. With an emphasis on exceptional high quality and elegance, the designs are wearable while at the same time fantastically creative.

All the designers have studied abroad and many have worked with famous international designers or had their work represented in major stores such as London's Selfridges.

Co-founder and co-owner Dhiraj Mirchandani, believes that this Western knowledge combined with age-old, traditional Indian techniques, produce garments which are fresh and innovative while retaining their Indian charm.

The exhibition generated an enthusiastic response from both foreigners and locals, despite the previous lack of exposure to Indian designers in China.

With a market saturated by Western designers and brand names, Shanghai usually has little opportunity to glimpse such outstanding fashion talent from other corners of the globe.

Now Sanskrit has given them an insight into Indian fashion by displaying creations that are sexy, elegant and inspiring, it seems only a matter of time before the stylish, open-minded Shanghainese catch on to the latest word in Asian fashion.

For more information and profiles on all the designers, see Sanskrit's website: www.sanskrit.com.hk.

(Shanghai Star June 30, 2003)