MUMBAI: It was a night of colour and style at the first Indian F Awards which celebrated the best that Indian fashion has to offer.

Organised by Wizcraft, the event aired live on NDTV. Zee's Trendz also partnered for the event.

Fashion design icon Ritu Kumar was recognised for her contribution to the Indian fashion industry. Over the years, she has championed the cause of struggling artisans. Kumar has also used Indian craft to reflect both tradition and modernism.

"Indian fashion is at a cross roads. Now we have international labels like Prada coming in. It is important that Indian designers stand united. In this way we can meet the challenge. India is one of the few countries where indigenous craft is available. Also fashion enthusiasts mostly see the glamour and the fun," she says.

"The fact is that fashion is one of the most difficult professions to work in India. You are your own marketing person, businessman, PR executive. Abroad platforms that designers have to create awareness about their wares do not exist in India," she adds.

The evening saw a performance by Strings. Celina Jaitley and a dance troupe did a Madonna impression with Material Girl. Aishwarya Rai who won an award for being a fashionable person in film said that a ceremony recognising fashion was long overdue. "This industry gave me a start. It is great that we can award their creative efforts."