MUMBAI: Several brands seem to have been bitten by the fashion bug and are using youth specific events to communicate their features, advantages and benefits.

In a one-of-its-kind fashion show in India, students of fashion designing institutes and the fashion industry will come together at the Designer Hunt 2003 to be held on 13 August at Mikanos in Mumbai. Camlin, Sab Miller, Bisleri, Baba Awards are some of the brands that are sponsoring this creative talent hunt event conceptualised and organised by ITEAM Events.

A press release says that Designer Hunt 2003 is also being supported by garment associations like the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the Cloth Manufacturers' Association of India (CMAI). Bharattextile.com is the official online partner for the event.

The release quotes Yusuf Dohadwala of ITEAM Events as saying, "Designer Hunt 2003 is a sincere attempt to support young talent, providing them with a platform to unleash their creative streak and showcase their collections. The event is an opportunity to create a concrete connection between fashion schools and the fashion industry."

The release states that for the first time, an event will mark the convergence of students, teachers, designers, garment exporters, boutique owners, retailers and celebrities, all assembled to witness liberation of creativity from its golden cage. The jury for the fashion show will include connoisseurs like Anita Dongre, Payal Singhal and Jaswinder Sachdev.

Dohadwala says, "We have chosen the theme of the fashion show as 'Freedom-speak your mind', as the event provides the young designers a world of creative independence to unfurl their imagination."

Thirty finalists have been short listed from over 160 entries received from fashion designing students in Mumbai, Pune and Gujarat. Finalists from institutes like Nirmala Niketan, Rachna Sansad, JD Institute, Arena Multimedia, National Academy, Fashion Institute and Rai Foundation, amongst others, will display their collections through a fashion show choreographed by ace fashion choreographer Shaikh Shakir.