1 'Lotus' By Sujata Tokey
Sujata Tokey, a well-known name in Pune's fashion fraternity, loves classy creativity.
Her designs: Are feminine in shades of topaz, ruby, garnet, coral and turquoise. The outfits include kitsch pants, kurtis, saris, tops, skirts, trousers and shirts with brocade embellishments. Her collection 'Felicia' is adorned with ephemeral Kashmiri embroidery motifs and beads. "I love experimenting with fabric and thread, and enjoy working with Kashmiri embroidery the most," she says.


2 Sharbari Dutta
The daughter of the erudite professor and poet Sri Ajit Datta, Sharbari was born and brought up in Kolkata. With her natural flair for arts on the back burner, Sharbari completed her Masters in philosophy from Presidency College, Kolkata. Today, she sketches motifs on cotton, silk and tussar. "Fashion is mobile and keeps changing; I try to revive and contemporise traditional and Eastern styles," she says modestly. .
Her designs: Are usually one-offs. They're like poetry on fabric. She is going global this year with her new line of men's wear called 'Nouveau Male'. A few of her designs even have Palghat and Picasso motifs side by side in radical colours!


3 Karma Universal Designs' By Jyotika Motwani
Jyotika's label is the result of two generations of talent and creativity. Her boutique 'Karma' in Pune caters to the urban woman.
Her designs: Are fluid and slimming. Georgette and Benarasi saris are elaborately embellished with exquisite pitta work, phulkari sequins and beaten zardosi, interspersed with tiny coloured crystals. A few creations are bold with bright florals in contrasting colours. "This season, we have fluid crepe shirts, brocade trousers and crushed silk skirts, teamed with hand-painted and embellished scarves," says Jyotika.

4 Sameer Mukund Nathwani
This computer whiz from Pune took to designing clothes, as he was always fond of unusually made designer outfits. His inquisitiveness made him take up a course in designing where he excelled in the arts of illustration, pattern making and styling.
His designs: Portray sophistication. The outfits are trim, unconventional and glamorous. From ponchos and tops to salwar-kurta sets and saris, Sameer works on them all. Brocade, tissue and silk appeal to his senses.


5 Aida Arabiyan
This 14-year-old was born and brought up in Pune. Even though her loyalties were strong towards hockey - she leads her school team - her passion for fashion wasn't a thing she could ignore. She started experimenting with her clothes and went on to enrol at a designing course. Today, she's one of the young things making waves in the city.
Her designs: Are prêt with a regal look. Her forte is mini skirts in rich colours and textures. "I want to become a well-known designer," she says.


6 'Vin Rouge' By Vidya Tiwari
From being a practising lawyer, Pune-based Vidya shifted to the world of fashion by enrolling herself at a fashion institute. At the end of the course, she walked out with two awards for best designer.
Her designs: Are classically cut and for the working urbanite. In her classic collections in georgette, tissue, cotton and silk embellished with crystals, she proves that being conservative does not mean dull. Black, white, yellow and numerous nautical shades rule her palette. "There's no end to the art of designing... the more you see, the more you learn, she says.