Patna boy to bring home Milan magic

Kalim's going to Milan for training under famous fashion designer Donatella Versace, reports Giridhar Jha.

Shahzad Kalim, who won an internship with the internationally acclaimed fashion house of Versace, is leaving for Milan on Tuesday for his six-month training as an assistant designer under Donatella Versace. Speaking to the Hindustan Times on phone from Mumbai on Saturday, Shahzad said, "It is a great platform to learn," he told. "I am hoping to discover my own self through Versace."

HT Image

An admirer of London-based designer John Galliano and Indian couturier Manish Arora, Shahzad hopes to learn many new things under Versace. "I will keenly observe the latest international trends and try to assimilate whatever I have learnt in India into my creations during my stay in Italy," he said.

Shahzad, who will showcase his talent at Milan Fashion Week under the Versace label, admitted he had not imagined even in his wildest dreams that he would get such an honour so early in his life. "My life has changed after the success in Lakme contest," he exulted. "The fashion fraternity takes me seriously as a full-fledged designer now. I am no longer an assistant to somebody."

Shahzad wants to return to India and launch his own label. "I have given some of my designs to a Dubai-based fashion store, Designers' Lounge, but I would like to start my exclusive label after my Milan stint," he revealed.

Shahzad said his upbringing in Bihar was no stumbling block. "Bihar has the maximum talent in the country, but the people tend to shy away from taking risks," he said. "I think if you are determined to achieve something, nothing can stop you. It does not matter which place you belong to."