Head turners not on the fashion week runway

Fashion week is not just about what is on the ramp. Take a look at these beautiful people we spotted off the ramp.

Kokila Mohini Beri, student, NIFT

My look: Retro 50s, Great Gatsby inspired one-piece.

Cost: Rs 1,800 from Forever 21

What I like about this dress: The lacy straps.

What I like about the necklace: It is made of recycled paper and beads made from eco-friendly material. I like its simplicity.

Cost: Rs 1,500; bought from Vrinda Gokhale Philip's store, Paper Jewelz

My style: I love simple, elegant, silhouettes.

Fashion tip: Simple is sexy!

Ruby Mandal (left) and (Zoe) Zohratusmaj Kanorwala, students at Sasmira

My look: Black, black, black.

Cost: Rs 2,100 (from Jabong) for the dress Ruby is wearing.

Note: The dress belongs to Zoe (Zohratusmaj means a 'fountain in heaven', she explains), which is her favourite dress, but she gave it to Ruby for the day. Why? "Favourite dress for my best friend," Zoe said.

What I like about this dress: Black is beautiful and the floral prints.

My style: Black and prints.

Fashion tip: Be comfortable. Fashion is all about comfort.

Ria Ana Sejpal, owner, The AnaRae Store (sells accessories)

My look: Handmade, heritage designs and material.

Cost: Rs 3,500 including all the stacked copper rings and arm bands made by the Masais in Kenya and artisans in Pushkar, Rajasthan.

What I like about this dress and accessories: The simple, flowy design. The copper arm band was picked from Pushkar, made by the local artisans. The wax cotton arm band is made by the Masai tribesmen in Kenya. I picked both because it helps the artisans generate income.

"I am wearing this Masai necklace around my forehead instead of the neck. It is more visible that way and helps promote Kenyan art."

My style: Metal accessories.

Fashion tip: Simple is sexy!

Sahil Maggu, owns a fashion store in Raipur, Chhattisgarh

My look: Indo western.

Cost: Rs 1,600 from head to toe. "Fashion is not an expensive thing," he says.

What I like about this dress: It is simple. It is rugged. Yet looks chic. "Look at my jeans... look at my bow and bag," he says about his experiment with fashion.

My style: I like to experiment a lot. Experimentation gives me excitement and that shows on whatever I wear. I love to be original.

Fashion tip: Fashion should be fun. Fashion should be cool. "Just like my shades." :-)

Message from Raipur:

"The fashion scene in Chhattisgarh is hot despite being a tier B town. Though the youth here lack exposure to fashion and style they are educating themselves about it and want to dress up," says Sahil who sells almost 150 brands ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000 in his store.

"Small towns spend a lot on dressing up and looks."

Photographs: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com

> More Lakme Fashion Week features here