Sigma Rock & designer Umair Zafar collaborate to promote Lucknowi Chikankari & Embroidery

Lucknow, 2^nd March 2014.  We all celebrate our annual events and functions with a lot of aplomb, but when we do it with for a social cause; it makes a great difference to those benefited. Sigma Rock Infra Ventures Pvt Ltd - a Lucknow-based real estate company believes and stands for integrity and ethics and this was amply evident in their effort to support and promote the small craftsmen and karigars of Lucknow. Sigma Rock presented celebrity designer and stylist Umair Zafar's Chikankari Summer Collection 2014 on 1^st March at a glittering ceremony at the M B Club in Lucknow to promote the craft and enhance and encourage the craftsmen and karigar community which has suffered greatly due to neglect and lack of promotion. Bollywood diva Rituparna Sen walked the ramp  for Umair Zafar and also distributed prizes and awards to achievers of Sigma Rock.

Lucknow based designer Arshi Jamal also show-cased his ethnic collection as the guest list included young and energetic minister Naved Siddiqui,  Major General Suresh Gupta, Dr Vikram Ahuja, Lens man Subodh Bajpai, Shashank Agarwal, former Indian women’s cricket team captain Nighat Khan, Asst Director - Ministry of Communication Ravi Pratap Singh,  Urban Fashion Franchise Head Shoaib Zafar and many others.

Gorgeous Rituparna Sen Gupta, the show stopper for Umair Zafar enthralled the audience with her beautiful moves. Ace choreographer Shie Lobo made the night more appealing with his synchronized choreography. Rupa Khurana and Rajesh Tandon anchored the gala event.

According to, Asrar Ahmad Khan, Director Sigma Rock, “We being housing providers relate directly to fashion and lifestyle. This event hence is one more form to connect people with fashion and lifestyle.  This is yet another feather in our cap. The aim for Fit and Fashion 2014 is to create awareness about fitness and fashion among Lucknowites.”

Designer Umair Zafar who hails from Lucknow and is known for his patronage for the culture and crafts of the city of Nawabs speaking to news agency Newz66.com in Lucknow said, "This show is for the craftsmen of Lucknow who have long been neglected by other designers and big brands alike. I thank Sigma Rock for supporting us in this noble cause. We are showcasing 35 national and international models to display the designs. I have used the blend of Lucknow’s ancient art -  the chikan with popular modern fabrics. It’s now possible to carry chikan in all seasons. It is not vintage any more. These fusions will give chikan a high fashion and party angle given the fact that over 20 varieties of fabric have been used.”

The magic moments were captured by the lenses of Subodh Bajpayee.  Patrons supporting the event included Urban Fashion, Diet Mantra, Magic Holidays, Golden Blossom Imperial Resorts, Signature Premium, Flashcabs, PR advisory Kaivalya Communication, Meem Productions and many more.

Fashion designer Umair Zafar appointed Creative Head for Urban Xchange Fashions and Apparels

Celebrity stylist, fashion designer, image consultant and versatile entrepreneur in the fashion business, Umair Zafar believes that fashion trends and designs should translate at an affordable price. His vision is to make stylish garments comfortable and affordable. The designer is known for consulting with various brand building projects and customized outfits. He has also signed a Hollywood film project. Close on the heels follows the news that he has been appointed as Creative Head for an upcoming fashion house.

Urban Xchange Fashions and Apparels Pvt Ltd – a Mumbai-based company set to launch multi-brand lifestyle and fashion stores in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India - has appointed Mumbai-based fashion designer Umair Zafar as its Creative Head. Umair Zafar will design a premium range of ethnic collection for men and women which will be sold under the Urban Fashion umbrella of multi-brand stores in India.

Umair Zafar says, “I am really privileged to be associated with the multi-city, pan-India company Urban Xchange and will be part of its launch strategy all over India.  Urban Xchange plans to bring different fabrics with designs, embroideries, embellishments and printing and manufacturing techniques under one roof to plan a seasonal collection of garments both for men and women and suitable for the exquisite taste and preferences of the classes, yet make it affordable for the masses. The brand will target consumers in smaller towns and cities who would like to purchase branded clothing at reasonable prices. Urban Xchange - the parent company will launch its first in-house brand in the name of Urban Fashion along with its first store very soon.”

Umair asserts, “my endeavor will always be to promote Indian culture and heritage. There will be some unique, trend-setting fashion trends which have never been experimented with. The vision of our company is to get India on the world map as far as fashion is concerned without compromising on our rich cultural heritage and quality of the fabrics we use.”

About Urban Xchange:

Urban Xchange Fashions and Apparels Pvt Ltd is a Mumbai-based company, which aims to target the fashion and lifestyle segment in India, as well as provide alternatives for Indians abroad.  India has a very broad spectrum and range of textiles and well as embroideries and various hand printing techniques, besides a huge craftsman base.

Urban Xchange plans to bring different fabrics with designs, embroideries, embellishments and printing and manufacturing techniques under one roof to plan a seasonal collection suitable for the exquisite taste and preferences of the classes and yet make it affordable for the masses in smaller towns and cities who would like to purchase branded clothing at reasonable prices.

Urban Xchange - the parent company will launch its first in-house brand in the name of Urban Fashion.

Urban Xchange in the next one year is poised to be India’s fastest growing branded apparel company and a premium lifestyle and fashion player in the retail sector in B and C type cities in India. It is gearing up to introduce premier Indian branded designer wear labels, enabling Indian consumers in smaller cities and towns to buy prestigious fashion wear  and designer wear and accessories right next door - in their own home town or city.

The company’s brand portfolio will include product lines that range from the very affordable and mass-market for the discerning Indian buyer to the top-of-the-line, extravagant and luxurious, high-end fashion and style for the well-heeled and cater to every age group, from children and youth to men and women.