Jessica in a Leena Taneja outfit. Picture by Rashbehari Das

City designer Leena Taneja heads for ural fashion Week.

Leena Taneja, a Calcutta-based designer who is yet to make a splash on the national fashion scene, is all set for her second international stint at the Ural Fashion Week in Yekaterinburg, Russia this week. “I am very excited. More so since I will be doing the grand finale on November 14,” smiles Leena.

“I am confident about my clothes when it comes to Milan or Paris where I export to, but I am a little apprehensive about Russia,” confesses Leena, who also had a show at Singapore Fashion Week last year.

Leena will be presenting a collection called Divine, a Western eveningwear line. But her trump card will be rich Indian fabrics like Benarasi, jazzed up with applique, Swarovski and sequins. “My international clients love the blend of Indian fabrics and embroidery with Western cuts. Though I design Western wear, the workmanship is Indian,” explains the designer, who retails here from her Theatre Road store.

Her models on the big day will sport a no-make-up look with well-defined, kohl-lined eyes. “The overall look should complement the clothes. The make-up is quite stark to go with my simple, straight-line silhouettes,” she adds.

Despite the overseas exposure, Leena is nervous about making an Indian debut. “I do think about taking the plunge at times but the Indian fashion industry is politics-ridden and that worries me,” feels the 42-year-old. She is confident that this “European experience” will open avenues and give her a better understanding of the industry.

Designers from Europe, China and Uzbekistan as well as Russian and French buyers will be present at the Baltic fashion event. Leena is most excited about sharing ramp space with British stalwart Zandra Rhodes.