Models show off designs by the final batch of NIFT Calcutta on the Salt Lake campus. (Top ) A budding designer adjusts an outfit on a child model. Pictures by Rashbehari Das

Inspiration, ideation, creation. There are long weeks of work behind the first real collection tomorrow’s star designers put together. From the avant garde (though the ramps may no longer like it) to the wearable (prêt and beyond) to surface ornamentation and pricing, the students of fashion design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) learn it all. And every single bit of it goes into the final DC (design collection, for the uninitiated) of the graduating batch.

NIFT Calcutta is this year, more than others, witnessing a mad rush of activity. Not only do the final-year students of three streams have a joint show coming up at ITC Sonar Bangla on May 12 (fashion design, knitwear and leather) for the first time, but the city is playing host to Confluence, the all-NIFT meet which spots the national stars of fashion-to-come.

The award winners of all seven NIFT chapters will strut their stuff on the same stage on May 17, with one being crowned couture king (or queen) amongst equals. And with current star Sabyasachi Mukherjee one of the past finds, clearly, talent should show early.

The glitz and glamour may catch the public eye this Wednesday, but the most crucial hurdle was crossed by 26 students of the final batch last Saturday: the external jury.

A panel of professionals — from frontline designer Anamika Khanna to Kyra’s Komal Sood, city-based designer and NIFT alumnus Shantanu Goenka to Shayan Mitra — judged each student, selecting the best design collection, most creative collection, best use of traditional skill in contemporary style, best construction and best men’s wear.

Winners of these categories from all the NIFT centres —Delhi, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Gandhinagar, Chennai and Mumbai — will showcase their creations at Confluence (which takes place at different chapters each year) and the national best will then be selected.

Saturday saw a mix of nerves, excitement and pure creative thrill take over the sprawling Salt Lake campus. Each budding designer (all having being ‘placed’ already this year) entered a room with the jury, and a few faculty members for emotional support and practical guidance, with professional models sporting their ensembles.

Thereafter, each had to explain the hows and the whys of their sometimes wacky, sometimes real-time, real-life garments.

Starting with the initial spark of inspiration, they took the judges through their design evolution and final execution. Like 21-year-old Varsha Agarwal. Brace and Beautiful was her out-of-the-box idea. Having worn braces through most of her young life, she hated to bid the appendage goodbye.

So, one fine morning, while brushing her teeth, the thought dawned on her. Eureka (or Colgate, perhaps), she yelped! If Tom Cruise can do it (yes, the superstar wears near-invisible braces off-screen), why can’t I, she asked?

Metrosexually Yours was the dedication Priyanka Sen’s collection came along with. “At the root of the metrosexual male is the modern woman,” feels Priyanka, the first to take the stage on D-Day. Her clubwear line was out to prove that not all women are fussy — and not nearly as boring — when it comes to dressing up men.

Here is a Good Life good-luck wish — and a big round of applause — for all 26 hopefuls, and a run-through of what to look forward to on Wednesday.

Where: ITC Sonar Bangla, Pala

When: from 6 pm

What: three department shows — leather, fashion designs, knitwear

Who: Aditi Govitrikar, Shonal Rawat and a host of models