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GVK ONE, Hyderabad’s largest urban entertainment centre was inaugurated  on 1st May 2009. Since then, it has come a long way with the setting up of almost all major stores like Polynation foodcourt, Inox multiplex, Funzone entertainment centre and iconic brands like Hard Rock Café, Esprit, Lerros, Calvin Klien. Larger part of stores of home grown brands like Mebaz have also opened up, thus, making it a fashion destination for the city of Hyderabad. GVK ONE is located at Road No 1 at Banjara hills. The Mall is surrounded by plush localities like Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and Srinagar Colony. The Mall has a 5 level under ground parking area, which can accommodate approximately 700 cars and 1000 two wheelers at a time. The major attractions at the Mall are India’s largest free standing salt water aquarium, Glass bridge with colour changing LEDs, Skylight atrium and Complete glass façade.

In order to bring world fashion to the fashion conscious Hyderabad, GVK ONE conceptualized an event “Showcase One”. As part of the event, several national and international fashion brands inside the mall showcased, in a first-of-its-kind 5-day SHOWCASE event, their unique collections through a Glittering Fashion Show interspersed with exclusive performances from around the world. The event was conducted for five days (from 30th September to 4th October). The merchandise that were showcased by those brands were their latest Autumn-Winter collection, thus making the mannequins come alive from the store window to the fashion ramp. The participating brands at the event included Sisley, Lerros, Calvin Klien, French Connection, Mebaz, Levis, Flying Machine, Kalanikethan, Esprit, Aldo and Promod. The event was sponsored by PEPSI.

Meebaz Collection on display at the show. Credit: Ghost Rider

A Performance by foreign artist at the show. Credit: Ghost Rider

A dance performance at the event. Credit: Ghost Rider

The performances at the show were very exciting, apart from the fashion show there were special dance sequences by foreign artist, it included (1) Can-can: The can-can (More correctly, not hyphenated, as in the original French) is regarded today primarily as a physically demanding music hall dance, performed by a chorus-line of female dancers, who wear costumes with long skirts, petticoats and black stockings, that hearkens to the fashions of the 1890s. The main features of the dance are the lifting up and manipulation of the skirt, with high kicking and suggestive, provocative body movements.

(2) Kalinka dance: It is common in the western world to consider the jumps and mimics of the traditional Russian dance to be the result of cold weather of northern country. As if such dances as ‘Prisyadka’, ‘Arabic’, ‘Goat’, ‘Raznozhka’ , ‘Devil’ , ‘Pistol’ etc. were invented by Russians only in order to get warm.

(3) Latino dance: There are many diverse styles of Latin music, some of which constitutes Afro-American musical traditions, meaning that the elements of European, African and indigenous music are fused.

(4) King Verona dance: It’s a 15th century form dance performed for the King of Verona, Italy.

(5) Moscow dance: Modern day Russian traditional dance performance. Elegance, Energy and flexibility is the key word here.

(6) Antre: A form of ballet dance originated in Eastern Europe. Modern antre has modified with a lot of colour.

Models strike a pose at the fashion show. Credit: Ghost Rider

All the people gathered in huge numbers to be spectators of the performances. The show was conducted on the 1st Floor of the Mall; DJ Kenny kept them engaged by playing music tracks. All the hyderabadis were seen flocking in large numbers. A special screen was set up outside the mall, which was facing the road side, due to which more audience were attracted, the audience enjoyed the show and its was a perfect weekend for all the Hyderabadis, who were present there. The event was conducted to mark the emergence of GVK ONE as the fashion capital of Hyderabad.

“It’s really amazing to see such shows coming up in Hyderabad, the culture over here is completely changing day by day and I thank GVK ONE for its concern towards Fashion.” Says Ms. Meena Kumari, a visitor at the show. “The weekend seems to be very enjoyable with something or the other coming up week by week, I really enjoyed the show here especially the dance performances”, says Mr. Anand, a Lecturer by profession. The brands, which have opened their first stores in Hyderabad are Esprit, Mango, Mac, Aldo, Calvin Kline, FCUK, Giordano, Lerros, 109 F, Da Milano, Only shirts, Charles & Keith, Promod and Wildcraft. It is anticipated that Showcase One will be an annual celebration of fashion and entertainment.