Armed with a degree in designing from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, designer duo Rahul Mishra and Samar Firdos debuted at the First Lakme Fashion Week. Inspired from the artisans and craftsmen of Bhuj in Gujarat, the designers showcased the Bandhni collection at the Australia Fashion Week this year.

With the motto 'tap without tampering', the designers have contemporised the Indian craft by blending it with western silhouettes. With no digital printing, texturing has been achieved by tying thousands of knots by hand on mulberry silk. The line offers skirts, dresses, blouses and gowns in stretchable fabric, making it comfortable and adaptable to all sizes. "We dream about taking Indian crafts internationally, after giving it an international look with the help of traditional weaving techniques," the designers sum up.

(AFX UK Focus) 2007-08-22 09:35 GMT: TFN NEWS BRIEFING: Mergers and acquisitions highlights to 09:20 BST

2007-08-22 09:12:00 Norddeutsche Affinerie says it now holds more than 25 pct in Cumerio

HAMBURG (Thomson Financial) - Norddeutsche Affinerie AG (NA) said it now holds more than 25 pct in Belgium's Cumerio, for which it has made a 30 eur per share takeover bid.

2007-08-22 08:47:42 Belgacom sells satellite operations to India's ORG Informatics

BRUSSELS/MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Belgacom SA said it has sold its satellite operations to India's ORG Informatics Ltd, with company sources at ORG telling Thomson Financial News the deal is worth about 700 mln rupees.

2007-08-22 08:30:10 India's Himatsingka Seide planning third overseas acquisition - report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Indian silk fabric manufacturer Himatsingka Seide is planning its third overseas acquisition in the next few months, the Business Standard reported.