At India's Fashion Week, Its About the Birds and the Bees

Birds took a flight of fancy, appearing on everything from clothes to hats in a collection inspired by a "paradise" forest that kicked off India Fashion Week.

Some 60 designers were set to send their spring-summer 2007 ready-to-wear lines down the catwalk in New Delhi during the five day-festival, aiming to expand their presence at home and abroad, especially beyond traditional markets in the Middle East.

In the first show, India's most celebrated designer Manish Arora sent out models in gathered skirts and balloon dresses with animal and bird motifs on clothes and stuffed birds on headgear, drawing audience laughter and gasps.

"The collection is inspired by paradise forest which has animals, birds and fish, flowers, rivers, oceans, trees and sky," said Arora, who takes his collection to London Fashion Week next month.

"I think I am growing up. I don't keep anything in mind while designing. I do what I want to do," he added.

Models in Arora's creations sashayed down the ramp in voluminous tops and dresses offset by skinny pants in rainbow hues while large images of cats, dogs and horses floated in a laser effect in the hall.

The collection marked a departure from the trademark pop art and kitsch designs which have earned Arora international acclaim.