Ten new designers will make their debut in the upcoming edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW).

As WIFW turns 10, its Hi-5 initiative has grown into the Hi-5 Duo. Now instead of five, 10 young designers will debut on the ramp during the fashion fete.

Hi-5 Duo is an initiative of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) that provides upcoming fashion designers a platform to showcase their collection on the ramp during the country's biggest fashion extravaganza scheduled for Sep 5-9.

"It is FDCI's mandate to nurture budding talent and on the occasion of the 10th edition we have the debut of 10 aspiring designers on the WIFW ramp," Rathi Vinay Jha, the director general of the FDCI, said during a press conference here Friday.

The 10 designers who are part of the Hi-5 Duo initiative are Abhijeet Khanna, Ashish, Viral & Vikrant, Drashta Sarvaiya, Elisha W., Gauri Bajoria, Meher Mirchandani & Riddima, Prashant Verma, Prriya & Chintans, Shubhra and Varun Sardana.

In all, 72 designers will participate during the upcoming spring/summer 2008 edition of WIFW. There will be 30 shows during the five-day-long fashion event.

Essenza Di Wills, ITC's brand of personal care and grooming products will be the associate sponsor for the 10th edition of WIFW.

"WIFW and ITC's association with FDCI have been growing from strength to strength. We would like to make our relationship with the stakeholders of the event more deep-rooted and further enhance our participation in the event. We are delighted that Essenza Di Wills is coming on board as the event's associate sponsor," said Chitrajan Dar, divisional chief executive of ITC's lifestyle retailing.

Chivas and Nokia will continue their association with WIFW as sponsors. Elle magazine will be the magazine sponsor and Le Meridien hotel will be the hospitality sponsor for the forthcoming edition of the event.