New Delhi, June 11 (IANS): Medha Bansal of capital-based National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has been named winner of the ninth edition of The Debut, a unique initiative by a fashion brand.

Introduced by Wills Lifestyle, The Debut aims to encourage students of fashion through showcasing, recognising and launching outstanding talent.

Out of 22 Indian fashion students, who presented a dazzling display of their creative design talent at the grand finale of The Debut here on Thursday, Bansal was declared as the winner by the jury members that comprised the likes of designer-duo Pankaj & Nidhi, amongst others.

Bansal received a sponsored trip to Britain for a befitting course at the London School of Fashion.

The theme this year was titled '4th Dimension', an interpretation of spacetime. Students were presented with a challenge to portray designs and forms never imagined. The shortlisted candidates were evaluated on key parameters of creativity, technicality and commercial viability.

On the successful completion of yet another edition of The Debut, Atul Chand, divisional chief executive, ITC’s Lifestyle Retailing Business Division, said: “The Debut by Wills Lifestyle is an exceptional platform that has been championing tomorrow's creative leaders, seeking out and incubating new talent in the field of fashion design. We are pleased at the tremendous response received from the student community.

“This initiative reflects the values of our brand and we continue to provide encouragement to promising creative geniuses by facilitating interface with the leading names of the Indian fashion fraternity.”

This year, the contest received over 300 online registrations and over 100 portfolios received from fashion schools across the country including NIFT; National Institute of Design (NID); Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF); Symbiosis Institute of Design, Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) and JD Institute of Fashion Technology.