Desi designers battle it out for the Vogue Fashion Fund 2013

Here's a look at 19 semi-finalists from the Indian fashion industry who are competing to win the prestigious initiative this year.

Each year, Vogue India selects a young upcoming designer for the Vogue Fashion Fund, a "prestigious platform for India's next generation of emerging designers".

Conceptualised in the USA by the American edition of the international magazine, the Fashion Fund offers one outstanding talent from the fashion fraternity the chance to win a fashion shoot in Vogue; other perks include, in the publication's own words, "a year-long business/creative/marketing mentorship with an industry professional, a grand cash prize, an opportunity to commercialise a collection, access to prominent platforms in the industry, mentorship from Vogue, PR support and media coverage."

The Fashion Design Council of India partners with Vogue India for this yearly exercise and this time around, 19 semi-finalists were chosen from among 120 applicants by an expert panel -- FDCI president Sunil Sethi, COO of Westside Gaurav Mahajan, veteran designers Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Suneet Varma, retail experts Alka Nishar and Tina Tahiliani and the Vogue India team.

This jury will further whittle down the list to five finalists early next month and finally one grand winner in October.

Towards this end, an interview round was organised in Mumbai on June 26, where the semi-finalists were required to present their latest designs and field questions from the panelists.

Here are the candidates who attended and are in the running for 2013, starting with Masaba Gupta, pictured with a model wearing one of her new creations.

Next we see Rahul Mishra with three chic, structured numbers submitted for the jury's approval.

Couturier Nachiket Barve offers up both ethnic and Western ensembles in vibrant hues.

Priyanka Modi hopes a monochrome palette works for her label AM:PM, founded with partner Ankur (not pictured).

Designer Tanvi Kedia offered up boho numbers with a strong ethnic edge to them.

Frou Frou by Archana Rao was all about sharp cuts and an overall androgynous feel.

Yogesh Chaudhary seemed pleased with his efforts at cocktailwear, a kaftan and a sari respectively.

Designer Divyam Mehta was a reflection of his all-black collection.

Fluid feminine shapes were put on display by Nupur Kanoi, who also seemed to be wearing one of her own creations.

Other than their similar palette, each of Ritesh Kumar's three entries was entirely unique.

Long, languid and elegant seem to be the keywords for Ajit Kumar's newest designs from label 5X.

Duo Shani Himanshu and Smita Singh Rathore of 11:11 Cell Design flanked their rather fashion-forward ensembles.

Talented twosome Dev R Nil are also in the running for the Vogue Fashion Fund, having implemented funky prints for their new collection.

Gaurav Jai Gupta experimented with plenty of layers and texture for his latest garments from label Akaaro.

Amrich by Amit and Richard was all about stripes, checks and plaid.

Rina Singh was all smiles as she posed beside winterwear ensembles from her brand Eka.

Ruchika Sachdeva's new line from brand Bodice featured a toned-down palette, but was aboard the colourblock wagon.

And finally, we have designer Vaishali S, who posed solo in an ivory maxi.

The 19th competitor is Nimish Shah and his label Shift (not pictured).