Ambika Pillai, Rima Kallingal at AIFW

Screenshot of Ambika Pillai's post about her AIFW outing as showstopper of designer Shalini James.

New Delhi: Amazon India Fashion Week (AIFW) Spring-Summer 2016 might have seen a drop in the number of Bollywood actors on the runway as showstoppers but it has given rise to some of rarest talents like make-up expert Ambika Pillai to walk in the most special piece from the designers' collections.

Shalini James, who made her AIFW debut this year, showcased a collage of textiles from across the country.

"The block prints were from south and north India," Shalini James said about her 'Busy collection' that had a lot of detailing.

The designer made cotton look cool and formal. But what caught the attention of many were the sari and skirt combination pieces.

Ambika Pillai, donning black ensemble with a long jacket, walked as showstopper for Shalini while Malayali actor Rima Kallingal surprised Shalini by gracing the front row.

Recalling her experience on the runway, Amnika Pillai later shared on the social media: “...the audience and press had the surprise of their lives... I said yes to Shalini James and walked as her show stopper... I've been back stage all my life and being on the ramp was crazy nervous for me...”

Though Ambika Pillai had walked the ramp before this was the first time as a showstopper, she said: “It's not my debut on the ramp i've walked before.. For the 'young achievers award night' but never as a showstopper. And never on this platform.. AIFW being the biggest and most prestigious one in the fashion industry in India...”