Kolkata, Sep 9 - The Kolkata Fashion Week-II kicked off in style Wednesday with Brazilian model-turned-actress Gisele Monteiro the star attraction as she showcased famed designer Ritu Kumar's ensemble of Indian and western attire made by the craftsmen of West Bengal.

Eighteen models sashayed down the ramp displaying the attire of the 65-year-old grand dame of Indian fashion, who had started off her work with four hand-block printers and two tables in a small village near Kolkata four decades ago.

Monteiro - of 'Love Aajkal' fame - enhanced the oomph factor to bring the curtain down on the inaugural show of the five-day event, which is without any title sponsor after Emami pulled out Tuesday on contractual issues.

'Today's collection was a tribute to the craftsmen in Bengal,' Ritu Kumar later told reporters.

She praised the craftsmen of Bengal and its hinterland saying: 'You have great hand weaving in Phulia, embroideries of Uluberia and painting of Sreerampore.'

Kumar remembered when she started her career, none of these people in the hinterland of Kolkata were interested in nurturing their talents. They all wanted to become truck drivers or peons.

Her collection started with traditional lehengas, salwar kurtas and sarees with light, muted colours like cream with heavy golden embroidery work and moved on to darker shades like black, green, purple, magenta before ending with the muted orange lehenga of Monteiro.