All about the great fashion divide. Check out. | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

All about the great fashion divide. Check out.

None | ByVinod Nair (HT City), New Delhi
Apr 09, 2006 05:03 PM IST

Two fashion weeks ? one in Delhi and the other in Mumbai ? has a few advantages too. HT City checks out the same.

The great Indian fashion divide, caused by the decision of rival bodies — Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and Lakme — to host separate fashion weeks, has no doubt stirred up a storm. But amid all the confusion, the situation is turning out to be a boon for certain people in the fashion fraternity.

HT Image
HT Image

While many designers would ideally like to participate in both, there are several other professionals associated with the industry who will stand to benefit from two fashion weeks.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

High on designs most designers, by now, have already decided with which fashion show their allegiance lies. Those who felt that FDCI is a body that stands entirely for the promotion of India’s fashion industry, have stood by India Fashion Week, now called the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (big names in this group include Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, Rohit GandhiRahul Khanna, Ritu Kumar). And many others have gone ahead and signed up with Lakme Fashion Week (Rocky S, Wendell Rodricks, Narendra Kumar, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Ashish Soni).
In that sense, it’s more fashion to experience, for those from the high-flying set who can afford to attend both fashion weeks.

While WIFW will see the collections of most of the country’s top designers, LFW has the advantage of being a blend of senior designers along with a combi nation of young designers who will get a proper platform to showcase at such a big fashion event for the first time. Big biz? Maybe...

If a nagging doubt still persists in the minds of many over whether two fashion weeks in such a short span will harm the industry or benefit it, organisers will have to be cautious. Since the two fashion weeks are spaced only by a few days apart, it looks like international buyers (assuming the same set of buyers is invited by both parties), will stay in India from the beginning of Lakme Fashion Week (March 28-April 1) till the end of Wills India Fashion Week (April 5-9).

The best option would be to in vite different buyers for the two fashion weeks, unless same individuals are willing to stay over 12 days in India. The same goes for the foreign media as well. And if both parties can pull this bit off, it only means attracting more foreign presence to Indian fashion. Spells more work Meanwhile, the situation has also opened up new vistas for several professionals in the fashion industry. The increase in the number of fashion weeks spells increase in the number of fashion shows. So, the ones who will directly benefit are the models. That, in turn, also increases opportunities for choreographers and makeup artistes. The hosting cities — Mumbai (LFW) and Delhi (WIFW) — and its hotels will get better business. Others such as event managers, sponsors, musicians, PR professionals, transporters etc in both cities also stand to benefit due to two fashion weeks.

Of course, the complete picture will only emerge once both fashion weeks are over. Only then will everyone connected with the world of fashion get to know if hosting more than one fashion week in the same country is a good idea or not. Since it is for the first time that such a situation has risen in the country, it is really is in the hands of participating designers of both the fashion weeks to make their respective events successful. After all, what matters at B2B fashion events like these is that whoever makes better clothes will be a better choice for buyers and the media.

The best option is to invite different buyers for the two fashion weeks, unless same buyers choose to stay over for both Models will benefit, as will choreographers, event managers and the hotel industries of both cities.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On