India Masala
Bollywood and culture in an emerging India
Fashion and Trade – Room for both on the runway
My previous post introducing the Delhi Fashion Week (DFW), dwelt on its capabilities as a newcomer in India’s fashion field.
Set up after organizers of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week fell into dispute, the object of the new fashion event on the block stimulated amplified suspense.
As I wrote half way into the DFW, the success of the event was clear.
Shows had run smoothly and spurred good turnouts. I had yet to discover the Wills Lifestyle week and how the two weeks compared.
First impressions at Wills Lifestyle week left me agreeing with my fellow reporter who claimed it would be more “buzzing”.
Hustle and bustle and the sponsors’ busy marketing stalls made for a more exhibitionist and business-orientated atmosphere.
Trade aspects aside, actually attending the shows didn’t earn much difference between the two venues.
Search for India’s YSL: Notes from India fashion week
I have always been a bit cynical about the Indian fashion industry. I used to think the country’s fashion designers were wannabes trying to break into a glamorous industry despite having little or no aptitude for the trade.
But spending time at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week has lessened my cynicism to some extent.
I realise now that our designers are not ‘darzis’ putting together trousseaus for Indian brides, they really do want to make a dent in the international market with their ready-to-wear collections.
Buyers like Anthropologie from U.S. and British India in Kuala Lumpur see potential in Indian designers, saying they are as much in sync with global trends as their Western counterparts.
In fact, Sumeet Nair, organiser of the rival Delhi Fashion Week, says it’s a good opportunity for Indian designers to make a mark for themselves in times of recession — with trendy clothes at affordable rates.
However, what disturbed me was the herd mentality in the race to appeal to international buyers. It seemed everybody was doing dhoti pants, geometrical prints and high-waist pants.
The silhouettes, attention to detail, good play of colour — everything was there. But missing was that one dress with the potential to become a rage, like gladiator shoes or Yves Saint Laurent’s trouser suit for women.
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The Wall
