Indian fashion industry is said to be booming across the globe with many big labels like Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi Mukherji, Manish Malhotra and lot more to name. Moreover, fashion hype came early to India with well-regarded Indian designers. Indeed, Mumbai and Delhi are the most stylish and up-to-the-minute city when comes to fashion and trend.
Well, fashion came late to Kolkata inspite of good number of established labels like Sabyasachi Mukherji, Anamika Khanna, Abhishek Dutta, Kallol datta, Dev r Nil, Sharbari Datta, Mona Pali and many more to name.
Fashion Weeks are said to be the pillar of the fashion industry in India where the biggie fashion shows like Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) and Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WLIFW) held in Mumbai and Delhi respectively have a sturdy bond. But, this bond seems flouting for the fashion fraternity of Kolkata. Seemingly, the fashion show facade in Kolkata seems deviating.
Its like, Kolkata produces so many designers but when it comes to organizers it is moreover found a flop show; where other city fashion shows go meticulously smooth touching the same border of success, glam, appreciation etc.
The sluggish fashion scenario was somewhat found lively with the declaration of first season of Kolkata Fashion Week (KFW) in 2008 by Mindscape Maestro, which was continued with the second season of KFW in 2009. However, the main sponsor of the event, Emami, backed out at the eleventh hour due to some agreement problems. This became like a twirl in the Kolkata's fashion panorama. It did disappoint many-a designers and also the other heads of the show.
Later came into existence 'Kolkata Fashion and Lifestyle Week' (KFLW) in February 2010 by Yudhajit Dutta of Purple People who was associated with Mindscape Maestro in KFW. Unfortunately, it stands cancelled till date; sources say, "The eleventh hour cancellation was due to the back-out of their main sponsor."
A year after, KFW organisers woke-up on September 1, 2010, and declared their latest event, IFC - Indian Fashion Carnival (instead of KFW season 3) which will be held from September 10-12 at the Salt Lake Stadium, helipad ground. With just nine days for the event to go, made some designers think somewhat absurd about the organisers.
The perplexity continues with the declaration of 'Kolkata Couture Fashion Week' by Idea Weavers from September 9-12 at Swissotel Kolkata. Not too recent, Idea Weavers also came up with IPL Fashion Week, the first ever fashion week for Indian designers in London. Which was gain a mixed bag of postponement, say somewhere between four to five times.
The above jigsaw puzzle will surely deviate many-a heads and also the fashion gang of Kolkata from September 9. Designers are the foremost sufferers, also a set-back for Kolkata fashion industry could be seen.
Feme Fashions spoke to few designers on the matter, here is what the excerpts: -
Mumbai based famed designer, Neeta Lulla, who is associated with KCFW says, "I will be putting-on my latest bridal collection at KCFW. I am aware about the overlapping but it is a some what a decision of designers and organisers as per their convenience. I think people will go for a designer show as per their handiness, they know their tasteful brands. We have a big market for many things. There is nothing negative and positive about the event. Its just that organizers should keep a note of whatever they do becomes the best."
She adds, "Well I am showcasing on the first day of KCFW which doesn't overlap with any other show."
Zubair Kirmani, a Delhi based designer who was part of the KFW season 1 and is also associated with their upcoming event IFC, he says, "There are three events coming up neck-to-neck in Kolkata. I was part of the KFW season 1, they approached me for IFC and so I am doing it. This will obviously affect many factors. Everything will be divided end of the day be the clients, celebrities or buyers. People might have a confusion to join the event. So they will decide not with the quality but their convenience."
He adds further, "Excess of everything is bad though I am not aware of the internal problems what IFC are actually facing. Nationally it is giving a bad name to Kolkata and also fashion industry. Things should be decided in a systematic manner to give a happy tone to the event. Nonetheless, the mileage also gets affected. Whatever, I am sure early they will realise the limitation. Hope for a better future and a better show because I am associated with IFC."
Kolkata based designer, Soumitro Mondol, who was part of KFW and is also associated with IFC says, "Kolkata has a good scope but somehow the fashion craze and faith has gone about how the event will be organized. IFC is related to Kolkata so I am participating. I believe regional designers get less chance to participate so fashion show in city is the best way to step a foot forward but, its other way round in Kolkata. If IFC turns good for Kolkata I will support it in near future."
He says, "Basically, we should unite to promote fashion in Kolkata. The new property IFC is coming-up pretty good hope for the best. The tribute to Gandhi is good. I promote Gandhi so it is a good opportunity for me to showcase khadi and other Bengal famous fabrics. I its good this should carry on to boast Kolkata fashion designers."
Designer Abdul Halder, associated with both the fashion events IFC and KCFW, he says, "I am doing both the Kolkata shows, prêt line in IFC and Couture line in KCFW. Nothing much I would comment on the shows as I want them to run at their best. Though IFC is tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. It might be for general publicity that they are calling Priyanka Gandhi and Varun Gandhi on ramp. Either could be they are related to Gandhi family so they are invited on ramp. Hope for the best!"
Designer Debarun Mukherjee, who was associated with KFW says, "I do participate in fashion weeks but then, I look out for quality shows. Instead being part of the confusion its better to be out of it. I am wholeheartedly into Lakme but then being a designer from Kolkata I am looking out for KCFW also. I hope they come-up with a standard set and a good response. It should end up with a solid venture for fashion fraternity of Kolkata."
Designer Abhishek Dutta, who also was associated with KFW season 1, but not with either of the current shows, says, "I am too upset with what is happening. It's a huge clash that will effect everyone. Things will divide from all the ways. From whatever I know, I am not expecting a good show from either of the two fashion weeks. I would rather be interested into Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, Kolkata Leg."
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