Fashion rivalry retains edge as business rises

The air was unpleasant when it first looked certain that New Delhi will indeed have two, rival fashion weeks. However, as one ends today and the other tomorrow, there is cheer in the air. The “politics of fashion” has made its peace with the imperatives of business; the two shows claim more than 160 international and domestic buyers.

The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, organised by Fashion Design Coucil of India at Pragati Maidan during October 15-19, played host to 80 designers, including Satya Paul, Manish Arora, Ranna Gill, Ritu Kumar, and Shantanu and Nikhil.

The breakaway Fashion Foundation of India, held its first Delhi Fashion Week at Emporio in Vasant Kunj during Oct 14-18, with support from Tarun Tahiliani, Malani Ramani, Anamika Khanna and Rohit Bal. The two events overlapped by design so that international buyers did not have to make two separate trips to India. Still, in spite of the cooperation, the competition was keen.

The beginning was a wee bit cold for FFI, given the unfamiliar venue, but slowly buyers from across the world -- MC2, Marie Perron, Rendez-Vous, Seibu, Ulf Haines, Boon the Shop, Ovo Studio and Baycrews – found it. “In one word, it has been a success,” said Sumeet Nair, consultant to DHW. “What stood out at DHW was our focus on accessories.” Across the town at WLIFW, FDCI president Sunil Sethi estimated business worth Rs 80 crore with a day still in hand. Harvey Nichols, Liberty, British India, Viva, Sun Motoyama, Anthropologie, La Rinascente, and Villa Moda kept the counters busy here.

"Our sales have doubled from last year,” said Sethi. But has DHW not eaten into WLIFW’s pie? “Many of our designers are not even aware that another fashion week is on,” says Sethi.

So there, cooperation and competition can co-exist, with some acid for dressing.