Delhi Couture Week generates controversy even before the first designs are seen

$'Fashion fracas' ahead?$

Delhi Couture Week generates controversy even before the first designs are seen

Con-fusion Models during the recently-concluded Delhi Fashion week

Now dark clouds are hovering over council's yet another ambitious fashion gala Delhi Couture Week. Reason: Absence of leading couture majors and the scathing attack launched by them over the FDCI's ability to handle the fashion scene in the national capital.

"What is DCW?," asked a rather calm Puneet Nanda when he was quizzed about his confirmed on ramp absence at the upcoming couture week.
"We won't be showing in there as we enjoy doing our own shows. Apart from us there are many designers who don't participate in 'weeks'. As such DCW is not the only way to show our presence," said Nanda, the lead designer for fashion label Satya Paul.

The FDCI had committed a major goof up with Satya Paul during the last edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week when the it was not given the desired slot after the first day of the glitzy event got cancelled due to the clearance from the fire department.

"People are pretty divided within FDCI. Sunil Sethi is a wonderful man though, but no wonderful man can keep people united unless they themselves want to come together. Even designers call me to get attached to a particular lobby but I always refuse as I don't know politics and don't even care to take sides or join factions. Even for opinions, I refuse. I do have eyes and ears to see what all is going around but also possess a brain to control my actions, and myself," said Nanda.

The fashion extravaganza, which will span over six days, from July 20 to July 25 will see participation of 13 top notch designers like JJ Valaya, Manav Gangwani, Pallavi Jaikishan, Raakesh Agarvwal, Rina Dhaka, Rohit Bal, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla, Anamika Khanna, AZA presents Manish Malhotra, Gaurav Gupta, Suneet Varma and Varun Bahl showcasing their designs on ramp. Those who will showcase their works through special installations will be Ekta & Ruchira, Paras & Shalini, Jaya Rathore, Monapali, Reynu Taandon and Satya Paul.

The Other Side

Ashima-Leena was not even selected by the jury, so the question of putting them along new designers doesn't even arise. The jury selected names, which were strong enough to represent couture, and the duo, unfortunately, couldn't make it to the list. They have been doing shows with us for many years now but not this time. We appointed a jury because the list of applicants was too long.u00a0 The selected names are real couturiers who cater to the elite.u00a0
- Sunil Sethi, president, FDCI

Two 'obvious' names, Tarun Tahiliani and Leena Singh, who are credited for some of the best fabrics development in the country, are also not featured in the list. Designer Leena, expressing her anguish over a phone call from Chicago said: "It's been 20 years since we are in this industry and we don't need one couture week to prove ourselves.

The slot that we were put into was not worth our brand and so we refused to be a part of it. Giving chance to new talent is good as they are very creative but putting us seniors with them in same slot was really not acceptable.

The dignity of the brand is more important to us and we can't put that on stake. We have worked a lot for the council and so we want them to have a very successful couture week but we do a show only where we have value."

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