Fashion gets its big daddy

Pulling together the fractious world of fashion, the Fashion Design Promotion Council (FDPC), comes into effect from tomorrow, writes Garima Sharma.

Pulling together the fractious world of fashion, hit hard by the recession, the big daddy of the industry, the Fashion Design Promotion Council (FDPC), comes into effect from tomorrow and its first task is to help Indian designers “gain over global competitiveness”, says Vijay Singh, secretary and CEO of FDPC.

Explaining it all to HT City in an exclusive chat, he says that applications for affiliation have come from both the Fashion Design Council of India and the Fashion Foundation of India. The new body has a clear strategy — first priority: creating a platform for “design excellence” so that Indian design can rule the world; second priority: giving young designers more room to showcase their work.

Young is the word

One-fourth of the total resources of FDPC will be used for young designers’ promotion, and 5 per cent of its total membership will be reserved for NIFT graduates, says Shankersinh Vaghela, minister of textiles, whose brainchild the new body is. Helping young talent has been the motivation for setting up the council, he adds.

Going by the composition of the council, it has given equal weight to business and creativity. Future Group (Pantaloons, Big Bazaar) head Kishore Biyani is president of the governing council, and designer Raghavendra Rathore is the vice-president. Vijay Singh himself is a Mumbai-based businessman.

Sumeet Nair of FFI says of the new body, “It is a fantastic thing. By setting up this council, the government is recognising the fashion industry. Now, it will be easier for us to do collaborative projects.” Designer Jatinn Kochhar, an FDPC member, adds to that, “For the first time, everyone involved with fashion will share a common platform. It means equal opportunity and equal respect.”