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Kabeer Sharma probes into the recent controversy over designer Jatin Varma ripping off designers’ Shane and Phalguni Peacock’s designs.

Even as the great fashion circus leaves town, hems, cross-stitches and the Mid dle Eastern buyers weren’t the only topics of discussion at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. A few pieces in designer Jatin Varma's collection seemed eerily similar to Mumbai Designers Shane and Phalguni Peacock’s pieces.

HT Image

The Peacocks, though reluctant to say anything, revealed that a couple of their buyers too had told them about this.

“We were aware of this but we didn't want to make a big deal out of it. However, we've informed the Fashion Design Council of India about it,” Phalguni says.

A buyer told HT City, “I’d gone to Jatin’s stall last season to place my orders and was shocked.

“If someone told him that he liked the Peacocks’ style better then he’d make a piece for them at half his price.” The buyer placed an order for five pieces which was later cancelled because of its poor quality.

Jatin feigned ignorance to this initially but on further probing, said, “I know which buyers you are referring to. I’ll talk to the FDCI people about this and let you know.

This incident acquires serious proportions as its on a platform as large as the WIFW in the presence of international buyers and inter national fashion heavy-weights including the President of the Paris Fashion Week and the representatives of the London Fashion Week.

The Fashion Design Council of India's Director General Rathi Vinay Jha was not available for comment.

We’ve heard that the Council is treating the issue with utmost seriousness and has summoned Varma for a meeting with Jha. Looks like the fireworks have just begun!