It was fashion, seriously

More designers and buyers, lesser number of celebs in the front rows. Serious business was the buzzword at India's biggest B2B fashion event.

Some 'fashionable' steals (several valuables of designers and models were stolen from the venue), some stolen fashion (the Suneet Varma-Bunty Aur Babli controversy we reported yesterday). Some hair-raising moments and some hair-losing moments (a bunch of a model's hair was reportedly ripped off as a makeup person from Mumbai was dancing while curling her hair). A few excited buyers, and some disappointed ones. LIFW 2005 has been exciting in more ways than one.

On the bright side, India's biggest B2B fashion event was conducted in a controlled environment this time. Shows started more or less on time. Although there were hardly any celebrities or socialites seen through the week, the glamour was on the runway. This goes on to show that the event is beginning to take a serious shape. "In another year or two it will totally be a business event without any tamasha," says designer Ashish Soni.

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While Look Books and Line Sheets were present at most stalls, most designers failed to introduce Show Cards this time too. "After the media reported on the need of these elements at a fashion week, several designers picked up the cue. It's a good sign," says Sam Joseph of Saks India.

The collections on the ramp were rather confusing. Uniformity was missing while choosing the season. While some designers followed the FDCI theme and showcased autumnwinter 2005 lines, others came out with springsummer 2006 collections. "This is called designers' 'seasonal objective disorder'," quips a fashion writer from a reputed US daily. So, as each designer interpreted his own thoughts and showcased varied fabrics and styles, a lot was left to be desired in terms of a trend, except probably Manish Arora with his skirts.

As for buyers, business is taking shape. There have been some on-the-spot domestic orders but foreign buyers are waiting and watching. "The collections I've seen are neither great nor bad. I liked Ashish Soni's lines," says Michael Fink of Saks Fifth Avenue, New York. Fink says in India, a trans-seasonal theme at the fashion week would be a better idea.

The curtains fall this evening with the Lakme Grand Finale. With more designers, more buyers and less celebs, the business of fashion is taking a serious turn in India.