Vinay Rathi Jha, who recently took over as Director General of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), says she wants to see Lakme India Fashion Week grow as a meaningful trade event.
What is the focus for this year's Lakme India Fashion Week?
This year LIFW will be more of a trade event. We have more new designers participating and above all our special attraction will be accessory design stalls. We haven't had those in last few fashion weeks, so this year we laid emphasis on that. Seeing all this I think we have made a modest beginning.
This will be your first Fashion Week as Director General of FDCI. What challenges are you facing?
To be honest, there's no challenge before me because I make it a point to meet my team daily. We have minute-to-minute discussions as to what's happening and what's to be done. I also believe in involving lot of people because without teamwork nothing can be done. Problems and challenges come where there is lack of support and communication but I guess I am really making it a point to overcome this.
This is the second year in succession that LIFW is happening in Delhi. What do you think are the pros and cons of having the event at the same venue?
As I said before, LIFW is first and foremost a trade event and since most of the participating designers are from Delhi, I don't really see any drawbacks. According to me, Delhi is India's fashion capital and it has proved successful as a venue for LIFW. However from next year we plan to have two fashion weeks and will cover both Delhi and Mumbai.
This is the second year in succession that LIFW is happening in Delhi. What do you think are the pros and cons of having the event at the same venue?
As I said before, LIFW is first and foremost a trade event and since most of the participating designers are from Delhi, I don't really see any drawbacks. According to me, Delhi is India's fashion capital and it has proved successful as a venue for LIFW. However from next year we plan to have two fashion weeks and will cover both Delhi and Mumbai.
What does fashion mean to you? How do you perceive Indian fashion?
Indian fashion is the best and it has few rivals as far as handskilled work is concerned. We are proud of Indian arts and crafts. Fashion here is growing and people are now starting to understand it. I would not say that it is par excellence but then we are no less. Indian fashion is creating its own niche. It's for those who understand and can afford to buy it.
How do you see the LIFW five years from now? Do you plan more international exposure?
India Fashion Week will certainly grow into a much bigger event. We are not planning to introduce IFW in the international market at this point of time because I think we are still not in the position to do so. Five years from now, business of fashion will grow as the economy is booming and also our masses are becoming more fashion and design conscious so there is great future in store for Indian fashion.
Do you think fashion is all about hardcore business or popular entertainment?
LIFW is above all else a trade event. We mean business and will stick to it. Yes, I agree at one point of time people used to consider fashion to be a medium of entertainment but it no longer means the same. All of us in the fashion fraternity need to be more professional. We have also advised our designers to be more focused in their outlook. However our work is just to guide and instruct them; beyond that it's the designers' own discretion how they want to go about their work.
Is it true that some designers who didn't do well at last year's fashion week, were not allowed to participate this year?
We have no such news. Moreover why should we stop anyone from participating? If they didn't perform well then they can answer better why they aren't part of it.