'THANDA' FASHION WEEK



The 'selling point' at fashion weeks

More and more fashion critics seem to be worrying themselves over lack of new trends on the fashion ramp. Point in question being the recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week Festive/Winter 2010 which was on since Sept 17 - 21 at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai.
There were hushed talks about how 'thanda' the entire atmosphere was, compared to last season. How designers weren't distributing goodies along with their press releases. How sponsored shows were shifted to the 9 pm slot instead of 7 pm slot and most importantly, how there were hardly any new dramatic trends that sprang up apart from buyers who were rumoured to be attending most shows but were hardly spotted by me (or even other journalists).
Critics accused Paris-based Indian designer Manish Arora for showcasing what he had shown at Paris in Summer of 2010 season. Bollywood designer Neeta Lulla to have forgotten to bridge the gap between film costumes and designer wear as her showstopper actress Sridevi stumbled on the ramp because of a long train of a shimmery gown. Ritu Kumar's pret collection to have lent no ripples of freshness and Manish Malhotra to have got stuck within his blue and red colour scheme (colours of his show sponsor Aircel).
What is important to understand is that LFW has by itself changed the entire fashion season pattern. It no longer follows international norms of Summer and Winter season, which are shown 6 months before the actual season hits us, giving time for designers to make order delivery and place them in stores and boutiques. Mumbai had new standards to flaunt, saying they had understood the business of fashion. So, in Summer season, only in Mumbai, we had designers showcasing summer wear. And in Winter time, we had designers showing festive wear. Because Diwali, Christmas and New Year falls in this period.

THE BLOW: When a fashion week body can think only of business and make changes to have things selling and go against the international fashion week norms, what stops designers to cut short the drama and creativity in garments on the ramp and showcase what will really sell.

GIRL WITH THE BLUE SCARF says: Mumbai has become a selling point of sorts. Designer wear is more wearable and strictly non-dramatic. What you see on the ramp, is what you can slip into, off the ramp. Is this a good trend? You tell me...

Comments

Anonymous said…
Thanda means non-happenning isn't it. Was it so bad. Why is there no picture of Sridevi stumbling on the ramp?
September 30, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Achla Sachdev said…
Am glad u are writing this as u are bang on. It was thanda and ya the "trends " are to be created and seen on this platform but were'nt.I think designers need to wakeup and start creating more and concentrating less on showstoppers or they sure will be Stopped from shows.
September 30, 2010 at 3:59 PM
Aroona Bhat said…
Nothing amuses me more than this. What is the point of a "fashion week" erupting in every nook & corner of this country? While designers, most of them, thrive on their diva status & sincerely believe that whatever they do, IS fashion, NEED to be told off & rather strongly at that.
Many a times, all you need to do, is turn a outfit, inside out & see the stitches/ the finish. So absolutely sub-standard.
I am indeed proud of you for writing so boldly on this topic.
I am also proud of Achla for speaking her mind on this issue, un-mindful, whether the same bunch will give her work or no.
God Bless
September 30, 2010 at 5:29 PM
RANJIT said…
As a race, I think we as Indians suffer from a "chalta-hai" attitude. We don't strive hard enough and are complacent to the core. And those of us who crack the whip, are termed task-masters and bitches.

The same applies to our designers. The media trumps their shows so much that the designers are considered demi-gods. The fact that their shows and creations are mediocre is regretfully ignored due to the lack of trained fashion critics who are more star-struck by the filmis in the front row.

Hence, with no policing of their products, they get away scott free....

So who is to blame, Nimisha. its a catch 22 situation in my opinion.
September 30, 2010 at 5:38 PM
Anonymous said…
This gets us back to the question: Are the participating designers getting any enquiries or are buyers placing any orders. If yes, that's great but if no, then what's the point...
October 1, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Anonymous said…
Internationally, people are strating to buy what makes them feel good and fashion season is not much of a concern anymore for many. Mumbai caught the feel bang-on so LFW is good with its changes. So, way to go yet designers must bring up their benchmark of work, as the world's looking at India for design inspiration.
October 2, 2010 at 1:15 PM
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