Fashion Falls

Sridevi stumbles, Sonakshi trips, Wendell Rodricks does not show up and a fully set fashion week does not even take off. Are we getting more and more tolerant of these runway misses?

The past one month has been rather unfortunate for Indian fashion designers. While Kolkata Fashion Week never even took off (despite making tall claims of getting Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka to walk at the finale) last month; Mumbai and Bangalore too did not witness much great luck, what with actress Sridevi stumbling on the Mumbai ramp and Sonakshi Sinha tripping on the Bangalore ramp. Goa-based designer Wendell Rodricks was not informed that his name was being used for a Gitanjali-sponsored Indian Princess show in Mumbai city.

While incidents like these are unfortunate as they mar the name of the designer and the fashion week that they participate in, the only streak of hope is that all is pardoned...by the audience, designer fraternity and also the buyers.

Neeta Lulla, who is presently basking in the glory of completing 25 years in the fashion industry had actress Sridevi as her showstopper at the recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2010. Poor Sridevi couldn’t walk freely in her long shimmery silver gown and stumbled with the hemline getting stuck in her high heel on the ramp. She in fact, reached midramp and turned back because of the discomfort. Said Neeta, “No one wants to be in a situation such as this. If one buys a branded outfit and trips, do we blame the brand? Sridevi is a diva, she’s walked the ramp many times. But this incident was unfortunate.”
Dabangg girl Sonakshi Sinha tripped on the Bangalore ramp when she started the show for designer Gavin Miguel. Brave enough and aptly composed, she did not show her awkwardness and went ahead with the walk, attended the post show press conference and took a flight back to Mumbai to attend a Dabangg party at night. Gavin said, “There were many cameras which went into a frenzy with blinding flashlights focussed on Sonakshi, when she emerged on the ramp. One such flash may have distracted her attention and she tripped. The gown was fitted perfectly and there was absolutely no hiccup on the length of the dress. She had even taken time out to see the ramp before the show and practiced her walk. Sonakshi’s fall was an unseen disaster. I am thankful that she didn’t bruise herself and took this episode in her stride.” However, a little bald model birdie told us that Sonakshi was so furious after her trip and walk, that she yelled the daylights out of the show incharge.
Buyer Alka Nishar of Aza, who attends ramp shows across the country to make a pick of the season’s best around the cities in India feels strongly about showstoppers stumbling as not a designers’ fault. They do ensure perfect fit and comfort. As a buyer, we see what will look good on our clients. Such mishaps only alert us to ensure right measures. It does not in any way alter our respect for the designer or the liking for his craft.”
Buyer Pradeep Hirani of Kimaya shares a similar view point. “Indian fashion is reaching a high point and the world is looking at us for inspiration. We must exercise extreme caution lest we make a mockery of ourselves.”

Girl with the Blue Scarf says: Ramp mishaps are unfortunate but are avoidable, aren't they? What do you think?