With the countdown to Amazon India Fashion Week already begun, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) President Sunil Sethi is in a tearing hurry to ensure that all the designers, who have their own philosophy and perspective towards fashion are able to present their autumn winter collections in a congenial environment.
Though the nomenclature has changed with the exit of Wills Lifestyle, the components of the five-day-long fashion extravaganza are still the same and Sethi is seeing to it that all the stars of the fashion week conduct business with prospective buyers and get adequate visibility in the media when they will give their own interpretation of fashion.
This is a special year for the FDCI as this is the silver jubilee year. And a new sponsor has come on board. So all this means that Sethi has to do multi tasking like confabulating with all stakeholders, making last minute alterations and strategising plan that the event is conducted smoothly.
Excerpts from an interview:
As 2015 is the silver jubilee year for the this much sought after The fashion week will round off its silver jubilee this year. Would you call it this surely must be the biggest show of garments in India the country in terms of number of designers and the preparation you have put in terms of sets, lighting and arrangements for media coverage?
The Amazon India Fashion Week is the mother ship of all fashion events in the country. This season, we have over 100 designers participating, including, on the runway and through an exhibition. There will be 25 spectacular shows and we have roped in a new company to manage the decor and sets. The focus will be on contemporary streamlined design modules and graphics. As this is the 25 edition of the India Fashion Week, we are making consistent efforts to make it a wholesome experience.
Will there be added pressure on all the participating designers that they have to put their best foot forward because this is the 25th year?
Since the Amazon India Fashion Week exposes designers to such a vast pool of fashion connoisseurs, buyers and industry decision makers, the pressure has definitely increased. But at the FDCI we work hard to ensure that the designers have everything in place to put up a coveted show. We are committed to nurturing their businesses and giving them the infrastructure to achieve this, seamlessly.
With Amazon sponsoring it, the biggest fashion extravaganza in the country, expectations must have increased from for the fashion event.
What are the new elements this year? which you have introduced to mesmerise fashionistas?
The spectacular sets for the ramp shows will make the experience mesmerising and in tune with the need for aiding indigenous, small-scale industry. We are aiming to give Khadi lovers a treat to remember. This season, there is a special show where 63 designers will present their interpretation of a Khadi ensemble. The Government and our new sponsors stand by their commitment to promote textiles and recharge the looms and weavers, who are the real strength of the style world.
Have you also roped in young designers, who obviously are not of the same level as veterans, but nevertheless need FDCI’s backing?
The FDCI has been a frontrunner in introducing, backing and helping greenhorns, it is part of our DNA. Young designers offer a fresh perspective to design and the baton has been passed on to them to carry forward our rich, cultural legacy. We, as a fashion body give equal weightage to both established and emerging designers; we raise the proverbial bar and help them navigate through the maze to reach the ultimate goal of sustainable growth.
Buyers have increased manifold. Has the number swelled because the fashion week is held in a methodical manner without any hiccups? Has extensive visibility of designers online hasalso contributed in this increase in fashion enthusiasts?
The FDCI holds the fashion week with a singular purpose of it being a trade event, where the business of fashion is encouraged. Being an event that takes place twice a year, it is at par with any international spectacle, and it aims at taking Indian designs international, and also boosting domestic buying. This is to have a distinct footprint in the history of fashion and as a result Indian designers are now finding a pride of place in famed stores worldwide.
(The event will be held at Pragati Maidan from March 25-29)
