The Vizag Fashion Week, which commenced on February 1 amid protests by women’s organisations and the arrest of its members, came to an abrupt end after the police registered a case against its organisers and cancelled the final day’s show on Sunday.
The charge levelled by the secretary of the city unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Radhakrishan, was that the dresses showcased by James Ferreira, a Mumbai-based designer, and worn by the models for the show, had the images of Lord Vinayaka on them. A case was booked under Section 295A of IPC against the organisers of the fashion show.
‘No vulgarity’
Fashion designer James Ferreira was taken aback by the development and denied that there was any vulgarity portrayed on the dresses. He did not intend to hurt anybody’s sentiments, he told The Hindu.
Talking over the phone, Mr. Ferreira said: “In the history of fashion there have been a number of times when the images of gods and goddesses have been used on clothes. I don't know why people are objecting to it as there is absolutely no vulgarity portrayed. It is tragic and I feel really bad for the country that such a situation has arisen. I had showcased the same collection in New Delhi last year and it was well received.”
Vizag-based designer Jules Idi Amin, reacting to the protests by women’s organisations, said: “I am a woman and designing clothes is a creative pursuit. I would request those who are opposed to the show to concentrate on the several serious social issues that women face everyday instead of trying to scuttle the fashion week.”
