The Hindu : New Delhi News : Fashion fraternity gets a new body

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Friday, Aug 08, 2008
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New Delhi

Fashion fraternity gets a new body

To address both macro and micro issues affecting the couture industry, young as well as experienced designers from the fashion fraternity on Thursday announced the formation of a brand new apex body for the Indian fashion industry.

Fashion Foundation of India will be a pro-active body involved in fashion and craft initiatives. It will work closely with designers to understand their needs and apprehensions and provide customised solutions.

Addressing a press conference in the Capital, Fashion Foundation of India spokesperson Meera Ali said the new body had been established with the intent of bringing together leaders from across sectors to help the growth of the fashion and design industry in India as well as overseas. “The Foundation will focus on developmental activities like provide knowledge-based assistance to industry in matters related to finance, retail, merchandising and marketing. We will incorporate best practices, facilitate business collaborations and undertake other initiatives,” said Meera.

Fashion consultant Sumeet Nair, who put in his papers from the Fashion Design Council of India recently, said: “The Foundation is open to collaboration with FDCI in every aspect of fashion. We are not playing a game of one-upmanship. Designers who are part of FDCI are also part of the new body. There is no restriction and ultimately we want the industry to grow.”

Asserting that there was space for multiple events, designer Tarun Tahiliani said: “We want to work with a positive frame of mind. We don’t have confrontational issues with FDCI but sometimes difficult decisions have to be made. We want to have one massive week in which we can tap the NRI buyers. Whatever expertise and knowledge we have accumulated over the years must be shared with the younger designers. Even if you are a Rs.2,000-crore company, you need to give your employees access to information. ”

Looking his cheerful best, designer Rohit Bal said the Foundation had cobbled together designers who think on the same wavelength. “We are offering another platform to people with similar ideological following. It is not a numbers’ game but having a tight, cohesive team of designers.”

Madhur Tankha

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