This year was more than just seasons for the fashion fraternity. Business models were changed, more designers tied up with retail chains to make themselves accessible to the masses and business flourished at the fashion weeks. Experts say that our craft and weaves will now define India in the global market and awareness among buyers will work wonders
Window to business
Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI
Over years the biggest change that has happened in the Indian fashion is the focus on business of fashion. Fashion weeks are no more about an exhibition of glamour, they have emerged as a serious platform for buyers, both domestic and international, and for the young designers to showcase their talent. The reason why buyers from many countries have started to look forward to Indian fashion weeks is because they know they can find what they want and what works in the global market. FDCI is formed with a special mission and we are happy that we are going ahead in the right direction. I would also like to mention that support from the government has encouraged us to plan better. Government’s help is coming to us now and that is a proof that our fashion weeks are no frivolous business. Ministry of Textile and Commerce has already backed us and we hope for more cooperation in the coming year and we plan to put up a bigger, better platform this time.
Well-crafted
Anju Modi, Designer
I have been working with Indian crafts since long time and a very positive change I notice now is that many young designers have started to understand that it is our craft heritage that makes us stand out globally. Our traditional craft is our heritage and I see that we will make it our strength and will rise in the world. The reason why international designers are turning to India for inspiration and techniques is because of our craft and embroidery. Over time we have also presented our ancient treasure as per contemporary demands and youngsters all over the world have shown great interest. For example, what I created for Deepika Padukone in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela highlight the embroidery from Kutch region but I designed the garments in such a way that they appealed to people all age groups. In the coming year we will see more experiments with our craft techniques and I hope that craftsmen will get their due.
High-five to textiles
Neeru Kumar, Designer
Global perception on Indian fashion has changed in the last few years but it still needs to get better. We still have a long way to go with finishes in the garments as well as their cuts and fits. But we are very good in surface developments, textures as well as fabrics. We have been working hard to promote our textile heritage and have come a long way. The younger generation is a lot more experimental and non-inhibited. They give us a chance to experiment and bring new ideas to the table. They also inspire us with new looks and that helps us push our own collections to suit world which we live in. For the year 2014, we are focussing on textile development where we use a wide range of skills and craftsmanship from across the country, that has been our focus always. We will highlight not so heard-of crafts to make the youngsters interested and aware.
Online revolution
Gautam Gupta, Designer
Thanks to online platforms, social networking sites that the consumers today are far more aware and fashion conscious than what they used to be until a few years ago. This has been of immense help to the fashion industry. To reach out to the wide consumer base we saw many fashion designers collaborating with the websites and also with popular retail chains to make themselves more accessible. So the change that I notice is that designer-wear is becoming more accessible now through various chains and online platforms. We will see this trend growing in the coming year. There will be more experiments happening in the online business. The other trend that I notice is young designers coming up with interesting themes and presenting our traditional wear in a new way, to meet the contemporary demands. The prêt market will grow manifold in the years to come.
A way to expansion
Mayyur Girotra, Designer
Change is the need of the hour and we are forthcoming to adapt this changing face of the retail industry. The fashion portals are a wider retail window as their accessibility is worldwide. The online retail market is big, giving an opportunity to each brand to develop its own niche and prices can be worked upon to meet the need of the clients. The Gen next is a lot more aware and educated as far as dressing is concerned. They are more experimental with both — their looks and their attires giving designers a fair chance to invent and create new looks. To tap into this new market we are soon planning to expand our online base and open more stores. Business strategies in fashion have gone through a sea change and we will see more interesting marketing initiatives by the designers soon.
(As told to Divya Kaushik)