With Delhi's couture week starting on August 8, a day after Mumbai's fashion week concludes, top models have been forced to pick between the two.
The rivalry between Delhi and Mumbai's fashion cliques has raised its head once again. On August 8, FDCI (Fashion Design Council of India) will put out the ramp in Delhi for the third edition of its couture week-less than 24 hours after Mumbai's Winter/ Festive week concludes. However, proximity between the dates-a first-might result in unexpected situations for those involved.
Top models have been forced to pick between the two events, instead of walking for both, like they usually do. Former Miss India World Manasvi Mamgai, a regular model in both Delhi and Mumbai circuits is affected. "I wanted both, but since the fittings were clashing, it wasn't possible for me and many other models, to balance both," she says. In case of Delhi model Arshiya Ahuja, the choice was Mumbai since they announced their dates first. She says, "They called first and I said yes. I may still go and walk for a few designers, but I wouldn't be able to do the entire week."
This, of course, has its repercussions. Well-placed sources say that models who've chosen Delhi over Mumbai, have certainly burnt some bridges on this side.
Fact is, a lot of senior models prefer Delhi's fashion week over Mumbai because Delhi pays them far better and the arrangements FDCI makes for the models are better. Hence many have chosen Delhi.
Also, a model said on condition of anonymity that model rates vary based on how many seasons she has done in Delhi/Mumbai.
More importantly, the couture designers, among the biggest names in the industry, always want the best models-in terms of age, body language, ramp presence and looks-to walk for them, and the senior models want to walk for them because of the comfort factor and the money.
Designers, who have participated in both fashion weeks in the past, however, feel that they could've been placed better had the two weeks not been so close to each other.
Says Mumbai-based Pallavi Jaikishan, "I have done Delhi's couture week earlier, and wanted to do it this year too, but they announced their dates very late. I'd said yes to Mumbai, so I am going with that." Manish Malhotra, on the other hand, ultimately went ahead with Delhi since the extravaganza there, means better business and more grandeur for him. "I may have still done both, but for this time, with all my prior commitments, I thought Delhi made more sense."
Given the circumstances, adjustment would be required from every end, be it top designers wanting to attend either fashion week, or models wanting to walk for both. Whether it results in anything good, remains to be seen.
On the clash
Anjana Sharma of Mumbai Fashion Week says: We announced our dates months ago. You should ask FDCI why their dates are so close to ours. As for the participants, we can only assume that they chose what they felt was the best for them.
Sunil Sethi of FDCI says: First of all, we don't believe there is a clash of interests, except, yes, the models. But, our dates were decided based on a couple of factors. All our couture designers sat down and decided on these dates. As for the models, I am sure they choose the platform that they find most beneficial.
