Fashion groups come together, opt for one fashion week

NEW DELHI - Finally the confusion is over and the verdict is out - there would now be only one fashion week as the industry’s two main groups Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and Fashion & Design Promotion Council (FDPC) have decided.

After months of discussions and meetings, the decision was made keeping in mind the sentiments of the designers who were vouching for one fashion week.

The government-run FDPC had been talking of having a separate event of it’s own.

“Finally, I am glad and feeling happy about this united decision that is aimed at taking our fashion industry to great heights and benefiting our design fraternity in best possible way, FDCI president Sunil Sethi told IANS.

“All designers wanted to have one fashion week and it was only the push and pull of different councils that was coming as a barrier. But with this decision, everything has been sorted out, added Sethi.

Describing FDCI as a parent body, Sethi said: FDCI has been a parent body from where different councils and different members originated. But at the end of the day, they all are part of the family and we all have one vision and that is to take our fashion fraternity to great heights.

“We have come to this decision amicably and FDPC will work more towards supporting the industry, and on the other hand we will continue to showcase and promote our designing talent, he added.

Sethi also emphasised the fact that both councils are free to undertake new initiatives for the benefit of the fashion industry.

“We are free to work to take any new initiatives all we have to do is to keep each other informed, to avoid any date clash, Sethi maintained.

FDCI is continuing with its partners Wills Lifestyle for this fashion week and likewise it would be called Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week(WIFW), which is in its 13th edition.

“The show will continue to be called as WIFW as we have a three-year contract with them and for the past three years they have been supporting us in showcasing our talent. After all, WIFW is a word that is synonymous with fashion industry, said Sethi.

Reacting to the news, designer Leena Singh of duo Ashima-Leena said: It is a big relief for us. There was lot of confusion because of two fashion weeks and the designer fraternity was hoping for a united fashion week.

“A lot of effort went into this and finally it has paid off. This proves that FDCI has so much strength that it has done something that is best for design fraternity, she added.

Though the official dates have not been announced yet but in all probability it would take place in last week of October. For the venue, Pragati Maidan seems to be hot favourite among organisers.