Fashion
From the purpose behind the partnership to the stellar line-up of designers, here’s a teaser of what lies ahead
“It is not a change of guards. It's a collaborative effort that promises to open up new avenues,” says Fashion Design Council of India chairman, Sunil Sethi, hinting at the thought process behind the merger between FDCI and Lakmé Fashion Week that’s organised by Lakmé and RISE Worldwide (formerly IMG Reliance). On Monday, March 1, 2021, the powerhouses announced they are geared up to present a joint fashion week 15 years since their last collaborative venture. The event will run through a mix of physical and digital events from March 16 to 21, 2021. “This alliance heralds a new era of cooperation. We are hoping that this provides impetus to the industry as all stakeholders focus only on business development,” adds Jaspreet Chandok, head, lifestyle businesses at Rise Worldwide.
The pandemic-induced angst is still in the air. But it has dawned on all of us, from organisers and designers to end-users, that rather than an interregnum, prudent partnerships and phygital fashion weeks are the way forward, at least for the foreseeable future. “I have always believed that the way forward is with alliances. Today, businesses are still struggling, and everyone has realigned their models. For the upcoming show, the duties, roles and operations of FDCI and LFW are independent of each other, which means that we are all putting our best foot forward. This coming together is in the best interest of the industry and designers. Now, the line-up will include some of the best names in fashion, from the emerging ones to the stalwarts, and from across cities. Plus, the shows will be presented on both our platforms,” explains Sethi.
Can a virtual equivalent be the same? “While the digital showcases have helped keep designer businesses in public view, nothing beats the on-ground experience. However, certain things will now become part of how the industry connects with buyers and how consumers take in information and content. We see a more evolved event emerging from the pandemic that adapts itself to a sharper on-ground presentation and strategises concurrently on amplification to a larger universe through digital innovation,” explains Chandok, pinpointing the upside of harnessing the best of both worlds.
This 2021 iteration of the show will function, like its physical counterpart, as a platform to celebrate crafts and talent, including the emerging talent under Lakmé Fashion Week’s GenNext programme for novice designers as well as promote modelling talent through FDCI’s #GetNoticed Model Hunt. Both FDCI and LFW will continue their buyer programmes launched last season as well. The phygital format is not just a chance for designers to use newer mediums to articulate the ideas that shape their usual approach to making clothes and presenting their collections, but also attract millions of viewers far beyond the traditional attendees.
Designers such as Suneet Varma, S&N by Shantanu and Nikhil, Samant Chauhan, Payal Pratap, Pankaj & Nidhi, Geisha Designs, Nitin Bal Chauhan and Bloni are part of the schedule. The opening act will be by couturier Anamika Khanna. Known for her colourful explorations of threadwork and lighter-than-air silhouettes, she is set to present her latest collection ‘Timeless The World’. Talking about the collection and upcoming virtual showcase, Khanna shares, “It’s an honour to do the opening show for FDCI x LFW’s joint fashion week. The past year has been a challenging one to say the least, and I am glad to have the opportunity to use this platform to showcase my work, and the incredible artists I work with. My collection is a collaboration of art and textile and will be an homage to the fact that what is created will one day perish. What is left behind is legacy, and what matters most is what you do with it.”
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