There are several ugly faces of fashion: anorexic models who survive on cigarettes and coffee is just one such instance. But, by far the ugliest thing that has happened to Indian fashion is the ongoing fight between the various “bodies”. Two bodies — FFI and the government mandated FDPC — have triumphantly announced that they have now merged and will work for the betterment of fashion. FDCI, the original fashion apex body, continues to stay aloof of this merger and may or may not also merge with FDPC.
Which brings me to the question: if everyone in fashion anyway wanted unity and just one fashion body, why did the FDCI, in the first place, spilt into two and then a third body — FFI — was formed? And does all this merger talk mean that the difference which lead to this multiplicity of bodies have now been all sorted out? A close examination of the issue at hand shows that apart from bloated egos, some accusations of financial irregularities, and favouritism, there wasn’t ever anything worthwhile that the community was fighting over.
And the reasons for the merger taking so long are the same as those that lead to the break-up in the first place. Which brings me to the second question in this column: Will the patch-up be forever? Egos and camps in the fashion world are legendary. Everyone is trying hard to get as many opportunities as they possibly can which in the past, lead to a deep divide and conflict among the haves and the have-nots. It is highly unlikely that the fundamental nature of grabbing as much as possible for themselves of several of our fashion designers will change in the near future.
Then there are others, for whom this business has become an effective social calling card. Fashion designer sounds a lot better than socialite when confronted with the question of one’s profession at a party. And if that tag of fashion designer can also help you get few junkets (the assorted international fairs that these fashion bodies are supposed to help designers get to), it is icing on the cake.
All this makes for depressing prognosis for the future of any fashion body that will finally emerge from this great big fight. The break-up did not happen over real issues and the coming together isn’t happening either because those issues have been sorted out. Given the volatile mix of the same cast of characters, this column will go out on a limb and predict that we haven’t seen the last of the fight club just yet.
Designers need to understand that enlightened self-interest, along with a transparent style of functioning, and a healthy dose of professionalism thrown in for good measure, is the only way any fashion body can survive. Otherwise, these bodies will continue to mutate like some hydra-headed monster. Judging from previous experiences, listening to sage advice isn’t the strength of this community, but I do hope that there are still a few good men left who can ensure that fashion doesn’t become a caricature of itself, harming itself more than anyone else in the bargain.
