Plagiarism row mars LIFW

Designers fight over Rani Mukherjee's costume in forthcoming movie

Rifts in the fashion fraternity came out in the open today at the Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW) as Suneet Verma accused fellow designer Aki Narula of plagiarism. On his part, Narula denied the charge.

An article in a section of the press this morning quoted Verma as saying that Narula had plagiarised.

Another article raised similar questions on Kiran Uttam Ghosh. Reacting to these articles, a joint press conference was called at the LIFW venue where Suneet Verma, Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Rathi Vinay Jha, President Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), spoke on the issue and clarified their positions.

It has been alleged that Narula has done a "rip-off" of one of Verma's costumes in the forthcoming movie Bunty Aur Babli featuring Rani Mukherjee.

Reacting to this, Verma hit out at Narula, accusing him of foul-play. "This is disgusting and a case of direct rip-off of my Fall/Winter 2003 collection. I was shocked to read the report today in the morning. Narula simply copied my design," said Verma at the press conference that was called to sort out the issue.

Asked about the legality of the issue, Verma said that if imitation was done with consent of a designer, then it was perfectly legal. He also said Narula was given the option of issuing a clarification but he gave a vague explanation to the effect that he had to hurriedly buy the costume from Mumbai store Options and there was no label on it.

Verma rubbished such claims and said, "Legal notices will be served to the movie, actress and the designer."

Later in the day, Narula called a press conference and clarified that he bought the costume from Options, a retail outlet in Mumbai, and was not aware of it being an imitation as there was no label on it.

"I am not taking the credit for the costume in the film as I am only a costume stylist and not a costume designer. Anyone who knows how Bollywood works will tell you that one often sources garments from another designer," he said.

Narula also said he had met Verma on Saturday and had clarified his position to him. "Suneet already knows where I stand. I don't know why he still accused me in the press today. I blame the outlet (Option) for the controversy," he added.

On the other hand, Ghosh spoke out against the article that hinted that her latest 'Retro' collection was an imitation of Mukherjee's Frog Princess collection.

"This insinuation has deeply anguished me because it questions my creativity and originality. Further, this fabricated story also threatens to mar my friendship with Sabyasachi whose work I have always admired," she said.

Sabyasachi sided with her. "Every Retro mood does not necessarily have to be similar. Kiran's line is a unique point of view that is her's alone. I think there are no similarities with Frog Princess whatsoever," he said.

The FDCI on its part has expressed disappointment at the developments. Jha said, "The FDCI is shocked at the developments and stands by both Kiran and Suneet. We urge the press to exercise restraint."

On being asked whether FDCI will take any action against Narula, she said the council was not a regulatory body and it would not take up the case directly.

"The battle has just begun and it is primarily between Aki and Suneet. What course of action we will take will depend on how things emerge," she added.

Fashion spat

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• Suneet Verma accuses Aki Narula of lifting his design for the movie Bunty Aur Babli
• Kiran Uttam Ghosh accused of copying Sabyasachi Mukherjee's collection
• Verma threatens to initiate legal action against Narula, filmmakers
• FDCI expresses disappointment, tries to mediate