KOCHI:
“In today’s scenario, there is need to question about – what tomorow?. We have a much more possibility today in the fashion industry and if we get new investors and new designers, it is sure to go far, said Gautham Kotamraju, Creative Head, Private Brands Amazon, in the second panel discussion of the India Fashion Summit 2016.
Pernia Qureshi, Founder, Pernia’s Pop Up Shop, Jaspreet Chandok, VP and Head of Fas
hion, IMG Reliance and Gautam Kotamraju, Creative Head, Private Brand Amazon were present for the discussion. Vinod Nair (Former Fashion Editor, Hindusthan Times and Times Of India) was the moderator.
Pernia Qureshi, Founder, Pernia’s Pop Up Shop revealed that, We look forward to see more new faces and budding talents through the various Fashion Weeks. During this year’s Lakme Fashion week, we have found 20 new designers up for the journey in Fashion industry.
The discussion was how the online stores are changing the way we shop and the retail methods they use. The online shopping websites exhibit a vast variety of products and cater to all people. This also includes people who does not understand fashion and a need to educate them arises. We need to deal with people who understands fashion and this is where most online sites lose their business, said Jaspreet Chandok, VP and Head of Fashion, IMG Reliance.
When asked about having showstoppers during Fashion shows, Jaspreet Chandok said that ‘I don’t have a problem in having or not having a showstopper. Because it depends on the designer whether he wants to express his designs through the garments or Bollywood.
Showstoppers have much to do with the long social media following. So having showstoppers really help, added Pernia Qureshi.
A question was raised about the prevailing confusion between fashion and luxury, to which Jaspreet Chandok answered that, ‘In olden times, fashion was just an aura but today, it is incredibly accessible, due to which the line between fashion and luxury is getting blurred. It is clear to each individual what they want to buy’.
Pernia Qureshi also expressed her views on this saying that, I believe the reason why luxurious fashion works in my online portal is that, people want to have a well curated experience. They aspire for the experience of getting a luxurious fashion.
In the third panel of discussion about Fasion and South- Opportunities and challenges, Prasad Bidapa, Fashion consultant and choreographer said that, India needs a new construct on what luxury is. Often we tend to be very class concious in defining Indianness.
Prasad Bidapa, Fashion Consultant and Choreographer, Beena Kannan, CEO and Lead Designer, Seematti and Sreejith Jeevan, Designer were a part of the discussion with Abraham Tharakan( Founder editor, FWD Life) as the moderator.
Beena Kannan, Ceo and lead designer, Seematti stated that luxury is limited in kerala as far as bridal outfits are concerned. Kerala alone is to be more budget concious, she added. On discussing about bringing the weavers into the real platform, beena kannan said that, I have been dealing with weavers since past 15-20 years. But I could hardly change anything as they are very stubborn. there are only handful of people who can be depended on. Others are not ready to weave the designs we give. The first priority to them is the wage they get.
Sreejith Jeevan, designer added that, we should try to bring about a change through fasion. and it could be any designer who takes a step towards it.
