Which one's better? Lakme or Wills?

Two runway shows may have added spice to India's nascent fashion industry, but models and designers feel the Lakme and Wills fashion weeks are a world apart. There are others who can't tell the difference between the two. "The Lakme event was very well organised...the programmes were right on time and business was great too," said model Indrani Das Gupta, who participated in the Mumbai Fashion Week and is attending the Wills Lifestyle event as a spectator.

But most designers felt the Lakme event wasn't even close to the one sponsored by Wills Lifestyle. "There is no comparison between the two. This event is totally exciting," said Rohit Gandhi, a designer. "It's not the sponsor who affects a show, it is the organiser. FDCI (Fashion Design Council of India) is important, our goals and ideas are simple. We bring together as many designers as we can. Old and established designers share the ramp with the new and upcoming."

"This event is industry centric. And we have seen, through the years, that this industry is growing. My focus is more on buyers of FDCI," said designer Nikhil. Unlike individual couture shows, which simply showcase a designer's creations, fashion weeks are organised twice a year and are more trade-oriented. The absence of glamour (read Bollywood stars) at the Wills event did leave many disappointed though.

(Image) Model Waluscha Robinson with her headgear on, before a show at the Mumbai Fashion Week.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda