Sounding critical of and disappointed by the collections presented at the Lakme India Fashion Week, big business houses like Saks Fifth Avenue, New York; Browns, London; and Joyce Boutiaue Ltd, Hong Kong, on Friday said the designers should shun duplication of designs and trends, be more organsied, and "edit" their presentations.
"The shows have been very interesting so far and lots of creativity too, but the designers need to be little more organsied like being punctual and having the colour cards and other information about the collection ready," Albert Morris of Browns said.
"To sell globally you have to put things together; you have to present in a manner that should make us want to buy it," he said.
"The handkerchief hemlined skirt shown by designers here... I have seen it a minimum of 50 times in various shows. Why do you have to show 10 different skirts in the same fabric," Morris said, asking the designers to "edit" their collection and be more original.
Michael Fink of Saks Fifth Avenue and Ada Chan of Joyce Boutique complained of the event not having enough of accessories like scarves, jewelleries and shoes.
"In Hong Kong, we have a big market for accessories like handbags, scarves and shoes, but I did not see much of them at the show," Ada Chan said, adding that she felt there was enough potential for business tie-ups with the designers but that would take time.
"I am still looking at the collections, I am looking for new designs with the Indian identity. Striking a deal is a lengthy process; it takes time. Business terms and conditions need to be discussed. But I am hopeful," she said.
She described the collections of the designers as "diamonds in the rough, it needs polishing."
Fink said the collections have "impressed" him; "it is very individual" but he was not sure if the fashion freaks back home would like them as the Indian designers had very less of the style, trend and colour that they want -- crop pants, pencil skirts, embellished skirts and caplets in outfits and dark green, amber and gold in colours.
He too was disappointed by the absence of accessories in the show and asked the designers to blend creativity with marketing.
"Fashion and beauties are okay but business is different. You have to have a proper mix of creativity, packaging and marketing."
