Indian Designers Are Tailors: Manish Arora

New Delhi : A day after he was dropped as the Artistic Director of Paris-based Spanish fashion house Paco Rabanne through ‘mutual agreement’, Indian fashion designer Manish Arora says he’s not kept in touch with Indian fashion scene as most Indian designers are glorified tailors.

“Indian fashion is 98% bridal wear, and I don’t think that is fashion. Designers here are making clothes that people want, and that makes Indian designers more of tailors,” said the designer at the launch of his Spring Summer’12 collection in Delhi on Friday. Confirming that he’s not kept touch with Indian fashion scene even before he was chosen to head the International fashion house, Arora said, “I haven’t attended a fashion week in India in the past three years.”

Asked if he is now likely to focus on the Indian fashion scenario, after the sudden end of his contract with Paco Rabanne, he says, “I would want to experiment in India but the problem is that the market here is not that big and accessible.” He adds, “I don’t think I will be around here for too long as I’m busy promoting my brand internationally. Also, most of my buyers and clients are based abroad so I don’t think shifting to India is happening any time soon.”

Whether Arora moves base to India or not, his remark has ruffled many a feathers in the industry. “What was Manish thinking?” asks veteran designer Adarsh Gill, and adds, “These days even a lehenga is so modified that it takes more than tailoring to get it right. In fact, we should be thankful to tailors because without them it’s impossible to cater to such a large clientele.” “You can’t keep designing for yourself.

You’ve got to keep the buyers in mind,” says Tarun Tahiliani. Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) president Sunil Sethi however says, “Manish has taken Indian fashion onto the global map. He’s entitled to his opinion. FDCI provides a platform to the designers. What they showcase is up to their individual sensibilities.”