Fashion and Social Issues Merge in India

Fashion and Social Issues Merge in India

Though fashion was not overlooked in the Lakme fashion week that took place from March 22nd to 26th, designers proved that they were as much interested in the causes. Alongside designer Tarun Tahiliani was Naeem Khan, an international designer whose designs have been worn by celebrities such as Michelle Obama and Beyoncé. Making his first show in India, he remarked that he was excited and very nervous.
Head of Fashion at IMG Reliance, Saket Dhankar, managed the shows and was responsible for 87 designer runway shows with most designers coming from Delhi and Mumbai. The shows boasted hosting a large number of Bollywood celebrities, brought about by designers’ efforts to advocate for their social causes. Vikram Phadnis’ show brought together over 40 Bollywood celebrities in the designer’s effort to push for the empowerment of rural India.

Actress Neha Dhupia walked the runway in aid for the push to conserve tigers that saw more than 40 other designers show tiger-inspired garments. There was also a call for the adoption of street dogs led by actress Jacqueline Fernandez. Most popular was the cause in support of local artisans and weavers where a whole day was committed to Indian textiles. Designers are convinced that the local market for their designs is growing rapidly with designer Swapnil Shinde claiming that all eyes were on the Indian market.

Recent changes in management at the LFW have had designers worrying about its future. The successor of Anjana Sharma as head of fashion at IMG Reliance, Saket Dhankar, said that his management was out to strengthen LFW but still keep its core concepts with Purnima Lamba, who is head of innovations at Lakme claiming that the recent event was more than they had witnessed in years.