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Men’s fashion still on the sidelines
04th May 2005 17.45 IST
By Agencies

The minimal presence of male models and men’s wear was conspicuous by its absence at this year’s Lake India Fashion Week.

Apart from the occasional Upen Patel or Rajneesh Duggal strutting their stuff on the ramp, it was divas like Katrina Kaif , Yana Gupta and Indrani Dasgupta who held centrestage at the weeklong event.

According to fashion designer Raghavendra Rathore , the reason for this is the lack of buyers for men's designer wear despite the fact that the retail garments market for men is bigger than that for women.

“Consequently, a very small percentage of fashion designers actually showcase their men's wear collection here. The Indian customers are still not willing to experiment, therefore, designers think there is a risk involved,” says Rathore.

“Moreover, it's difficult to work with men's wear. When it's over-dramatic, it won’t sell, but if you make it saleable, then it won't make a statement. You can't really do much about it,” says fashion designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

“Actually, many men's wear designers are now turning towards designing women's wear,” he adds.

Others feel that it is the paucity of designers for men's wear that is responsible for the current crisis.

“The problem is that very few designers here actually design men's clothing. It is more challenging and not many people know about men's wear,” says fashion designer, Narendra Kumar.

“Some try to make do with embroidery, but it's not enough to carry out an entire show.”

“As a member of the FDIC Board, I myself mooted the idea of men's wear as a separate property altogether - with a separate section or a special day for showcasing men' wear during the Fashion Week,” says Rathore.

“But it's difficult to change mindsets. Fashion can't handle big changes. There needs to be a gestation period,” he adds.

Others feel that the fault lies with the buyers who still believe that fashion is for women alone.