Withdrawal symptoms at PFW 2010

Unhappy with last-minute notice given to them for designing clothes, a few designers pull out of fashion week

With Pune Fashion Week (PFW) all set to begin from the 17th of this month, a few fashion designers have already announced their unavailability for the same. Pune's Moushmi Sanas and Mumbai-based Shane and Falguni Peacock are no more part of the event.


Hope to see them there:u00a0Designers Seema Singh, Nivedita Saboo and
Vikram Phadnis during the announcement of the Pune Fashion Week 2010.
File pic

11th hour notice
Sanas has blamed the last-minute announcement on the part of the organisers. Designers were given only three-weeks prior notice for the designing of clothes. She said, "We were informed in the last minute.

I wouldn't have done justice to my work in such a short time. I had to make 30 outfits in three weeks, which was not possible."

She further added that because the event scheduled just about two weeks after Diwaliu00a0-- a time when designers are busy in process of finishing their major ordersu00a0-- giving special attention to the fashion week was not possible. "Maybe next year if they give us a little more time, I am more than happy to be part of the fashion week," she said.

'Mere excuses'
The organisers of the other hand maintain that three weeks was enough to create new outfits. A designer having a single show is supposed to make 60 outfits. Designers having a dual show have been asked to make 30 outfits each.

Badal Saboo, MD, PFW said, "We wanted the fashion week to happen during a time when no other event was happening so that it gets major publicity. The announcement was late because we were unable to confirm a venue because of the wedding season."

He further adds, "Other designers haven't spoken about the last minute issue. I suppose designers are coming up with excuses for not being part of the event. Moushmi cited her sister's wedding as one. From next year, we will make the announcement in such a way that will give everyone ample time."

The first year of PFW also saw similar incidents. But Saboo said, "The management was different then. But, there are certain issues to be taken care of." Shane and Falguni Peacock were unavailable for comment.