What is Eastern fashion legacy about?

As I have said in a number of times before, I somehow felt East was not being positioned right as far as rest of India is concerned. Whenever we think of fashion anything that comes into our mind is Bombay (Mumbai), Hyderabad, probably Bangalore. Otherwise it’s probably Mumbai, let’s put it that way. Considering the fact that we have the north eastern states this side, Bengal here, and  the three neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, which is more or less a cross pollination of culture. They have their own designs, but still there is a cohesiveness in this heritage. So why don’t we try and highlight it. This is the endavour where we have designers coming in from Bhutan. We are having Kelly Dorji, one of the supermodels in those days. After years he’s coming to work, he’s coming here. There is a sentimental issue to this whole thing. So we thought that we will only have eastern designers .


How many countries and Indian states are taking part in the first edition?

We have designers from Bhutan, we have Bibi Russell from Bangladesh. Maybe next year we will have more countries participating. From the states, you have a designer from Nagaland, you have four from Kolkata. Next year probably we will think of Mizoram.

 
Is there any particular reason why you choose only four places?

We didn’t have too much of time to choose the ones from Meghalaya. We had chosen from Manipur, but coordination time was too last minute, so it could not be done. The rest have agreed and they are here.

 

Was there a particular criterion based on which you choose the states? What’s the theme for the first edition?

No, there was no criteria. Only fashion. We are talking about fashion using eastern fabrics and eastern designs. I don’t know how many of them will keep strictly to it, but we have told them to use the colours used in their region on the heritage point of view, but with a fashionable cut. At the end of the day fashion is also going to be a serious business soon,  because everyone wants to wear a brand. If the eastern colours are well marketed and people come to see it, it adds to business. People working in the factories or the people making the linen will also earn more. So considering these facts in mind, we said let’s try our hand into this.

 
Who are the designers this year?

From Bengal we have Agnimitra Paul, Abhishek Dutta, Sharbari Datta and Monapali. We have Chandrika and Chimi from Bhutan. We have Atsu from Nagaland and Bibi Russell from Bangladesh. The show is being opened by Bibi Russell and the show is being closed by Monapali. Noyonika Chatterjee is the choreographer. Because her roots are east, we said let’s have her to choreograph the fashion show.

Who are the models sashaying the ramp this time?

We have a lot of them. Three or four from Bombay. We had to bring in some models from outside. Hopefully in the near future if such shows take off, the revenue and interest of people wanting to be ramp models will increase. At the end of the day we do require a certain height, six at least, if we have to match international standards. In the east we are not having too people with that height. We have tall guys, but if ramp walking and modelling was serious revenue ventures, a lot of people would have come up. I am telling everyone to be a bit more fashionable.

What is Ushoshi Sengupta’s role here?

Ushoshi is part of our venture. She has done a lot of these shows and is quite experienced. She and her company is helping us with the management and coordination.


Whose brainchild is the Eastern Fashion Legacy?

It was conceived and conceptualised by me. We have Namit Bajoria of Kutchina, he came on board because this is a big event and he’s helping with the finance and infrastructure. Also we have Kalyan Sarkar of Standard Publicity, the biggest publicity company in the east. He’s helping us with the publicity. So, it’s basically the three of us who are presenting this event. We also have Debaditya of Oudh 1590, he’s helping us with his PR company.


Why have you kept it an invitation only event? Considering the fact that this is the inaugural edition, wouldn’t you like more people to see it?

See, because this is the first year we cannot have everyone walk in. We can have that in the later years. I have said it before, as this is the first year we will have a lot of glitches, but as we progress, I’m sure we’ll be in control. This is a learning process for us. Maybe from the third year onwards, we can make it a three day or a four day event.


Are you going to provide new designers with a platform?

No, not this year. Like I said, maybe from the third year we will do that. We will ask them to bring in their guests.


How many guests are you expecting?

I am not sure, the invitation has gone delayed. We have catered for 350 people.

 
Who’s your pick among all these designers?

See, this is not a competition but I am eager about the Bhutanese colours, their fabric.


Who came up with the title? What kind of legacy do you want to create?

I came up with the title. We are looking at heritage in terms of legacy. Also I wanted a synergy of Tollywood and fashion. So most of my friends in Tollywood are walking.


Who are those stars?

There’s Jisshu and Nilanjana (Sengupta), there’s Raima and Riya (Sen) walking. There’s Bumba (Prosenjit Chatterjee), there’s Abir (Chatterjee) and Param (Parambrata Chatterjee). I will be walking for Bibi di (Russell). Locket (Chatterjee) will be walking. Bumba will be walking for the first time. He will be the showstopper for Monapali. He’s will be the final walk of the day.


Is EFL going to be calender event from now on?

Yes, but we would ideally like it to be on some other time. Maybe before the Durga Puja next year.

Is this fashion for a cause?

No, not really, but Namit has an NGO that helps homeless women, so that will be there.



(Images by Subhodeep Sardar/IBNS)