Fashion gurus fall prey to work stress

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If earlier ugly bags were a cardinal sin for the fashion industry, now they have become the official graveyard. Especially the one particular gear that led to the untimely demise of John Galliano’s career as the creative director at Christian Dior. But before Galliano’s Hitler-loving videos surfaced, everyone was busy blaming his behaviour

on pre-fashion week stress, since his collection was due to be shown in Paris. And they wouldn’t have been entirely incorrect for rumours of Balmain designer Chritophe Decarnin having spent the last few days in a psychiatric ward when he failed to show up for his own show. And even as we loom close to the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week next month, we speak to designers about how they handle the pressure.
“It’s not just the clothes but your personality that is presented on the ramp. So, of course there is a lot of stress, especially in a country like ours with a rich culture of several public holidays, making the karigars and finishers deliver the product on time is a task. And even though starting three months before is considered safe, stress does creep in,’ says Elisha W, who showcased her collection for the Spring/Summer season last year.
Designer Divyam Mehta agrees that there does get a lot to manage. “One has to arrange the music, the models, choreographer, fittings, sampling and so many little things for the show. I often hire more people to help out and try being very meticulous with the planning, so that everything is done pitch-perfectly,” he advises.
Not everyone however considers the stress as an important part of the week. Nitin Kartikeys of the label Dozakh says, “We are handling so many things at the same time, without own store orders both for the domestic and international market along with the preparation. Both Isha and I are so involved that we hardly have time to be stressed,” he tells us.