India's first men's fashion week in Delhi turns out to be a show run almost entirely by women
India's first men's fashion week in Delhi turns out to be a show run almost entirely by women
More than half the backstage crew at the three-day Van Heusen Men's Fashion Week in the capital comprises women, and Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) president Sunil Sethi isn't surprised.
"The majority of workforce handling greenroom operations are women. And I believe that an event like this couldn't have possibly been successful without them," he says. Sethi shows good reason. "Their aesthetic sense and managerial skills play an important role in ensuring perfect management. All the choreographers we have are women, and even the styling department is fiercely female." The figure is far beyond imagination. "Seventy five per cent of backstage workers are women, leaving out the helpers and errand-runners, of course," reveals Tarang, a stage manager.
ADVERTISEMENT
Women crew enter the men's green room backstage while the show goes on pic/Rajeev Tyagi
Good at multi-tasking
Those running the show reveal that having women helps because of their diversified skills. Plus the fact that they keep their cool makes them indispensable.
"Women are always good at multitasking and that's perhaps what helps them manage the backstage better.
Also, dealing with all the back-ramp chaos requires a lot of patience. That's a quality women possess and exude much more efficiently than men," says fashion choreographer Aparna Bahl. But Bahl doesn't believe in gender bias. "Having said that, I would say what's important is having the talent, rather than a certain sex."
Tough without women
It's only obvious interdependence and symbiosis, feel others like model coordinator and backstage manager Pujan Kapur Sharma. "We are all doing jobs. A men's fashion week doesn't necessarily mean men have to handle everything. One shouldn't see it as a gender thing. It's about having the right expertise to handle things, irrespective of whether one is a man or a woman. There have been many events which have been well managed by males too."
Whatever the interpretation, there's only a single conclusion: no glam gala in the country, even an all-guy deal, can be accomplished without women. Celebrity hair stylist Ambika Pillai makes sure people don't forget their inherent creativity as the reason behind this. "Women are more aesthetically tuned. It's tough executing any fashion without them."
Why we need women: Designers speak up
Nitin Bal Chauhan: An all-men fashion week will be like going back to an all boy's school. One needs talented people, irrespective of the gender.
Siddhartha Tytler: A woman's touch is indispensable. Thinking about a fashion event like this sans women is impossible. One should acknowledge the great work women are doing to put up this event successfully.
Rocky S: We need women in every part of our lives and an event like this is no exception. But having said that, if there are all talented men doing the work well, I have no complaints.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
