The Growth Chart

The Men's Fashion Week, organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), which offered a dedicated platform for men's fashion ran only for three editions. But that seems to be no cause for worry. "Where menswear is concerned," says designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed, "events don't make as big a difference as in the case of women's fashion — even though men have a high propensity to spend."

"When a fashion show takes place, the women are quick to adapt to it. The same doesn't hold true for men, whose dressing sense evolves over a longer period. The first time I showcased coloured jeans for men was three years ago, but it's only now that you see men wearing them," he says, adding that womenswear trends trickle down within six months. However, he is quick to say that menswear events, while not having a direct bearing on sales, certainly serve as a big boost and they push men towards being more stylish. "Then again, the absence of men's events can be traced to the fact that sponsors don't find them glamorous enough — a fashion show for women attracts a lot more attention," he adds.

According to Pawan Sarda, who, until recently, was the Chief Marketing Officer at Future Group, which owns Big Bazaar, part of the reason why events don't affect menswear trends much is that the designer fare shown at these events invariably falls under the wedding trousseau category. "That apart, men spend generously on formal wear. So it's mainly the casual wear segment that has men experimenting. For instance, the concept of Friday dressing has more takers today than ever before. This, in turn, is because of a major change in men's grooming; it's not just about clothes and shoes but even hairstyles and skin care reflects this," he says.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Write Timing

Of silver linings

Pret Project

Italian Treat