The last resort?

“We were approached by Lakme to do a collection on Fantasy. It is quite thrilling to show in Mumbai,as we have a good client base there. Besides,it is our first grand finale,” says Gauri. The line is repeated by N Rajaram,VP of Lakme. “We’ve decided to partner with Gauri and Nainika given the synergy between our new cosmetic collection and their design sensibilities. It draws inspiration from old Hollywood and fantasy,a perfect match for the Lakme Fantasy collection,” he says. Every fashion season,Lakme’s cosmetic line is created with inputs from the finale designer(s).

Insiders may have a slightly different take. Sunil Sethi,president of Fashion design Council of India,sees the old Delhi-Mumbai feud in this move. “I personally like their evening gowns,but they are not resort wear designers. For any Delhi designer to get a sponsored show is a lucrative deal,” declares Sethi. It may be easy for Sethi to be critical,as he supports the Wills Lifestyle

India Fashion Week (WLIFW),a rival event. But the line is trotted out by Mumbai-based designer Umesh Jivnani too. “Lakme is making a conscious attempt to woo Delhi designers. The last few seasons have seen Delhi-based names like Malini Ramani,Suneet Varma,Tarun Tahiliani do the grand finale show and this is part of the trend. And you can’t say that it’s a bad business decision,” says jewellery designer Umesh Jivnani,who reports on fashion weeks.

For the record,The Indian Express found that rumours that Rohit Bal was first offered the finale or that Wendell Rodricks pulled out of the event in a huff because of them are both untrue. “I was never asked,” confirms Bal. “Why should I be upset,I wish the girls all the best,” says Rodricks.

To be fair,the sisters catapulted gowns to popularity on the Indian red carpet. Suddenly,young actresses such as Deepika Padukone,Bipasha Basu,Katrina Kaif,Dia Mirza,Prachi Desai started wearing Gauri and Nainika gowns,with their cinched waists,extravagant bows,all in opulent jewel tones.

Recently,though,like all things in fashion,their popularity slipped. Nainika is not worried. “It is not as if the actresses have stopped wearing our creations,” she explains.

But to bring back the doubts,the duo does not sell internationally. In India too,they retail at select outlets only. “Personally,I believe we would do well at Milan or Paris. For other countries,buyers look for clothes with an Indian sensibility. They may order for one season,but do not return the next time,” rues Nainika. Their frothy,glamourous creations are perhaps the reason. They seem inspired by international labels like Valentino and Diane von Furstenberg,as Jivnani points out. “Two seasons ago,they did a collection that featured giant roses and bows and that is pretty much what Valentino does too,and their wrap dresses are reminiscent of DvF,” he says.

Never mind the naysayers,the sisters are excited about the finale. Does it make sound business sense to move from WLIFW to the

Bollywood-dazed and slim on buyers LFW? “We have a lot of buyers there,” insists Nainika.

That’s what all designers wish for. Let’s hope it comes true for Alice.