New Delhi: Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) Chairman Sunil Sethi on Saturday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts towards ensuring global recognition for Indian fabric and local craft.
Speaking to IANS during the launch of the book ‘Bespoken’ in New Delhi, Sunil Sethi said: “A lot of Prime Minister Modi’s gifts to any dignitaries are based on Indian craft and textiles. But it’s not only about what he’s doing; it is also about what it is. It is a thing of beauty because of which everybody in the world is appreciating Indian craft. I’m so happy that he’s doing it.”
He added that he was wearing an ‘Odisha Ikat’ coat during the event, stitched by an Indian fashion designer.
“Even the tie and shirt have been made by Indian designers,” the FDCI President said.
“We are proud Indians. Three days ago, the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Christopher Luxon) had written a letter to me, as we had done two shows there, appreciating what ‘Khadi’ has done for that country,” Sethi added.
“It is not just the traditional weave, it is also the freedom fabric Khadi,” he said while referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s promotion of the natural fibre cloth during the ‘Swadeshi’ movement.
“Our effort is to take ‘Khadi’ global…We have taken it to Bhutan where the King (Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck) and Queen (Jetsun Pema) appreciated it. We have also taken it to the Moscow Fashion Week, people in France have also used our ‘Khadi” and done a show with us,” Sethi added.
“Recently, four of the designers did a wonderful show in New Zealand’s Auckland which was houseful. So, no longer people are considering India as just an ‘also-ran’, in fact the beauty of this is our fabric and craft,” he said while asserting that the Indian designer should not be left behind.
The FDCI Chairman also talked about London’s Maurice Sedwell owner and founder of Savile Row Bespoke Academy Andrew Ramroop, on whose life and work the book is based on.
“To me, he is the god of Bespoke tailoring and Savile Row. He is of Indian origin and had even choked a bit while remembering his past during the address,” he said.
On a lighter note, Sethi added: “I couldn’t compete with him in his dressing sense because I couldn’t compete with him in his tailoring.”
(IANS)
