Slowdown but designers think positive

With the economic downturn in debt-ridden US and

Europe, foreign designers fear that the fashion industry might get affected. However, Indian designers have a different take. They feel the Indian economy is on a roll and hence buying will not stop in the domestic market. Sabyasachi Mukherjee believes in a recession, contrary to common belief, buying doesn’t stop. It’s just that buyers are very careful about what they pick. He says, “Therefore, I think we should utilize the opportunity to the maximum. It’s just that we need to analyze our weaknesses and work on them. I think it will be more of a boon than bane.” Similarly, Wendell Rodricks says, “If recession re-occurs, we will not be affected as much this time being a strong growing economy.

Designers feel that consumer’s western countries may reduce their buying but not stop it fully. Unusual purchases will definitely go down but value-for-money garments will be always in demand. This time can be used to improve trade prospects, with a slight price correction, trendspotting and resource management. Lina Tipnis is more forthright. “There is a silver lining to every cloud. There is no room for mediocrity. The best products will find their way to discerning shoppers. Recession comes as a blessing to get rid of the unwanted. It’s a wake-up call to act and not react,” says the designer.