Let’s rest the West

One of India’s most talented designers (MAC,Puma and Swatch are some international brands who have clearly recognised this) looks in awe every time Dries Van Noten deigns to even glance his way; forget talking to him. He has not only undermined himself but the rest of the fraternity too. Suzy Menkes is made to feel like a demi goddess by some of

India’s most articulate fashion journalists,allowing her to make them feel insecure and inconsequential when I’m sure that’s hardly what she’s come to India to do. But,sadly they leave her with little choice.

Manmohan Singh behaves as though in august company when he meets Barack Obama. Frankly,if you ask me,it should be the reverse.

Why are we so West absorbed? Sylvester Stallone regretfully announces his inability to attend his first Hindi movie premier. Sajid Nadiadwala further adds that he normally doesn’t have extravagant openings,but felt it only appropriate as he now had “international stars”! Why ignore our own? If,God forbid,one of the Indian actors failed to show up it would’ve been a full on media battle with him feeling absolutely let down.

Michael Jackson is immortalised as he should be for his music,but shouldn’t we make Kishore Kumar a household name too for our children who missed out on his magic and not only focus on the Thriller?

We flaunt over Jimmy Choos but keep our Indian labels for the monsoon,an old Tarun Tahiliani dress is never considered a vintage,and we actually think Bottega Veneta has become too common,too accessible,to the Indians. It suddenly became too ‘made in India’.

Most women claim they can’t find a decent colorist. Yet,when I got mine done at Raih,I had over 10 women question me and behave as though I was looking at the American State Secret! Their reply comes smoothly — London. Even though they get their hair cut at their local Chinese salon refusing to believe that Jenny is as good as Frederick.

Unfortunately,I guess the East is East and the West is West and Never the twain shall meet.