Fashion experts mull ways to promote Oudh fashion

Lucknow, Dec 6 (IANS) Fashion experts like Rina Dhaka and Asma Hussain and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali Saturday shared their views on how to promote the Oudh fashion culture at the global level and fetch better livelihood for artisans working in this field.

An interactive session "Pehnawa" with eminent personalities from the Indian fashion industry was organised at the Oudh Fashion Summit here.

Experts like Aditi Jaggi Rastogi, Manju Hundekar and Naina Ahmad also shared their views at the session organised by CII-Young Indians Lucknow chapter.

The experts said Uttar Pradesh has a long cherished history of rich and diverse cultural heritage.

The magnificent art and culture of Oudh has a long untold story behind the present day state-of-the-art innovations and success of the Indian and global fashion industry, the speakers said.

NIFT Mumbai principal Hundekar said it was "very important to bring a paradigm change in positioning the state as a fashion hub to attract investments and partnerships for converting the outputs of regions into economic benefits and taking them to the global market".

Renowned fashion designer Rina Dhaka suggested the opening of design and craft centres at regional levels and said skilled artists should be promoted through the platform backed by CII.

Former Miss India and jewellery designer Naina Ahmad addressed the importance of jewellery in fashion, and advocated the importance of establishing jewellery designing schools.

Fashion designer Asma Hussain focused on creating a better platform for craftsmen and also improve the basic infrastructure.

"We already have a pool of creative craftsmen and need to put in efforts to rebrand the same at a higher level," added Rastogi.

Kannauj Lok Sabha member and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav said craftsmen should be trained in specialised courses related to chikankari.

She said the Uttar Pradesh government has already signed up for a training programme in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Services (TISS).

CII-Young Indians Lucknow chapter founder chair Gaurav Prakash said the city was home to so many dreams and aspirations, and all efforts should be made to promote its craft, fashion and culture.