Naomi or Indian client, it doesn't matter: Rina Dhaka (Interview)

New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) Rina Dhaka, one of the pioneers of Indian fashion, says it doesn't matter if she is designing for an international market or an Indian one as long as her clothes are in business.

'For me, designing for Naomi Campbell or any of my Indian customers gives me equal pleasure and satisfaction,' Dhaka, who has made a mark in women's wear with her bold lines, told IANS in an interview here.

'How does it matter whether I am designing for an international or a national market? It is just a delivery for us, nothing more than that,' she said when asked about the declining number of international buyers at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) here.

'What is most important is business. In fact I want to work and sell here in India, rather than abroad. Believe me, it is easiest working in your homeland. Moreover all the overseas brands are desperate to sell here.'

'I don't suffer from any inferiority complex! We don't lag behind in anything. Not even in make-up or hairstyling. I have even been to Miami Fashion Week - and it is nothing in front of us. We are huge.'

Asked whether designers should be allowed to pick models of their choice to showcase their collections instead of working with those chosen by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), which organises the WIFW, Dhaka said, 'It is organised and is working absolutely fine. There is no havoc and I don't think we need a change'.

Dhaka, the original oomph goddess of Indian fashion, is quite happy with the way the country's fashion industry is evolving.

'The new designer category is doing very well. A lot of designers are selling abroad. Wherever we are now we must scale it up to triple in the next three years,' said Dhaka.

However, she said promotion and marketing play a vital role while selling in the global market.

'The market wants branded stuff. The marketing and promotion of a label is extremely important. I remember, if we send our consignment without labels, the buyers send it back to us,' she said.

So after 15 years in the fashion industry, is Dhaka planning a book on herself?

'Won't it be interesting if I write about myself based on my life? But I want to sell clothes, not myself.'