Scandal rocks India Fashion Week

The Indian Fashion Week, which is being held at the National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai, was rocked by a scandal on Tuesday, June 22, when it was reported that Krishna Mehta's collection included some clothes that were stolen from Nikhil and Shantanu's collection last year.

Fashion Design Council of India chief Vinod Kaul confirmed the incident to rediff.com. "It has been found that some garments from Shantanu and Nikhil's collection last year has been found in Krishna Mehta's collection this year. I felt it has been inadvertently found there. We are meeting tomorrow to sort this out and talk to both of them. We will take a decision based on what takes place at the meeting."

Asked what impact it would have on IFW and on Indian fashion, Kaul refused to comment. "It is too soon for me to say anything on the matter. Until I speak to both Krishna Mehta and Nikhil and Shantanu Mehra, it would be unfair for me to make a comment."

Krishna Mehta, who spoke to the television channel Aaj Tak, appeared extremely disturbed and hastened to assure, 'No, no no, believe me, it was a mistake. I don't know how it happened. I have to sort this out with Shantanu and Nikhil. I am going to meet them now.'

Meanwhile, Shantanu and Nikhil appeared shell-shocked. 'We have just heard this news, and don't know what to say. We can't comment much, but there will be legalities involved'

Krishna Mehta presented her collection at seven pm on July 22.

Shantanu and Nikhil had presented their collection at 9 pm on July 18, the first day of the India Fashion Week.

Krishna Mehta took the fledgling Indian fashion industry by storm with her menswear collection in 1989. Her perfectly cut and impeccably finished lines have established her as a respected name in men's fashion.

Mehta introduced her Indo-West and fusion lines for women in 1991.

In order to take her designs to a larger market, Krishna launched K2, her label for ready-to-wear garments for women in 1998.

Her brands -- Krishna Mehta and K2 -- are available in her store in Mumbai, her franchisee store in Baroda, Ensemble in Mumbai and Delhi. She also retails in Dubai.

Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra, who established their label in 1999, are known for their young and trendy clothes. Their collections include prêt saris, short kurtis with trousers, skirts with bustiers in chiffons and Banarsi georgettes with intricate and rich embroidery.

The label also has an exclusive couture line for the Indian groom, varying from Jodhpuri Nehru jackets to sherwanis and waistcoats. They have recently launched their prêt Western wear line and have two signature stores in Delhi and a strong presence in couture stores in the UK, the US, Canada and Dubai.

Their show at IFW presented a prêt line that mainly focused on silhouettes. The designers chose shades of pink as the main colour of their collection.

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