As Gudda goes ‘offside’, chaos erupts on Day 2

[1]

The urban dictionary has a term for Rohit Bal’s attention-seeking syndrome. It is called Juyshin and applies to all those who go to almost any lengths to be the centre of attention. Any clue why we say this?

To start with, the flamboyant designer first decides not to show at designated venue for the maiden inning of Delhi’s own Couture Week. Later it is announced that his “offside show” will be showcased at Aman Hotel, where only 250 people have been invited. No reasons are cited by the FDCI for a separate venue for this “special” show.
Secondly, the day his show was to take place i.e. Day 2 of the Delhi Couture Week, the media fraternity was clueless about the “entry eligibility”. “Well Gudda wanted only select media organisations for his (coveted) show,” uttered his public relations manager in response to all the queries related to the access to Bal’s Acropolis.
When the FDCI’s president Sunil Sethi was asked to find a solution for the chaotic situation, he simply chose to stay diplomatic. He said, “FDCI has nothing to do with this whole matter. We are not handling his show. He is managing it on his own. All the invites to his show had been sent by his office and not FDCI. So FDCI can’t give or deny any kind of permission to anybody.” Gudda’s good friend Anurag Verma, who happens to be the general manager of FDCI too had nothing much to say in this regard.
He just added, “Offside shows are a common trend around the world and Rohit doesn’t want any kind of replication. That is why he is showing his couture collection privately.”
Amidst the confusion, Gaurav Gupta’s show was finally started an hour after the stipulated time. While the Bollywood heavyweights were conspicuous by their absence, blink-and-you-miss-act specialist Neha Dhupia made it to his show wearing a pink number by Gaurav. Mr Anurag escorted Dhupia to the show area and made sure she was not left alone even for a second. “Gaurav is a fabulous designer. He thinks out-of-the-box and I think that is the USP of his clothes,” she said.
Gaurav took snatches from the fairy tales to tailor this collection. The imaginary creatures draped in net, brocade and chiffon were brought alive on the ramp. Gaurav said that the mystical magical creatures of the deep marines inspired him to come with this collection. If interesting headgears, structured silhouettes, neat pleats, and crisp sharp tucks were the highlight of the clothes, the sleep-inducing lullaby-like background score got a thumbs-down by the front rowers. Designer Ritu Kumar, a front seat occupant looked as if she went into a trance during this slightly lengthy show.
And talking of the buyers, well, we will discuss the story some other day.