Thaindian News

Panaji, Dec 9 (IANS) Designers alone cannot produce resort or beach wear. Cutters and tailors need to be trained to ensure that the end product is immaculate, says designer James Ferreira, who feels Goa is the perfect destination for India Resort Fashion Week (IRFW).

The designer, who opened the event Wednesday, rued the dearth of vocational courses and institutes that could train people in the specific skills required.

“We must remember that in India, we are not training cutters and tailors. We are just training designers, so we are going to be short-staffed especially when it comes to cutters and tailors,” Ferreira told IANS.

“Being designers it’s our responsibility to showcase a collection better than the previous year’s and this is what I believe in. I make sure that I cut my clothes myself and give them proper shape as I believe the cut is the most important thing, especially for resort wear,” he added.

Hailing from Goa, Ferreira says the state “should start training people. The only place where I see training happening is in south India where vocational guidance is being imparted. Goa needs a technical centre, especially since I heard we are opening an export hub here. I think we all need to start teaching the workers.

“We do not pay any attention to the workers. We just take them as they are and that is really sad. This is the only reason that our quality is bad. It is most important to train people about resort wear.”
Ferriera presented 13 spring/summer trends inspired by African Mosaic cuts.

The collection was a mix of men’s and women’s wear in a plethora of colours with perfect cuts accentuating the designs. Some of the prominent shades were purple, green, indigo and beige, with asymmetrical designs.

“The collection was all about Goa, resorts, comfortable clothes with pure fabrics like silks and cottons,” the designer said.

When asked if Goa was the right destination to host the resort week, he said: “Goa is improving when it comes to fashion and style. Plenty of work is happening here and it is a superb destination for the India Resort Fashion Week as the tourism industry is picking up.

“This year is phenomenal. The profile of tourists is changing because of boutique hotels and a better fashion market; so we are getting a much better quality of tourists which I think is a good thing for Goa,” he said.

However, Ferreira says that timing of the event is not appropriate, adding: “Since it’s the first time, there is no point creating a fuss over it. A resort week mostly happens in March or May; so I think we will get it next year. It all depends on international buyers, how many buyers you are getting. I have already received buyers from different areas.”

The fashion week will end Saturday.

(Nivedita Sharma can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)