‘CHANDIGARH FASHION WEEK??’... BUT WHEN

Are the reality shows a talent hunt or a way out to increase the TRP, sense Kaushik Ghosh , a renowned fashion choreographer, Sahiba Singh, Miss India Personality , 2004 who were in the city to hold a seminar organised by IIFT and to announce an image building workshop.
The duo will be back in the city near the Diwali to conduct a siminar and guess what they sense, “Reality shows in which contestants use foul language should be banned.”
The fashion choreographer has a point to prove himself, “They are degrading the image of our youth. Imagine, what outsiders would think of Indian youth when they see a bunch of attention-hungry youngsters calling names on national TV. And then, post-reality shows, contestants’ conscience suddenly awakens to expose casting couch tales. “These reality shows are teaching youngsters to be mean, abusive, blatant and unethical and are now being paid back in the same coin,” adds Sahiba Singh.
The 10-day-workshop will mainly focus on image building, a comprehensive term for dressing sense, ramp walk, attitude and personality development, “One just can’t achieve success on the basis of good looks and a body. You need to have right contacts, know how to approach people and do positive publicity for yourself, which is also a part of my workshop’s curriculum,” informs Kaushik.
Other reason he cites for holding a workshop in the city, “Chandigarh has the best looking boys and girls in India, competitive designers, fashion conscious people, affluent NRI market which together can make the Chandigarh Fashion Week possible.”
Having choreographed shows for the best designers and leading models, he regrets the absence of a male mega model. “We haven’t got a Rahul Dev or a Milind Soman for a long time as modeling for boys is a mere stepping stone to enter television or Bollywood.”
Well, Is Sahiba aiming for the same too?
“Not at all. I am too happy doing modelling to go to Bollywood, where the competition makes you stoop to any level.” As for her future plans, “Lots of modelling and post that, working for various UN programmes in Delhi.”
“It’s after a gap of nine years that I am conducting my workshop,” Ghosh pointed out having held similar workshops in 62 cities in India and abroad. “The Chandigarh Workshop would be open for five-year-olds to those 30 years of age,” mentioned Ghosh who finds that the modelling world isn’t just looking to young girls and guys. “Look at television advertising. There’s a huge gap that needs to be filled,” he said mentioning that today not just industry hopefuls but professionals from diverse fields such as doctors, engineers, even homemakers are lining up to be better groomed.
Speaking of all things Punjabi, once again Ghosh reiterated his “dream” to be part of a Chandigarh Fashion Week. “I hope someone approaches me. There’s a Bangalore Fashion Week, Kolkata Fashion Week, so why not a Chandigarh Fashion Week. I’ll be only to happy to organise one,” Ghosh remarked. Here’s someone who is thinking ahead!
The current style trend also brings in chequered patterns and big floral prints, something reminiscent of the ‘70s fashion,” adds on Sahiba who recently walked the ramp in London for a fundraiser show. “I also did Manish Malhotra’s bridal show recently and it’s strange I hadn’t up with him so far,” the model smiled to say. For someone who never really thought of modelling as a career, she sure has come a long way. “It all started after I gave the Miss India contest a shot back in 2004. It was a turning point in my life,” admits Sahiba who credits her success in the industry to the ‘grooming and polishing’ she underwent during the contest.
“Today, it’s all about the way you present yourself. Beauty contests are more personality contests now,” spoke Sahiba who surprisingly didn’t do the obvious post her Miss India run. “No, I didn’t have my eyes set on Bollywood. My focus is the ramp along with the television commercials that I regularly feature in,” the model made her point. It’s no surprise then that this is what her advice to wannabes in the industry is. “It’s important to stay focussed for that’s how you will get to where you aspire to be,” she summed up. Now that’s an attitude who wouldn’t like!
"You can't just pack your bags and leave for Bombay,"Ghosh told the students. He brought in success stories as living examples and motivated them to plan their entry into modelling well. Sahiba, who's walked the ramp for leading fashion designers and is working on a Bollywood project right now, says there's no shortcut to fame. "I was once very overweight and have worked hard to gain shape," she said.
The city has a largest pool of good-looking men and women, felt fashion choreographer Kaushik Ghosh and deserved to have a fashion week of its own