FDCI rallies together designers to share lockdown tips

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
May 6, 2020

The Fashion Design Council of India has rallied together established and up-and-coming designers from across India to share their lockdown experience and tips for how to stay creative amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 
As part of its new ‘FDCInsights’ initiative to bring the Indian fashion industry together during lockdown, the FDCI has shared quotes from a multitude of designers with the aim of inspiring people to get creative during the extended pan-India lockdown. The organisation has taken to its Facebook page to share ideas from designers and brands including Amit Aggarwal, Rina Dhaka, Rocky Star Priyanka Kochhar, and Nivi Shrivastava among others.
 
“I have been busy creating art concepts experimenting with different mediums like chalk on board, acrylic on canvas, ink on paper and fine line drawing work with Rotring pens,” said designer Nitin Bal Chauhan, the FDCI shared on Facebook. “Whatever you do is limited to the materials you have with you. Try to think out of the box, mix different mediums if you have you. You can also rearrange or redecorate your home.”

“Despite the stress of spring/ summer being cancelled and uncertainty of having an autumn/ winter collection, it is important to keep our spirits high,” said designer Pallavi Jaipur. “The lockdown is a great opportunity to introspect on the impacts of fast fashion. It is time to rethink our consumerist behaviour and use this time to partake in activities such as up-cycling… There’s nothing like having your own and making your own!”
 
“This pandemic has given us time to pause and reflect something we didn’t know was needed in the mad rush that we had become accustomed to,” said designer Rimzim Dadu, in a post shared by the FDCI. “If one ever wanted to learn something new or pick up a new skill, this seems like an apt time… Personally, I’m using the time to research the history of Indian textiles more deeply and seeing how I can integrate it with technology and use it in my design process.”
 
The FDCI has also launched the ‘Covid-19 Support Fund’ to aid small fashion businesses and young designers who are struggling due to lockdown. The FDCI has announced that it has the support of Lakme Fashion Week and its sponsor IMG Reliance for the initiative.