Fashions don’t carry over, if a person is traveling to a different country

Mumbai: Early this week, author Kiran Desai (The Inheritance of Loss) gave out an interview in Britain’s The Guardian newspaper about Western clothing and how “fashions don’t carry over”, if a person is traveling to a different country.

“I grew up in India, so you have to learn a whole new way of doing clothes when you move to the West. Fashions don’t carry over, so if you fly between places you will inevitably look wrong in the country you’re going to. Definitely going to India you look bad if you go in your Western clothes. Everyone comments on how awful you look right away. The sky is different, the street is different, the dust is different, only Indian clothes work,” she was quoted as saying in the interview.

Desai’s opinion has triggered a debate with many saying her “generalisation was wrong”. “I am not sure what part of India she is going to. Many many women in India wear Western clothes now. She can’t talk for others,” read a comment against the article, online.

Top names from the fashion industry also debated over Desai’s opinion. “Boundaries of fashion have ceased to exist. You can wear almost anything, anywhere. Perhaps, you can’t wear Western clothes when you are at Benares and typical Indian clothes might look out of place at a Western wedding... but otherwise, in today’s times, styles relating to clothes and fashion are no longer dependent on which country you are in,” says designer Ritu Kumar.

“And when it comes to Kiran Desai’s interview, it’s just her opinion,” Kumar adds. Designer Sabyasachi, too, feels there’s no problem with Western wear, or even saris for that matter because he feels there has been a surge in patriotism recently. “We are definitely experiencing this surge. I have spoken to several NRIs and these are the people who’re very proud of their roots. They have no problem wearing the sari, even in the West and they are far more patriotic than us back home. Overall, there’s no problem with a sari or Western wear... anywhere.”

Meanwhile, Mala Gurbani, a Hyderabad-based working professional and a frequent traveller says, “If you are travelling abroad in Indian wear, people will turn around and stare. It’s justified because they are not used to seeing people dressed that way. It’s the same thing here. When it comes to India, I believe it depends on the location. You obviously can’t wear shorts in certain places in the city whereas its acceptable in other parts.” So, what do you think readers? Do you agree with Kiran Desai? Or do you think fashion is without borders? Write to us at info@deccanmail.com.