The ‘it’ being the ongoing feud the two have been having all about whose fashion week is better, the WLIFW’s Delhi one or the LFW’s Mumbai offering.

They have battled over participating designers, models and even dates which have often been in grave danger of clashing!!

But now, the latest bit in this battle that is threatening to reach epic proportions is the fee the two weeks charge. According to documents sent to us by the LFW guys, the cost of participating at WLIFW is substantially higher than that charged by the LFW. While the WLIFW charges separately for shows and stalls (where the designers display their garments and interact with buyers), the LFW charges combine the cost of the show and stalls.

Now, while the WLIFW charges Rs 4,00,000 plus the cost of stall which is Rs 1,00,000, for the Prime Slots the LFW charges Rs 3,00,000 which includes the charges for the stalls.

According to the LFW people, in such a environment, the emerging designers are the ones who suffer the most. “A higher fee acts as a barrier for a young and upcoming designer from participating in the event. For someone who is trying to make a mark for oneself in the industry, it is imperative that one showcases his/her talent on multiple platforms. Restrictions curb creativity and hinder growth — something FDCI needs to rethink,” says an emphatic Anil Chopra, VP Lakme Lever.

Quick at the defence is Rathi Vinay Jha, Director General of the Fashion Design Council of India, the organisers of WLIFW. “Absolutely not. The stall cost which was earlier included in the participation fees has only been shown as a separate entry. If anybody does simple arithmetic, it will be clear that we are charging a little lesser than before.”

Will the WLIFW-LFW chasm widen any more? Wait and watch!