By Iva Dixit
The incessant bombardment of the “What-plans-for-future-beta”-litany by the Great-Indian-Well-Meaning-Acquaintance signifies that moment in one’s life, when ninth grade aspirations in all their angst and whimsy must be eschewed in order to embrace the grind of the big, bad and blood-thirsty ‘Real World’.
In our own bid to find inspiration, solicit real life advice that incites more and apprehends less, and with Frank Sinatra’s soulfully crooned words of wisdom ‘If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere’ in contemplation, we got in touch with individuals whose jobs seem so inordinately cool- they’re the culmination of those very same sixth grade ‘when-I-grow-up’ essays.
Kickstarting the first of many in this series, {LBBD} brings an exclusive insight into the work-life of such a person in the city who dared to be bold and the mighty forces came to her aid.
In conversation with Vidyun Singh, Veteran Choreographer in the Indian Fashion Industry and Director of Events at the India Habitat Centre.
Be it the epic saga of myth seen at Ritu Kumar’s latest show Panchvastra, or the hitherto novel stunt of a car tearing through a curtain to leap onto the stage at Ashish Soni’s BMW sponsored show— the epic grandueur of fashion shows in India owes its humble origins to the time of the shoulder-padded exuberance of the 1980s. Back when the leading Indian couturiers of today were students working on their graduation shows, Vidyun Singh, along with her dear friend Asha Kochhar started Media Makers, conceptualizing and producing shows. Having seen the industry from its days of nascence into the present implosion of Fashion Week chaos media-frenzied coverage, Vidyun Singh takes a brief moment to tell {LBBD} about the journey that is has been so far.
LBBD | Given that you straddle two worlds, that of Fashion Choreographer at each of the Fashion Weeks, and as Director of Programmes at IHC, tell us what a typical workday for you is like? How does one achieve a balance juggling between worlds that occasionally could converge?
Vidyun | There is actually no ‘typical’ working day for me as it is pretty much juggling between my two offices depending on what needs my physical presence when! Mercifully, between Habitat Centre and Defence Colony, I don’t waste too much travel time and can bounce between the two, multiple times in a day if needed.
LBBD | What did you study/ spend your time engaging in, while in college? Does it contribute to the job you hold today?
Vidyun | Yes, indeed, I would say so, even though the connection may not be so obvious on the face of it. A BA in Economics {from Lady Shriram College} and an MA in International Studies {from JNU} may not be the most obvious route to doing what I am doing, but the fact that I was actively involved in the Theatre Action Group with Barry John, all through college laid the foundation for what I do today. A fashion show is nothing but theatre of the clothes, except that the actors are changed to models, who, in their own way, are also acting out a part assigned to them! As for the academics, they serve me in good stead as Director Programmes at Habitat Centre.
LBBD | How did you get the job you currently have? Did you always know that this is what you were going to do? Or has it been a process of gradual trial-and-testing?
Vidyun | It was sheer happenstance and serendipity! Things were beginning to happen and I was lucky to be around and in the space that was happening at the right time. So, most definitely Destiny and not Design.
LBBD | The process of getting to where you are right now, what has that been like?
Vidyun | Honestly it’s been the BEST and never a dull moment. In both spaces you have to keep your finger on the pulse and change and reinvent constantly, and even while it may get hectic but it’s never boring!
LBBD | The best AND worst advice you’ve been given along the way?
Vidyun | The best: Do whatever you want to do, but do it sincerely!
Worst…? Hmm, obviously I didn’t follow it, seeing as how I can’t seem to recall anything!!
LBBD | At any point, did you ever feel or say to yourself, or even felt it instinctively within, that you’ve {in MTV-speak} ‘made it’?
Vidyun | I have always treated my work as an exciting journey and not a destination so the ‘made it’ or having ‘arrived’ or ‘reached’ factor has never figured.
LBBD | One {or more} of the most memorable assignments that you’ve worked on that make you immensely proud?
Vidyun | Far too many assignments and far too many memorable moments to be able to isolate a single one! But certainly the first time back in the early 90′s, when we were doing a show in Dubai, a French team wanted to know who was it that had put up such a good show and they were SO incredulous that it was out of India and with a fully Indian team. It felt good to see the respect in their eyes for something that they said was world class and was out of India.
LBBD | An equivalent goof-up that you’ve learnt from?
Vidyun | Oof! There have been quite a few! I wouldn’t call them goof ups, but crazy crises more like! Be it console booths collapsing during a show, flooding in the green rooms, models missing flights, show stoppers taking off for impromptu loo breaks mere seconds before their entry…there’s a long and crazy list of things that we’ve been through.
LBBD | Given that you’ve been in the business of fashion since early days when the leading couturiers of today had just begun, your career path charts the explosion of the Indian Fashion Industry. What are the significant changes that you’ve seen pass before you?
Vidyun | It’s a whole new world today. Today, fashion is an industry, clothes are made for a specific market, and there are Fashion Weeks every month. Indian designers are Creative Directors of international brands, it’s an entirely new ball game altogether now. Back then it was more ideas.
LBBD | If you could go back in time to offer your younger self of salad days some advice/ words of wisdom/ words of reassurance/or even a thumbs-up of approval, what would you say?
Vidyun | We did it. And we did it our way!
LBBD | What advice would you give to all those with big dreams of making it just as ’big’ as you have? {Incidentally, there are plenty!}
Vidyun | Nothing is impossible. If you want it, go get it, but do it sincerely!
LBBD | Finally, what can you be found doing to deal with the stress, when not on the job?
Vidyun | Gardening, planting, enjoying sunrises and sunsets up in our mountain shack if I can get away even for a weekend. If not and I’m here, then…playing Scrabble on the internet !
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