After India's Got Latent, Controversy Over Fashion Show In Gulmarg - What Happened And Who Are The Designers Under Fire?

Even as India's Got Latent row has refused to die down, another controversy has erupted over alleged "obscenity" during a fashion show in Gulmarg, Kashmir. What added fuel to the internet's fury and the local administration coming down heavily on the show organisers and the models for parading down the ramp in "semi nude" outfits, was the fact that it was held during the holy month of Ramazan.

Also read: 'Outrageous, Obscene': Fashion Show in Gulmarg During Ramadan Triggers Huge Row

What happened during the controversial Gulmarg fashion show?

The show was staged on March 7. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah claimed it was a "private event" organised in a "private hotel" without permission. It showed men and women exposing skin while parading down the ramp in Shivan & Narresh's outfits. The Delhi-based designer duo claimed that the outfits were designed as a reimagination of ski and apres-ski lifestyle. However, soon after the images and videos of models dressed in underwear and bikinis, exposing various parts of their bodies, went viral it was deemed "vulgar", "shameless" and "obscene".

Designers Shivan & Narresh also apologised for hurting "religious sentiments" of those who objected to their skimpy designs for both men and women. The duo was marking the 15th anniversary of their label with a special skiwear collection.

Also read: Omar Abdullah Slams Gulmarg Fashion Show, Calls It ‘Unacceptable in Any Month of the Year’

Controversial fashion shows rocks Jammu & Kashmir assembly

The fashion show that has been billed as "obscene" by many has also triggered protests in the state assembly. Kashmir's chief priest, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday said obscenity in the name of tourism promotion will not be tolerated. In the assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said those who organised the fashion show "have not applied their mind, showed disregard to the public sentiment and paid no attention to where they are organising it and its timing".

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also criticised the event, calling it "deplorable" and an attack on Kashmiri values. Jammu and Kashmir leader of opposition and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma directly challenged the chief minister’s claim that he was unaware of the event.