New Delhi, Sept 1: Union Textiles Minister Shankersinh Vaghela will attend a meeting of leading designers, industrialists from the textiles and garment fields and other stakeholders here today.

He will discuss with them the issues concerning the fashion industry and evolve a platform, which will provide space to all stakeholders to show case their creativity and present their view.

The various segments of Indian economy have benefited from liberation and globalization, which includes the Indian Fashion Industry. The added catalyst was coming to an end of Multi Fibre Arrangement (MFA) on December 31, 2004.

In recent years, the fashion industry has evolved and carved a niche for itself in a highly demanding global fashion industry.

The sector has been able to attract the talent and attention of the world, which is manifested through a large number of students passing out from the various fashion institutes and the recognition of work of Indian designers by global fashion houses.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is the pioneer in the field of fashion education and more than 1,200 students pass out every year. Besides, other Institutes like Pearl Fashion Academy, SPFT, Pune supplements the efforts of NIFT.

Presently, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), a breakaway group of FDCI, and a private body which organizes shows in Mumbai through the Lakme Fashion Week, provide the platform to fashion designers and others engaged in the field of fashion.

It has been observed that these bodies further the interest of the established players, are reluctant to provide fora to emerging talent and operate in a non-transparent fashion.

The emerging talents as well as budding entrepreneurs have a long standing demand that they lack a proper forum to show case their creativity, crystallize and present their views. (ANI)