Designer look for Indian crew on hold

New Delhi: The sky may be the limit for Indian fashion but the national carrier is unwilling to pay a price to drape its staff in designer styles.
In May 2005, Air India approached renowned designers Tarun Tahiliani and JJ Valaya to send in sketches for new staff uniforms for which the final choice would be made by French couturier Pierre Cardin.
In June 2005 Tahiliani and Valaya were short listed by the airline to design staff uniforms. Designers sent samples but no decision was forthcoming.
In October, a letter from Air India informed the designers that it planned to continue with existing uniforms and agreed to pay a fee of Rs 25,000 for their design efforts. But the designers say that is not enough.
Fashion designer Ritu Kumar has been through a similar experience with Air India.
When contacted, Air India said as they were busy with the merger with Indian Airlines, the new uniforms would have to wait. Should the designers take legal action they have a ready defence.
18/11/06 Puja Talwar/NDTV.com

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