New Delhi-based designers Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, who staged a fashion show at a ski resort earlier this month during Ramadan for their namesake brand, have been issued a court notice.
After the cofounders celebrated their company’s 15-year anniversary with a slopeside runway show at the Gulmarg Ski Resort, they faced criticism from consumers and political and religious leaders for doing so, during the holy month of fasting and spiritual reflection for the Muslim world. Their March 7 show was held just a few days into this year’s annual observance of Ramadan in India, which started on March 2 and is expected to end on March 30 or 31. It is contingent on the sighting of one crescent moon to the next.
Now the Special Mobile Magistrate Court in Srinagar has reportedly issued summons to Bhatiya and Kukreja, and Elle India’s editor in chief as well. They are alleged to have displayed inappropriate content that disrespected cultural and religious sentiments. The Awami Ittehad Party’s leader Adil Nazir Khan reportedly filed the complaint. Although this month’s fashion show highlighted Shivan & Narresh’s luxury skiwear, some of the models wore items from its swimwear including women wearing bikini tops and a male model in a Speedo-style swimsuit.
A court hearing has been scheduled for April 8 and the proceedings will reportedly go forward, even if the three individuals fail to show up. Bhatiya and Kukreja did not return to media requests Monday, nor did a representative from their company. Officials at the Srinagar court and Elle India’s editor in chief Ainee Ahmedi also did not acknowledge media requests.
In response to the public outcry, the designers issued a public apology on the social media platform X and removed all imagery and references to the Gulmarg fashion show from their social media channels. Meanwhile, government officials stated publicly that the show was a private event without any government involvement.
Swimwear featured in the Shivan & Narresh runway show.
Photo Courtesy
In an interview with WWD last week, the designers described the show as “an oversight” on their part. Shivan & Narresh had invited nearly 100 influencers, members of the media and clients for a four-day stay at the Gulmarg Ski Resort, which the brand had fully booked. In addition to the mountainside fashion show, guests took part in snowmobiling, picnics and other activities. The fashion company spent approximately $1,500 per person for the nearly 100 guests.
Kukreja said, “Clearly, it was a sound show. But it was unfortunate that the religious sentiment was completely an oversight on our part. It was obviously held during the holy month of Ramadan so we have to do what is needed.”
The controversy reportedly led to “heated discussions” in the budget sessions of the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly. Located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Jammu and Kashmir had special status under Article 370 of the Indian constitution until that was revoked in 2019. The controversy about the show has also sparked a public debate about fashion, and cultural and religious sensitivities.
The finale at the Shivan & Narresh show in Kashmir.
Photo Courtesy
The Shivan & Narresh cofounders are not Muslim and do not observe Ramadan. Bhatiya told WWD last week, “We are Hindu. But the show was in a region that is heavily Muslim dominated….It didn’t cross our minds honestly.”
The issue of alcohol consumption is also said to have been a factor in the criticism.
“Our idea was to put Gulmarg on the tourist map. When you see the show, it looks like it could be anywhere in the world. We worked very hard for the past four months to make the show happen,” said Kukreja, adding that the publicity plan for Gulmarg “backfired.”
Acknowledging the “public outrage,” Kukreja told WWD last week that he “personally does not like to be involved with anything that is political. We are running an honest business. The idea is to push the envelope to where society is headed. The segment of people that we cater to is very, very small and that includes Indian people, who have settled all over the world.”
