Commenting on the lacunae, Kumar, who is also the president of the Fashion Design Council of India said, "Mental support and monetary support are two things where we are lagging. The government has to come forward and help us. In countries like Japan, England and France, designers receive tremendous support from the government."

With each passing day, the fashion industry is becoming bigger and more business oriented. But the place for Indian outfits is shrinking constantly. The latest fall-winter collection by designers across the country upsets Kumar a little.

"We have everything, we possess our own handprints, fabrics, embroidery techniques. It is true that youngsters these days are more mobile but we are not a population that's comfortable in minimal attire. Then why are we not designing for ourselves?

"I have observed a change in the way people think over a period of five to six years. They feel that if you are not clad in western clothes then you are not modern. This has led to a lack of innovation in traditional Indian wear. This needs to be changed," she added.

With only clothes in the limelight, not much attention is paid to the market for accessories. Kumar admits that clothes alone cannot make a difference and emphasis on accessories is a must.

"Accessories are extremely important and outfits alone cannot make a great difference. Youngsters especially look great with matching accessories, which are available at cheap rates."

Worried about anorexia, an eating disorder that is badly hitting the European fashion models, Kumar asserts that the Indian fashion fraternity must discourage super thin models.

"We should celebrate the body as it is. We must encourage models who are fit, neither obese nor skinny. What is unhealthy is not correct," said Kumar.

Despite the fact that the fashion industry is swelling and the country's population is becoming more fashion conscious everyday, she confesses, "The less dictated you are by fashion the more innovative you become."