No intention to offend anyone or any religious sentiments: Designers apologise for Gulmarg fashion show

Gulmarg Fashion Show

A day after massive outrage among Jammu and Kashmir's civil society and political elites over a fashion show held in Gulmarg, a popular winter tourist destination, during the holy month of Ramzan, Shivan and Narresh, the designers who organised the outdoor show have tendered an apology for hosting the event.

The designers said they deeply regretted any hurt caused due to the fashion show being held during Ramzan and said their sole intention was to celebrate creativity. "We deeply regret any hurt caused by our recent presentation in Gulmarg during the holy month of Ramadan. Our sole intention was to celebrate creativity and the ski & aprs-ski lifestyle, without any desire to offend anyone or any religious sentiments," the designers wrote on X.

The severe backlash prompted Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah to seek a report on Sunday, while the state assembly saw intense exchanges between the Opposition and treasury benches over the event on Monday.

The event, held on March 7 in Gulmarg, drew sharp criticism from religious, political, and social circles, with J&K CM Omar Abdullah demanding a report within 24 hours. Officials, reportedly said the fashion show, participated by male and female models, was organised to mark the 15th anniversary of the designer label, Shivan & Narresh, in the backdrop of snow-laden slopes of Gulmarg on Friday. The label’s skiwear collection was also put on display by models. In the past two days, the videos of the show went viral online with many netizens in Kashmir expressing objections.

As the House assembled for the day, members of the National Conference, People's Democratic Party, and two Independents stood up and raised the issue of the fashion show, terming it "obscene" and alleging that it hurt sentiments. The MLAs demanded a probe into the facilitation of such a show during Ramzan. PDP MLA Mir Mohmmad Fayaz raised the demand, and NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq also raised the issue.