With the sponsors pulling out of India's mega fashion event, the India Fashion Week (IFW) is finding itself in the midst of a raging feud between the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the two key sponsors Lakme and IMG.

According to Fashion Design Council Chief Rathi Vinay Jha the trouble started when the sponsors were asked to pay more. "We wanted to hold two fashion weeks and needed more budget. We were holding talks and suddenly they parted ways. So naturally we were surprised," said Rathi Vinay Jha, Director General, FDCI.

With the proposed Lakme Fashion Week dates clashing with the IFW schedule, the FDCI is jittery that the rival week is now positioning itself as a competitor.

The battle threatens to turn ugly with the FDCI directing the designers to refrain from taking part in the Lakme Fashion Week. The organisers for Lakme Fashion Week however, have given the designers the choice to participate in both.

With no consensus in sight between the warring factions, the fashion industry is preparing to straddle two boats, which may lead to many more awkward moments.

( www.ndtv.com)