JAIPUR, 23 November 2004 — Fashion guru Calvin Klein, who is in India to find inspiration for his forthcoming collections, celebrated his 62nd birthday at a local store in Jaipur.
He was given a traditional Rajasthani welcome with a “safa” (Rajasthani turban) and garland.
Klein, on a two-day trip of the city, walked through the local markets to have a feel of typical Rajasthani fabrics. And sure enough, the colors and the fabrics impressed Klein.
What inspired him the most were the “lehariya” and “bandhej” designs.
“I should have made the trip to India much earlier,” Klein said. He is understood to have bought textiles and gemstone-studded jewelry from here.
It is entirely possible that in his new collection one finds a range of traditional Rajasthani textile prints and jewelry. Sources said that he might design home furnishing and apparel based on the colorful textiles of the state.
Klein said there was a huge market for fashion, perfumery and accessories in India. “India has the potential to be a global force in the fashion market. There is a need to explore it,” Klein said.
He said he might look at marketing his products in India. “But that is not going to happen soon,” Klein said, adding that the country was not yet ready for it.