From rxpgnews.com
Fashion fraternity unfazed by charges against Jon
By Shweta Thakur, IANS,
Mar 22, 2007 - 3:41:28 PM
New Delhi, March 22 - Fashion designers here have nothing against India-born designer Anand Jon getting his comeuppance if proved guilty of rape, but say such charges are no reflection on the Indian fashion industry.
Jon, who has dressed celebrities like Paris Hilton, was last week accused of rape and sexually assaulting two women and a minor. The crimes, allegedly committed between 2004 and 2007, have landed him in a Los Angeles jail.
'Such an unforeseen incident can happen with anybody. It is a misfortune that it has happened, if it happened with a fashion designer of Indian origin. This is a completely personal issue and hence cannot bring a stain on the whole fashion fraternity,' Ritu Kumar, the president of the Fashion Design Council of India -, told IANS.
While designers Malini Ramani and Aparna Chandra refused to comment, Rohit Gandhi said: 'We don't know him personally and also do not know the reality. The industry is full of all sorts of people. If it is true then he must be punished.
'However, it can also be someone's attempt to hog media attention by filing complaints against a known person. I am not comparing the two but the same happened in the case of Michael Jackson.'
Creative entrepreneur Rina Dhaka said: 'The ratio of truth to reality in the incident is suspect. Everything is not very clear and he has not been announced a culprit as yet.
'In no way can this mishap bring defame to the Indian fashion world. It is a large world where there are all kinds of people and such incidents keep happening.'
Falguni of designer duo Falguni and Shane said: 'This incident is not going to affect the Indian fashion fraternity negatively. This is Jon's individual issue and it is highlighted because he is a popular face.'
She added: 'All celebrities, whether they belong to Bollywood or some other industry like fashion, have to pay the price of being popular. I do not know the level of truth but yes, it is a heinous crime and if he is the culprit, he must be punished.'
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