By Shilpa Raina

THE spunky Rathi Vinay Jha says her exit as director general of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) will not come in the way of its organising the country's premier fashion week - despite competition.

"FDCI will continue on its mandate to serve the industry. I have confidence in the future of the council and in the strength of the industry to sustain the body," Jha, credited with taking the council to dizzying heights, told IANS in an interview.

She dismissed the possibility of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) - organised by FDCI - suffering due to a parallel event.

"I do not think it worthwhile to worry about the unknown - as in the future of another fashion body - at this time," said the 66-year-old woman who stepped down from FDCI last week after an eventful four-year term.

She was referring to fashion impresario Sumeet Nair, who stepped down as FDCI's executive director in June and announced an event on the same dates as the spring/summer edition of WIFW here Oct 15-19.