' He had designed the costumes for Bhansali's 'Black' (2005), 'Babul' (2006), and 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag' (2007).

However, he would give a small presentation on 10 years of Indian fashion at the Lakme fashion event in Mumbai Sep 18. 'All fashion designers have been invited. I am also busy preparing for that.'

In 2004, Mukherjee became the first Indian designer invited to showcase at the Milan Fashion Week and was also voted by Asia Inc, a Singapore based business magazine, as one of the 10 most influential Indians in Asia.

One of the most admired Asian fashion designers in the West, Mukherjee said though he had never been the victim of any racial discrimination it 'was a fact' that these countries promoted home-spun designers.

'Just as we would like to project Indian designers, similarly, the West tries to project their own designers. This is logical. When these clothes get to the stores, say in America, they are cheaper because these garments have no customs duty.'

'In contrast, when my clothes go to these stores they are expensive because customs duty and related taxes have to be paid. So the stores favour American designers. This is business logic.'

Asked about his plans for 2010, Mukherjee replied: 'I will then again start doing shows.'