Reuters
 
Mumbai, Nov 3: Mumbai Police have an unusual undercover surveillance job this week, scanning the ramps and observing models at a top fashion show to check that no one intentionally displays too much flesh.

Police in plain clothes mingled with India's cigar-chomping, crystal-clinking class at the Lakme Fashion Week, after busting zippers and slipping bustiers at the show's last edition sparked a morality debate in the conservative country.

"We are keeping an eye on each show. We don't want any bad example to be set," said Sanjay Mohite, deputy commissioner of police in Mumbai.

In March, a series of "wardrobe malfunctions" at the show saw models exposing their chest and backsides, sending newspapers and television channels into a frenzy of excitement.

Police even launched an investigation into the incidents, but later concluded that the clothes had come undone by accident.

This time, police have issued a 28-point guide for the organizers and designers, including a directive that models wear nipple tape so that they don't show through flimsy dresses, and that lights be switched off if clothes come off.

Police said they reserved the right to cancel a show if their guidelines were violated.

"We have a set of guidelines to follow. I think everyone is happy about it," said Anil Chopra, vice-president of organizers Lakme.

The Lakme Fashion Week, which ends on Saturday, is being attended by top buyers such as Browns, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue, and is parading the creations by 47 young or famous designers.