Indian style is a rich blend of influences. Tunics, caftans and suruwals from Morocco, European fine tailoring and native drapes intermingling to collectively form a hybrid creature we know as Indian fashion. Designer Meera Mittal reveals the facets of this mercurial being.
The Indian fashion wagon has come full circle. From a quarter of a century ago when India was the inspiration, pictures of the Taj, the Thar desert, Indian spices and Rajasthani mirror-work taped to every international designers’ mood-board, to the now when Indian designers liberally pick inspiration from every corner of the globe and blend influences left behind by generations of visitors.
Exotic Appeal
For designers like Pria Kataria Puri and Nandita Mehtani it’s the sights and sounds of destinations like exotic Marrakesh and Madrid which inspire many a resort collection, while for others, like celebrated designer Tarun Tahiliani, Grecian drapes melded with the sari bring forth the essence of eternal feminine mystique. Others like Sonam Dubbal keep going back to the east in their design machinations, while the house of Vallaya is inspired by equal parts tribal cultures from around the world and royal Indian costume.
When you’re: Dressing for an extravagant night? Pick from Pria’s line up of dreamy caftan style or feel like Grecian goddess in Tarun’s togs. Channel your inner glamazonian with a Vallaya or let Dubbal’s austere looks rev up your chi. With choices so diverse and delightful, how can anyone resist?
Edgy Design
The antithesis to the exoticism establishment is the breed of young, emerging designers like Kalol Dutta, Anuj Sharma and others, many of whom find inspiration in the mundane and every day, seen through their own unique retro-fitted goggles of filtered vision, lifting that ordinary something to a level of new-edge, new-age, decidedly-careless, statement style. Or like in the case of the original enfant terrible, Manish Arora, they take on the form of sugar-rush-on-speed psychedelic graphics and embellishments.
When you’re: feeling radical. Whichever route you pick, the sights promise to amaze. The sight of you, that is. Mix pieces from contemporaries to come up with your own interpretation or stay tight with the creator’s vision. All I can say is bring it on.
Traditional Talismans
In the midst of all this change and shaking up of the establishment, are stalwarts like Sabyasachi and Anamika Khanna who whilst paying obeisance to tradition, each time breathe new life into centuries old techniques. While Kavita Bhartia appeals to the gypsy in every woman, labels like Dev R Nil straddle the worlds of the past and the present, showcasing saris, bandhgalas and tunics on slick black patent leather body-suits.
When you’re: decidedly going desi. Layer a cropped bandhgala over a shimmery tunic and pair with chudi-pants for evening, or dress in a short, cotton anarkali and suruwal pants with colour-rich tasselled stoles wrapping it up for the day.
From loose-flowing caftan dresses and flirty beach cover-ups to sweeping feminine evening gowns and traditional offerings of Indian style, fashion in the sub-continent is decidedly cutting-edge, slick and clean on desire and demure and decadent on demand.
As can be well imagined you’ve never had it this good. Dress sharp or dress down. Just don’t play safe.
Exotic Appeal
For designers like Pria Kataria Puri and Nandita Mehtani it’s the sights and sounds of destinations like exotic Marrakesh and Madrid which inspire many a resort collection, while for others, like celebrated designer Tarun Tahiliani, Grecian drapes melded with the sari bring forth the essence of eternal feminine mystique. Others like Sonam Dubbal keep going back to the east in their design machinations, while the house of Vallaya is inspired by equal parts tribal cultures from around the world and royal Indian costume.
When you’re: Dressing for an extravagant night? Pick from Pria’s line up of dreamy caftan style or feel like Grecian goddess in Tarun’s togs. Channel your inner glamazonian with a Vallaya or let Dubbal’s austere looks rev up your chi. With choices so diverse and delightful, how can anyone resist?Edgy Design
The antithesis to the exoticism establishment is the breed of young, emerging designers like Kalol Dutta, Anuj Sharma and others, many of whom find inspiration in the mundane and every day, seen through their own unique retro-fitted goggles of filtered vision, lifting that ordinary something to a level of new-edge, new-age, decidedly-careless, statement style. Or like in the case of the original enfant terrible, Manish Arora, they take on the form of sugar-rush-on-speed psychedelic graphics and embellishments.
When you’re: feeling radical. Whichever route you pick, the sights promise to amaze. The sight of you, that is. Mix pieces from contemporaries to come up with your own interpretation or stay tight with the creator’s vision. All I can say is bring it on.
Traditional Talismans
In the midst of all this change and shaking up of the establishment, are stalwarts like Sabyasachi and Anamika Khanna who whilst paying obeisance to tradition, each time breathe new life into centuries old techniques. While Kavita Bhartia appeals to the gypsy in every woman, labels like Dev R Nil straddle the worlds of the past and the present, showcasing saris, bandhgalas and tunics on slick black patent leather body-suits.
When you’re: decidedly going desi. Layer a cropped bandhgala over a shimmery tunic and pair with chudi-pants for evening, or dress in a short, cotton anarkali and suruwal pants with colour-rich tasselled stoles wrapping it up for the day.
From loose-flowing caftan dresses and flirty beach cover-ups to sweeping feminine evening gowns and traditional offerings of Indian style, fashion in the sub-continent is decidedly cutting-edge, slick and clean on desire and demure and decadent on demand.
As can be well imagined you’ve never had it this good. Dress sharp or dress down. Just don’t play safe.
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