A case for individuality

As winter approaches, glamour and the gorgeous get top priority in apparels, especially as the wedding season also comes up. Fashionistas keep an eye on major events like the much talked-about Deepveer wedding, not to forget PC’s upcoming wedding reportedly in a desert-setting, when the latest trends seem to be on display.

This trend is applicable not only to women but to their male counterparts as well concerned as they are about looking equally good. “Today, the Indian urban male is well travelled, aware of global standards and fashion trends and knows exactly what he wants. He also looks at adapting styles that suit his personality,” says designer Surbhi Pansari.  ‘The Leaf Splendour’ collection from the designer is all about rich tones, comfortable fabrics, eye-catching textures which are tailored to perfection.

Celebrate yourself

In many ways, the current season seems to emphasise the person who wears it rather than a blind following of  the rich and famous. Swati Bajoria from Mada Sasa fashion line agrees as she sums up, “Today, women love the fact that the clothes they wear are practical and comfortable. The concept of fusion came into vogue as more women expressed their desire to be themselves; the attires should complement them and not otherwise.” So though they drool over Deepika’s gorgeous wedding attire, while selecting their own wardrobe,  they choose the ones which are not star- dictated but celebrate their attitude.

Agrees Stuti Modi of Afamado, one of the biggest names in the plus size fashion. “Fashion should not be limiting or restricting in any way.” Her brand has eliminated one of the biggest myths in the fashion world that high fashion is not meant for curvy women. According  to her “Fashion is all about being true to one’s self and women, whether curvy or not, are beautiful and confident. We are consciously dispelling the idea that fashion has boundaries.”  To prove her point, Afamado has incorporated a number of short dresses with assertive shoulders as part of Afamado’s winter collection which is an ode to 80s fashion that is making a major comeback to the fashion circuit this year.

The colour palette

The colour palette of winter fashion is undergoing a major transformation with the neons making their presence felt in the winter wears. Reflecting on this trend, Anupriya Agarwal of Azariya feels that the use of shades like lime green or darker hues like midnight blue are embraced by  women who love to experiment with their style. “The millennial generation is extremely particular about what they wear, and they do not want to be part of the run-of-the-mill fashion. For them, style is personal and they are not scared to experiment with unusual colours”.

Lately, designers have been experimenting with their cuts which borders on the eclectic, keeping the traditional emotions intact, but with silhouettes that are contemporary. The hues are bold but nontraditional. Designer Masaba Gupta who showcased her first ever bridal collection at Shaadi By Mariott event recently in Kolkata used bright shades of green, pink , blue and yellow in contemporary cuts which has a tinge of traditional but celebrates the modern woman.

Focus on specifics

Of course, with the change in the colour palette, the winter fashion trends have also displayed another aspect – concentration on specifics. Be it men’s or women’s fashion, detailing is the thing. Says  menswear designer Poonam Kasera, “Pin tucks will be big this year. Fashion should not be overwhelming. Concentrating on one single element in the entire ensemble creates a huge difference to the way you look.” She also swears by the mix n match trend which she feels is going to be big this winter. “If you want, you can pick Jaipur prints, patan patola prints, classic tussar or a quilted bundi (waistcoat) in a bold palette and pair it up with rich textile kurta such as moonga silk.” At the end of the day, fashion should be the way you want it to be and how you want it to be.

Bajoria points out that specifics always make a designer’s product stand apart. “It is heartening that fashion-conscious people are acknowledging the importance of detailing,” she says.

Experimentation is a must

Mayank Agarwal of Simaaya, Sasya, Siyaa,  observes, “It is great to see that Indian fashion is evolving because both men and woman are making informed choices about the attires they want to wear.”

He points out one of the most significant changes that in recent years is the wedding arena. Of course, everyone loves a touch of tradition in their ensemble, but the turbans have been gracefully replaced by safas and a blush pink Bandhgala has comfortably made its space beside the white sherwani in a man’s wardrobe. These changes are not sudden; they are a result of careful experimentation and a search for unique styles.” Contemporary  winter fashion thus embraces both the traditional and the experimentation with equal elan. (TWF)