FASHION & SCi-tech
Less of Spice, More of Substance
Experimentation and novelty became the ingredients of fashion that was garnished well with traditional works and regional imprints. It was a peaceful year for the fashion industry, minus any rows, which was why it could focus on its core area — fashion
Ashima Batish

Career wise: Ritu Kumar’s label completed 45 years, which was highlighted at the grand finale at the WLIFW
Career wise: Ritu Kumar’s label completed 45 years, which was highlighted at the grand finale at the WLIFW

Black magic: Varun Bahl’s show was revolutionary in its own right as black made for an additional trousseau colour
Black magic: Varun Bahl’s show was revolutionary in its own right as black made for an additional trousseau colour

WHAT a controversy-deprived year it had been for the Indian fashion industry! Minus any wardrobe malfunctions, model-fashion designer tussles, or a showdown between fashion and Bollywood representatives, 2012 was more or less peaceful; with only fashion doing all the talking.

The Indian fashion industry had a year to itself which was less on spice, more on substance!

While the first-generation designers individually celebrated the completion of two decades with their shows, the young crop raised a toast to the way innovation in designs and fabrics was welcomed.

Experimentation and novelty became the ingredients of fashion that was garnished well with traditional works and regional imprints and was served at the major fashion weeks of India.

Here is recounting the numerous highs and a few gaffes in-between to sum up the fashion of 2012.

Young and happening

Masaba Gupta, 24, has been picked by the saree designer label, Satya Paul, as its creative director. Another designer to reach out to the masses this year was Rahul Mishra.

A pact with Westside, and then, with Pantaloons, his shift from prêt to budget line made his creations a lot accessible.

At the same time, his was touted one of the best collections at the WLIFW (Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week) that focussed on khadi and traditional fabric of Kerala.

Besides the androgynous creations, Arjun Saluja’s claim to fame this year was his nomination by the Ministry of Textiles at the Fiji Fashion Week.

Aneeth Arora was once again showered praises just as Nachiket Barve was loved by fashion followers.

 

An evening with Paris: Socialite and style diva Paris Hilton took up the role of a DJ at India Resort Fashion Week
An evening with Paris: Socialite and style diva Paris Hilton took up the role of a DJ at India Resort Fashion Week

Gaga wears the tricolour: Lady Gaga lived up to her wacky reputation and sported the Tricolour hair do on her trip to India
Gaga wears the tricolour: Lady Gaga lived up to her wacky reputation and sported the Tricolour hair do on her trip to India

Kangana goes places: Kangana was at the launch of Tod’s Signature Collection at Paris and then seen at Hepburn’s LBD and pearl look
Kangana goes places: Kangana was at the launch of Tod’s Signature Collection at Paris and then seen at Hepburn’s LBD and pearl look

Tribal trends: A tributary of Indian fashion this year flowed to the East, giving birth to the Shillong Fashion Week
Tribal trends: A tributary of Indian fashion this year flowed to the East, giving birth to the Shillong Fashion Week

Common man’s tablet: Aakash-2 tablet computer is expected to be manufactured in India and will sell for less than $50
Common man’s tablet: Aakash-2 tablet computer is expected to be manufactured in India and will sell for less than $50

Celebration time

As the Indian fashion Industry turned 20, so did the careers spans of veterans of the industry. But then, there are designers who are older than the industry itself, who started making contributions to the fashion scene of India even before the idea of having an industry was conceptualised.

Ritu Kumar’s label completed its 45 years, which was highlighted with the grand finale at WLIFW. Suneet Varma springs up a surprise each time he sets out with his collection, though not for his creations primarily, but his suave looks.

He brought out two collections this year at two individual shows to mark the milestone.

Fashion designers also turned to creating literature to sum up theirs as well as journey of the Indian fashion industry of all these years. Duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla launched their book India Fantastique.

Moda Goa, dedicated to the traditional saree of the state, made designer Wendell Rodricks a litterateur of fashion in January earlier this year, who went ahead with his second outing as a writer with The Green Room.

On the guest list

Rarely does a fashion translates itself into as significant an issue as women liberation. New York-based fashion designer, Diane von Furstenburg did the same 40 years back with her signature wrap dress.

She came calling to India in October and how she was welcomed with open arms by those who understand the importance of fashion renaissance! Show czar Christian Louboutin might have lost the battle over the red soles to Saint Yves Laurent but won hearts of millions in India.

As a payback, he designed Bollywood suede pumps flaunting Rajasthani mirror work.

Another big name who came knocking on India’s doors was Roberto Cavalli. Besides his store, he also opened his caf`E9, Caf`E9 Cavalli.

Style wise

Any Bollywood actress, who didn’t sport a peplum this year, needs to take some lessons in dressing up. The trend dominated the red carpet at the Oscars.

Floral prints on one-piece dresses, tunics and tops were brought out by every brand.

In the ethnic segment, so much length was added to anarkalis that the traditional wear started looking like the Indian version of gowns.

Sheer was the flavour of summer, silhouettes gained prominence over embroidery.

Varun Bahl’s show at the couture week was revolutionary in its own right as black made for an additional trousseau colour.

But a deluge of colours was seen as youngsters switched to brighter denims, pink, red, yellow, green etc.

 

 

2013 A peek

  • Many international designers will set up their stores in India or retail through an established multi-label store.

  • By next year, some 40 stores of Louis Vuitton are likely to open up in India.

  • The couture segment will see experimentation with the hemlines of lehengas, asymmetric shapes, more volume even as cholis will extend beyond the waist to end up just above the lehenga.





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