Jet set into the future of fashion

At the start of a new decade, when the future is what we are talking about, why leave futuristic clothing behind? While fashion seems to have evolved in leaps and bounds, a host of new age lines with themes right out of the Space Odyssey, Star Trek or the more recent Star Wars, seem to have moved from the screen to become a base for prints, hair-styling and accessories.

Designer Manish Arora’s spring line for Paris Fashion Week 2010 showcased ultra-modern prints in myriad colours — a sci-fi inspiration that was turned into a wearable collection with contoured fits, stiff bodice and surface ornamentation detailing. While most futuristic designs have been commented as robotic looking, are these motifs the only way to go futuristic? Luxury brand consultant Varuni Mohan defines futuristic clothing and gets talking on their functionality.

“The late designer Alexander McQueen pioneered futuristic designs with his avant-garde pieces. They were more experimental and creative pursuits to bring to life a certain inspiration. Lady Gaga and Kylie Minogue have often been spotted in avant-garde pieces which bring this concept into perspective. Since fashion is not merely the need to clothe people, inspiration can become a predominant factor when it comes to these futuristic designs,” she states.

Apart from designs, futuristic fabrics have also made their presence felt. Ermenegildo Zegna’s recent innovation, Elements Duvet, popularly known as the all-weather jacket, draws inspiration from the lotus leaf finish that repels water and also regulates body temperature.
Designer Lokessh Ahuja informs, “As far as menswear goes, futuristic prints wouldn’t be very appropriate but if we are talking fabrics, then there have been a lot of innovations. Sportswear is one line where fabric technology has exceeded expectations. Clothes that are more aerodynamic or just waterproof are also futuristic in a way.”

Of course, fabrics can also be engineered to bring a futuristic look and feel, such as stiff pleating or contoured designs, the latest being origami designs. Designer Rochana Dubey Mitra, of the Ritu & Rochana duo, recollects having worked with such fabrics.

“For our Fall-Winter 2010 collection, we worked on a few pieces of origami pleating with the hard texture technique. A lot of our works are technique based, rather than theme, hence that explains the use of the origami pattern. This three-dimensional pattern required conditioning of the fabrics which are mostly quite fluid,” she states.

Most designers who have experimented with futuristic themes have created artistic pieces that resemble art installations. And even though these designs are considered more arty than wearable, advocators like Lady Gaga, Salma Hayek, Kylie Minogue, Beyonce and Frieda Pinto seem to swear by them.

Designer Mayank Modi of Mogra says, “Of late, digital printing has become quite popular because of their easy availability. Futuristic doesn’t necessarily mean robotic clothing, but could even encompass graphic prints that are more geometric.”
Most of these designs, unknowingly, have made their way into our lives — either as art forms or a new way of approaching. And if you’re well-equipped for the future, strap on a joyride.