Soft colours to cool you down this summer

This season, the grunge look makes way for a softer feel. Sublime femininity will be the underlying factor for most designers. Trendsetters meet at DNA to discuss the fashion forecast and tell you how you can stay stylish in the coming year.

What are the trends for this season?

Raj Shroff: Last year, there was a lot of influence from the men’s collection on women’s wear. The ‘boyfriend look’ was a rage last season. This will be replaced by sublime femininity. The Spring/Summer 2010 collection will be adorned with drapes and light fabrics like chiffon and ‘malmal’. The structured look that prevailed during last season will be traded for a rejuvenating femininity.

Manoviraj Khosla: A lot of emphasis will be given to blue and yellow. Ice cream shades and pastels will take a place in every designer’s palette. Blue will be very influential and white will remain the classic for summer. Men can play around with different types of jackets and texturisation. The lapel, length and fit will be prominent this season. But there’s a fine line that differentiates class from chaos. 

Seema Malhotra: Last season was very colourful. The next few months will also see more of happy colours but a little less like a Christmas tree. Whites and blacks will always have its forte but colours will take a big chunk of a woman’s wardrobe. We’ll have softer colours and even softer fabrics like lace and chiffon in Indian wear too.

Gouri Kapur: The same goes for make up too. The look is subtle and light and feminine colours will come into light again. It is more about radiant skin and bright lips. The messy do-it-yourself look for hair is here to stay. Extreme haircuts which are also versatile enough to be worn in many different ways will work well this season. These subtle looks will be prevalent on ramps as well.

Paresh Lamba: There will be emphasis on the formal look for men. Last season was more casual for men. This summer, it will be an unstructured formal look that is going to rule. Jackets should be without thick shoulder pads and more draped. Colours like strawberry, lime and pink will be worn by men too. These colours have always been worn by Indian men and the strong reaction comes only because they don’t realise they already have it in their wardrobe. Most people pair up pinks with suits and do not realise it. Colourful accessories like pocket kerchiefs and ties will also be popular. Fabrics like cotton and linen, weaved with silk, jute and wool will ensure that men have an exciting summer ahead.

Niran Ponnappa: Bright colours like purple and shades of green got popular last season and will remain for this season as well. Accessories for men are also making a comeback. Style is personal. Everyone’s got it, you just have to explore yourself and find your personal style.

Priya Nayak: Colours will rule both on and off the ramp. The girl-next-door look is what will make a statement the next few months. But what has always worked is the right attitude with whatever you wear. 

How are trends set in India?

Raj Shroff: People shop in India occasionally for weddings and festivals. Most designers follow couture mainly because of the elaborate wedding season. Autumn /Winter and Spring/Summer collections are designed based on international trends we see in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Designers follow these trends that are set in the West. There are no books that tell us what the new trends here are. We should have a body that publishes books for the Indian market.

Manoviraj Khosla: We follow international trends as the fashion weeks there are held before ours. Designers should be designing in advance for the next Autumn/Winter in 2010, but the market is different here. Indian buyers, unlike the international ones, are purchasing Spring/Summer collections as they are not in a habit of stocking in advance. Designers end up working on their Spring/Summer collections now and bring out their produce in March. We are left confused whether we should go by the Indian way which ensures high sales, or stick to designing in advance for limited international buyers.

Paresh Lamba: There is a lot of theatre and fantasy involved in fashion, especially when shows are held in our country. There is a misconception among customers that outfits have to be worn the way they are shown on the ramp. What you see is a personification of the attitude that goes with the clothes. They are actually separate pieces of a collection, often meant to be teamed with other pieces. Almost everything is wearable off the ramp. 

Do films bring trends into fashion?

Manoviraj Khosla: Films have a major influence over fashion but it is designers who play the new trends through films. It is a medium for a designer to showcase the new look for the season. Films do not define fashion, it is vice versa. It is only period movies that require different styles and set a trend again. The designs here are not a statement but what’s required for the scene. Designing for movies confines your work as there are many imitations to what you can do.

Paresh Lamba: Film stars are just a medium of conveying to the viewers what’s in for the season. Designers keep the current trends in mind when they come up with a look that suits the personality of the character and the star.

Seema Malhotra: People watch films and approach designers saying they want to sport the same look as Kareena Kapoor or Katrina Kaif. They don’t realise that their body structure and persona are entirely different and there are many other looks that will suit them better.

Priya Nayak: I watched Deepika Padukone and loved her look in Love Aaj Kal. But I saw the same look replicated by a young girl wearing a bright kurti and it didn’t suit her one bit. What looks good on the screen may not suit everyone.

Does fashion have takers in Bangalore?

Manoviraj Khosla: Fashion awareness has increased and everyone wants to be fashionable. Films, parties, lifestyle, models and magazines influence you and let you see what fashion is. International brands cost more in India than Indian designer wear because of the label and duties paid. Indian designer wear is much more affordable and meet the same standards. Bangalore has a long way to go in terms of fashion. Delhi is a fashion destination for designers as people there wear designer wear regularly. Bangaloreans purchase more designer accessories than clothes.

Paresh Lamba: A lot of international designers had tried introducing their stores here years back but they had no buyers. Now, they have relaunched themselves and are doing well. Fashion has takers out here.

Seema Malhotra: Designers have to identify their styles and bring out that strong point. There is space for every designer as long as something new is being brought to the platter. There is a market for many more designers. Customising has also caught the attention of many Bangaloreans. Many can’t pull off a dress but want to wear one. Indian garments can be styled according to the customer’s body type and personality. Most of the buyers are older women who are into ethnic wear. There are so many influences you can bring to your designs in contemporary wear. 

How can the media be involved?

Manoviraj Khosla: For a start, newspapers can start covering fashion. Reporters can review new collections even if there is no crowd at the launch.

Paresh Lamba: Have regular fashion columns that tell people about the fashion forecast.

Seema Malhotra: We see a lot about fashion in Delhi and Mumbai in the media. Newspapers can cover local fashion and review designers here. You can also get a designer to dress up people and give them a complete makeover. This will also give an idea of what different designers in the city are up to.

Gouri Kapur: In the makeover columns, more than catering to just makeup, they should be given a wardrobe makeover.

Moderated by Usha Rk
Reported by Jalaja Ramanunni