Don’t shy away from the colours this season, because bright and bold is beautiful. Fusion is on an all new high with western additions like capes, fringes, ruffles and off-shoulders making strong statements. Bright colourful hues for traditional wear are all being embraced this season. With celebrities like Kriti Sanon, Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty carrying themselves in ethnic couture that's both traditional and contemporary, we can definitely say that that desi is it!
Govind Kumar Singh, designer, highlights that the fusion of Western silhouettes with traditional Indian outfits while retaining its essence is essentially the highlight of the season. “Off-shoulder cuts that has been big internationally has also been adopted stylishly in ethnic Indian wear. The fusion compliments the trends and creates a new look, redefining ethnic wear,” he says.
Indian motifs are particularly big this season with prints like block and khadi coming on the ramp in a big way. Designer Mayank Modi says, “Combining old prints and motifs with a little embroidery over them is quite popular. Different kinds of prints like khadi and block print have come in a big way for women’s wear. What stands out is the combination of embroidery over traditional hand print and motifs. Indian designers like to put together a combination of a salwar suit with a long, single dress that has flares and panels.”
Simpler fabrics with a bit of sheen make the cut for stylish desi wear. Since India has summer for most of the year, designer Prerana Sarkar says easy and breezy is the way to go. “Traditional ethnic wear varies in different parts of India with each region having a highlight of its own like the Banarasi weave or Bomkai from Bengal. The Indian fashion industry is deeply inspired by the traditional colours and motifs from these places right now. Fabrics like Chanderi cotton is a classic go-to all year round. A Chanderi cotton gown in a bright yellow or blue with jackal motifs or Bomkai patterns would be very comfortable and stylish,” she says. It’s all out desi or nothing this time around. Bright colours should be paired well with shades of similar colour.
It makes sense to avoid heavy contrasts like a bright red or yellow at the bottom. Simpler colours with a well-fitted and bold top will be the ideal way to go about it.
