You know, when I started the blog, I was really aiming to bring out new trends in clothing and styling and accessories but instead I seem to have turned into a sociological trend reporter and its funny, but that was waht I majored in at University.
Mr Joshi, a Graphic designer and facilitator at Wigan & Leigh college once pointed out to me that my strengths lay in the fact that I was able to convey an idea through composition of the whole and not the parts by itself. He said this after seeing a couple of my drawings. Fine arts students and apparel design students design differently and he could not understand why we had to draw croquis and sketch the way we did. but anyway coming to the point, I think I see Indian clothing evolving as a part of the larger sociological surrounding and there is a new Indian Warrior in the female form who is rising from the ashes of her 80's and 90's sari clad counterpart, like a Phoenix and she is in no mood to be tied down by her pallu.
At You ,the fashion store at Kemps Corner , where I design clothes for Real women , women want to pour themselves into the Dress. Traditionally the dress was worn by the Catholics ; the Goans and East Indians from Bandra and unless someone travelled abroad but very few women from the other communities flaunted their curvy figures in dresses as showing off legs was and still is considered taboo. Now howver thanks to the globalisation and the Internet, Shop style , Net-a -porter ,women are dressing and demand comfortable fashion and doing away with the traditional salwar kameez , the kurta pyjama and in its place pair leggings with trendy tunics and on occasion, wear only the tunic as a dress. Women are doing away with the bling and want very subtle embroidery and if it must have any ,then it better be rich using french knots, anchor thread work, zardosi , pitta work . The end result has to be classy.
The Indian shape however doesnt lend itself to fitted waist styles and therefore belts are not an option and even scarves are not and integral part of the wardrobe unlike their western counterpart.Interestingly, more and more women are becoming conscious of their looks, exercise regularly and try to keep their waist unlike earlier; when Indian wear was more focussed on the empire line shape, to hide all those kilos piling up below the underbust. Now they are fitter,more confident, know what suits their body type andwilling to experiment. In the past 1 and a half year I have made only about 2 -3 completely Indian Ensembles. Indian women want gowns, drape dresses which are more shaped, western tops and of course dresses. They are willing to experiment and yet have respect for old traditions.
Even when they are draping their net saris with halter blouses, they make sure that no one misses their fluted hands, shaped waists, toned hips from all that those visits to the gym. Like the earlier Virginia Slimms Ads announcing" You've come a long way,Baby", the Indian Fashionista has surely come a long , long way, leaving her 6 yard sari behind and stepping out unabashed and Standing Tall! Not really expecting anyone to rescue her; she can do that all herself, thank you very much.
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