It’s time to shed the layers of sweaters, mufflers, coats and jackets and embrace the summery, flowy, light and cool cottons! As the market floods in with thousands of choices, we assort designer-expert insights on what will be the biggest spring/summer trends to calm your confusion. Chew-in the fashion nuggets!
EASE AND ELECTRICITY
New York-based designer Bibhu Mohapatra, a regular at international fashion weeks, made his India debut with a spring/summer collection at the Lakme Fashion Week 2012. Calling Indian summer collections ‘breezy’, Bibhu feels that Indian summer clothing is all about effortless, easy clothing. Bibhu’s signature style emphasises clean, modern lines, laser cut-outs with sheer panels.
According to him, spring/summer clothes will see the use of natural materials and use of strong colours such as tangerine, azure, vermillion against neutral background of beige, sand, black and ivory. The trend will be of sharp linear, sexy yet simple silhouettes.
Making a comeback on the LFW ramp after 8 long years, designer Deepika Govind’s signature style focuses on organic silhouettes and she finds them perfect for summers. Cottons, organic cottons, soft fluid muls, voiles, lace, gauzy linens are the fabrics of the summer, she points out.
In terms of silhouettes, she affirms that dresses remain must-haves while we’ll see new souped-up version of jumpsuits, crochet vests, high-waisted flare pants, tunics, calf-length midi skirts, pencil skirts — the tighter the better. Apart from this, drop waist, appliqué, asymmetry, textural overplay and a lot of sleeve variations will be seen. Floral, geometric, checks and stripes prints will be in too, she asserts.
Colour is the flavour of the season. Says Govind, “Black and white is evergreen and nothing injects electricity into a wardrobe quite like the colour yellow — from soft sorbet lemon shades to startling brights. This season, candy apple red, orange, creamy off-whites, and pastel mixes will be trending the most. It’s all about layering pastel shades together or wearing shockingly bright colours — pink, aqua, or yellow — with camel tones, for the perfect, of-the-moment contrast. Antique gold and metallic silver are a hit too!”
That does make for a pretty colourful picture, doesn’t it?
SEASON OF THE SUBLIME
Designer Shruti Sancheti mesmerised the Lakme Fashion Week runway with display of her ‘Sufiana’ collection. Her use of cutwork depicting mughal jharokhas, carpet or kaleen embroidery depicted the pristine lifestyles of the Sufis. Shruti feels that this year, the summer collection displayed on the ramp had an underlining emphasis on wearability and comfort, along with femininity and elegance. The designers have not only tapped the rich heritage of India but have also accounted for figure flaws of larger woman by designing flattering clothes.
According to her, the long anarkalis, maxi dress, midis with a-line sheaths and cropped pants are going to be very popular during summers. Sancheti says, “There is a strong emphasis on native crafts, tribal prints and elements.”
Whites and its tints like ivory, ecru, cream and off-white mixed with fresh colours like corals, aqua, mint, lilac or earthy shades like rust and olive are summer favourites.
Her suggestion for the cool summer fabrics are cotton-based with mul, a blend of silk and mul for a luxurious feel, and khadi, kora, linen for everyday wear and chiffons for formal occasions.
THE DEBUT TOUCH
Making an impressive statement in her debut show at the Lakme Fashion Week, designer Ritika Bharwani endorses a bold mix of prints. She feels that with focus on the waist the use of peplums will be a rage! Feminine dresses, maxis, skirts, high-wasited pants and wide-legged jumpsuits are the key silhouettes for Spring/summer. Also, pastel colours in pink, yellow and purple, soft neutrals, black and eye-popping neon are going to rule, she foretells.
“Luxurious fabrics along with crochet and lace, bold prints in geometric designs as well as floral prints and nautical stripes are going to be hot favourites,” Bharwani concludes. Like Ritika, debutant designer Pia Pauro’s summer collection displayed an eclectic mix of refreshing colours. A burst of neon merged with electric blues, indigo blues, oranges, naturals, and pinks. The prints have been created on jerseys, chiffons, georgettes, cotton, and silk. The range includes sundresses, tunics, swimwear, beach bags, hand-made accessories, kaftans, saris, and eveningwear. Another debutante designer Komal Sood’s Joie de Vivre Spring/Summer collection saw a fusion of colours in graphic free-form, each piece coming together with either a sexy neckline or a sequin and stone embellishment for an airy appeal!
Summers are a time to indulge in the joy of dressing, no matter what any one says. It’s time you have your wardrobes full!
Source:sakaaltimes.com
