Gloves restored in all its glory!
Will the once-forgotten gloves be the post-covid-19 era’s most potent style weapons after the ubiquitous masks? Audrey Hepburn put them on the style map in Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961), matching them with her Givenchy LBD, then Marilyn Monroe rocked them with bracelets in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). In the outré ’80s, Madonna gave them a punk edge by opting for a lacey, finger-less version. Pop culture references aside, gloves have had a hallowed fashion history, and of late, labels such as Saint Laurent, Gucci and Balmain have reimagined gloves in PVC avatars, as seen on the likes of Kim Kardashian West. Gloves have re-emerged as a protective gear, opines designer Aniket Satam. He adds, “Material will be of utmost importance as leather won’t work, given today’s climatic condition, nor will fancy lace serve any purpose. Material innovation and modern engineering would be the core foundation of new designs. Think latex, PVC and rubber as the new desired materials.” However, stylist Sukriti Grover observes that designers will have to offer protection, comfort and cheerfulness. She adds, “Gloves, be it for protection or self-expression, are having a moment amid the coronavirus scare. Disposable gloves for trips such as a dash to the supermarket have become ubiquitous, with some people even taking to Instagram to exhibit their gloved hands accessorised with rings and stick-on nails.”