WALLOW IN THE LUXURY OF VIOLET

Ultraviolet is the Pantone Colour of the Year 2018. From evening gowns to smokey eyes in shades of the hue, here’s how to wear the colour

It (ultraviolet) is a very good pick. The warmth flatters the Indian skin tone, whether dark or fair SWAPNIL SHINDE, DESIGNER

As seasons come and go, fashion, too, sees a transition in silhouettes, styling, and colours. This year, as Pantone announced ultraviolet as the colour of the season, green took a back seat. According to Pantone, the authority on colours, the purple shade conveys originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking. Back home, Indian designers believe that the colour has potential, and will soon storm the Indian market. “Ultra-violet is a very wearable colour, when it comes to Indianwear or westernwear,” says designer Ridhi Mehra. Agreeing, designer Swapnil Shinde feels it will work great with the average Indian skintone. “It’s a very good pick as it works fabulously on Indian skin. The warmth flatters the Indian skin tone, whether dark or fair.”

The colour boasts of a rich legacy, from former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s trouser suit during the elections last year, Queen Elizabeth’s purple knit dresses, to flamboyant American musician Prince’s widelyknown liking for the hue, and social media personality Kylie Jenner’s love for faux fur purple jackets. The colour also made its presence felt on the runway, with Gucci’s Spring 2018 collection, Bottega Veneta at Milan Fashion Week, and Rochas and La Perla’s collections.

HOW TO STYLE IT

Chiffon or georgette tops work great for basic office or day wear. “Similarly, an ultraviolet lehenga, teamed with dull gold, can make for an exciting bridal or semi-bridal look. A fluid chiffon gown with pleating or floating detail will work for eveningwear,” adds Shinde. “The colour is perfect if your plan to amalgamate traditional with modern for your ensemble. Team the colour up with Polki jewellery with Indianwear, and diamond jewellery if you’re going for an evening gown,” says Mehra.

MORE THAN JUST FASHION

The colour has dominated the wedding and beauty market, as well. “This year, more than most times saw the influence of unusual shades. Violet is infused in really small doses as it is a very strong colour,” says Nida Mahmood, who has just ventured into the wedding design market.

The colour purple is a recent addition to makeup vanities, too. When Aishwarya Rai Bachchan went for purple lip colour at Cannes 2016, India wasn’t prepared for the change, and her look got trolled. However, it seems we have jumped on the bandwagon. “Violet eyeshadow and a deeper shade of the same hue is a favourite of many young girls and fashionistas today. They’ve adapted to it and are looking to experiment,” says makeup expert, Naina Arora.

THE COLOUR IS PERFECT FOR COMBINING THE TRADITIONAL AND THE MODERN. OPT FOR POLKI JEWELLERY WITH ETHNIC WEAR, AND DIAMOND JEWELLERY WITH SOMETHING LIKE AN EVENING GOWN

PHOTO:JASJEET PLAHA/HT Model Hida Siddique shows off a Gaurav Gupta creation in mauve

PHOTO:ANDREAS RENTZ/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO: ANDREW MATTHEWS/AP Model Candice Swanepoel in a violet Bottega Veneta dress at the Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 Britain's Queen Elizabeth was seen in a violetilt coatcoat, asas she welcomed the warship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, in November 2017

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/KYLIEJENNER Opt for accessories in purple, like this mulberry clutch, to celebrate the trend. You could also opt for deeper shades of the colour for your eyeshadow, like Kylie Jenner (above, right)

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK A representation of violetthemed table decor from a wedding