GENDER BENDER TRENDS

With agender and gender neutral clothing taking centre stage, we take a look at the different styles you can opt for this season

In clothing, if anyone has studied the technicality of pattern making and garment construction, there are certain details which pertain to only menswear and certain cuts and details which are only for womenswear. However, some Indian designers are breaking stereotypes and showing the way forward. We spoke to a few and understood what it takes to design gender neutral or agender clothing.

INCLUSIVITY AT ITS BEST

Today, it’s all about individual style and wearing what you want and not what society wants. Breaking norms in style is designer Anvita Sharma of Two Point Two. She strongly believes that it’s all about individual style and as a brand she does not believe in categorisation of age and gender. “We tend to keep our clothing oversized. Anatomically, the two genders have different bodies. So, if it is bodycon, on women it will show off her curves and her body figure. Since our clothing is oversized, we basically remove the importance of the anatomical difference of the body. So, one jacket could be worn as it is on a guy and girl, the same way,” says Sharma.

THE SUSTAINABLE GENDER

Designing an agender line with a sustainable touch is a commendable approach by fashion designer Akshat Bansal of Bloni. “I was always inclined towards sustainable fashion as I like handicrafts and I am closely linked with artisans in India. Handmade cloths last longer and doesn’t unnecessarily consume energy. Agender clothes can be shared among friends and couples. So, it is more sustainable. About staring an agender line, it works well for retailers as they need to now order less styles but more quantity, which works well for producers and designers. It’s a win-win situation for all,” says Bansal.

NON CONFORMIST

Agender styles are referred to as non-binary and nonconformist clothes. “The most important element we try to imbibe in all our designs is versatility. This is why you’ll see a lot of anti-fits, free-size garments which can be styled in a number of ways. This element of androgyny that we bring out in our collections gets noticed by a few men and they are happy to wear it in their own style,” say designer duo Neha Singh and Pranav Guglani of Cord.

PHOTO: SHASHI KASHYAP/HT Actor Saqib Saleem According to fashion designer Mohsin Hashmi, the full attire is made from three fabrics — cotton, denim and khadi. This new style of washed antifit denim is easy to wear and comfortable. It is gender neutral and a perfect outfit for a party or a casual gettogether. This white ensemble is made using agender patterns, sustainable fabrics such as pure cottons, marine plastic waste and bamburg silks

A model strikes a pose in a gender neutral attire featuring a shirt in navy stripes and scarlet pants in hand block print teamed with a blazer jacket in the same print