Fashion festival fervour
SARMISTHA NEOGY gets you the best advice on how to rock the fashion circle this festival season
INIndia, festivals are not just about the rituals, but it also involves flaunting your wardrobe and setting new trends in the industry. The 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrated worldwide, especially in Maharashtra, surely gives everyone a chance to go on a shopping spree. Stay comfortable Sharing fashion tips for Ganpati this year, Purushu Arie, Indian fashion designer and blogger, says, “Wear sustainable fashion and make a statement on need for eco-friendly festivals! Sari, salwar or something more western, choose a silhouette that puts you at ease. Cotton or linen handlooms make up for a comfortable daytime wear, save your rich silks and brocades for evening. Put on your sneakers, try stepping into something desi maybe... when tastefully styled, you can creative fun and unique traditional looks that go on with our personas.”
You can never go wrong with the traditional Nauvari saree, accessorised with heavy gold jewelleries, if you want to look your ethnic best. Kanchipuram Silk saree or a Banarasi saree draped in the Marathi way will give a gaudy look. But, if you want to give a miss to the nine yard this time, there are umpteen varieties of Bollywood inspired lehenga-choli and Anarkali suits, which you can surely add to your wardrobe.
Accessorise it well
People often buy gold during the festivities. “Our Kanaka collection which combines the traditions of South Indian gold jewellery with the intricacy of jadau craftsmanship is a big hit during this time,” says Sarika Naheta, director at Jaipur Jewels says.
According to Shubhi Grover Kapoor, Mrs India Second Runner Up 2017 and co-founder of an apparel brand in Mumbai, Social Butterfly, the trend this festive season seem to be taking the semicasual yet glamorous route. She cites, “The festive seasons brings with it several semi-formal social functions like luncheons and dine out with friends. These occasions usually need you to walk the thin line between being over-thetop and under dressed. Our asymmetrical tassel tops paired with tummy flattering pants and full length skirts are a big hit this season.” High-end fashion brand in Mumbai, Anj Kreations through their designs has tried to bridge the gap between modernity and tradition in their latest festive collections. Using hues of electric blue, hot pink and bright yellow, their designer wears have been made, keeping comfort and style in mind. Anjoo Karanjia, founder of Anj Kreations feels, “Over-the-top jewellery and heavily embroidered outfits are passé. We’ve let the colours and cuts take the centre stage rather than the work on it. The modern Indian girl loves to keep it casual and wear something in which she can multi task easily, that was the idea that inspired our collection.”
Men, don’t stay behind
Echoing similar views, Ranu Bathwal, Founder Popup Galleria highlights, “Clients prefer light weight and more wearable outfits compared to heavy embroideries and fabrics. Traditional ethnic outfits with a contemporary twist are hot selling this season like the floral skirts teamed with solid colour tops
Siddhartha Bansal, tie-anddye lightweight kurtas with palazzos by Krishna Mehta teamed with handmade up-cycled contrast colour neckpieces by Aeshaane.”
Arie points out that, mixand-match of desi and videshi silhouettes are taking Instagram profiles by storm. “Expect to see saris with pants, lehengas with crop tops, brocades with ripped denims and lot more. Among men, kurtas and bundis continue to remain hot festival favourites. The kurta has gone mod in quirky minimalist contemporary motifs. Men’s new found hobby to accessorise is set to peak this festival season. Turbans, shoes, bow ties and minimalist jewellery are hot favourites,” he adds.
On account of Ganesh Chaturthi, Manyavar has seen an increase in demand for their princely blue kurta, with exquisite embroidery around the collar and their classic beige Kurta, which is perfect for any festive occasion.
For Jungle by Suitcase, a brand based in New Delhi, and also available online, their ethnic wear with animal motifs is doing really well this festive season. Explaining the intricacies in the designs, Chandni Jain, proprietor and creative head of the company says, “A move towards apparel that is breathable, comfortable, lightweight, ethnically inspired, environmentally conscious and ecologically vocal, our jungle kurta-pyjamas make use of khadi cottons and animal motifs to put across a subtle message - I care for animals. Keeping the silhouette traditional, we gave our embroidered animal motifs a simple and modern feel, to add just the right amount of quirkiness.”
So this Ganpati, keep your wardrobe, simple, stylish and comfortable. Wear it with the right attitude and you will stand out in the crowd. We wish the readers Happy Shopping!