Modern fusion is the flavour this festive season
Here's how you can bring in some festive fervour.
India is a land of festivals and it’s the time to dress up and put your festive best forward. Women can get ready to be a little more playful and quirky this festive season. So even if it’s going to be just a lunch out with friends and you want to wear some colour, try to add that with a ruffle or some quirky embellishment, or better still— prints. If you want to make it really elegant, then go for the paisley and zardosi embroideries.
Accessorise your decadent mood wearing large earrings or a chunky neckpiece. Add some glitter to eyes for the night and finish it off with a matte deep lipstick. Or go all brown smoky for your eyes and add a hint of glossy plum or fuchsia to enhance your pout.
Instead of the usual full sequin embroideries, use metallic fabrics like foil inserts or lame silver and gold and sequin fabrics as subtle trims teamed with an otherwise contemporary solid colour. Metallic inserts in fabrics are the go to this season, the rest is passé.
The festival season is about being opulent, so while your metallics are taken care of, you might also want the bling but this time, I suggest you can go for more earthy and pastel shades. Dress different, make a statement and turn heads when you enter that room... dress in embellished colours like grey, Victorian rose, olive, indigo, wine and aubergine.
White is always an ethereal colour, and for those of you who are bold enough to wear white to an evening out, wear it different! Skirts with edgy metal button holes, or corset ties teamed with a light gold shimmer blouse will be a perfect ‘head turner’. Dress it up with gold shoes, a metallic gold cuff and possibly a stringy multi gold neck-piece.
Floral is another go-to trend this season. And you don’t have to think summer! Wear muted colour prints either on a bold colour base or just some added embellishment on the floral. Layered organza tops in print outer layer and sequin under layers is the stress free combination, whether you’re wearing a high waist trouser, a full volume skirt or a typical lehenga or maybe even a saree.
For sarees, quirky light weight sarees with prints will totally set you apart from the usual bandwagon. For a traditional feel, opt for block printing and natural dye hues, and for a more modern touch, digital sarees are the go-to, but make sure the prints are different. Colours and brush stroke mediums are passé and completely done with, move on... fresh prints and fun motifs are the way to dress. They always make for conversation pieces.
For the men; pick shirts in pastel hues and quirky prints. Thread embroideries in contemporary finishes on traditional silhouettes, is the next go-to this festive season. Wear your best. Linen is a great fabric to use and you can experiment with colours. Stack away from the raw silks this season and experiment with other newer fabrics.
Light fabrics with perfect silhouettes and fits are a must have, as they are comfortable and make you look chic. Add the glamour or festive touch in choosing your shirts which have trims like buttons or thread detailing and don’t forget to add your blue or brown suede shoes... an absolute must have accessory this season for the man!
Add a well fitted blazer to your festive wardrobe for that occasional formal fusion festive night. You can try pairing a jacket with a saree for a trendy look. Go with tartan print/weave or the nautical stripe. If it’s a solid, choose a fun festive colour and not the usual indigo or black. Happy Festival to all of you!
— The writer is a Bengaluru-based designer of international repute in India, UK and USA and was awarded as the ‘new talent Haute Couture’ in Rome at Alta Roma Alta Moda.