March 03, 2017
Rocking the Runway
What’s going to be your preferred look this season? Whether you are jet-setting to an exotic beach holiday or shopping for a destination wedding, the top designers have put together an easy-breezy wardrobe for you. The recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017 in Mumbai (Feb 1 – 5) had something for everyone. Brace yourself for eye-poppers as the look-book for the season consists of an array of glamorous lines from long jackets and over drapes, to even ruffled pallus in saris, to flared pants and wrap skirts.
So fashionistas, here’s looking at the summer must-haves for 2017:
WHITE LOVE
If it is summer, it has to be white. The jet-set summer bride who wants to take offbeat track in style, can opt for ethereal whites, paired with some gold. The trend which was first started by celebrated designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, is back in the fashion reckoning.
Tarun Tahiliani who is a perfect rule-breaker wowed the audience in a profusion of silhouettes in white from lehengas, net ponchos and draped dhoti-saris in chikankari. Gaurang Shah too, has experimented with tonal white block prints in anarkalis, shararas, lehengas and saris. There’s also Anita Dongre whose nature-inspired collection ‘Alchemy’ featured silhouettes in white and gold.
DRAMATIC RUFFLES AND SLEEVES
Want to add some drama? Go big! seems to be the mantra for designers who are adding all the drama in sleeves from capped to bell-shaped, to ruffles in saris and blouses. Young Delhi-based upcoming designers Ishanee Mukherjee and Anirudh Chawla’s label ‘Poochki’ had crop-tops with billowy layered printed sleeves. The Kotwara label designed by Sama Ali with Meera and Muzaffar Ali had dupattas turned into capes with playful ruffles. Victorian ruffles featured in Jayanti Reddy’s line of lehengas and blouses.
PRINTED JACKETS
If you’re wondering how to carry off the look in the torrid heat, top designers have come out with stylish pieces that’ll ensure you look trendy. You might also try various uber-cool looks — teaming a short jacket with a dress, or a long flowing one worn with a sari or even a kurta.
If Ritu Kumar has picked a printed quilted jacket over a mini dress, designer Payal Singhal is all for jackets teamed with low crotch dhotis and camisoles. For relaxed summer wear, opt for soft long summer coats over dresses, skirts and tops featured in Jaya Bhatt and Ruchi Tripathi’s Indigene line. For an uber-glam look, Swati Vijaivargie opted for a floor-length printed abaya (cloak) style jacket on a ghaghra and cropped choli.
SARIS WITH A TWIST
If you’re feeling adventurous, try the whole nine-yards with an unusually cut blouse for a brunch or a cocktail. Take a hint from Karishma Shahani Khan’s label ‘Ka-Sha’ whose saris took a new avatar with giant ruffled edges, teamed with a structured trench coat. Saris in handspun khadi featured in Sailesh Singhania’s line teamed with organza blouses that came with intricate bow and frill details and elegant sleeves.
NEO – BLOUSE
The new-age bride should look beyond the ordinary blouse. All she needs to do is to re-jig the styles and cuts of the blouse and go forth boldly. Watch out for edgy blouses that are scorching the ramps from collared to off-shoulder, to even shirt-blouse.
Tahiliani’s pick included concept saris teamed with flared kedia style blouses and also tulle blouses paired with glittering long skirts. On the other hand, Shehla Khan brings in the 90s style off-shoulder blouse back through stunning ruffles, dramatic frills and classy lace.
MATERIAL MATTERS
Natural and fluid fabrics like khadi, cotton and linen are must-haves for a cool, summer look. While Gaurang Shah showcased a collection of saris and lavish anarkalis in muslin, Divya Reddy used Madhepur tussar silk, Konda Patti cotton and raw silk in her line of lehengas and kurtas. Anita Dongre was all for unbleached and undyed woven cotton silk, in her line of pristine evening gowns and white midis.
EMBROIDERY
The love affair with embroidery continues – in the use of zardozi, chaikankari and mukaish. Divya Reddy’s use of floral embroidery complemented the delicate feminine charm of the ensembles like flowing white lehengas and embroidered knee-length dresses. Dev r Nil’s line of silhouettes like kurtas, shararas, capes and kimonos had both thread and machine embroidery. Payal Singhal too, included mukaish and pita work and jaal embroidery in her luxe-cruise line of kaftans and jackets.
With cool summer styles doing the rounds, it’s time for a summer wardrobe upgrade. So go ahead and turn on the heat!
Sushmita Biswas
Sushmita Biswas, is a journalism professional with 15 years of work experience in Indian media houses including The Telegraph and Hindustan Times. Have commendable reporting and editorial skills on varied subjects like films, fashion, health, beauty, lifestyle, culture, travel and entertainment.
She interviews people from various walks of life — actors, directors, chefs, authors, start-up founders, festival organizers, human resource managers and even sportspersons. Her key strengths include well-researched lifestyle and human interest articles.