The current line and its USP
The current line (price range `2495 - `15,000), couture opulence fuses elements of different cultures, alluding to power dressing of Siamese royalty, Japonisme and Polynesian islands. Pleats, ethnic inspired drapes and sculptures tumble dramatically through seams adding volume and movement.
Fashion scenario in Chennai
Indian shopper sensibilities and inclinations are slowly evolving.
The availability of information is vast with availability of fashion blogs, social networking and written publications like Vogue, Elle and Harpers, there is no lack of information available.
Chennai market is receptive to fashion trends. It has always been a traditional center of commerce, and they also have a high concentration of old money families and a large youth market.
The Chennai market has seen tremendous growth and will only expand in the future.
Fashion week experience
Wills fashion week provides a good platform for established designers as well as the upcoming ones. This year there was an improvement in the organisation and location but the board needs to be more selective on the designers showcasing at the event.
Top five fashion trends in India
A combo of bustier and curve-hugging, below-theknee pencil skirt has a retro 1950’s twist. Christina Hendricks (from Mad Men) inspired belted dresses and curve hugging tops are instant hits this winter.
The way to wear colour this fall: head to toe. Pair a rosy blouse with red leather trousers, or an orange sweater and skirt with matching lipstick and leggings. On the cooler end: blue tweed suit with coordinating checkered tights, and a bodacious, bright purple frock and leggings combo.
Menswear-inspired suiting and outerwear are key looksand the smartest way is to carry the minimalist trend forward. Celine’s Phoebe Philo made a convincing argument for cropped, ankleflaring trousers, and even Alexander Wang did a tailored wool jacket, albeit with an exposed midriff.
Gold is a top trend today — gold lamé frocks, with flourishes of metallic foil printing on dresses. Decadence is back.
Skirts have gone long for both day and night, turning out demure yet dramatic that skim the upper shins, graze the ankles or fall gracefully somewhere in between. The new lengths complement easy-on-the-feet kitten heels, ballerinas and flat-soled boots.
Favourite designers
In the 60’s-70’s — Ossie Clark, and Walter Albini, amongst the greats in the 80’s and 90’s it is Romeo Gigli and Yohji Yamamoto.
I like Alexander McQueen,Alber Elbaz for Lanvin and Consuelo Castiglioni for Marni among the contemporaries.