Swinging Sixties' look is in

UPASANA ASRANI

Call it Austin Powers mania, or just the tendency of fashion to take its cues from past trends. But no matter which way you choose to look at it, the 60s have influenced today's fashion in more ways than one. The 60s fashion trends are predicted to sweep through summer styles, from little crochet dresses to psychedelic pants and the infamous clogs.

From reviving the classic kurta to the bold printed hipsters, the Indian fashion scene has cashed in on the look. Designers like Payal Singhal, Rohit Bal, Ritu Beri, and Tarun Tahiliani have reinvented and reintroduced the Sixties to make it the most happening look to invade the catwalks.

Bright florals in fuchsia, raging reds, burnt orange and vibrant blues are the colour palettes the design fraternity is dabbling with for the retro summer. Embellished, embroidered and painted hip hugging jeans are the highlight of this revival, the Sixties hippie generation put a lot of effort in making their jeans extraordinary, and it's like a flashback of sorts to see the bell bottoms, peasant tops and boot cut trousers that women sport nowadays, it's a kind of cool for women to look like their boyfriends. The androgynous look of the drug revolution is accentuated and stylised with modern fabrics and innovative ideas to make these ensembles the fashion statement of the season.

Brocade trousers, paisley prints, beaded blouses and heavily embroidered garments are a signature of today's fusion look, which in essence are ideas and attitudes borrowed from the days of the Indian past, claims Smita Pandey, head designer for Contour Fashion, N.Y. It's the intrigue, the stories of glamour and glory of the Indian princesses and mysticism of Indian history that has captured the imagination of the West to create these classic looks in western silhouettes. A new style has emerged from the fusion of the past and the present. Designers have begun to create ensembles, which are distinctively modern, with a hint of the classics, a true reflection of society today. The excessive experimentation of the old and new has brought about a bold new look. The Abujanis and Sandeep Khoslas of India have done much to glorify the traditional past, thereby keeping the link to ancient craftsmanship alive says Mallika Sreenivasan, fashion designer and stylist.

Accessories in conformity with the swinging Sixties are also on the comeback trail with society aunts sporting little tote bags, sequined batwas and embellished shoes. Diamante bindis, glass bangles, love beads and colourful wristbands have adorned the daring and those out to make a statement. Making their presence felt in leading stores around the country are the buckles and bob pins, which are trendy and chic to wear. Psychedelic blue and pink enameled earrings are the code of style for the infamous retro look.

The wild child influence of the Sixties in conformity with today's innovative ideas and attitudes gives a whole new definition to fashion, one that is refreshing, outrageous and excitingly new.

You can reach the writer at copsi@postmark.net

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