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Fashion goes funky in fusion wear

East meets West in the world of fashion, and fusion in fashion has caught on, feels SHILPA NAIR ANAND.

STATEMENT OF THE FUSION KIND Models sashay down the ramp in fusion wear. Embroidery and stoles give that Indian touch to western garments as also long flowing skirts with a lot of frills

The kurta becomes a tunic, dupatta becomes a stole, and the salwar becomes a a pair of trousers, fashionistas... .fashion just went fusion. Be it music, food, dance and fashion, fusion is an idea that is being bandied about. Fusion wear or Indo-Western wear (in lay terms) is catching up.

So what exactly constitutes fusion wear?

Archana Nandal, NIFT graduate and manager of Fabindia, qualifies fusion-wear, "The silhouette basically draws from Western influences but relying heavily on Indian textile heritage and styling. These elements are combined to give the garment a modern, avant garde feel."

This explanation broadens the scope of what `fusion wear' means. Strictly fusion wear is not just short kurtis combined with trousers, but also Indian textiles and embroideries adapted to Western silhouettes and shapes, for instance capris, shirts, skirts and even trousers. Indian garments such as the versatile short kurti, which can be teamed with denims, skirts, salwar, capris have an international appeal. Who can forget the Enrique Iglesias music video, which had him sporting embroidered kurtas?

Reiterates Archana, "The short kurti is probably the most versatile garment, on the international fashion scene as well. Very much Indian, the short kurti can be adapted in different ways and it has gained international popularity."

Fusion wear is a trend that is fast catching up. The kurtas have gone shorter and have become kurtis, trousers, capris and denims have replaced salwars and churidars. Teaming a kurti with a trouser or even a salwar, and wearing it to work has become the Indian alternative to `power dressing' according to NIFT graduate Shalini Joseph of Mantra. She says, "The short kurti is unisex and women feel very confident dressed in these. It is the Indian answer to the trousers and shirt."

The mid-thigh length kurti, for instance, is very popular among NRIs as well, says Shalini, "Earlier Indian outfits were just `costumes' but now they are acceptable as casual and fashionable wear." And fusion wear is not just limited to kurtis and salwars. Shirts and skirts in Indian textiles are also quite a hit according to city designers. There has been a definite change in the perception of Indian garments vis-à-vis international fashion. Making a point for the appeal of Indian garments in the international fashion scene is Archana, "The appeal of Indian garments is huge. The ghagra skirt for instance that have been scorching ramps, are a take off on the humble `ghagra' that women have been wearing in villages for a long time. Combine it with a ganji or a tee-shirt and a stole and you have fusion wear." Avers Shalini, "Fusion wear has a lot of potential. The best thing about it is that, it is open to so many different interpretations. Even Western designers are drawing upon Indian design elements for inspiration, for instance designers in the West draw inspiration from Indian garments such as the short kurti and the churi pants."

When east meets west, "the Nehru jacket is combined with trousers, skirts are combined with cholis or tank tops, kurtas that look like dresses are combined with trousers to give that fusion look," says Smita Daruwala, manager of Cinnamon. The store stocks designer wear by designers such as Abraham Thakor, Jason Cherian, Wendell Rodericks and Sonam Dubal, whose garments are a study in fusion wear.

Interestingly fusion wear is not just about cuts and silhouettes, it is also about the treatments - embroideries and embellishments. Brocades, tonal and contrast sequins, besides traditional embroideries add elements of the Orient.

"Fusion wear has embroideries and several design elements in the garments. There is the mid-thigh length kurtas with English or double collars, and flared sleeves or with plackets, which makes an interesting garment. But using Indian embroidery techniques to Western motifs such as abstract settings is something that I do, which is very interesting," says Hari Anand of Glada. Seasons ago, fashion pundits pronounced the death of the sari. But, so many seasons later the sari still rules the Indian woman's wardrobe. So is this preoccupation with fusion wear a fad, or will the interest last?

Says Archana, "Traditional Indian wear such as the salwar-kameez or the churidar-kurta will not go out of fashion. Even a modern woman wants to wear the traditional outfit because it is very contemporary in treatment. There is a niche for fusion wear, and fusion wear is not a fad, it will stay."

Shalini Joseph, Smita Daruwala and Hari Anand agree with her.

Looks like fusion wear is here to stay.

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