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Simple is chic

Anuj Kumar checks out the trends this season

DRESS REHEARSAL A model displaying an Abraham and Thakore creation

Are you moving away from super-fitted outfits? Have you accepted linen as the fabric of the new generation? Are you finally comfortable donning a hat? Are you at ease wearing V-chappals when you are outdoors? If not, then you are not in fashion this season.

David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore recently launched a black and white collection meant for the summer and the monsoon.

David says, "We don't have that prominent summer or winter as we have the monsoon across the country. The season signifies greenery and freshness and we believe black counter-balances it."

David's collection has quite a few dresses. "Finally, awareness about dresses is increasing in India, particularly in the metros. Bollywood is largely responsible for this."

Indeed. Recently, actors Bipasha Basu and Priyanka Chopra turned up to judge a popular television comedy show in almost similar polka-dotted dresses.

Whites in demand

Giving tips for the season, David says the waist has really become prominent in silhouettes. "Those who wear loose kurtis can tie a belt around their waist. White ones are really in demand."

Indians are moving away from super-fitted silhouettes. "And this is a great opportunity for designers like us who work on `relaxed' silhouettes." Relaxed here means slightly loose-fitted. "Empire line continues to be big." David has used geometrical patterns like small dashes in his collection but maintains that floral patterns continue to be in vogue.

However, designer Payal Jain laments that Indians are not taking to linen as they should.

"This is the fabric for summer. The West is offering dresses to tunics to cargos, everything in linen. Here people are not accepting it in a big way because it gets crushed by the end of the day. It is normal for me but not for most of the clients, who want to look prim and proper the whole day. Also it has got a rough texture, not suited for people who grew up on satin."

Rooting for softer colours like aquamarine and prints, designer Ranna Gill suggests blends as an easy way out. "When linen is blended with cotton or silk, the coarseness goes away."

She suggests the blended fabrics even to brides. "You can't fiddle too much with the bridal silhouettes, but the brides should opt for thread work like chikankari which keeps the outfit light without losing the classic touch."

Hats are in

Payal says hats, big bags and sandals are a must this summer. "Opt for those which can go with more than one outfit. Strapping sandals with aged-soles and V-chappals are also in."

Cotton lace and crochet are also making their way to the must haves as is evident from Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor's latest summer collection.

The duo suggests chiffon and georgette for the more feminine types. The skirts are getting shorter. The kurtis are taking new forms. Either they are short to take the form of the blouse or long in the tapered form.

Go for a clean, simple and feminine wardrobe this season hen.

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