Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Flirting with style

Time-tested fabrics and techniques reinvent themselves and how!

ETHNIC CHIC Traditional weaves and techniques are being adapted to suit Gen Y

What's a festive season without good clothes? The next few months provide you with plenty of reasons to go shopping. Festival shopping needn't restrict you to saris and salwar suits in silks and silk cottons. Even the pristine Kanjeevaram sari is open to experimentation. Embroidery or kalamkari patchwork on Kanjeevaram are some of the latest innovations.

Glittering mirrors and sequins can take a break. Go for elegant and classy outfits that give scope for better accessories, says designer Asmita Marwa. "I see a section of people moving away from heavy embellishments. The emphasis is on the right cuts, fabrics and getting the complete look with co-ordinated accessories.

The old world charm is making a comeback for both men and women," she says. Mamata Reddy, who works with weavers to arrive at newer style statements in ethnic apparel, says: "People are looking beyond the regular Mangalagiris, Pochampallis and kalamkaris. They ask for new colours and patterns and don't mind spending." "The permutations and combinations are more if you have skilled artisans. Kalamkari story borders (hand painted sketches enacting episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata) on kota or matka silks, kalamkari patchwork — with figures of Ganesha for instance — on dupattas, or African block prints on Pochampalli cottons are instant hits."

Hand embroidery on traditional fabrics in addition to batik prints also works well. While a dupatta with the Ganesha appliqué work can be sourced for Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000 and silk saris for Rs. 3,000 upwards, the same would cost you four times more in boutiques. And do look out for atypical shades. The men folk too are spoilt for choices. "Semi-formal long kurtas that have the old world charm will work for men. Silks and handloom fabrics in muted shades of whites, creams, beiges and earthy browns are the colours to opt for," says Asmita.

Enhance a seemingly elegant and simple kurta by wearing a crushed shawl with some mirror work.

You can combine silk kurtas with drawstring trousers. Kurtas with kantha work, batik and kalamkari prints, chikan kurtas get the thumbs up too.

Last word: Don't settle for the routine traditional fare simply because it's the norm.

SANGEETHA DEVI K.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail