Designers pushing for casual and trans-seasonal styles at the upcoming Mumbai Fashion Week
Recent fashion weeks in Paris, London and Milan have confirmed that clothing is indeed becoming more casual, practical and seasonless. This continues a trend that began during the pandemic, when comfort was overtaken by instincts. Some still want to invest in a statement dress, but many prefer to buy separates that can remain a hero piece in their wardrobe and mixed and matched with other pieces to remain timeless and provide true value for money. can be mixed with.
The same approach to fashion is expected at the four-day FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week beginning March 9 in Mumbai.
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Designer Shruti Sancheti is all set to present her collection Khadar Day 1 is focusing on easy, breezy, wearable and classic separates. “Co-ord sets are a pandemic phenomenon and have found a permanent place in many wardrobes for their sheer comfort and easy elegance and will be relevant for many seasons,” she says. “The post-pandemic consumer remains a buyer of resort- and lounge-wear and these segments will be popular … like kaftans, duster jackets, fluid dresses.”
Sancheti says there will be sharper tailoring, with a focus on more weather-fluid fabrics like khadi, poplin and silk.
old but new
Designer Sayesha Shinde says value-added pieces are the key to shopping. “Customers want to buy items from expensive brands that have value because they are paying a lot more than before due to inflation. I too have been affected by inflation. Our star fabrics like silk and chiffon have shifted from from 350 750 per metre,” says Shinde, adding that it is all about owning pieces that are one-of-a-kind. Known for statement-making ensembles like evening gowns, Shinde has upcycled some of the brand’s vintage embroidered looks to create a new collection for its Mumbai showcase on March 12.
Aakriti Grover’s show on March 10 will also focus on upcycling. The brand’s diaphanous resort-wear offers the option of customization, from color and size (made-to-measure) to concise styles, and even coverage options like high or low cut. “We have moved forward in the direction of converting waste into wear. Our core fabrics are made from fibers that have been recycled from a range of post-consumer waste, including plastics,” explains Grover.
Co-founder and creative head of Limerick, Nanki Mago Papaneja, has two things on her mood-board this season: Kashmir motifs and waste reuse. “We donate scrap (waste waste) to quilt and dhurri makers for whom it is the main raw material,” says Papaneja, without giving too many details on her showcase, which is scheduled for March 10.
all about practicality
On March 10, Deepit Chugh of Line Outline will present his take on mixing sporty trends with different looks. “I believe the idea of versatile wear is the way forward. Keeping in mind the global scenario, I am creating looks that can be worn as is or can be paired with different outfits. Can be worn as clothing, adding value-for-money factor to the existing consumer.
While officewear has become more casual, special occasions are still dominated by gaudy outfits that create a stir. However, a touch of casual has entered this area as well. “Formal and casual attire is taking on a new definition as shoppers rethink how they dress for work, weddings and other occasions. Cottons and attention-grabbing silhouettes are gaining momentum, along with layering options ,” says Chugh.
Nirmoha’s designer Preeti Jain Nanutia also says that “practical” is the fashion buzzword globally. “Consumers are looking for a unique aesthetic but comfort is the first word on their index. If layering looks chic, designers can even add pockets to make the garment practical and extremely useful,” says Nanutia, who owns her current The focus is on unisex wear for the line.
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She is busy preparing for her show on 12 March. “Summer gives us an opportunity to create sets that will suit anyone and are wearable at any time of the year depending on the occasion we are looking to create,” she says. “Similarly flexible we try to tailor our lines to match the trending fashion language. That way, you’re also emphasizing consistency by cutting down on creating different styles for each gender or season.
Manish Mishra is a journalist and content creator from Delhi.