The best part about India is that like its culture the
trends are also multi fold and unlike in the west we are not unidirectional.
Our country has two different segments which are different from each other so
one side we have Wedding an Festive wear predominately catering to Indian
market where as on the other side we have Pret and Luxury prêt which caters to
global market.
Also another interesting
fact is the today MILLENIAL are the main decision maker so trends are
forecasted keeping them in mind.
As far as Indian wear goes we are
seeing it in a revival mode as lot of old crafts, weaves and yarns are getting
modified at the grass root level to fit in the aspirations of the millennial.
Weavers have become more flexible and designers also realize the potential our
country posses so the innovative mind collaborates with the master craftsmen to
work on textiles and crafts and as a result we are seeing innovative handmade
fabrics such as Munga georgette, tissue georgette, silk linen, stainless steel
with cotton and many more.
These fabrics bring in the perfect gap where today
minimalism in the way forward and lot of stress goes on unique textiles,
contemporary silhouettes and experimental color combinations. Speaking of
silhouettes this may be the best phase for designers who love to experiment as
the consumer today is all game for it so we expect to see lot of new styles
coming in Indian bridal couture and festive wear.
Long jackets paired with
dhoti trousers, draped sari gowns, capes with Banarasi lehenga, shirt blouses
or concept tops with sarees, short kurtas with shararas or skirts, concept
dresses and styles which stands out.
With today’s age and stage of social media
style matters a lot as one tends to flaunt what he or she is wearing to
everyone in their circle. Color palette in Indian wear shifts from pastels to
neons however we are expecting more pastels and semi pastels shades to dominate
2018 so colors like Mint green, lavender blush, Celeste, peach, lemon,
turquoise and Violet along with other mandatory ones such as Red, Pink, beige
etc.
Indian wear is at its best age as never before so many variations were
made or accepted. There is much much more to ghagra choli in today’s Indian
wear fashion.
Coming to our Pret and luxury
prêt trends it is Geometry which will be seen as the biggest trend in 2018. I
expect to see lot of stripes, checks and polka dots dominating 2018. Coming to
silhouettes, Trench coats looks the flavor of 2018 with so many variations both
for winters and summers.
Comfort yet stylish is the feel for 2018 and this is
why lot of boxy silhouettes will be seen more but that doesn’t mean it will
become too repetitive or boring as lot of elements such as sheer, fringes and
ruffles are making their presence to balance it out.
So that sexy look might
not be the dominant factor but it’s slowly coming back and may be by the end of
2018 we can see more of it. Coming back to patterns how can floral be ever
missed and I am never seen any season or year in the past 2 decades where it is
not there.
So 2018 won’t be an exception either. Motifs like flowers, peacock,
tulips are the ones who bring smile and happiness and in today’s stressful
world we need them so may be their interpretation varies from label to
countries but their significant wont.
Another aspect is increasing awareness of
the damage fast fashion brings to the nature and seeing that lot of recycled
and sustainable fashion is the focus point. Organic cotton, denims made of
organics textiles, textiles developed from industrial waste and plastic bottles
to innovative textiles developed from steel we are seeing a big revolution in
textiles and in times to come this will be a big difference maker in India as
well.
Speaking of colors it is monochromes, pastels and nude shades that will
make a big impact in 2018. Some years back we didn’t have that identity in this
space as we were not using our resources but today Indian designers have
created an impact as they have embraced our textiles and craft in such a
beautiful way that in times to come we can comfortably say we are Global yet
Indian.
It’s like MADE IN INDIA will have its own design value as compared to
the perception that Made in India means its low cost production.
Lot of trends in India varies
from international trend as the mood and lifestyle here are different. As a
country we are seeing violence, health and pollution as some negatives where as
technology and entrepreneurship as some positives so the fashion trends go in
the direction of being calm, organic, comfort and contemporary. We will see lot
more ethical and responsible fashion in times to come.
