The ever evolving indian sari

The sari is a traditional attire but at the same time, it is also one of the most fashionable outfits. The sari is also considered to be a versatile Indian garment as its draping possibilities are endless. Being just a single yardage there is a scope of immense innovation.

This attire can cover the entire body and can make any woman look glamorous. From skinny to plump to overly plump they all seem to wear it with their personalized touch. It has the capability to preserve the Indian woman modesty and at the same time when worn with a stylish blouse or by changing the drape it can reveal your bold and sexy side.

Initially there were just a few traditional ways in which the sari could be worn like the Marathi style, Gujarati style, Bengali style etc. But now draping has taken to a whole new level, where the younger generation tries to vary them and add an individualistic sense to their grandmother’s saris.

  

Gujarati style: Mysore style: Tamil style sari drapes

Indian women like to hang on to their tradition and culture and this is the reason that the sari is still worn and will be worn in the future. Many new techniques in terms of fabrics, embroideries have been used over the past. Heavy Silks and stiffer fabrics were the choice of the earlier generations but now it’s shifted to more flowy fabrics like Georgette and chiffon since they tend to fall beautifully against the body hence, making one look slimmer.

Heavy silks Vs light Georgette

Today Indian audience have the courage to wear the sari proudly and are open to change, therefore designers are liberated to begin creating designs and experimenting– because they now have an audience. Ethnic motifs are transformed into modern patterns through the skill and expertise of expert fashion designers giving the sari a modern look.

This observation has made Indian and international designers onto creating their own unique versions of this adaptable piece of cloth. Indian designers like Gaurav Gupta, Tarun Tahliani, Sabhyasachi, Shantanu & Nikhil, Anand Kabra, Masaba Gupta, shrivan Narresh are a few who experiment with the yardage and make it distinctive. The style mantra of the day is to look traditional, but not in the conventional way. The complicated drapery or exclusive digital prints is an effort to make the six-meter yardage transform into a contemporary style statement.

Sabhyasachi: Shantanu & Nikhil

Tarun Tahliani

Tarun Tahliani

Anand Kabra

Masaba Gupta: shrivan Narresh

The youth tends to follow western trends and outlook and seeks for easier and exclusive options even when it comes to Indian wear. The time consumption and further the thought of managing the sari is indeed a set back for many women to try the option. Keeping this in mind, there are now pre stitched and ready to wear styles that capture the untapped market. Indian designer Nida Mehmood also recommends that one can drape their sari over leggings or jeggings instead of the usual petticoat and wear it with jersey tops for a modern-day feel.

Nida Mehmood

This innovation creates change and opportunity, where there is an increasingly multicultural clientele showcasing our traditional garment at various international events and runways. Various international designers like Hermes, john Galliano, Louis vuitton, Alexander McQueen etc. have taken to the sari as an inspiration in some way or the other.

Alexander McQueen F/W 2008 : Armani Couture 2007

Hermes S/S 2008

John Galliano S/S 2003

Previously, there have been Women from other countries who have shown immense interest in Indian Saris like Liz Hurley, Nicole Scherzinger, Katherine Heigl, Gwen Stefani, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathway, Victoria Beckham and many others. They have supported the sari with grace; which is indeed a proud feeling.

Angelina Jolie: Elizabeth Hurley

Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray and Love

Madonna: Victoria Beckham

Katherine Heigl: Anna Hathway

The pussycat Dolls

Just by adding interesting accessories, draping the sari creatively, and adding some unique distinctions in fabric and technique, a whole new category has been unlocked and the scope of innovation and experimentation is still immense.

>popularity of contemporary indian fashion

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Fashion all over the world is becoming very global these days….one can see influences of various kinds since people have become globally more exposed.
One of my recent journeys to london…i was just traveling in the local tube and to my surprise saw this woman wearing a kazo t- shirt.. i was amazed but actually was very happy to see someone wearing our domestic brand abroad. it was just over whelming to see our indian designing and brands to be at par with the international ones.

Similarly, while walking down the streets, i ended up into a store named monsoon and was amazed to see the store..i could just feel like im standing in india…the kaftans..kurti inspired tops…bold cotton prints….indian embroideries…it was a bliss to see it..and see it extremely busy…amazing..!….Also heard of the store accessorize…its an international store but soo heavily inspired from beadwork and other techniques but given a contemporary touch in terms of styling..the blend it truly exciting and can cater to a vast audience…indeed a very intelligent thought..wear them with western clothing or with your traditionals…the jewels and bags and chapals can satisfy your needs.

Also…not to forget the beads..everyones favorite as an accessory as well…enter stores like wallis….indeed gorgeous items …ended up looking at this extensive beadwork necklace ..it was beautiful ..i felt i was standing in janpath looking at an exclusive piece…The current trend these days that one can observe is of the loose baggy pants on the bottom seen with a lot of variation..some tend to call them harems or some tend to call them turkish pants….but where do these originate from…yes friends ….India…..all these are versions are modified out of our traditional indian salwar..interesting to see indian contemporary fashions are becoming so global and trendy.

Indian contemporary fashion is taking a global seat….influences from all around india are being used in some way or the other in various items..like mirror work..woven fabrics like ikats now even used as a print…beadwork…also not only in traditional articles but also in interiors ..table mats..coasters..pots…accessories..etc…soo hats off to out culture and history and techniques..we are truly blessed and we should promote this indian forte.!

>The changing fashion..the way I see it..!

>Traveling is one of my passions…and fortunately I have gotten a chance to do quite a bit. It is when I learnt and discovered different cultures..different people …different lifestyles and hence different fashions.
Every time I traveled its made me change some thing or the other about myself or rather my sense of style and it is now after so many years that I have realized this fact. The world is becoming global in its true sense of the terms, I remember as a kid I would never understand fashion being so diverse and my mum saying that ‘ you cannot wear this back home’..this sentence would just make me feel so awful. Till a few years back, I would face this incident very often in my life but not anymore…I feel glad to see the same styles and colors dominating the stores a few weeks after I see them abroad…and this site is just so overwhelming.
For example…till just a year or two back one could not be seen wearing those tiny shorts in the open or as a matter of fact finding dresses was a tedious task but now my observation totally over rules this site. Hot pants..miny skirts…have become a common site be it parties…or even in the day….the trends in the newspapers, magazines etc. actually promote these tiny things and even give you suggestions on how to wear them and where to get them..this truly shows how India is progressing and adopting the global sense of style. Lately, you go to your favorite store to pick up the dress you liked and to your heartbreak..you don’t find it anymore..apparently you soon find out ..its sold out..and its one of the hot selling style..and just like you others also imagined wearing the same dress on new years or Christmas…and you are just left wondering this never happened till two years back…no one really wore dresses and Christmas was never a big deal.
Well the site is liberating…its good to see well dressed people on the street..be it guys or girls..everyone seems to be taking interest. Another example ..could one ever imagine men walkin down in ‘Pink’…a year back…well offcourse not…It was always a color synonymous with girls but now guys seem to be carrying it off with panache and to my surprise my friend has developed this weird theory…’‘My guy should have the capability of looking classy in pink’..thats become one of her fantasies…and to your surprise the hot selling colour for men this season (S/S 2010) is orchid…yes..its true…check out Kazo….S.Oliver….Esprit…the color dominates the men color chart..
India is surely picking up…and its very exciting to see this….more updates and more fashion through my eyes coming for you soon..till then…keep responding and updating..!