Table of Contents
Discover how India’s fashion is constantly growing
There are a lot of things I love about Indian Fashion- the colors, the accessories and the way. Women style their Sarees and lenghas ( even today). Indian fashion is still relevant, continually growing, transforming because there is a massive market for it. Traditional Indian ethnic wear is in their media, films and music- it is culturally embraced among all generations.
This does not mean the country is stuck in their traditional phase, as a country they are open to both modern and traditional wear and sometimes even a fusion of the two. I find that incredible! Because in today’s world, other Asian countries like Japan or Korea hardly embrace their traditional look nearly as much as India.
BOLLYWOOD
Bollywood has been one of the biggest industries, platforms in showcasing and inspiring new fashion trends over the years. Thousands of people Watching Indian films and tv have adapted the different looks over time and have educated themselves about the current trends and outfits. Even today, modern-day Indian women will tell you they love wearing ethnic clothes and mixing and matching it with western halters or tank tops.
There are absolute femininity and Royalty associated with Indian clothing that adds that ‘Glamour’ factor which a lot of people may not find in their ethnic clothes.
Madhubala was an Indian film actress who appeared in Hindi Cinema. Known for her beauty, personality, and sensitive portrayals of tragic women, she was also known as The Beauty With Tragedy and The Venus Queen of Indian Cinema. Her comparison with Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe earned her the name Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood. Women and men all over India have idolised her beauty and style and replicated it in many ways. In the early ’60s, when The Indian fashion industry was revolutionised in a modern way, the market for ethnic wear began to grow alongside it.
THE OUTFIT OF THE GODDESS
In India The Saree is the outfit of the Goddess. It completes women with all “16 shringar”. Every Goddess except some can be seen in Saree in every temple. So it is called a traditional outfit, which looks great and completes women.
A saree is such an elaborate outfit; you can work around it in so many ways! Fashion experts are always motivated to bring new and unique variations in sarees. A new form of saree popularly known as Half-saree has become a hot trending attire for women and girls of all ages. These half-n-half sarees are bold, stylish, and above all, fashionable in every sense, which is the main reason behind the success of these designer sarees.
The half saree is trendy in the southern part of the country. The only differentiating factor between the half saree and the lehenga is the way it is draped.
As wedding attire, the satin half saree is one of the best options as it is an exciting blend of both traditional and modern. A classic hairdo usually goes best with the half saree designs. Team the look with an appropriate blouse in a style that suits and gets ready to rock your world.
THE BENGAL LOOK
The rich and varied culture of India has been blessed with dozens of different sarees and draping styles. When it comes to tradition and fashion, the costumes of Bengal has a lot to give. The rich conventional culture of the area has energising handwoven sarees.
In Bengal, there is a unique way of wearing sarees, called ‘Ath Poure’, that differentiates Bengali women from the rest of India. Bengal is the home of several sarees like Gorod, Baluchari, Murshidabad silk, Tangail, Tusser, Tant. All these are handwoven and created by the local Bengali artisans. Even the texturisation of each saree and bodywork has some story to tell.
THE HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT
Haré Rama Haré Krishna, a 1970’s Bollywood film starring Zeenat Aman was a big hit!. People related to the modern-day 70’s western look as well as the traditional Indian kurta and big, bold sunglasses the ’70s was a time when India was growing with cultural diversity and a lot of western influence through media along with the significant Hare Krishna movement bringing hundreds of foreign hippies flocking to India to find Nirvana.
Zeenat Aman’s ganja-smoking hippie look made “Dum Maaro Dum” one of the most popular songs of the time. Winged liner and tinted glasses were everywhere.
SABYASACHI AND THE MODERN LOOK
Sabyasachi’s design philosophy is a personalised imperfection of the human hand. Deserts, gipsies, prostitutes, antique textiles and cultural traditions of his home town-Kolkata, has been a lifelong inspiration for this designer who believes that clothes should just be an extension of one’s intellect.
He uses unusual fabrics, texturing and detailing, the fusion of styles, patch-work with embellishments in vibrant colors. His creations evoke images of ancient and medieval ages. He describes his collections as an International styling with an Indian soul.
DIVERSITY
Diversity is when a diverse group of traditions and cultures blend and create an entirely new look. India has always been a diverse and secular country. Different religious communities have influenced Indian fashion since the dawn of time – from Persians, Mughals, British as well as the Portuguese.
The salwar kameez is believed to have originated from the costumes of the Mughals, who were the Muslim rulers of India. Initially the traditional dress of the Punjab region, the salwar kameez gradually became popular among women throughout India. Now those tradition looks have been modernised and to create a whole new Bohemian appeal.
Western attire such as jeans, T-shirt, churidar, salwar-kurta, have become an integral part of the present-day Hindu woman’s lifestyle.
POSTMODERN AND FUSION
Traditional garments and clothes can be used in a lot of different ways and be worn in many different styles.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Western designers enthusiastically incorporated traditional Indian crafts, textiles and techniques in their work at the same time as Indian designers allowed the West to influence their work.
By the turn of the 21st century, both Western and Indian clothing had intermingled, creating a unique style of dress for the typical urban Indian population. Women started wearing more comfortable clothing and exposure to international fashion led to a fusion of western and Indian styles of clothing.
Music videos starring Indian artists like ‘Raj Kumari’ have been popularising the Indian fusion with the American Hip hop look. Lots of gold jewellery rings while keeping the iconic bindi.
