Velvet with lurex,crepe with brocade,tweed with chiffon.and sometimes all of them in one ensemble! This season make the most of all The outfit sat pretty on the mannequin. But there would be no one way to describe it. For this lehenga brought in chiffon trimmings,brocade panels,velvet embellishments used innovatively on silken fabric. It wasnt just a silk outfit or just a brocade one! It was all of this and more. Gone are those days when it was just about one style of fabric. Now its all about mix and match, spelt out Samsaaras Divya as she ushered in Bollywoods A-list designer Neeta Lullas autumn-winter collection the other day. Just when we thought Lulla was merely experimenting this season,the trend of mix and match kept showing up at every other designer den in the city. At Simple Kaurs studio in Sector 35,the designer was busy pairing a printed lurex churidaar with a crepe-meets-brocade tunic set off with a georgette and net dupatta! It all truly is fashionably mixed up this time around, Kaur agreed calling the entire trend as concept wear. There was a time when the maximum one would mix fabrics was with regard to the top and the bottom. The dupatta would always be pure chiffon. But not anymore, lists out the designer. With fabrics no longer being restricted to just crepe,chiffon and georgette it gives the designers a lot of space to experiment as well. Velvet was once considered too thick but now you have the choice of using light velvet that can also be used to make complete suits or just one part. Of course,velvet patchwork seems to be ruling as well, Kaur explains. At the just-concluded Wedding Asia exhibition that brought in a plethora of designer labels and collections,the trend of making the most of all was predominant. No one wants a staid,one look outfit, mentioned designer Khalid who brought his label Amadi to the city for the first time. His bridal wear was all about vibrant tones,Western silhouettes using Indian fabrics and embellishments. To give an outfit a one of a kind look,we are pairing brocades with crepe and chiffon. The interplay of fabric and embellishments is what makes an ensemble stand out, explained Khalid. The same concept ruled in Monapalis collection that saw sarees and suits highlighting different fabrics and embellishments. One outfit can have cotton and silk and more, pointed out the brands spokesperson as she showcased the autumn-winter line-up making the most of Indian weaves and colour. The mix and match story continues with embellishments as well. For instance Lullas brought back old-style work like zardosi but given it a contemporary twist by bringing in Swarovski crystal work. For a bride-to-be,Lulla offers a lot of colour and elegant charm. Her sarees see an abundant use of Chantilly lace edgings along with satin ribbon textures,tulle ruffle and layer accents. It is an interesting blend indeed. Thankfully,the trend isnt just restricted to formal,wedding wear. Panchkula-based designer Kanchan Sharma has been dishing out semi-formal pure cotton outfits that highlight Indias diverse and rich culture. This time I have also designed kurtas using a number of panels of different fabrics and looks, said Sharma as we noticed block printed panels in vibrant hues coming together to make one outstanding piece. There was a time when opposites wouldnt match but now thats high fashion, quips Sharma. We couldnt agree more!
