A Kitschy Affair

Given that kitsch refers to art,decorative objects and other forms of representation that are excessively sentimental or overdone,it’s clear that pop art has a resurgence in this trend. A case in point would be designer label Dev R Nil’s Spring-Summer 2012 line. Their collection of dresses,trousers,coats and kurtis was dominated by batik motifs of giant sunglasses and cars. “We want to celebrate the quirks of India and the fact that we are positive people even though we live amid growing chaos,” explains Nil.

But kitsch products today are not just capitalising on chaos,many of them are also high on utility. Rashmi Dogra of the Fluke Design Co that designs both fashion and decor items,believes that her line has worked well because she has balanced the fashionable with the functional. “From funky neckpieces to hand-painted wooden chairs and antique gramophones,kitschy products are popular with youngsters as well as the middle-aged,” she says.

The recent NH7 Weekender music festival in Pune also had stalls for brands such as Pop Att,Art Etc,Quirk Box and Ink Me Silly. Flea markets can’t be overlooked,either. Diana Linda,a Mumbai based Italian designer,points out that her line of “bags,clutches and jewellery pieces,made using old Bollywood film posters,” have been huge hits in the flea markets of Goa.