Take the Fall

Think earthy this autumn. When Rohit Bal launched his autumn-winter line at the last fashion week, the ramp came alive in metallic hues.

Here8217;s a peek at the fall-winter trends you need to keep in mind this season

Colours

Think earthy this autumn. When Rohit Bal launched his autumn-winter line at the last fashion week, the ramp came alive in metallic hues. Bal8217;s ashtadhatu collection, with its quilted jackets, shifts and silk jersey dresses, played up copper, gold and silver with a few beiges, browns and plums thrown in. Likewise, Anamika Khanna too showcased deep chocolates, charcoals and greys, while Ashish Soni enlivened his palette with a hint of bright blue, and magenta and red as sashes and belts. Think blue, think olive as well as deep jewel tones like mauve and purple. It8217;s also the season for monotones, so give the prints a miss.

Silhouette

You might as well hit the gym while there8217;s still time, because this season the silhouette is all about keeping it close to the body. Herve Leger8217;s famous bandage dress makes a comeback with designers like Ranna Gill and Bal making their own versions. Newbie designer Prashant Verma, makes it a metaphor for a wound, because as he claims, the 8220;youth represents all that is best and worst in the generation.8221; Go for severe constructs like structured jackets in jacquards and sheath dresses. Slim fit pants, cigarette trousers and skinny jeans are the order of the day.

Indigenous

Influences

Wear your patriotism on your sleeves and pay your tribute to incredible India. Go for desinbsp;handicrafts that are bound to give your ensemble a remarkable facelift. While designer Nitin Bal Chauhan has infused the rich tribal folk traditions of his native town Chamba on to an otherwise Gothic collection, Atsu Sekhose brings to the fore his Naga sensibilities by giving his western clothes an Asian sensibility and using fabrics like handloom. Brothers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra have usednbsp;appliqueacute; work of heritage Indian jewellerynbsp;motifs besides handmade kaantha techniques. 8220;Increasingly, Indians are becoming global citizens and people always like to show a bit of their roots wherever they are. That8217;s why we have focused on it in our collection,8221; says Nikhil.

Accessories

If you think the severity of your ensembles might cramp your style, jazz up the accents. Go for high-gloss crocodile skin, suede and patent leather bags. This season semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli and porphyry are the latest hits. Fendi8217;s autumn-winter collection sees a return to the classic handback silhouette 8212; semi-rigid and structured. As for shoes, start practising the catwalk. Tottering heels or ankle boots in suede or patent leather are the order of the day.nbsp;

So get started and stock up your wardrobe. The season8217;s set to begin.

Paromita Chakrabarti

Paromita Chakrabarti is Senior Associate Editor at the The Indian Express. She is a key member of the National Editorial and Opinion desk and writes on books and literature, gender discourse, workplace policies and contemporary socio-cultural trends. Professional Profile With a career spanning over 20 years, her work is characterized by a "deep culture" approach—examining how literature, gender, and social policy intersect with contemporary life. Specialization: Books and publishing, gender discourse (specifically workplace dynamics), and modern socio-cultural trends. Editorial Role: She curates the literary coverage for the paper, overseeing reviews, author profiles, and long-form features on global literary awards. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent writing highlights a blend of literary expertise and sharp social commentary: 1. Literary Coverage & Nobel/Booker Awards "2025 Nobel Prize in Literature | Hungarian master of apocalypse" (Oct 10, 2025): An in-depth analysis of László Krasznahorkai’s win, exploring his themes of despair and grace. "Everything you need to know about the Booker Prize 2025" (Nov 10, 2025): A comprehensive guide to the history and top contenders of the year. "Katie Kitamura's Audition turns life into a stage" (Nov 8, 2025): A review of the novel’s exploration of self-recognition and performance. 2. Gender & Workplace Policy "Karnataka’s menstrual leave policy: The problem isn’t periods. It’s that workplaces are built for men" (Oct 13, 2025): A viral opinion piece arguing that modern workplace patterns are calibrated to male biology, making women's rights feel like "concessions." "Best of Both Sides: For women’s cricket, it’s 1978, not 1983" (Nov 7, 2025): A piece on how the yardstick of men's cricket cannot accurately measure the revolution in the women's game. 3. Social Trends & Childhood Crisis "The kids are not alright: An unprecedented crisis is brewing in schools and homes" (Nov 23, 2025): Writing as the Opinions Editor, she analyzed how rising competition and digital overload are overwhelming children. 4. Author Interviews & Profiles "Fame is another kind of loneliness: Kiran Desai on her Booker-shortlisted novel" (Sept 23, 2025): An interview regarding The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. "Once you’ve had a rocky and unsafe childhood, you can’t trust safety: Arundhati Roy" (Aug 30, 2025): A profile on Roy’s recent reflections on personal and political violence. Signature Beats Gender Lens: She frequently critiques the "borrowed terms" on which women navigate pregnancy, menstruation, and caregiving in the corporate world. Book Reviews: Her reviews often draw parallels between literature and other media, such as comparing Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune to the series Only Murders in the Building (Oct 25, 2025). ... Read More