Monthly Archives: March 2013

SS 2014 Trends of Cool Wool

The Woolmark Company’s global Cool Wool campaign reached a new audience, with the The Woolmark Company’s global Cool Wool campaign reached a new audience, with the showcasing of Spring Summer 2014 edition of the company’s The Wool Lab seasonal guide to the most interesting trends and best wool fabrics and yarns in the world. Merino wool provides stability, resilience, softness and luxury to the tailoring industry,and has long been a favourite of designers, but modern India know too little about the natural benefits.The launch of Cool Wool by The Woolmark Company – the global authority on wool – into the Indian market takes the global campaign to new heights. The new Cool Wool campaign takes the concept of trans-seasonal apparel even further for the 21st century with even lighter weight fabrics and yarns following the introduction of new specifications.
Research has shown that wool performs better than cotton and polyester in the natural management of moisture and temperature, ensuring that Cool Wool makes the wearer feel less clammy and cooler. Cool Wool forms an important supporting element within The Woolmark Company’s Spring Summer 2014 Wool Lab collection – the seasonal guide to trends and the best wool fabrics and yarns. The launch of Cool Wool in the Indian market reinforces The Wool Lab’s key themes for spring/summer: lighter weight and fine Merino fabrics created to unveil the potential of Merino wool products in the warmer months.



While all textile fibres are able to absorb and later release (‘desorb’) moisture from the air around them as the humidity of the air changes, only wool can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in water, more than any comparative textile fibre.With the comparable saturation water content of cotton is 24%, nylon (polyamide) 7%, and polyester 1%. The Woolmark company’s mission to enhance the profitability, international competitiveness and sustainability of the Australian wool industry; and increase demand and market access for Australian wool is well justified.

NIFT Students on Black Strike

It seems that the very apparent haughtiness associated with fashion begets in the very institutes manufacturing the fashionistas. If the recent fee hike in one of the premier fashion institutes of India, National Institute of Fashion Technology is anything to go by, then what comes out is that the profession of designing wrapped in glittery swathes comes with a hefty price tag.

Of late, the hundreds of students from across the country belonging to the institute resented against the massive fee hikes and threatened to stay away and boycott the classes till the administration relents. All dressed in black the students argue that they will not accept any hike under any circumstances as most of the NIFT centers have been burdened by a hike of Rs. 2, 00,000 for graduating students and Rs. 1, 00,000 for post-graduation students.

The faculty and management authority have also been blamed for palming off the students to accept the fee hike. Accusing NIFT Director General Prem Kumar Gera, one of the students of the Mumbai institute said, “He has been extorting money from rich Marwari students who cannot get admission through proper entrance examination, and pays donations in the name of NRI quotas, and get the seats filled up. Fees hike is another way of looting us, when our parents take huge loans from banks.”

“The placements of NIFT Students are less than a mere 40 per cent, and NIFT graduates are offered salaries as low as Rs. 8000 per month in some of the metros which is less than even a salary of a peon. The placement team should work hard and get us well-placed and we should be taught well so that we are placed in reputed companies with decent salaries,” she concludes.

Burberry to Move its Men

Burberry announces that it will be moving its menswear show to London after more than ten years of showing in Milan.Following the return of the Burberry womenswear show to London in 2009, the menswear collection will be shown as part of London Collections: Men on 18 June 2013. 

Burberry has been supporting London Collections: Men since its launch in June 2012, hosting events in celebration of British menswear at the brand’s Knightsbridge stores.

Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer, commented: ‘London is the creative heart of Burberry and our global headquarters, so we are incredibly excited to be showing our next men’s collection here. The country’s proud menswear heritage and outstanding contemporary talent give it a unique and powerful energy. It is a wonderful time to be bringing our menswear show home’.

 

Rohit Kamra for LFW SR13

For Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013 designer Rohit Kamra inculcates the affluent craftworks of Rajasthan in their latest menswear collection.

An attempt to promote the village artisans through the NGO ‘Woven Gold’, the collection uses khadi handlooms and village artwork fabrics to preserve the ethnicity of primarily Rajasthan combining design concepts from other cities.

Khadi jackets, band galas and Jodhpuri Kurtas form this exclusive men’s wear line with highlights in the form of threads and metallic shreds on fabrics along with the new summer shades of, faded white, earthy beige, alloy grey, emerald green, tidal blue, rustic red.

Pallavi Jaipur for LFW SR13

At Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013 designer Pallavi Jaipur will be presenting her latest collection titled ‘BUZZar’, evoking the busy shopping streets of Jaipur that leave women in awe of it.

Getting inspired from her home city, the designer has used the vibrant city market colours in her very feminine designs. Taking cues from the bazaars Pallavi has created a collection that is not hinged on one theme or idea but is a harmonious blend of colours, fabrics and playful embroideries to show vastness and depth of culture and heritage.

The color palette of the collection is symbolic to the streets of different bazaars of Jaipur and includes oranges, pinks, yellows, corals, silvers and midnight blues. 

Arpan Vohra for LFW SR13

Capturing the spectrum of light in his designs, designer Arpan Vohra accentuates the illusionary and perforated camera roll effect on silhouettes in his latest collection titled, Lights>> Camera>> Fashion, to be presented at  Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013.

The scenic beauty of 60’s meets with splendid fabrics; as Arpan attempts to define each body type in a sensuous piece of artwork.  Along with clever use of lace and dull metallic gold pipe combination, the designer has textured wavelength of colors from black, white, pink, neon and finally beige and dull metallic gold. The corset style is reinvented on the pretty dresses and jumpsuits with trendy feminine stripes along with circular cut-outs as insets and modern cuts.

About the collection designer Arpan Vohra says, “I have recreated the magic of contemporary resort styling by playing in movement of the colours to exhibit demure yet sporty look in my resort line. This LFW is more playful and promising to create rage in fashion world.”

Rajat Tangri for LFW SR13

The leading Australian Indian designer, Rajat Tangri, specializing in high-end Western couture and pret, is all set to unveil his latest collection titled ‘Geo’ at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013.

The collection draws inspiration from the mystique of Earth’s myriad formations and elements of geology merged with cutting edge designs to offer a couture line for men and women.

Customizing the opaque ivory embroidery and crystal work on exquisite blended cotton, Italian silk and stretch satin, with fine craftsmanship and finishing, the collection comprises of spectacular gowns, fitted dresses and jumpsuits for women and sharply tailored suits for men.

The color palette is comprised of fog, sage and coral, along with midnight blue hues with a touch of copper and black. Focus is kept to the multiform layering and draping, depicting fluid water and unique natural forms with matchless mother of pearl, opal stone and glossy black luminous reflections.

Manish Malhotra for LFW SR13

The glorious 100 years of Indian cinema will be romanticized by designer Manish Malhotra as he fashionably recreates the magic of past decades of Indian cinema through his exclusive collection at upcoming Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013.

The collection is inspired by the three main eras of fashion in Indian Cinema, right from 1913 to 2013 and is homage to the distinctive styles of every iconic period in Indian cinema. It will be unveiled by some of Bollywood’s biggest directors including Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap who will grace the ramp. The show will be closed by young actors who are heirs to the legacy of Bollywood.  

The silhouettes of the collection have been inspired by every iconic era. Starting with pieces in shades of black and white from the 1930’s, ‘anarkalis with fitted salwars’ of 60’s, ‘saris’ inspired by the 70’s, and moving on to the 80’s flower power that reflect the hippie chic culture. From 90’s onwards, Manish witnessed a strong emphasis on disco bling which evolved and was re-interpreted in different silhouettes. For Manish, 1990’s are evocative years where he also started designing for films, reinventing pastels, casual chic, shaded fabrics and thus lavish garments came into existence on the big screen.

Sequins and Kashmiri embroidery are fused into period specific designs. The collection has simple and clean cuts, making it relevant to a specific decade from the past, yet wearable and trendy in today’s time. The color palette chosen by Manish for this collection ranges from black & whites that reflect the earlier years to a wide array of summer hues like yellows and greens on chiffons, georgette, silks and net with floral and psychedelic prints.

Speaking about his love for cinema and passion for fashion, Manish comments, “Cinema has been a part of my life and work for 23 years now.  When I got this meaningful opportunity to celebrate 100 years of cinema, I had to embrace this milestone and create a memorable collection reflecting my equal love for cinema & fashion.”

Abu & Sandeep Presents SEYF

Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla has opened their new store in Mumbai, and in true Abu & Sandeep style, the store is designed by the duo and is an ode to maximalism.
“We were keen to make a new haven for our couture. The new store is designed to maximise customer experience. It’s a window into our inner world and hope it gives everyone as much joy as it brings to us,” said Abu & Sandeep.

To celebrate the opening of their new store in Mumbai, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla presented “SEYF” an ode to Chikankari for the Indian summer. A collection of single edition couture in chikankari,  is ethereal with impossibly intricate embroideries on the most delicate colour palettes.

Debarun Presents Be You

Inspired by the uniqueness of the individual, Debarun has used cotton & viscous weaved striped fabric, in bright summer colors to reflect the free spirit, combined with primal instincts of tribal inspired block prints in kora cotton and cotton viscous for the forthcoming LFW Summer Resort.

The silhouettes are free spirited with shorts, ganjee tops, tank tops, notted tops, sheath dresses, shirt pleated dress with an extended flared long jacket with striped shorts and tank top. For the men, the lines include pastel linen trousers paired with striped shirts and summer coats.

In  summer resort evening wear for women he has used Pastels in crepe’s, chiffons, tulle, with metal sequence work and printed circles in solid colors, interplay with each other to further accentuate the inspiration. The silhouettes are again simplistic with maxi dresses, sheath dresses, short dress, shorts, minis and the finale is a long dress with tulle flared skirt.