Amrit Kaur’s Fascination with Retro

Amrit Kaur’s Collection

Speaking of retro trends of the season…

This season is all about return of the retro in modern style. Swooping bellbottoms, tightly-fit tops, and psychedelic prints—everywhere we look, the 1970s style is back in heavy rotation with touches of contemporary style. For instance, flared pants are given a modern look by teaming it up with crisp white shirts or a crop tops; also, take note of oversized sunglasses, polka-dotted hair accessories, bright floral prints and more.

Tale of fabrics, color palette, prints and silhouettes…

For this summer, I have played with cotton silk, chiffon, chanderi and blend of cotton and raw silk. The fabrics portray a palette of bright colours and prints. With vibrant pop colours such as yellow, orange, green, purple, blue and red taking the center stage, I have played very strategically with bold prints and floral prints to make my garments look more fun and lively. I used floral-roses to cast hints of feminineness, and tropical prints, wild flowers along with long leafs with subtle colors and geometric prints to recall disco elements in crop tops, blouses, sheer capes, mid-cuff skirts, pencil-cut skirts, short dress and pantsuits for woman.

Amrit Kaur’s Collection

What went behind making of your latest collection?

Love of retro and love of summer went behind conceptualizing this collection. Movies like American hustle and TV shows like the 70’s show got me really inspired.

Tell us about your fascination with the good-old 70s fashion…

70’s fashion is a statement to be bold, fun and joy. Pop colors, bold prints, high-waisted flared trousers, symmetry and hints of disco gold on jumpsuits, capes, and dresses often bring out the hippie in you. I am in love with this unpretentious and fearless style statement. Rugged hairdos, statement headgears, Bohemian scarfs, oversized hats and big sunnies always arrest my attention.

Amrit Kaur’s Collection

The muse…

The whole look and energy of 70’s era inspired me; the era reminds me of times that were hassle-free, fun, optimistic and unpretentious in terms of fashion. The pop culture, disco trends and hippies really stood out amidst two oil crisis movements, the end of the Vietnam War and suffering economy. The 70’s were a time of beauty and freedom, when femininity was pushed forward. Bold prints and vibrant colors has always been my favorite but 70’s also give us bold flashy gold look—think of big loops, jewelry and belts.

Future plans?

Right now I am working on my new collection for autumn/winter 2015-16 in which I am taking further my retro theme in winter style making more of coats, jackets and sheer dresses. Rest all is a surprise (she smiles).

The Season of Non-specifics – Shruti Sancheti

Shruti Sancheti’s collection

Tell us about en vogue summer trends…

This summer the focus is on non-season specifics, norm core, Bohemian-inspired, and retro looks. The look is minimalistic yet trendy, tribal yet au courant and 1970’s with a contemporary twist. Midis, jumpsuits, long skirts, spliced skirts, maxis, crop tops, throws and jackets in summer fabrics like linen, khadi, cotton, summer silk ,neoprene are popular. Detailing like zippers, pockets, fringes along with tribal embroidery, tie n dye, and ombre dyeing are extremely popular. Accessories like metallic sunglasses, interesting neckpieces, belts, and sneakers and brogues are trending this summer.

What fabrics, colour palette, prints and silhouettes in Indian couture will do the rounds this season?

Fabrics which allow you to breathe like linen, organic cotton, summer silkier silk and all natural fabrics will be popular to beat the sultry balmy weather. Colours from pretty pastels like blush, custard, peach, mint green, to warm hues like marsala, olive, indigo, and watermelon red all will be popular. Block print, tie n dye, screen print, and digital prints will be extremely popular too; lastly, silhouettes like wide-legged pants, spliced skirts, long flowy skirts, maxis, midis and jumpsuits will be trending high.

Shruti Sancheti’s collection

What went behind making of your latest collection?

My collection ‘Nomadistaan’ is about the global woman living out of suitcases but feels trapped in urban confines of the modern world. Her soul is nomadic but her outlook is totally global; she wants to flaunt a bit of her legacy and culture down her sleeves. The styling of the collection is contemporary but the look is Bohemian.

Tell us about a usual day in your life…

I start the day with going to the gym to undo the damages of the previous day. Then it is working till 2pm after which I have lunch and again at about 3.30 pm its work time till 6.30 pm. After that my evenings are devoted to my family and friends. However, I live out of suitcases so this stability is always a temporary phenomenon and when I travel, which is very often, routine takes a back seat.

Shruti Sancheti’s collection

What would Shruti Sancheti’s woman look like?

My woman is an old-school one trapped in this au courant world. She believes in the unsurpassed legacy of weaves, textiles and crafts and wears timeless clothes, which have understated luxury and restrained opulence. She is astute, ferociously proud of her heritage and yet expresses her femininity and elegance through her distinct yet restrained dressing.

What inspired you to make this collection?

My love for travel, love for rich crafts, love for colours and most of all love for Bohemian and tribal fashion…

A Happy Space. A Colourful Space

Anupamaa Store – Khan Market

Nestled in the heart of Khan Market, New Delhi, the vibrant colours and prints highlight and bring to fore the new Anupamaa by Anupama Dayal flagship store. Spanning 400 sq feet, the new store space brings alive the label’s true essence – vintage meets bold and western.

Anupamaa Store – Khan Market

Planned, conceived and designed by prominent fashion designer, Anupama Dayal, the store features hand-painted flowers and buds along the pale ochre walls and ceiling. Bringing alive the old Delhi, Mughal vibe in the label’s signature colour palette, the store echoes the brand’s ‘raison d’etre’ – revival of the ancient, almost forgotten hand printing techniques of India.

Anupamaa Store – Khan Market

Details like the mascot puppet Hosnara at the entrance, resplendent in a rose pink skirt and a headdress of a hundred flowers, the tapestries along the walls and the designed mirror inspired by the India Gate accentuate Anupamaa aesthetic. With myriad local elements and nuances running through the store, the design and concept has been carefully thought out to capture the label’s bohemian spirit.

Anupama Dayal

An expansion from the previous store in the same neighborhood, the new Anupamaa store encompasses the brand’s product range from the colourful and eclectic garments and accessories to the newly launched Anupamaa Home line.

Boho Caravan by Hemant & Nandita

Boho Caravan by Hemant & Nandita

How inspiring is Kashmir! Timeless architecture, undying techniques, delicate embroideries, scenic beauty and extravagant handicrafts and clothing that are all spotted under one big roof. The duo’s long visited expedition has yet again given them a chance to paint their next canvas with the flashing memories of this picturesque destination.

Boho Caravan by Hemant & Nandita

For Autumn/Winter 2015, Hemant & Nandita project their love for ethnicity through the art of storytelling. While folk and regional tapestry outlines this collection, Boho Caravan entwines ancestral tradition with bohemian glamour.

Boho Caravan by Hemant & Nandita

Clustering floral thread embroideries, swirling ethnic prints, rich earthy tones with an intricate texture treatments, this collection echoes sheer wilderness. Cozy blanket overcoats and capes are tied on to dainty maxi dresses and pants, assorted with detailing of swaying fringes and tassels.

Boho Caravan by Hemant & Nandita

This collection is deeply rooted into muted tones of dusky brown, smoke grey, olive green, mustard, and dull reds. With comfortable tweeds, plaids, velvet and felt highlights, Boho Caravan reflects true sense of a nomadic woman who is a free-spirited leader with effortless elegance.

The Magic of Shibori

109°F Fusion Beats- Shibori Collection

With temperature soaring high, a simple yet classy outfit that keeps the heat at bay, is something that we are always on a hunt for! 109°F, the women retail apparel brand’s Shibori Collection from their Spring/Summer’15 line, is a perfect pick for this season.

109°F Fusion Beats- Shibori Collection

Fusion Beats’, Shibori Collection from their SS’15 line celebrates free spirited, bohemian women of today. It is not just fashion, but an expression of who you are. The collection also takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese Shibori blended with rhythmical baroque that presents a fresh take on this SS’15 Line. Rather than treating the fabric as a two-dimensional surface, it is given a three-dimensional form by folding, crumpling, stitching, plaiting, or plucking and twisting. The collection includes flowing sleeveless dresses with abstract prints, fun jumpsuits and kitsch tops. Bright indigos highlighted with hints of yellow form the colour palette which is perfect to bask on sunny beaches.

109°F Fusion Beats- Shibori Collection

A 109° F woman has multiple facets; she is sharp yet carefree, powerful yet fun and likes to experiment with the exquisite and special characteristic of soft or blurry-edged pattern imprinted in the Shibori Collection. The effect is quite different from the sharp-edged resist obtained with stencil, paste, and wax. With Shibori, the dye works in concert with the materials, not in an effort to overcome their limitations but to allow them to attain full expression; and an element of the unexpected is always present. The rich sensuous colours of blue and white and the pliability of the material respond well to the movement and flow of the body. Keeping in mind funky, ferocious and cosmopolitan women of today, this brand has adapted the Shibori technique in crisp shorts, casual pants and free-flowing tops. The collection is priced between INR 1200-1800 and is available across 109°F outlets and online shopping partners.

Dorothy Perkins presents Spring/Summer 2015

Dorothy Perkins

UK’s most famous high street brand Dorothy Perkins announces the launch of its Spring/Summer 2015 collection, available exclusively on India’s leading fashion destination, Jabong.com. The spring summer collection of Dorothy Perkins embraces the key trends for the coming season with a return to the seventies and Sports Luxe.

Dorothy Perkins

The collection will be available on Jabong.com for its discerning customers from March. Jabong.com believes in bringing the latest and best trends forward for the customers. The latest summer collection from Dorothy Perkins is inspired by the 1970’s.

Dorothy Perkins

The dresses are longer, the skirts are A-lined and the trousers are cropped. Materials are a mixture of textures with knits and crochet, leather and suede – the chocolate brown suede shorts and jacket are key drifts. These rich textures are combined with denim – one of the star fabrics for spring summer.

Dorothy Perkins

Colours are a combination of muted pastel shades with pops of coral and indigo. Soft ruffle detailing and feminine prints, which take inspiration from the orient, create a seventies romantic bohemian look. Oversized peasant blouses are teamed with button front denim skirts and bell bottom jeans, matched with high platforms and felt hats creating a classic seventies silhouette.

Dorothy Perkins

For SS15 culottes are in pink leather and trousers are loose and wide – creating a new elegant shape. A fresh and modern feel updates this season’s Sports Luxe trend. Clean, simple lines create the look for the utility nineties inspired collection. Minimal boxy, cropped jackets in a variety of fabrics and textures – from neoprene to sheer and mesh – mixed with the cigarette trouser creates a sleek look.

Dorothy Perkins

Asymmetric tops and tunics add to the new season silhouette. Colour for this collection is exciting with poster paint shades of blue and green. Colour blocking leads the way – whilst the all-over whites we’ve seen in past seasons have returned. Florals are big and bold and are on full looks – on dresses and across short suits.

Swati Vijaivargie for Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014

Swati Vijaivargie with Showstopper Neha Dhupia

Inspired by traditional clothing amongst Hmong women and Vietnamese culture, designer Swati  Vijaivargie charmed all with her artistic collection titled ‘Rangraez’ at Jabong Stage during the fashion week.

Swati Vijaivargie

The designer worked with traditional motifs and geometric prints on handmade silks to add a new age, bohemian appeal to her outfits, which comprised of jackets, trousers, tops, blouses, kurtis, coats and tunics. Colours like emerald green, smoke black, burnt tangerine, deep blue and fuchsia added a fun pop artsy tone and were complemented by buttons, hand-cut antique gold sequins and quilting for a sophisticated edge.

Swati Vijaivargie

A stand out feature within the collection was the delicate play of geometry with embroidery for a striking, individualistic style that was both traditional and modern. Showstopper Neha Dhupia dazzled in an orange coat paired with a cropped top, a skirt and cigarette pants, which beautifully displayed the designer’s flair for layers.

Swati Vijaivargie

Aesthetically intriguing and fashionably fantastic, ‘Rangraez’ by Swati Vijaivargie was one collection that will appeal to any woman who knows what she wants and more importantly, how to get it glamorously.