Going Grunge
Grunge made great fashion news in the year 2014. “Women who preferred not to sport the manequinned look, succumbed to the grunge charm. Abstract layering with a hint of casualness, opting for extreme mismatched style, and focussing on mixed patterns, graphic T-shirts. Of course, going over-sized in a big way defined the grunge look in a stunning way,” mentions designer Shantanu Goenka. It was all fun and style indeed!
Suede Chic
A collective penchant for suede was evident on the runways in F/W 2014. “Suede is all about sophistication. It feels great against the body and can be used for more than boots and jackets. Ideally it works best for separates like waistcoats, trench coats, over-shirts but this time, suede evening dresses and skirts with fringed hemlines grabbed attention,” says designer Swapnil Shinde
Denim Deluxe
The year will be best remembered for denim going the deluxe way. Shedding its rugged identity, jeans basked in newfound elegance, as designer Gavin Miguel puts it, “Well-fitted denim dresses glamourised with embellishments was an essential part of the story. Detailings in the form of metallic chains and zips, strategically placed buttons, crystals, studs and peplum sitting pretty on the waistline were pivotal in changing the status of denim.”
Mesh-Ed Up!
Fabric wise, it was the year of the ‘meshy affair’. Counting on the barely there mesh fabric’s sensuous appeal, designer Abhishek Dutta says, “The perfect mesh story came in the form of a long straight dress, with the inner fabric kept short. It worked wonders as separates, especially as a 1980s inspired mesh top teamed with narrow fitted trousers. Strategically placed mesh panels clicked big time as well.”
Print Story
Things got a little outlandish at the print factory as designers displayed a colourful and eccentric splash of creativity. Just when we thought 2013 saw prints taking an unconventional turn, this year was in for a bigger surprise. Facepalm, table fans, running water taps, horn and round rimmed glasses, double decker buses, hot-air balloons. graphic roses, skulls, illustrated birds, stars, masquerade masks and the street life of India all made a digitally enhanced appearance.
On the face front the image of Shrek and Frida Kahlo made maximum impact. “Prints have been all about letting your imagination have a field day,” points out designer Masaba Gupta.
Long Robes
Long robes or achkans defined the 2014 ‘formal power dressing’ in Fall fashion. “Capes and robes dominated fashion runways like never before. The big difference this season came from a change in attitude. Earlier if it was restricted for a slender frame, now long robes found an audience with the curvaceous,” says designer Parul J. Maurya.
Cocoon Coats
The jacket list declared cocoon jacket as the 2014 favourite. “Cocoon coats have been a haute item. Since the oversized look had a field day all this while, cocoon made a grand entry in the F/W 2014 scene. It’s a versatile winter attire and teams up well with trousers and dresses. Capes too did a fine cover up job and are still going strong,” underlined designer David Abraham.
