Fashion in cinema has always been a space to look out for. Right from the denim skirts that Asin rocked in the mid-2000s, to Samantha's pastel-hued modern wardrobe we see today, Kollywood’s design sensibilities have evolved organically... with stylists, red carpet looks and much more.
DRAPE DOMINANCE
Nobody dons the saree the way our women do. Back in 2005, chiffon sarees were all the rage, and the Yash Raj influence was evident. Our heroines danced to the tunes of romantic songs set in foreign locales wearing these sensuous drapes, while the men were dressed to the hilt in warm clothing. While our heart went out to the dainty ladies, we must agree they looked beautiful.
From bright gradient colours, they evolved with time — and today, we see more of handloom woven ones coupled with innovative blouses. Sarees have become subtler, and when paired with the right accessories, they make our heroines look like the queens they are!
BLINGING IT RIGHT
Accessories play a crucial role in the looks of actors in films. Earlier, it was all about colour coordination. With funky materials like plastic and resin adorning the girl next door, jewellery as such was never the centre of attraction in a costume ensemble — except for song sequences, where sometimes, they got outlandish too!
But now, since outfits in films have become more subtle and classy, the focus on accessories has increased — and today, we see exotic pieces of silver jewellery, personalised bracelets and chains — making them a staple in our own wardrobes.
Make up, not made up
Our heroines are known the least for experimental makeup, except for in song sequences, where they could go as wild as they wanted to! The makeup in films has always been au naturale and keeps up with international trends mostly. So, with time, thinly drawn eyebrows became thicker and fuller, we got rid of the dark lip liners for good, and the pin- straight hair rule has been forgotten. Now, makeup worn by the divas is more accessible, and can be recreated by anyone easily.
Not reaching for our sunglasses anymore!
Gone are the days when Kollywood used to be synonymous with garish colours like neons, bright reds and oranges. The colour palette we get to see in films have become more muted. Some films show actors in colours that gel with the entire colour theme of the film. Whites, beiges, blues and other pastel shades have arrived, giving them a sophisticated, elegant look.
Men make a mark
Western clothes for men used to mean denim. Denim jeans, jackets, shirts, all paired together! Layering, was not exactly our forte, you see. But that was then. Now, our men are conscious about their looks, even as they give the women stiff competition. Black, which seemed to be the rage then, seems to have been replaced by blues and beiges — and fabrics like linen and wool have taken centre-stage.
Owing the red carpet
The concept of a red carpet, simply did not exist back then. Thanks to global influences, we now have a host, who welcomes every actor and quizzes, “Who are you wearing?” Add to that, most leading actors are teaming up with stylists, and we get to see well-curated looks and daring, high-end outfits scorching the red carpet. Earlier, an elaborate Kanchivaram saree would suffice for a red-carpet appearance. Now, gowns rule functions, although we still do get to see a stunner or two arrive in traditional wear.
It was a landmark year when it came to fashion in Kollywood. Actors, filmmakers were up for experimentation in clothes they wore. Chiffon sarees became a favorite and stayed for many years, but we experimented with them in the way they were draped. Now we have many different fabrics stitched into the same saree, coupled with innovative blouse designs. The red carpet concept has caught on, and we get to see beautiful gowns at award shows. The relationship between an actor and a stylist, which was earlier restricted only to films has now branched out to every public appearance — that has resulted in great fashion statements made by these actors. The past 12 years have been quite an evolution, in terms of fashion.
— Anu Parthasarathy, Costume designer
