FESTIVE SPIRIT/STYLE STATEMENT
COUR TESY: ARCHANA KOCHHAR
COURTES Y: ANUPAMAA DAYAL
ARCHANA KOCHHAR:
“You can swirl and twirl in a perfect flared
skirt or lehenga, which is lightweight and so
much more dramatic. It should be bordered
to perfection with textured fabrics and
sequin detailing.”
She suggests that one forego the choli and
“team your skirt with a well-fitted leotard
shirt and a signature statement bolero
jacket, which punctuates the Indo-chic look.
Stack bangles of fiber, wood and glass on
your wrists and kick start the dancing in
bright heeled Kolhapuris.”
“The billowing anarkali grows stronger this
fall and transcends the territory of digitals
and drapes. The classic kali panel undergoes
innovation in the form of inserted godets and
drape bodices. Team them with crushed silk
skirts for a lungi effect over simple
churidaars,” she says. “The universal kurta
gets a sensual uplift in the form of drape
tunics with pinching and pleat detailing. The
look is paired with full patialas, dhoti pants
and harems in luxe lycra, which add a soft
movement to the traditional silhouettes.”
And she swears by bling, “
In-your-face embellishments should now take a
back step and let the shine of the fabric work
the magic. Tone-on-tone shine embroidery is
now replacing crystal-encrusted bling. The
detailing is more intricate, delicate and
tonal, which gives just the required shine, so
that the entire ensemble sparkles with a
sophisticated sheen.”
COUR TES Y: A D SINGH
A D SINGH: “Play it like a diva. Since Navratri means a lot of dancing, I always recommend that women go for silhouettes that are comfortable and at the same time nice and snug in the appropriate areas. Skirts with extra flare and kalis teamed with dainty blouses or backless numbers make for killer appeal. I love the color palette of champagne teamed with emerald green and all silver blouses (He also recommends fuchsia and wine). They’ll bring out the diva in you and make you look extremely classy. For women who are not at heir best fitness-wise, long anarkalis with deep backs are the perfect cut. Besides the perfect silhouette, they will bring a lot of elegance and crispness to your personality. Aside from emerald green and champagne, colour suggestions include. As for detailing on cholis, Singh suggests that you pick those encrusted with Swarovski crystals and cut deep in the back, or then entirely backless. Ensure you choose all blouses with sleeves if you really plan to swing and dance this Navratri.”
RIYAZ GANGJI: “Use colors like red, maroon, orange etc and avoid
dark tones like blacks a nd blues. Nowadays, variations are available in cholis
through cuts like open backs, traditional tie-ups etc. Colored strings should be
brought back. Embroidered jootis and mojaris can be worn and teamed up with
jackets, patiala pants, etc. One should also opt for different kinds of materials
like silk, cotton, handlooms and bhagalpuri silk. For men there are angardhas —
shorts kurtas that can be teamed up with colored belts — neon ones that give
off reflection. And as for accessories, both men and women can wear pagadis in
different styles. But remember not to spend too much on what you do not wear
regularly.”
ANUPAMAA DAYAL: “People are now
opting for less embroidered styles
worn without dupattas and
exposing the shoulders.
Above-ankle skirts worn with half-sleeve cholis and shararas are a
new trend we see evolving.
Another popular fad is
color-blocking using
high-intensity colors.”
