We are living in a world surrounded by numerous things that are
either related to the technology, the latest gadgets or the latest
fashion. And Fashion today has made its significance felt in almost all
sectors of life. Fashion can be termed into two groups: One group which
follows fashion trends and adopts them and the other group who create
fashion and style statements for the others to follow them. It can also
be extended to another set of people who rarely have anything to do with
fashion trends but yet follow their own style to create their own
unique personality; adding one more style to the fashion world.
Fashion
is not just about cosmetics and make up or the hair-do. It is a sense
of creating the charisma of looking good in anything you wear and this
magic is created with the right kind of accessories going along with the
foot wear and the clothes, making up a pleasant picture to view. Many a
times, people who do not afford to buy expensive clothes look their
best in their casual wear, just by presenting themselves in that manner
of sophistication and creating an aura around them with the confidence
of looking good.
There are myriad forms of fashion, and trends
keep on changing with the seasons. From the early 60s and 70s to the
present millennium, there has been an immense change in the forms, looks
and thoughts about fashion trends.
In India, much of fashion has
been influenced by the Hindi Film Industry, popularly called Bollywood.
The trends that have changed through time can be fairly seen in the
movies made during the 60s and 70s and how they have evolved in various
forms bringing about a style that can be followed by the general public.
People have aped the west from very early times and this was no
exception. The clothes made in the 60s and 70s were very much influenced
by the western countries and given a traditional touch. The Bell
Bottoms, scarves and the hair style was very much prevalent in those
days as an icon of style. Later in the 80s and 90s, Fashion world
sizzled like never before. There was a craving by the people to look
different, stylish and modern and this could be seen in their outlook
towards their outfit, new styles of hair, makeup, accessories like
purses, earrings, necklaces, matching footwear etc.
People were
conscious about each and every new thing that was marketed and they
copied the styles from their Bollywood idols. Bollywood started as a
platform for theatre artistes and went on to become a commercial entry
to the youths and aspirants for a career in the film and fashion
industry. This gave the youth of today to emphasize on the fashion
world. Art and music have become an inseparable thing of the past and so
it is deeply rooted in the present as well with more features and
facilities.
Today fashion, art, music, designers, dance etc all
have a place in the industry and people can choose to take up anything
related to this industry as their profession too. Art and music have
long been implemented in the school co-curricular activities and the
Higher colleges are now offering various courses for better
professionalism in these areas. There are also various acting schools
and the small screen i.e., the television has opened up avenues in
bringing out the talent in the young minds through numerous platforms of
music and dance. This is the innovation of the millennium in creating
jobs and work in the fashion industry. The trends that we see are
brought about by the fashion houses that have regular seasons to
showcase their invention, many of which are popularized in FTV, Zee
Trendz and TLC channels. We can also get a glimpse of the stylish
outfits through these shows that the models present. Today, Modelling is
also one of the platforms for an entry into the world of fashion.
In
the yester years, fashion was constrained only to the actors in the
film or those that were bold enough to carry themselves in the public
that they were considered fashionable. Others just wooed them behind
close doors. Slowly when times began changing, we could see the women
showing off their styles in the traditional saree with an embroidered
blouse and a different neck style. Then we saw the saree being draped in
various styles like the Bengali style or the Gujarati style etc. The
women were liberating their choice of freedom and it could be seen in
their appearances with a high heeled slipper or the handbag she carried
or the way she held her saree or the hair and the makeup she wore. All
these changes brought about the invention of churidhars and then the
salwar kameez and finally the fashion of dresses was out in the open.
Women accepted to the fact that there was nothing wrong in looking good
and the men of course, loved to see the attractive side of women and
fantasized the idea over their spouses.
This change in attitude of
the public was very well taken by the fashionistas and a huge market
was created to meet the demands of the public. Today fashion creates a
new look with distinct style for a particular person and keeps oneself
updated with the latest trends seen in the market. This industry is
popular for its glamour as well as the mixture of Indian tradition and
culture put into the designer wear that the models showcase.
People
love to experiment different textures of materials used in the outfits
and so the designers give them a wide collection of dresses using all
kinds of clothes. There is the traditional Khadi and silk combination
that is presently creating waves seen in both men's and women's wear.
Then we have the embroidery work in zardosi, swarovski studded tops and
lehangas and multi stoned work in bridal collection sarees etc. Then the
most sought materials like cotton, polyster, chiffon, crush materials
used in varied iconoclastic designs and styles.
Always there is a
hope for the designers that the youth want a change in the fashion and
are glad to keep up the trend with a fusion of Indian and western mix of
fashionable wear. Also the youth of today are very practical in their
sense of styling for a particular occasion. Be it a party or for a
marriage or the casual look, they want the best and they believe in
looking the best. And to achieve this, people go one step ahead in
ensuring that they have everything in their wardrobe for any kind of
occasion.
Apart from the stylish clothes and fashion that is
currently popular people want to try something that goes along with
their outlook. So the market started towards the very own friend of a
woman- The Hand Bag or the Purse. The Fresh look of a purse with
magnificent colours and its stylish features like the chain handle or
the jazzy zips with numerous pockets in different shapes attracted the
public like never before. And with the increasing demand of the prices
of branded purses, it became a must for every woman to complete her
shopping. So did the other accessories line up by creating a place for
themselves in the market. Just a few to quote, the earring and
necklaces, the various Belts, hand bracelets and brooch, the stiletto
and its wonderful embroidered, party wear slippers along with its
brotherly high rugged shoes giving a perfect cowboy look etc.
