Fashion Dresses
Corporate style has come of age in India
as both men and women endeavour
to sport the look of success
Pinstripes and herring bone weaves, lilac ties and straight-cut pants, dour
saris and unappealing salwar kameez ensembles - these are just a few of the
styles you won't be wearing to the office in the New Year. Corporate wear in
2007 will go through a sea change from what one is conventionally used to and
will become a bit more trendy and fashionable with some of India's top designers
recommending a personalised look for the boardroom.
The trend for women will in fact slant towards the Indo-Western fusion look
as corporate divas mix a bit of ethnic India with Western silhouettes.
Ritu Kumar, the Grande Dame of revivalism votes for the kameez, " It's an out
and out winner!" Adds the designer, "The influence of the sack-like dress that
is ruling the international fashion scene will be fused with the kurta look
and can be worn with tights for a fusion look." Kumar fashions her fusion styles
with a definite slant towards cotton with folksy - bling thread embroideries
for a dash of stylishness - "This is ideal for a snazzy office wardrobe," she
reveals .
Mumbai-based designer Priyadarshini Rao's clothes always have that dreamy, beautiful
element that allow them to be worn effortlessly for any occasion. Her summer
of 2007 collection which was previewed at the Lakme Fashion Week last November
has the soft ethereal colours of nature like pale creme, sky, beige, jade, moss,
mocha, deep coffee and charcoal. "These colours are just right for a formal
working atmosphere," she says. Fashioned from delicate fabrics like voiles,
mulles, organzas, linens and light silks, at times a clever mix of all the fabrics
give a rich look to the ensembles.
But if it's a more formal look that you'd prefer to sport, wait till March 2007
when Allen Solly will launch its women's collection for Spring/Summer 2007 across
more than 100 stores. This is a perfect collection for the working woman as
well as the discerning fashionista who wants to dress in the latest western
wear.
Designed by the in-house team of Allen Solly, the collection comprises of a
pure white collection of knit blouses teamed with linen skirts, capris or leggings.
The detailing on the tops range from lace edging, drawstrings and neck ruffles
while the skirts are delicately tiered and edged with lace and subtle embroidery.
Little lace waistcoats and cropped jackets are paired with sharply cut pants
and for those high powered board meetings, the brand has crisp striped linen
business suits in corporate colours like beige, brown, blue and black, and comfortable
striped blouses that can be worn with gilets or waistcoats.
Moving into some "After Eight" action for a corporate soiree, Allen Solly dresses
women in skin-tight gabardine black pants with shirts in colours of deep maroon,
black, and brown, worn with either satin gilets or the popular cummerbunds.
Chiffon blouses, tailored jackets and formal trousers complete the feminine
look. As for men, colours will play an important role but the Indo-Western look
will certainly not be trendy.
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