F A S H I O N - Surekha Kadapa-Bose ( Courtesy - BTW Magazine)

Cold Comfort

It’s that time of the year when you can be indulgent. Thanks to the weather, wearing clothes made of luxe fabrics is the in-thing

It used to be a different story a couple of years ago when winter meant ungainly cardigans, shawls, jackets and what not. Those were the times when vehicles, offices and homes were all ruled by the natural atmosphere. We are living in times when temperatures are electronically controlled, which gives one freedom to dress up as fashionably as one can think of, and still not feel the chill except for brief moments while getting off the car and entering a building foyer.

	Agreeing that winter months are times of indulgence, Archana Kochhar, the couture designer who recently showcased at Chennai International Fashion Week and has been around for nearly a decade says, “Being in the tropics we don't have extreme winters, at least not in Mumbai. So, naturally the key points to dress these winter months is about dressing opulently and luxuriously in luxe fabrics like, velvet, silk, jacquard etc. with detailing in the form of antique embroidery highlighted with crystal, lace finishes which gives one a regal look befitting the season.’’
The latest collection of Archana, who retails from three fashion stores in Mumbai too, has been inspired by the antique and retro appearance. She has designed a range of dramatic gowns inspired by jewel tones like deep wine, midnight blue, emerald and ruby dazzled with crystals and feathers.     Interestingly, this trend is not limited to India. One is likely to find celebrities and catwalks in Paris, Milan and New York too following this trend. Some of the attires are done up in knitted wool also.

	Similar opinion is expressed by Lina Tipnis while she dwells on the style and cuts prevailing this season. Says the designer, whose label Linarika is synonymous with diffusion clothing and prêt, “Autumn-Winter 09 is all about fitted silhouettes, backless sheaths, plunging necklines, geometry, precision, and above all individuality. Emphasis is on jeweled tones such as emerald green and ruby red with the versatile androgynous black trench being the season’s favourite. Digital prints depicting the traditional Indian baraat, marigold flowers and Indian musical instruments are the season’s desired images!’’
The much known designer, whose fusion lines are available across Europe and simultaneously sold in India, Lina’s fall-winter collection has been inspired from the jewels owned by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, which have been recreated by using a dif-ferent technique of embroidery.     What stands out this season are more of gowns and dresses. Party gowns have gained immense popularity a la salwar-kameez which was a craze in the 1960s.

Predicts Pria Kataria Puri, the savvy fashion designer with a wild streak: “Gowns and dresses are going to rule this winter. There are going to be couture gowns, party gowns and even gowns in which one can have a relaxed time.’’    Pria’s latest collection comprises around four types of gowns and are designed mainly in satin fabric -- taffeta satin, flowy-draped satin with brighter colours like lilac, purple, blue, off whites and beige. Like other couture designers who feel blue is going to rule the season in winter dressing, Pria too suggests going with jewel tones like sapphire, ruby and emerald or going completely soft with a palette of cream, biscuit, off white and golden in terms of colours of fabric this season.     Lina’s advice for women who would be partying in cold regions, like the country’s northern belt: “The silhouettes for both cold and warm regions of the country could be more or less similar, the difference being in fabric. In cool climes one could go for layering in attires and add on shrugs, wraps, or wear woolen stockings, woolen scarves and interesting outerwear, like a glamorous trench teamed with a pair of sleek boots.’’    For those who like to enhance their figure, Pria suggests waist belts with a beautiful buckle on jackets or coats worn over dresses. Or simply holding the jacket on one’s arm or throwing a scarf around the shoulders to increase one’s charm and feminine quotient.