Fashion India

Book excerpt: Celebrates the new Indian designers—from ready-to-wear and haute couture to bridal and menswear—currently transforming the international fashion scene India is a rising star in the world of fashion. Drawing on an inimitable creative inheritance stretching back thousands of years, the country’s designers are rapidly securing India’s place in the future of fashion. Larger cities like Delhi and Mumbai, home to Lakmé Fashion Week and already destinations for the fashion elite, are no longer the sole players, as Pune and Bangalore grow increasingly influential. Across India, young designers are acting on the opportunities provided by the increasing influence of the nation’s fashion shows and the expanding market for boutiques and online retail. This timely first survey of Indian fashion celebrates the achievements of such young designers as Rahul Mishra, Aneeth Arora, and Ruchika Sachdeva, as well as the visually vibrant designs of established superstars including Manish Aurora, Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla, and others. Illuminating profiles of the designers are interwoven with interviews conducted by the author especially for this book. Lush illustrations of all the hottest looks range from luxury bridal and ethnic formal wear to contemporary interpretations of the sari. Descriptions of the various techniques and materials employed reveal the skill behind each incredible garment, from traditional crafts like handloom weaving, color-resist dyed silk, intricate embroidery and appliqué, to cutting-edge fabrication and construction methods.