Features

The Summer Style Edit

24 May 2019 by Riaan Jacob George

Indian men’s fashion is undergoing a tremendous metamorphosis, as is evident during every season of Lakme Fashion Week, which largely dictates the prevailing seasonal trends. This summer, we do a nifty roundup of the men’s runway trends at Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2019 and give you our favourite picks. With these silhouettes in your wardrobe, you will not only take on summer in style but also participate in the movement towards responsible and sustainable fashion. There is a constant process of modernisation of Indian garments and designers are going all out to make Indian clothing mainstream.

More than just garments now, the fashion industry is talking about stories behind these garments, where they come from, what they are inspired by. The key focus is also on the use of sustainable fabrics. As a result the Lakme Fashion Week team is constantly thinking of new ways of showcasing sustainable Indian fashion to the world. A case in point is how many designers, both veterans and newcomers, are going back into the villages to revive dying crafts, to resurrect forgotten fabrics and to talk about fashion heritage, which all finally ties in with the concept of sustainability. Jaspreet Chandok, Vice President and Head of Fashion of IMG Reliance tells me, “We want to be the leaders in promoting sustainable fashion in India.

We have so many interesting initiatives including an entire day dedicated to sustainable fashion. A case in point is Rohit Bal’s Kashmir-based collection. This is a partnership we are proud to have played a role in not only because of the outstanding garments on display but the intent behind it. This is just the beginning. Over a period of time, you will see most of our collections taking a responsible route. And menswear is going to be at the very heart of this revolution.”

Here are the key trends for men’s fashion this summer as seen on the runway.

Mini Floral Motifs

This season saw a return of the floral trend, used in small sizes on shirts, bandis, kurtas and jackets. SVA by Sonam and Paras Modi featured elegantly layered silhouettes coupled with floral kurtas.

Neo-traditionalism

Spearheading this trend of modernised Indian silhouettes is Kunal Rawal, whose menswear featured a generous mix of eastern and western silhouettes. Sherwanis with curved hemlines, kurtas with ankle-length trousers, modernised bandhgalas and waistcoats worn with kurtas.

Timeless bandhgala

The master of the bandhgala, Raghavendra Rathore’s craftsmanship is visible in small detailing and surface treatment. This piece of clothing remains at the very core of the Indian wardrobe, being interpreted by Raghavendra Rathore in handwoven textiles, silk and natural yarns. In addition, layering has been reimagined with printed kurtas under bandhgalas.

Eco-friendly fabrics

Sustainable fashion is possibly the most talked-about trend right now. A case in point is Anita Dongre’s recent collection in collaboration with Tencel, a fabric that is biodegradable and compostable. As a result, you will see Anita Dogre’s summer-friendly kurtas, sherwanis and bandhgalas, in a range of pop and candy colours, designed in Tencel.

Large Embroidery

Reviving the crafts of Kashmir and making them trendy again, Rohit Bal has counted on organic cotton, silk blends, chanderis, silk organzas and velvets, expressed in bandgalas, jackets, bandi jackets and kurtas. Large embroidery is the trend du jour, with oversized motifs making quite a statement in the groom’s wardrobe.

Futurism

Futuristic fashion has always been on the scene and this season is no exception. Avant garde designer Asa Kazingmei uses denim and leather as the core of a very fashion-forward collection. Leather has been worked on  and embellished with studs, zippers and even paint options. Similarly, denims find themselves with detailing to give them a very rugged, workwear-inspired look.

Streetstyle Inspiration

Given the ongoing popularity of the athleisure trend, and the Indian hip hop movement, it is no surprise that Indian brands are showcasing streetstyle-inspired trends — LoveGen, a streetwear brand, for instance, showcases hip hop clothes like hoodies, joggers, jackets and tee-shirts in jersey and light cotton.

Fluid Trousers

While the length and fit of trousers changes drastically every season, this season we saw the emergence of loose fits, albeit tailored. Ashish N Soni’s collection Grado features wide and fluid trousers, which are cropped at the ankle or calves.

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