Dil maang-e more…

Mona

Here it is again…the recent Libertine show at New York Fashion Week had models walk the ramp donning sindoor in bright red, and pink! Indian traditional elements have found favour with the western world since long and it looks like their fascination for all-things Indian is only growing with time. While Selena Gomez has professed her love for bindi and sari time and again, the recent runway look brings the Indian love back in focus.

Indian textiles, techniques (like tie-n-dye), colours and embroideries have been adapted and adopted by the designers world over since times immemorial. Even the traditional elements like bindi, sindoor and sari have enticed them. Madonna and Gwen Stefani wore bindi with élan in the mid 90s.

“The variety that Indian makeup offers has no parallel anywhere in the world,” says Richa Agarwal, make-up expert and founder director of Cleopatra. For a recent shoot for an ace Indian designer, she too was asked to create the sindoor looks in pink, orange and shimmery copper, the last one that she found difficult to procure. Having sindoor on the ramp, she feels, the trend might trickle down to the masses. “Our ornaments like tikkas have long been appreciated in the West. It’s our makeup now that they are inspired by.”

The colourful Indian culture attracts one and all and no doubt there are takers for it. The high-end Hermès has launched the drape saris and Coacheela seems to be the perfect place to flaunt the love for bindi. The king of festival fashion has seen beauties like Selena Gomez and Vanessa-Hudgens don the dot.

“Let’s give it to the Western world that Indian tradition is too hard to resist, be it our fabric or colours,” shares Ritu Kochhar, founder director, INIFD, pointing out that unlike Indian designers who stick to their staple style, the Western designers take pride in presenting something strikingly different than their previous outing.

“Look at Dolce & Gabbana or Valentino, each of their collection is presented in completely different style, while our Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi would stick to their style and muse.”

While every Hollywood hottie would have tried something Indian, but Ritu doesn’t think that our traditional elements are ever going to take over. “Be it their stylists and back-stage people, they do use stunts to make every show memorable. But let’s give them credit they are good in their job too.” We totally agree. Creating a little drama was what Libertine show successfully did as does Rekha when she shows up with sindoor on her maang for her award show outings!

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