Freedom to flaunt

Manpriya Singh

The big shots in the fashion industry have always had a condescending attitude towards trends. JJ Vallaya is known in the circles for passing on questions to do with trends, because he doesn’t believe in any. ‘Don’t follow trends,’ that’s an honest advice we’ve heard far too often. “What are trends, it’s what we give you, style is what you already have. If one year is a fishtail skirt, next year is something else, because we got to keep the cash flowing,” shared another, of course, on conditions of anonymity. But like every industry, fashion too has a future. What does 2020 hold is where those from the industry hold the mirror for us.

As for Manish Malhotra, he already declared on the sidelines of a show, “Unapologetic style will rule this year,” adding, “I see fabulous energy in younger designers, who don’t fear to be true to themselves. They wear what they want to, and style and mix it up. What is phenomenal that I have seen in the past few years that people are not afraid of being themselves, and that’s a big trend that’s going to rule next year. I hope that’s a trend forever.”

Bright hues, emerald, plum

A brand new colour palette is a good way to ring in anything new, season or year.

City-based designer Div from the label Doethereal is betting on deeper colours like cherry, emerald, plum for the winter months and bold pastels, bright baby blues, sage green and lime yellow for the coming summer.

“Flowing romantic silhouettes in floral prints or sheer bright hues are the mood for the summer. They’re relaxed, easy and can transition from day to night with a nice pair of cocktail earrings and heels.” As for Indian wear, “It’s either go for super traditional cuts in suits and lehengas with prints and patterns mixed interestingly or really modern, fun and flirty with co-ordinated sets.”

Victorian sleeves, faux leather

Each year, fashion is an amalgamation of a few trends that evolve, some that continue and others that gradually fade out. Designer Samikhsa Bajaj, co-founder, Samshek, gets into the specifics when she predicts, “From shirts and dresses to shorts and trench coats, leather is going to be everywhere in 2020. Shoes worn over pants will be a significant style trend making its way. Oversized Victorian sleeves, chunky boots with feminine dresses will be the highlight of 2020. Puffed sleeves are a growing trend that will still be popular next year.” She adds, “This year will bring back big trends from the 70s. Deconstructed suits have been popular all year long and they’re going to continue to be spotted on red carpets and runways in 2020.”

Wide lapels, flared hemlines

Designer Anuradha Ramam spells out a few keywords and the accessories to hoard onto and to hold onto for us when she says, “The fashion trends in 2020 include distinct and unique fashion accessories like oversized hats, bamboo bags, shell jewellery and embellished belts. Also tie-dye patterns, sequins, fringes and puffed sleeves will be in trend. The year will also bring back trends from the seventies like wide-lapels, double-breasted styles, flared hemlines. Another big trend will be bell bottoms.”

Responsible, ethical, minimal

With the brand H&M declaring to one and all whomever it may concern or whoever may care, ‘2020, that’s the year when 100 per cent of our cotton will be sustainably sourced’, responsible buying is set to become cooler than it always was and along with things that will never go out of fashion.

Opines designer Sanjana Jon, “There is going to be a shift in the nature and style of dressing. Minimalism is coming in, in a big way and so is organic fashion that is sourced sustainably.” She adds, “We are going to see a toned-down version of fashion.”

Could she have meant it’s bye-bye neons, metallic embellishments and bling that overshadowed the past year?

Athleisure on a roll, still

Fashion is often an outcome of the times we are witnessing, although in a subtle way. It reflects climate, economy and the social state of affairs. Which is why, rather than getting into the colours and silhouettes, Mumbai-based designer AD Singh predicts that the fashion in the coming year “will be very comfort oriented. That athleisure clothing will be seen on the runways and ramps and the red carpet is one way of putting it.”

Now, don’t they say, in difficult times, fashion is always outrageous.