The Future of Fashion

What happens when experts and famous personalities of the fashion industry gather together? Well, one, it becomes an unforgettable experience! And two, you get a detailed insight into the industry you are aspiring to be a part of and the future unfolds in front of you!

The Future of Fashion Forum, held on January 25^th, by the WhistlingWoods Neeta Lulla School Fashion was a learner’s paradise. An unique platform where professionals and experts from different areas of the fashion industry shared their visions on Emergence of Luxury Brands, the Growth of the Fashion Retail Business, Trends and Insights and so on.

Eminent designers and personalities from the Indian fashion industry like Manish Malhotra, Rocky S, Varuna D Jani, Lulu Raghavan, Xerxes Bhathena and many others including Subhash Ghai, Meghna Ghai Puri and Neeta Lulla adorned the event and enriched the participants with knowledge on future fashion trends, the changing world of retail fashion and encouraged them follow their dream and be passionate about it.

               

“Tough luxes will be an inspiration in all fashion products with subtle textures and silhouettes. Modern Myth with characters from Indian and western folklore and Scandinavian motifs will be the key fashion components along with Hybrid styling in footwear’, explained Puneet Dudeja of WGSN, on Fashion Trends and Insights for the coming year. 

Manish Malhotra and Rocky S, shared their experiences with the industry and their journey as designers and association with Indian cinema.

In all, it was truly an enriching experience for the aspirants!

Get a Glimpse of the Future

Indian fashion industry has evolved in the past decade and the future seems to be full of exciting trends and innovations. The business aspect of the fashion industry is changing manifold, making it is necessary even for beginners to be familiar with the changing dynamics of the industry. 

The Whistling Woods Neeta LullaSchool of Fashion is unraveling the future of the fashion industry through the ‘Future of Fashion Forum’ on Saturday, 25^th January 2014, from 10:30am-5:30pm at the Whistling Woods International campus, Mumbai.

This Forum would create a unique platform where professionals and experts from different areas of the fashion industry share their vision on topics like Emergence of Luxury Brands, the Growth of the Fashion Retail Business, Trends and Insights and so on.  

The event aims to explore and understand the changing dynamics of Indian fashion, the influence of global trends and how technology is affecting the same. Fashion experts like Nachiket Barve, Krishna Mehta (of India Circus Retail),Pearl Shah, Ekta Rajani, brand consultants and strategists like Lulu Raghavan, Rahul Narvekar and similar others are few of the speakers at the Forum who would share their expertise, experience and insights with fashion aspirants and professionals.

The Future of Fashion forum is for those intrigued by this multifaceted industry. For further event details, registration and more, visit 

http://wwineetalulla.com/futureoffashionforum/index.php

So calling all fashion aspirants to get an insight into the future of Indian fashion! 

Spring-Summer 2014: Trend Highlights

We are already in the New Year, set and ready to take in what the fashion trends of the year hold for us. The vibrant festive colors with shimmer and jewel tones gave way to lighter, pastel shades, blush tones and bright colors and airy fabrics.

What young designers can look forward to for Spring Summer 2014:

Post Retro Comeback

If last year we saw vintage prints and styles make a comeback, this season is the time for the 80s and 90s to come back to our ensembles. High waist pants, knotted shirts and cropped jackets will be abundantly visible. Relaxed and comfortable long, loose fit tunics, tees and handkerchief dresses are back to runways.

Artful Colors

Let’s thank Lady Gaga for predicting what’s coming and aptly naming her album Art Pop since we will be seeing more of pop art colors, splashes of bold, vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and blues.

Athletic fancy

Use of performance fabrics, quilted cotton and mesh overlays on clothes and accessories like bags and shoes, for a truly sportswear inspired vibe to the season’s clothes!

Pastel shades

The festive colors like burgundy, royal blue, claret and the likes, in fabrics like silk, satin and sheers have given way to subtler tones like powder pink, white, peach and aqua. They’re a great contrast to sharper designs, or even a way to cut down the drama of heavy ensembles for day wear.

Checks

From chess board checks, to graph checks, hounds-tooth checks, spring-summer 2014 is about incorporating linear patterns and sharpness of designs.

 Monochromes

Black and white seems to be extending their trend in fashion from the last seasons. Ensembles in monochromatic whites and blacks with contrast accessories would rule day wear.

Ethnic prints

From Africa, India to Latin America and the Far East, ethnic prints, folklore and traditional motifs have inspired runways all over the world. Tribal jewelry, rich embroidery and graphic prints are an essential part of dramatic ensembles.

Sheers

Leaving a little imagination to your design is always a good idea. Sheers add subtle excitement to any garment and can be used for layering, or highlighting the prominent feature of your design. 

Pattern-making with Miniature Dolls

The most basic and essential aspect of fashion designing is patternmaking. Without understanding how to cut out the patterns for a particular design, garment construction is almost impossible. There are different methods of pattern making. 

One of them is to cut the fabric to a smaller scale using miniature dolls and replicate the final garment, so that the end result on a life size model is accurate enough and there is no wastage of fabric.

The New Year at the Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion started with a class on pattern-making, where our fashion faculty, Amol Chettiar, introduced the concept of cutting on ¼ scale dolls. The class was given circular skirts and their variations, ¼. ½. ¾ and full circular skirts.

The concept of cutting garments on a smaller scale for miniature dolls, was invented by Madeleine Vionnet, a French fashion designer of the 1800s.Known as the ‘architect of dressmakers’, Madeleine was popular for introducing the ‘bias cut’ to the fashion world. Her style of garment construction involved cutting, draping and pinning fabric designs on miniature dolls, almost half the size of a human body. The pattern was made afterwards by the house’s premiére (first seamstress). In those days, it was a new way of creating patterns. Normally the pattern is cut before a toile (first-try) is made. 

Madeleine’s fashion house was at its peak in the 20′s and 30′s and her designs were inspired by Greek vases and Egyptian frescoes. She also introduced ‘seam decorations’ by decorating visible seams with flower shapes. Madeleine’s vision of the female form revolutionized modern clothing and styles like the cowl neck, halter neck and the handkerchief dress are some of the styles that were introduced by her and are still in vogue in the 21^st century.

With this pattern making class, our students learned about putting a ‘stay stitch at the waist so as to avoid the fabric from stretching too much. They are now raring to go and experiment with new styles on their ¼ scale dolls.

STUDENT’S SPOTLIGHT: Draperies of the Kushan Era

The spotlight for this month at Whistling Woods Neeta LullaSchool of Fashion was on the Kushan Draping Style by our students. Guided by Jashika Ratanpal, textle designer one of our faculty members, our students have created garments inspired from the Kushan era.

The Kushan era spanned across centuries and covered a large geographical area including parts of China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North India and had influences of Buddhism and its followers. Culturally, the Kushan Empire borrowed a lot from Buddhist and Greek cultures and seamlessly wove in the brilliance in their sartorial creations.

The Costumes

The Kushan (Indo-scythian) dress had evolved from a nomad culture based on the use of the horse. Drapery is stylized in the early period, and they are in stark contrast to the second style, which is typified by the Gandhara and Mathura schools of Kushan art.

The ordinary dress consisted of an antariya, uttariya and kayabandh, with a turban for men. But the arrival of the Kushans extended the fashion of wearing sewn garments with all classes of Indians in north India. 

Kushan costumes may be divided into five types:

·         Antariya, Uttariya, and Kayabandh- Worn by Indigenous people

·         Kancuka, red-brown in color- Worn by guardians and attendants of the harem

·         Garments with embellishments worn by Kushan rulers and their entourage  

·         Rich fabrics Worn by other foreigners such as grooms, traders, etc

·         A mixture of different fabrics - Worn by foreign and indigenous people

Although, the clothes were simple, they were often adorned with stamped gold or metal plates, square, rectangular, circular, or triangular sewn in lines or at the central seams of the tunic.

To gain a holistic idea of drapery of Kushna civilization, our students draped mannequins in styles prevalent during that era and further, to get inspired by the cultural richness and take forward the essence while designing a modern day drape.

Our students found this activity engaging and enjoyed along with learning more about the Indian historic costumes.   

Understanding Fashion Journalism with Meher Castelino

When we say Fashion Journalism- it practically means all published information on fashion including critique, reporting and writing. We at Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion believe in cultivating this stream of Journalism among aspiring students of fashion through guidance of the best in the industry. Meher Castelino, the first ever Miss India (1964), fashion journalist, mentor and adviser with the our fashion school, shared her experience and insight on Fashion Journalism.

What is the significance of Fashion Journalism?

Fashion Journalism educates people about what is happening in the world of fashion- the fabrics, the trends, the innovations, the business of fashion. It practically works as an avenue to the fashion industry for aspirants, patrons and all those who believe in the art.

How is the concept of Fashion Journalism different today?

Fashion Journalism in the digital age is more liberal and widespread today, with faster communication and instant information shared with the consumers. However, I must also say that fashion journalism is also a little irresponsible today, with more freedom of speech. Anyone who can write writes about fashion without having in depth knowledge of the subject. So if you want to use the power of journalism in fashion, you need to do so positively.

What does it take to become a fashion journalist? Is a formal education necessary?

As I mentioned, to be able to write about fashion, you need to be well versed with the subject. You have to be a designer first, be educated enough about the fashion industry and then become a Fashion Journalist. You must know the difference between a ‘placket’ and a ‘pocket’ before you can even talk about fashion.

To successfully achieve the same, you need to have a formal education. You cannot write a sentence in English if you have not studied the alphabets. Similarly, a fashion degree/course helps you understand the language first so you can converse in the same in future.

What is the perception of ‘fashion’ among the young designers of India?

The younger generation perceives the fashion industry as full of glamour and glitz, gorgeous clothes, meeting beautiful people and of course profitable businesses. But what people miss is that is a lot of hard work, long term commitments that require undying passion and calls for a lot of stressful moments. The true role of a Fashion Journalist is to bring out the real essence of the industry to the people.

Inter ‘Pret’ ing High Street Fashion with Anita Dongre

When we talk about fashion, we usually think ‘couture’. With brands like AND, Global Desi, AD Man, IInterPret and Timeless, Anita Dongre, has redefined High Street Fashion in India. One of India’s trendiest designers, Anita has rightly captured the fashion sentiment of the 21^st century generation.  In conversation with the Whistling Woods - Neeta Lulla School of Fashion, she shared what it takes to be a designer for couture versus pret.

Q. What in your opinion are the fundamental challenges in designing Haute Couture versus Pret-e-Porte?

Honestly, both require an equal amount of skill, creativity and design aesthetic. The only possible difference would be the time required to create a bespoke ensemble compared to pret.

Q. How has high street fashion in India evolved in the last decade?

In India, high street fashion has grown by leaps and bounds. With innumerable brands in the market, the competition is healthy and it drives each brand or designer to cater effectively to the changing style sensibilities of consumers. To me, it’s more high fashion than high street, since the styles, cut, colors are in sync with the trend and new styles hit the shelves more frequently than a decade ago. 

Q. What should an aspiring designer look for while creating clothes targeted to high street fashion?

Wear-ability, versatility and affordability are the keys to a high fashion label. With so many choices available to a consumer today, your designs should offer that “extra” bit; the Indian woman today seeks versatility in her ensembles and that too at guilt-free prices. Combine great styles, comfortable silhouettes and functionality- and you got yourself a winner! 

Q. Do you think a professional education is important to become a fashion designer? Why?

An in-depth professional course always helps hone your creative skills. The projects and assignments you are given help you prepare better for a career in fashion design. If you have the talent and the right attitude then there’s no stopping you when it comes to professional opportunities. So yes, an education is always helpful. 

Q. A piece of advice for young fashion enthusiasts and aspiring designers.

There is no substitute to hard work and commitment. You must have passion and dedication for this craft and a ‘never-say-die’ approach. Let your imagination run limitless and stay abreast of global trends and styles and imbibe as much as you can from the seniors in the industry.