Fashion is a statement of our
life-style encompassing all.age groups and segments of the society.It
transcends economic barriers and touches the poor and the rich alike.
Fashion is simply what is prefered and is in vogue. Clothing is subject
to scrutiny and comes in the folds of fashion first.
Clothing today, is a statement of our economic abilities, tastes
and preferences hence the personality. Human ingenuity and individual
creativity has lead to many a revolutionary changes in the way we
dress.The early application of classic blue jeans the rage was aimed at
the California Gold Rush Miners over a century ago. However, now we have
designer jeans.
India has emerged as a major player in the fashion industry on the
global map. It has its own Hemant Trivedi, Ritu Kumar, Ravi Bajaj, Satya
Paul, Sumit Varma, J.J.Valaya, Ritu Beri, Rohit Bal, Jatin Kotcher to
compete with the international names like Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani,
Coco Channel and Zoran.Gianni Versace, the renowned designer also drew
inspiration from Indian ethnic designs.
India traditionally posseses a variety of styles, myriad ways of
dressing and unique craftsmen capable of churning out unimaginable
wares.
In fashion designing the color, weave design and texture of the fabric
plays a very important role. The cut and the construction, the trimming,
and the accessories, the buttons and the zippers-all play significant
roles in the creation of the final allurement in the outfit.
Attractiveness and appropriateness of the colors, the fibres and the
finish contributes equally to the success of a collection designed for a
specific season.
Future planning period, of fashion trends, has shrunk from earlier 18
months to 4-6 months ahead. Trend forecasting has become more specific
not only in terms of seasonal trends but also regional and consumer
-segment specific. In India also we have progressed to forecasting
trends even for segments such as Knitswear, Jeanswear etc., encompassing
all fibre groups and applications.
Last decade has seen major developments towards mobilising the
industry. The Indian government established the National Institute of
Designing at Ahmedabad (NID) and a National Institute at Delhi for
fashion technology (NIFT) which in the last 10 years has branched out to
Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta and Hyderabad. In the private
sector Pearl Academy at Delhi and Indian Institute of fashion
Technology(IIFT), Sophia, Mumbai are also contributing considerably.
Indian consumers have become as demanding as their western counterparts
when it comes to quality. The industry needs to shift the production
lines according to demand rather than supply.
The designers, fashion forecasters, trade show organisers, fashion
publications, fashion institutes, the textile or garment industries, all
need to come together to create a meaningful global fashion movement in
India. We can and we will attain global acclaim.
