Bonding Over Fashion

This Raksha Bandhan, celebrate in style by choosing outfits that reflect the love between siblings.

- Bindu Gopal Rao

Traditional Indian fabrics and crafts are taking centre stage this year, driven in part by a growing awareness of India's artisanal heritage and its transformative contributions to the world of fashion. Experts weigh in.

Colour Coded

With the influx of Western fashion and silhouettes, the prevailing trend will continue to be one of fusion, merging Indian motifs and embroideries with Western cuts. Subtle mirror work, bold coloured motifs on muted fabrics, and clean contemporary looks will rule.

“Bold, monotone colours will continue to have a strong hold on traditional wear, with lightweight handwoven textiles such as Chanderi tissue silk and organza being favoured over heavier weaves. Since Raksha Bandha happens during the monsoon months, the lighter fabrics with feminine, flowy silhouettes for women and solid-colour shirts and kurtas for men will be preferred. The combination of sequins with pastel colours for the sophisticated look is passé; it's either the mocha mousse colour or the play of one bold colour on the outfit that are hot sellers,” says Niti Gupta, Luxury Style Curator, Founder & Creative Director of The AFRA World, and Curator of the NIFT Alumni Networking Group (NANG).

Brocade and velvet are winter fabrics and far too heavy for Rakhi. Instead, go for soft, clean lines and colours and add boldness through accessories, such as heavy sequinned clutches in funky shades, a statement traditional neckpiece, tribal accents or blending a flouncy silhouette with minimalistic jewellery that are the go-to style cues this year.

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