 |
| Anju Modi has combined nets with fabrics like Dhakai muslin, cotton, silk and Tussar; (below) Manav Gangwani has made a bold statement with a Swarovski-studded fishnet dress |
 |
It’s breezy and dreamy, yet the stuff of couture. And if you’re not dressed in net, then you are giving the fabric of the moment a miss. For, designers have declared net as the must-have fabric in your wardrobes this season. The lightweight (almost whimsical) fabric is everywhere — as poofy skirts, fine chunnis or even voluminous net underskirts in bridal lehengas.
It made a splash at the PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2012 with models strutting around in nets of different textures and colours. With winter round the corner, keep your eyes peeled for tones of blush, coral, royal pink, red, black, cream, gold and more.
Net isn’t the newest material on the block, admit the designers, but they are insisting that it’s here stay. Anju Modi has used it generously in her ruffled collar jackets, ponchos and voluminous underskirts with long coats and cropped jackets in Dhakai muslins, cotton, silk and Tussar.
She says: “Net is vintage and has been around in couture from the Victorian era. It’s a strong fabric that lends great volume to outfits. I think it goes very well with all types of Indian dresses too,” she says.
Designers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra too feel that net lends itself perfectly to Indian couture. “Be it an anarkali made in net or an entire sari, net works very well for an Indian outfit. In women’s couture, a lot of designers use net to reveal the softness of the body and its curves,” says Nikhil who uses a lot of fishnets and harder nets for the more intense silhouettes in the Shantanu & Nikhil collections.
“We decide on the type of net to be used depending on the design of the garment,” the designer adds. His personalfavourite from their collection, he says, is a baby pink gown with net embroidery and appliqué work.
For Gaurav Gupta, who is known for his dramatic designs on the runway, the material means the resurgence of romance. “The transparency of tulle (a type of fine net) is very romantic and looks beautiful in a cocktail dress. Different nets have different qualities and designers have to work out which variety of net works best for a particular design,” he adds.
The fabric is doing well internationally too, explains the designer. “Dior has a lot of net in its collection now owing, probably, to the versatility of the fabric,” says the designer. Gupta’s couture collection includes draped net gowns and his signature sari gowns in shades of pink, orange, yellow, red and nude.
 |
 |
| (Top)Nikhil Mehra of Shantanu & Nikhil feels that nets best accentuate the softness and curves of a woman’s body; (above) designer Varun Bahl has a soft spot for his latest line of black net angrakhas with their ornate embellishments on the hems and wrists |
Prêt designer Varun Bahl, has also used net extensively in his collection, Indian Nouveau. “I love working with net and it’s the first fabric that I pick up when I’m experimenting with a new creation. This season net will make a huge statement in the form of transparent sleeves with net embroidery,” he adds.
His key looks include a lot of nets in cotton and nylon, all of which he imports from around the world. His newest line of black sheer net angrakhas with patches of embellishments around the hems and wrists are his favourites. Transparency and layering are the key elements of Bahl’s collection this season.
But for more traditional Indian silhouettes, look no further than seasoned designer J.J. Valaya. The designer used net as an element in his garments. For instance, an ensemble could be given a net churidar or a net dupatta. At other times net could be used to design a part of a choli to be worn with a lehenga. “Net may be a favoured material for evening dresses, but now it’s been successfully used to design lehengas, saris, dupattas and gowns too,” he adds.
 |
| Sabyasachi’s latest collection, New Moon, flaunts intricately embroidered tulle saris paired with textured silk blouses |
And if you’re looking to make an even bolder statement, then Bollywood couturier Manav Gangwani has just the look for you. While his latest collection highlights monochromes with flounce and layers, asymmetrical cuts and more, a bold dress in sheer fishnet dotted with fine Swarovski crystals is the showstopper of his line.
“I do glamorous looks and what better way to do it than with net? The fishnet I used is stretch-net and comes in various fabrics like cotton and nylon,” he says.
And Gangwani has no problem with the fact that a net dress can be drop-dead revealing. “There are enough people who wear net. Net is the stuff of couture,” Gangwani says. What’s more, he loves the volume that net adds to outfits.
Bollywood’s favourite designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee too has used a variety of nets in his collection, New Moon. His silhouettes have ghagra skirts, peplum kurtis and embroidered tulle saris with textured silk blouses. To give his designs an ivory effect, the designer has also dyed the intricate embroidery in tea waste water. “My favourite sari is the one with Russian embroidery on net, with a zardozi border,” he says.
With so much going for it, it’s time to increase your net value this season.
