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Regular-article-logo Tuesday, 03 December 2024

Funky all the way

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DRAMA IS THE BUZZWORD IN ACCESSORIES THIS SEASON, SAYS SUSHMITA BISWAS Published 12.04.09, 12:00 AM

No matter which fashion week you have been rooting for (just take your pick), one thing is clear. Bold, bright and in-your-face accessories are the way to go. For, drama will be the winner in the coming seasons.

Designer Shilpa Chavan, who wowed audiences at the recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) in Mumbai with her quirky line of headgear, says: “Since the clothes are becoming structured and simpler, accessories must make a dramatic impact.”

And you can’t get more dramatic than funky headgear — that’s caps and head-wraps. Chavan has used everything from plastic, wire, fabric and Swarovski crystals in her creations. Check out Battle Royale, her World War II inspired collection of topis and helmets (yes, even those) that are sure to put you in the holiday mood.

Chunky jewellery too has survived the fickleness of fashion seasons. Neck ornaments are going from big to bigger. Jewellery designer Sonali Dalwani’s Crimzon line is all about necklaces in 24-karat gold that are set with bold semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli, carnelian (reddish brown gemstone) and turquoise. The motifs are inspired by serpents and the Egyptian Sun God. The same design inspiration continues in her collection of evening clutches, colourful acrylic bangles and thick leather belts.

“Necklaces are no longer simple, as designs with bunched up stones and crystals are being used to great effect,” she says. Shilpa Chavan too has designed multiple chains and medallions in her line of neckpieces.

Extending the jewelled look, brooches will continue to look oh-so-hot this season. Sucheta Merh, who has designed brooches in gold and silver to go with her line of saris, says: “Brooches add a dash of glamour to any outfit.' She has used jali (mesh) work and even Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones.

Crystals and stones are going on belts as well. So while Dalwani has embellished broad belts with semi-precious stones, Agarwalla’s faux-leather belts are studded with stones and beads or have animal motifs etched on them. The pick of the season belts also come in silk and other fabrics with or without the embellishments.

Since women can never get enough of bags, some designers have focused on new lines for the season. You’ll be safe if you go for the big ’70s style totes, designer laptop bags and boho day-bags.

Malini Agarwalla’s label Malaga has just unveiled two new lines — Armoria, which includes big bags replete with animal inspired motifs (snakes and eagles) and Tribula that’s inspired by Tibetan art forms.

The Armora line has day-bags in embossed Italian leather with tassels and flowing chains in gold. Tribula offers totes embellished with semi-precious stones like turquoise and corals. “Just match the bag with the look that you are sporting,’’ says Agarwalla.

Even Neeta Lulla — the designer who has dressed many Bollywood celebrities — has introduced a line of smart laptop bags in Italian leather. Sonali Dalwani too has totes in Italian embossed leather.

But if totes are not your style, then nothing works better than a medium-size clutch for the perfect evening-out. Agarwalla’s handcrafted clutch bags have embroidery, Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones and beadwork as add-ons.

For a more glamourous look you can go for embroidered potlis or pewter-mesh evening clutches from Stoffa, owned by designer trio of Malini and Hersh Kotecha and Priyanka Tejwani. “This season medium-sized clutches are in vogue,” says Malini.

Stoffa is also targeting teenage girls with its new line of flat shoes. “The line is recession-friendly with an emphasis on practicality and comfort,” says Malini. Ballerinas will also continue to rule shoe-racks. Stoffa Gal has leather ballerinas, rubber flip flops, denim sneakers and embellished flats for teenage girls.

Patent leather sandals feature in Shyamal and Bhumika’s resortwear collection while Lulla has peep-toes in white and black leather in her designer repertoire.

With funky (and trendy) accessories becoming wardrobe staples, there’s no way you can escape them this summer.

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