Fusion wear makes a comeback on India’s fashion scene

Fish-cut lehengas with fitting tops, short kurtas matched with trouser-style salwars and all such Indo-western looks that ruled the 90’s are back with a bang. Fusion wear designs are returning to India’s fashion circuits, in fresh new styles.

While Nagpur-based designer Shruti Sancheti’s latest collection of trench coats made with Pochampally weaves from Andhra Pradesh are matched with saris, her outfits with zips on the side when fastened turn the ensemble into a well fitted gown and when unzipped, becomes a sari. Indian fabric dyeing techniques like tie and dye and marble-dyed khadi, silk and muslin feature in her crop tops and jackets.

Designers are working hard to revive traditional fabrics and techniques to appeal to modern customers. Kolkata’s Soumitra Mondal, for instance, incorporates handloom khadi and jaamdani silk into his shift dresses, which can also be paired with jeans or tights. And designer Anavila Misra has created tunics having batik and traditional patchwork that can be matched with Western cigarette pants and anarkalis are in shirt patterns complete with buttons and collars.