7 new ways to wow in velvet

How to wear the fabric of the season with style, with help from some stylish young professionals

Opulence, check. Trendiness, check. Versatility, check. To end all curiosity: we are alluding to velvet -- the favoured fabric of the royalty that’s fast making edgy inroads into formal, traditional and party wear, in a warm way. We’ve seen it rock the runways of fashion capitals like New York and Milan and a host of high street labels too are cashing in on it’s growing popularity. Think velvet skirts, suits, belts, boots, dresses and more!

Cut to India and be prepared to stunned by a clutch of home-grown designers who fashion everything from churidars and dresses to belts in velvet. So what is it that’s making the fabric a darling of the designers? Says Nida Mahmood: “Last season we saw hints of it, but it’s picked up in a big way right now. It’s happened mainly because the trend of introducing sporty detailing into different genres of design. Velvet fits into the same scenario right now.” So, we see a lot of hoodies and track pants being fashioned in the fabric.

Undoubtedly due to its vintage look and feel, velvet has always been associated with royalty, but what makes it appealing to the youngsters today? “For one, it takes on colours beautifully and even though it’s not warm it has a warm touch and feel to it. So, it’s a psychologically warm fabric which is perfect for winters!” says designer Anju Modi.

She has used velvet to craft everything from chic ankle-length pants and shararas to cool corsets and even churidars “for six inches of sheen underneath a translucent anarkali”.

Taking a cue from this trend, HT Brunch got six professionals from various walks of life and styled them to show you how to look “wow” in velvet.

(From left) Joy wears a velvet bandhgala, shirt and pocket square by Raghavendra Rathore, denims from Denham (The Collective) and shoes from Koovs ; Abhinav wears a velvet bandhgala from Nine Styles, sweater from Kenzo (The Collective), pants from Zara and shoes from Monk Ford (Raj K Raj)

(From left) Shyamli wears a velvet suit from H&M and boots from Koovs and she wears a hoodie and dress from Zara and shoes from Koovs (Raj K Raj)

(From left) Anmol wears a velvet hoodie from H&M, earrings from Ranakah Jewellery and velvet boots from Zara and she wears wears an embroidered velvet jacket from Zara, dress is from H&M, rings and earrings from Ranakah Jewellery and shoes from Koovs (Raj K Raj)

Abhishek wears a velvet jacket and trousers from H&M, kurta from Zero and shoes from Forever 21 (Raj K Raj)

From HT Brunch, December 17, 2017

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