Couture’s take five

A look at five trends that emerged from Delhi’s first Couture Week.

From corset blouses to zip-up saris, the recent Delhi Couture Week threw up some interesting trends...

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Velvet wonder
The ever-rich and royal fabric is back with a bang. We saw many designers, including Manish Malhotra, Manav Gangwani and Varun Bahl, use velvet in some way or the other in their collections at the recently concluded Couture Week. From blouses, lehengas, skirts, jackets and sandals to appliqué work, velvet is finding its rightful place in the fashion world. “Velvet is an evergreen and luxurious fabric. Team up a velvet blouse with a fancy sari or pair a long embroidered velvet jacket with a skirt,” says Bahl.

Zip-up saris
That’s what the girls were waiting for! Non-fussy zip-up saris are both easy to make and easy to manage. They’re pre-stitched with panels and the usual flare and fall. These come with buttons and zips, so you don’t have to spend time in draping the sari. “Clothes are becoming more futuristic, keeping in mind the youth. Zip-up saris are an instant hit. You just have to wear them like a dress,” says designer Reynu Taandon.Jazzy jackets

From long to short to very short, jackets have taken the runway by surprise. They were a part of the collection by JJ Valaya, Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, Anamika Khanna etc. "Jackets with saris look very stylish. Even the long jackets are replacing the cholis that can be teamed up with voluminous lehengas. Embroidered jackets with churidars look classy," says designer Anjana Bhargav.

Metallic mania
It’s the season of glitter and glamour, and how can one do without the metallic shades. Designer Manav Gangwani says, “Be it the lehengas, cocktail dresses or saris, everything is metallic this season. Swarovski elements, sequence work and colourful stones add bling to your outfit. Gun metal colour will rule.” You can even jazz up your dresses with accessories in metallic colours.