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Fashion: The kurta’s coming of age

ByRiaan Jacob George & Apla Shrivastava
Aug 12, 2022 07:17 PM IST

Just a couple of years ago, the Indian fashion industry had touted the bandhgala as the country’s best fashion export

Just a couple of years ago, the Indian fashion industry had touted the bandhgala as the country’s best fashion export. Cut to 2022, where the gaze has resolutely shifted towards the humble kurta. In the last two years or so, the kurta has seen such a massive transformation with designers across the gamut reinventing and reinterpreting it. Today, we’ve seen the kurta represent so much more than just a piece of traditional clothing—it has evolved into a canvas of expression of sorts, for designers and wearers to spearhead multiple causes like indigenous handlooms, craftsmanship, gender fluidity and East meets West, among many others. We spoke to designers at the top of their game who offer their opinions on the kurta and how you can take this simple garment and elevate it.

Today, we’ve seen the kurta represent so much more than just a piece of traditional clothing—it has evolved into a canvas of expression of sorts; Syling by Tanya Aggarwal; Art direction: Amit Malik; Make-up by Rekha Das; Hair by Rohit; Models: Pranay and Suvigya (Purple Thoughts; Modelling Agency); On Pranay: Kurta and salwar by Sarab Khanijou; Jacket by Genes Lecoanet Hemant; Juttis by Coral Haze; On Suvigya:Kurta and pants by Neha Tarun; Jacket by Rishi and Vibhuti; Earrings by Roma Narsinghani; Shoes by Coral Haze (Raj K Raj)
Today, we’ve seen the kurta represent so much more than just a piece of traditional clothing—it has evolved into a canvas of expression of sorts; Syling by Tanya Aggarwal; Art direction: Amit Malik; Make-up by Rekha Das; Hair by Rohit; Models: Pranay and Suvigya (Purple Thoughts; Modelling Agency); On Pranay: Kurta and salwar by Sarab Khanijou; Jacket by Genes Lecoanet Hemant; Juttis by Coral Haze; On Suvigya:Kurta and pants by Neha Tarun; Jacket by Rishi and Vibhuti; Earrings by Roma Narsinghani; Shoes by Coral Haze (Raj K Raj)
The kurta is a flag bearer of gender fluidity. it breaks the bias of restrictions for clothing; Kurta worn as crop top and dhoti skirt by Suramya; Juttis by Amaryllis; Ring by Anayah (Raj K Raj)
The kurta is a flag bearer of gender fluidity. it breaks the bias of restrictions for clothing; Kurta worn as crop top and dhoti skirt by Suramya; Juttis by Amaryllis; Ring by Anayah (Raj K Raj)
Sanjeev Marwaaha
Sanjeev Marwaaha
Traditional menswear designers have also started styling their models with sneakers under a kurta; Kurta by Genes Lecoanet Hemant; Pants by Sarab Khanijou; Shoes by Escaro Royal; Neckchain and rings by Zillionaire (Raj K Raj)
Traditional menswear designers have also started styling their models with sneakers under a kurta; Kurta by Genes Lecoanet Hemant; Pants by Sarab Khanijou; Shoes by Escaro Royal; Neckchain and rings by Zillionaire (Raj K Raj)
Ritcha Verma
Ritcha Verma
Matching brides and grooms are quite a thing, as today’s bridegroom is happy to wear prints and experiment with silhouettes; Upper kurta and palazzo pants by Saundh; Lower kurta by Shilpi Gupta; Earrings by Embellish by Bhakti Vohra; Sneakers by Coral Haze (Raj K Raj)
Matching brides and grooms are quite a thing, as today’s bridegroom is happy to wear prints and experiment with silhouettes; Upper kurta and palazzo pants by Saundh; Lower kurta by Shilpi Gupta; Earrings by Embellish by Bhakti Vohra; Sneakers by Coral Haze (Raj K Raj)
Payal Singhal
Payal Singhal
Shorter kurtas are becoming relevant, especially when done in technologically-advanced, sustainable fabrics; Kurta by Sarab Khanijou; Denims by United Colors of Benetton; Sneakers by Escaro Royal (Raj K Raj)
Shorter kurtas are becoming relevant, especially when done in technologically-advanced, sustainable fabrics; Kurta by Sarab Khanijou; Denims by United Colors of Benetton; Sneakers by Escaro Royal (Raj K Raj)
Nivedita Saboo
Nivedita Saboo
There is the gender-fluid angle where we have so many people picking up kurtas and wearing it as a kaftan or just as a dress; Saree by Asha Gautam; Kurta by Shilpi Gupta; Ring by Anayah; Earrings by Embellish by Bhakti Vohra; Juttis by Amaryllis (Raj K Raj)
There is the gender-fluid angle where we have so many people picking up kurtas and wearing it as a kaftan or just as a dress; Saree by Asha Gautam; Kurta by Shilpi Gupta; Ring by Anayah; Earrings by Embellish by Bhakti Vohra; Juttis by Amaryllis (Raj K Raj)
Mayur Girotra
Mayur Girotra
The kurta is going through a complete diffusion and transformation into a more casual garment; Corset and skirt by Rishi and Vibhuti; Short kurta by Genes Lecoanet Hemant; Shoes by Coral Haze; Earrings by Roma Narsinghani (Raj K Raj)
The kurta is going through a complete diffusion and transformation into a more casual garment; Corset and skirt by Rishi and Vibhuti; Short kurta by Genes Lecoanet Hemant; Shoes by Coral Haze; Earrings by Roma Narsinghani (Raj K Raj)
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