Parisian fashion goes desi

From shisha work to made-in-Paris saris, here’s a look at India’s impact on the international runway. Adorning a pair of ‘Bollywoody’ stilettos high on mirror work or painting your nails with a glazed hue of gold named ‘Diwali’ has one thing in common — they are both the products of two Parisian fashion houses, and are iconic examples of India playing muse to fashion, globally. While luxe footwear label Louboutin and Lagerfeld helmed fashion house Chanel are a few who have done it in the past, recent fashion weeks across the worldhave yet again been a platform for a glimpse of desi influences. A drama-infused Maharaja-style grandeur at Van Cleef & Arpels' jewellery showcase at the Château de Chambord, France, to there-interpretation of humble headscarve by legendary designer, Jean Paul Gaultier in his latest collection at Paris Haute Couture Week. (Photo: Instagram/ Vancleefarpels)

Updated on: Jul 19, 2014 5:30 PM IST

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Updated on Jul 19, 2014 5:30 PM

From shisha work to made-in-Paris saris, here’s a look at India’s impact on the international runway. Adorning a pair of ‘Bollywoody’ stilettos high on mirror work or painting your nails with a glazed hue of gold named ‘Diwali’ has one thing in common — they are both the products of two Parisian fashion houses, and are iconic examples of India playing muse to fashion, globally. While luxe footwear label Louboutin and Lagerfeld helmed fashion house Chanel are a few who have done it in the past, recent fashion weeks across the worldhave yet again been a platform for a glimpse of desi influences. A drama-infused Maharaja-style grandeur at Van Cleef & Arpels' jewellery showcase at the Château de Chambord, France, to there-interpretation of humble headscarve by legendary designer, Jean Paul Gaultier in his latest collection at Paris Haute Couture Week. (Photo: Instagram/ Vancleefarpels)

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Updated on Jul 19, 2014 5:30 PM

From the fantastical Red Riding Hood, a sheer version for a bride to the desi dupatta -- the veil has been consistently re-interpreted in fashion. The latest couture offering by Jean Paul Gaultier for Fall 2014 ups the ante with the dark mood highlighted by the veil. The feminine hood has also been a part of Versace’s collection, worn beautifully by model Irina Shayk at the Cannes Film Festival in May. (Photo: AFP)

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Vivid magentas, silken blues and a chaos of colours are symbolic of India's multi-hued past and present. It's no surprise that Rajasthan and its luxurious history acts as a model. At Paris Men’s Fashion Week, designer Kim Jones brought reflective mirror work to Louis Vuitton, his interpretation of Abhala Bharat or shisha work, while Chanel couture continued to play with embroidery. (Photo: AFP)

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While Indians have been leading faces on the runway before, British brand Burberry seems to be in love with fresh desi faces. The new favourites are 19-year-old Neelam Gill and half-Punjabi, half-English Tarunjit Nijjer, 19.