Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2016: The Changing Face Of Indian Fashion

For most people, the heart of Lakmé Fashion Week is, well, the fashion. One attends it in pursuit of new trends, fabrics and designers. However, this season, amidst all the glitz and glam there were also some groundbreaking trends and feminist moments. In many ways, Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2016 represents the changing face of Indian fashion.

For starters, not everyone considers fashion as a feminist industry. Many find it superficial and vain. What most people are not aware of is, the most iconic, fashion forward creations and trends have also empowered women. 

Like every industry, fashion too, has its flaws. However, fashion has been an ally to women and the LGBTQ community over many others. So, don’t be so quick to judge the fashion industry. There is far more to it than meets the eye.

My aim is to show just how socially relevant and feminist the fashion industry can be. Here are four, first of its kind, groundbreaking moments from Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2016 that prove just how feminist the Indian fashion industry can be.

Making A Pregnant Statement!

At the close of designer Gaurang Shah’s show, supermodel Carol Gracias appeared on the runway wearing a green-and-pink sari. Now there is nothing new about a supermodel closing a designer show. However, Carol was not alone. She was accompanied by her prominent baby bump. Never in the history of Indian fashion has anyone walked the ramp with a baby bump. First of it kind, a pregnant Carol walking the ramp was nothing short of path-breaking and revolutionary.

For years, Indian women have been asked to cover their protruding pregnant bellies with layers of boxy and shapeless clothes. Breastfeeding a hungry child in public will get you more frowns and scowls than urinating in public. And only very recently we have become comfortable about discussing our periods openly. 

In India, like many other parts of the world, women have been told to either hide or be ashamed of everything and anything that is considered as a natural female experience.

Not anymore! This one move by Carol and Gaurang empowers women to get conformable in their own skin and enjoy all attributes of womanhood.

Welcome To The Plus Side

As someone who has spent her adult life working in the fashion industry, I have dreamed and hoped that one day in my life I would see a plus size woman with visible body fat walking the Indian ramp. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that would happen sooner than later!

Let’s be honest – India is one of the lest body positive and plus size friendly countries in the world. We barely see any positive plus size representation in mainstream. Our fashion magazines our completely thin-washed and finding ready-to-wear clothes over size 18 is as good as winning a lottery. 

So image my joy when I see a collection that categorically states, ‘Size No Bar’. Out walks comedian Bharti Singh to prove it, once and for all, that style is not restricted to a single body size. 

Bharti walking the ramp for Reliance Retail’s AJIO.com’s launch collection is a sign of hope for plus size women all over India. It sends a message that you can be stylish at any size and being fat and fashionable are not mutually exclusive. Take it from a plus size fashion blogger, Bharti walking the ramp was the need of the hour. It signifies that every woman, regardless of her size, is relevant, desirable, and utterly magnificent.

For a country that has over 60% of its population as plus size, to ignore their existence and needs is not only discriminatory but downright fool hardy from a business standpoint too.

This was the first step towards body positivity and diversity. Next season, I hope to see plus size models instead of thin models showcasing plus size clothes, more designer showcasing plus size clothes, and more plus size showstoppers.

Breaking Gender Binary

Androgyny has been the go to trend for fashion designers for a while now. Gender neutral and gender fluid fashion has been accepted and applauded. Aesthetically, the gender binaries have started to diminish. 

Sadly, the representation of the transgender community is abysmal. Often depicted as stock characters and frequently mistaken as drags and gays, most people are clueless about transgender people and their experience. Plus, lack of knowledge paired with age old prejudice makes it even more difficult for them to freely express themselves.

While Indian fashion industry has been more LGBTQ friendly than most, just like plus size, transgender people have miniscule representation in it. 

The applause when transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi walked the ramp for Reliance Retail’s AJIO.com’s launch collection with the words ‘Gender No Bar’ flashing behind, was a telling sign of the changing times.

Globally, we have seen transgender models and celebrities like Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner being accepted by mainstream media and fashion industry. 

Laxmi walking the ramp is an indication that there is a hope for inclusion of transgender community in India. Also, it's very promising to see new brands breaking stereotypes and striving for more inclusion and diversity.

A Matter Of Modest Choice

When it comes to modest fashion I have been on both side of the fence. Like Pierre Berge, I too was “scandalized” by the concept.

Mr Berge stated: “Designers are there to make women more beautiful, to give them their freedom, not to collaborate with this dictatorship which imposes this abominable thing by which we hide women and make them live a hidden life.”

As I nodded my head to every word Pierre Berge had to say about the whole concept of modest fashion that has its roots in Islamic and Orthodox Jewish culture, a small part of me was just not ready to write it off.

After some much needed research I started seeing it for what it really is: A choice.

If nudity empowers some women, they why can’t we accept that others are empowered by modest clothing. Why is one a feminist symbol while the other is seen as a sign of oppression and patriarchy? If a woman chooses to dress modestly, should we deny her that right? 

Recognizing the need of some women who aspire to dress stylishly and modestly, Gen Next designer, Aqdus Saleem, presented her debut collection aptly titled, The Modest Chapter.

A first of it kind, it has opened a whole new and untapped side of fashion. Plus, it has made people aware of the concept. Contrary to popular belief, modest fashion doesn’t just mean hijabs and abayas. It includes maxi skirts, tunics and flowy silhouettes. The beauty of modest fashion is — its appeal expands beyond a specific religious faith. 

While the concept of modest fashion is still a new one, with many still doubting its intention, I, for one, see it as a sign of progress. It empowers women with more choices than they ever had before.

The Indian fashion industry, like many things in our society, has a long way to go on many fronts — staring with diversity, body positivity and feminism. But this season of Lakmé Fashion Week has show us, that fashion is not just about physical appearance but also closely connected with self-expression. While it is going to take time to see a complete change, the good news is, the seed of change have been sown.

Lakmé Fashion Week is all about rethink, redefine and reinvent fashion. The Summer/Resort 2016 edition proves just that.

Mix and Match With Max Fashion

With temperatures soaring off the roof it only means one thing-summer has officially arrived. While there is not much one can do about the oppressive heat and stifling humidity, what you can do is, enjoy Mother Nature and fashion’s bounty that the season has to offer.

Talking about fashion’s bounty, sometime back I was invited to attended Max Fashion's Summer 2015 preview fashion show, Max Fashion Play. 

From summer favourites, florals, to flavour of the season, tropical prints, and from tribal motifs to boho inspirations, the collection is summer season’s poster child. In a nutshell- the collection is right on trend. 

Known for its affordable price point, what I also love and appreciate about Max Fashion is, the pieces are very flexible and versatile. They are hassle free, easy to use garments that can effortlessly be styled in multiple ways for different occasion.
Since the theme of the preview was Fashion Play, I decided to play mix and match and style some of my fave Max Fashion's Summer 2015 collection pieces in four different genres.

Print Mix: Mixing prints and patterns has been a fashion favourite for quite a few years. Max Fashion’s Summer 2015 collection offers a plethora of prints to choose from. Flowers, fruits, birds, Aztec, digital, and geometrical design, there is something of each kind.

Indo Western: Indo Western attire is one of the most popular styling preference across the country. Along with dress, pants, skirts and shorts, the collection offers a vast variety of kurtas, tunics, salwars and churidars, making the collection very fusion wear friendly.

Silhouette Mix: While most times we like to mix prints and colours, it is fun to once in a while mix shapes and structure. Keeping the season in mind a large percentage of the collection is free flowing silhouettes while a few are fitted and structured. From boxy capes to fitted churidar to A-Line kurtas and airy maxis, there is a wide variety of silhouettes to select from.

Colour Block: Summer is incomplete without its share of fresh, bright colours. Max Fashion Summer 2015 collection offers everything from bold jewel tones to earthy neutrals to soft pastels.



At the Max Fashion Play event I had an opportunity to style a look from Max Fashion’s Summer 2015 collection. 

I went with a classic summer theme look pairing a colour block dress with an aztec design backpack and lace and fringe shrug.

Max Fashion Summer 2015 collection is now available across the country. 

Till then, tra-la,
Amena!!
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How To Wear Denim Shirt

The humble denim has come a long way since its inception days. From a blue-collar staple to a fashion must-have, it is one of the few classic fabric (weave) that has managed to easily evolve with times and styles. One instance it is simple and casual, next, it is all statement making and chic. 

Since its inception, denim has practically been moulded in every possible silhouette and structure. Besides the classic jeans, the one interpretation I am particularly fond of is, the denim shirt.

For most of us, a denim shirt is a wardrobe staple. It is one of those seasonless pieces that can be worn year round.
Being inherently casual, it can be quite tricky trying to come up with different ways to wear a denim shirt.

To help you make the most of your denim shirt, here are three different outfits that illustrate how to style your denim shirt.

More information about these pieces here/ Images via Google and Pinterest

Layer With It: When layering with a denim shirt, keep in mind, the denim shirt functions as add on, as an enhancing piece rather than a main piece of the ensemble. Since denim is neutral in nature, you can add a denim shirt to either tone down a look or spice up a rather somber one.

Pair It With A Skirt or Pants: Denim shirt is a great alternative to the regular shirt. For a polished look, pair it with a skirt or pair of pants. To make the most of this look, opt for statement prints, shiny sequins or bold colours bottoms to pair with the denim shirt. No matter how loud or dramatic the pant/skirt is, the neutral characteristic of the denim shirt will balance the look out.

Double Denim: You really can't go wrong with this refined denim-on-denim formula. The styling potentials are endless. Glam up and go all out with statement, colourful accessories or opt for polished metallic or monochrome pieces. Either way, both looks work just as well.

A complete denim ensemble allows you to experiment to your heart's contentment.

I recently discovered the joy of layering and a denim shirt was an ideal piece to start experimenting with. A denim shirt layered as a jacket is no new invention. However, with what you pair the shirt is the real game changer. 

In my initial experimenting stages I kept it simple and wore the denim shirt with a top and jeans. However, I decided to up my personal styling game for Lakmé Fashion Week and go for an Indo-Western, boho inspired look.

Denim Shirt: c/o GAS Jeans | Trench Kurta and Skirt: Westside | Tote Bag: India Circus | Wedges: INC5 | Necklace: From Kashmir | Bangles: Thrifted | Watch: DKNY
Make up | c/o Lakmé, Lipstick: Red Flames, Lakmé, The Sculpt Collection | Hair: Foxy Curls c/o Tigi Bed Head

Pairing my fave GAS Jeans denim shirt (it’s a men’s shirt) with a trench style kurta, crushed printed cotton skirt, tribal stone necklace and arty print tote.

 Along with being a new look it was also very flattering to my body type. The layering added colour and structure break that was very form flattering and stylish at the same time.

Being plus size I have shied away from wearing a denim shirt for a long time. The myth that denim shirt adds bulk was my biggest deterrent.
However, while I still haven't found the confidence to wear it as a shirt or try a double denim look, layering with it has opened up new personal styling avenues for me.

Till then, tra-la,
Amena!!
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My Body, My Rules; #ButtOut!

It is safe to say we live in a society that constantly questions its women. From the clothes we wear to the colour of our skin to the choices we make, everything is forever being scrutinized. 

However, if there is one thing, we as a society have mastered, it is the art of body shaming. 

What really is body shaming? It is labeling an individual with inappropriate negative terms and statements, based on the their weight, size and body type. 

Contrary to popular belief, it is not just ‘fat’ and ‘curvy’ women who constantly get mocked and shamed. Women of all sizes, shapes and body structure have to deal with it. 

Since childhood we are made to believe in stereotypes, ‘If you become fat, no one will marry you!’ or ‘You’re so thin, you look unhealthy and weak!’

Does a woman have no other identity beyond her physical appearance? When will people understand that an individual's identity is more than their body shape!
It is about time we stop shaming the body and start shaming the minds that mock it. It is not the body that needs shaming but the minds that constantly judge and labels it.
It is time to tell the society, my body, my rules; you need to butt out! 

Source
Like me, many women across age groups, professions and social structures have had to deal with their share of body shaming. 

I asked a few women their personal experience with body shaming and how they handled it.

No one equates marriage and weight quite like the Indian society. Whether you are thin or fat, tall or short, something about your body will always be a negative marker.

“Nobody is going to marry you with that type of a body!” Like most of us, time and again, Bhavna has been told the same. 

People often equate beauty, personality and likability to being a certain body type, and very little to do with the person itself. 

One such individual dared to tell Ketaki: “This room is full of pretty girls, and Ketaki!”

Body shaming does not start with strangers. It starts with people we know and from a young age.

Teasingly called ‘fatty’ by friends and family to motivate her to get back in shape and for better health as well, a family member once told Aishwarya, “you better get in shape by the time of the wedding; you need to look hot and attractive enough.”

Parampara spent her childhood and early teens as a chubby kid who often got subjected to taunts like, “Aye Moti! Thoda kam khaaya, bhains banti jaa rahi hai tu!” 

Now that she has lost her weight; due to her current lifestyle, the same people ask her mother that does she not feed her daughter well or pester Parampara with comments like, “you’re heading towards anorexia due to rigorous dieting!”

Having been on the receiving sides of both ends, Parampara has learnt how to deal with her critics and has the perfect answer to shut them up.

If weight is the reason for women not getting married, then it has to also be the reason for a marriage not working out, right?After her first marriage fell apart, an acquaintance chose to enlighten Pratishtha with these words: “If you had maintained your weight, he wouldn’t have had to look at other women.” 

It is no secret, that if there is one industry that has unrealistic body expectations, it is the fashion world.

A photographer, on multiple occasions told Roxanne, what most personal style bloggers have been hinted/ told at one point or another, “I'll do your portfolio, just lose 5-7 kilos, the pictures will come out nicer.” This was told to her when she weighed 50kgs!

While people can’t get enough of telling ‘fat’ girls to hit the gym, the minute they see someone like Tazeen at a gym, working out, comments like, “You gym? You run? Hahaha, seriously just go home and eat food” come flying her way.

Take it from someone who has struggled her entire adult life with body issues, body shaming only makes matters worse. You are helping no one by labelling them with derogative terms. 
Every possible body shaming insult has been thrown my way. From being told, “with that body, you are never going to make it in fashion” to “you are never going to find someone to marry” to “have you even tried losing weight? It is not that difficult, trust me! Celebrities lose weight all the time.”
It has taken me a good amount of time to come to terms with my body. I now have one reply for every single body shaming comment.

To be very honest, not everyone who makes a body related comment is trying to shame it, but there is a very, very thin line between healthy, constructive criticism and blatant body shaming.

Whether it is for vanity or health reasons, it should be the individuals, and that individual’s alone, choice to either lose or gain weight.

This post is a part of Jealous 21's #ButtOut campaign. The campaign is all about breaking age old stereotypes and celebrating women the way they are.
Honestly, we can't really celebrate women without ending body shaming. One on hand you tell women to accept who they are and on the other hand you constantly shame them for what they look like.
Society needs to realise that the way a woman looks, her physical appearance and her body alone do not make her who she is. There is so much more to her than meets the eye.

Till then, tra-la
Amena!!

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