I’ve tried to put together the urban Indian crowd that attends fashion weeks(look at Bombay here). It’s a small filtered out crowd.
I’m sometimes asked about the trends I see in India. I can’t point at one thing and say this is happening. Can anybody? India is too vast and diverse. It looks like a lot is happening simultaneously within a small crowd. Colour blocking. Traditional/vintage mixed with new. Prints mixed with colours. Tailored. Structured. Asymmetry. Lot of customization and personalization.
You see a lot of people endorsing the designers they like. Borrowed for the day, gifted, or bought. (Lesly Lobeni in Varun Sardana. Karuna Laungani in Rahul Mishra. Sabina Halder in Abdul Halder. Ridhima Sud in Pia Pauro. Ruhi Sheikh in Bodice).
Designers wearing the clothes they make. (Arya John, Ruchika Sachdeva. Hiroko Takahashi.) There is Sarojini stuff combined with online stores. Old hand-me-downs(Carol Humtsoe). Vintage(Monica) Head to toe luxury(Pooja Khurana in Dior+Karen Miller). Models are usually in loose casual clothes and flat shoes. (A bit of generalization.)
Another thing you can’t help notice is the working class people at fashion weeks. You see them around on all days but start finding them in abundance on the last day as they start dismantling stages and stalls. It’s interesting to see how they mix with the fashion crowd. They move in lines. Mostly looking down. In & out of the same areas as everyone else – the smoking area, by the party lounges, the designers’ stalls, backstage. Through loud music, drunk happy people, media spotlight, celebrities. They don’t talk at all. Even when they are together they don’t seem to be talking much. Like they were told not to.
However, I didn’t photograph them just to show the contrast between the classes. Guess everybody knows it exists pretty much everywhere in India. I like their aesthetics.
All photos from 2011-2012 WIFW in Delhi.
Tags: documentary, India, indian people, indian women, people, street style, street style blog, style, trends, WIFW
wearabout 
October 21, 2013 at 23:33
Some amazing photography can be observed here. In middle a lady wore a brown colored saree was amazing and designer piece.
September 24, 2013 at 17:45
For me its also the first girl, carol, other northeastern girls and wifw68. well dressed people don’t necessarliy mean will make good creative heads. good luck with your fashion house if you ever have it
August 19, 2013 at 23:24
Choose from a curated range of dresses, bags, jewelry and more at Candidly Couture
July 3, 2013 at 17:29
Reblogged this on Men's Fashion Blog.
July 3, 2013 at 16:58
Great Post Manou
July 3, 2013 at 16:32
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Stylist and commented:
An awesome read 🙂
July 3, 2013 at 16:25
It’s always a real treat reading your posts! i too am always in awe of this odd similarity/ inspiration between the fashionista & person on the street. Especially here in Bombay, there’s this electricity of real street-wear buzzing around all the time ! So yeah, your observations- so neatly strung together-are very refreshing!
July 3, 2013 at 14:47
Love this post! love! love! love!
July 3, 2013 at 14:46
It’s awesome how you’ve put together everything..I’m also sad in a way coz we have some similar ideas but you got them out before me 🙂 Anyway, I often take public transport to work and always observe the way the public dress (esp women) and there is so much to it …..the skirts and accessories of tribal people displaced from rural to urban, the traditional outfits with the subtle twists! One thing that terribly bores me is the kurta, day after day! Just sharing my thoughts. Hope you don’t mind!
July 3, 2013 at 13:45
Love this!
July 3, 2013 at 13:27
If i have a fashion house, i would make her the creative head
July 3, 2013 at 13:22
you can’t help but notice that Lesly of http://www.lazymanxcat.com sense of style stands out like a pheonix ….voooommm if i have
July 3, 2013 at 12:29
What a lovely post. I appreciate your commentary on Indian fashion trends, but more so, the photos of the working class, and the ways they embody and contrast with the fashion industry and fashion weeks. Brilliant.