Milan vs. Paris Fashion Week Spring Summer 2019 : The Clash Of The Titans

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fashion brands, fashion consultant, fashion design team, fashion designer, fashion entrepreneurs, Fashion shows, fashion trends, Milan Fashion Week Spring Summer 2019, Paris fashion week Spring Summer 2019, runway trends, Trend Analysis, Trend comparision

While London and New York are known more for the versatility and styles from several designers, the hallowed halls of Milan and Paris are almost exclusively reserved for high fashion. Several designers come to showcase their collections here, too, but it is often the big names that get the spotlight and the attention that comes with it.

Comparing fashion trends from two events as diverse as the Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week is no small feat. For one, both events attract a very different audience, and the collections, therefore, vary greatly.

There’s a reason why Issey Miyake brought his collection to Paris but not to Milan- his styles are more suited to the cosmopolitan outlook and no-nonsense attitude that dominates Paris. Likewise, we cannot possibly imagine Milan without Dior- the temple of fashion has been the brand’s second, more accepting home for a long time.

Without further ado, let us plunge right into the fashion trends from both events, and which one did what better.

1. The styles: There are no two European cities that are in as stark a contrast to each other as Paris and Milan. Take the simple skirt, for example. In Milan, the preferences clearly tended towards the pencil variant, while Paris, true to its breezy essence, saw more of the flow variants. Case in point- Miu Miu in Paris and Moschino in Milan.

2. The collections: Milan has always been known for its dance with glamour. The SS19 collections were ample proof of this yet again. Paris, on the other hand, has always had this peculiar relationship with all things artistic. Designs at Paris, likewise, were elegant, chic and comfortable to pull off outside of a runway setting.

3. The form: The showcase at Milan this year was distinctly feminine. The outfits, even the flowy ones from Gucci, had at least one element that highlighted form. This isn’t so strange considering Milan is known for fashion of the feminine kind- to the point where almost all designs have to conform to the idea of the gender’s appeal. Paris is very laid-back in terms of highlighting one aspect over another. Also, as the last big fashion event of the season, it naturally tends to attract more diverse designs.

4. The risk factor: This year, in our opinion, fewer risks were taken in Milan than in Paris. This isn’t to say that it was boring, but there’s no denying the fact that most designs went after the usual styles with a few modifications. Paris was where more styles appeared, and more risks were taken, but not always with the desired outcomes. Some collections fell quite flat, as we’ve pointed out in the Paris Fashion Week Design Trends article.

Which fashion week would we pick over the other? Turns out the choice isn’t as easy for us as it was with New York vs. London. We loved the sheer grandeur of some of the outfits at Milan, while the breezy simplicity of Paris stood out for us as well. If we were really forced to pick, purely from the fashion business perspective, we’d certainly go with Paris. We saw more styles there that have scope for adapting into sets and separates. We also look for trends that have a chance to last longer, and that came through for us at Paris.

Your turn now! What did you love, or hate, about the two extra-big fashion events of the year? Which one did you follow for design inspiration? Tell us in the comments.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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New York vs. London Spring Summer 2019: Which Fashion Week Did It Better?

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fashion, fashion brand, Fashion Business, fashion designer, fashion entrepreneur, fashion label, Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, New York fashion week, startup fashion brand, style, trends

Fashion trends are as fleeting as the lovely vase of roses at home that holds so much promise on day one, only to give up entirely on day three. However, isn’t that what we love? The sheer variety that each season brings to the runway is outdone only by the street styles that are so often on display.

New York and London fashion Weeks are no different. They’re well behind us now, but there are a few key fashion trends we can garner from both. At the same time, both events were also reflective of the current mood of the city they were hosted in- New York went bold and inclusive, while London did subtlety and understatement very well. Without further ado, here’s what we liked and disliked about both events.

What We Liked:  

1. The colors: Both Prabal Gurung at New York Fashion Week and Victoria Beckham at London Fashion Week did not shy away from amping up the color palette just a little bit. We loved Gurung’s interpretation of colors into some very tropical designs. Mrs. Beckham, on the other hand, brought some much-needed pop of color to the Londoner’s wardrobe. Are we seeing a cultural shift here?

2. Gender benders: We noticed a lot of designs in the New York Fashion Week that could have done just as well on men as they looked on the women. Androgyny is not a new concept, but this is the first time we’re seeing possibilities for the men as well. London, on the other hand, was much more conservative, and the surprises came mostly in the form of a versatile collection from traditionally niche designers like Burberry.

3. A touch of the new: We still stand by the fact that New York, as a city, is much more expressive than London. Perhaps, as a result, New York’s runways were dominated by elements beyond the visual. Dresses with sound details such as the Paco Rabanne collection took the drama one notch up. That’s one way to get noticed, we think. London, however, lacked such standout elements and more collections were geared towards the practical elements such as wearability.

4. Utility: Actual utility was high on every designer’s list at London. We attribute it to the economy that is floundering back to stability after Brexit, and really has no use for outrageousness. We spotted many more complete outfits in patterns that are far easier to carry off on the street as much as at an event.

5. The return of high fashion: Inspired by the royal wedding, several designers at London have gone after high-street dressing. Christopher Kane’s collection of classic, high-neck silhouettes is just one example. Erdem, too, followed suit.

6. Making everyday look beautiful: In contrast to London’s current demand for royal-wedding-worthy dresses, New York saw a spate of clothes that would be perfect wherever they’re taken. Both Tadashi Shoji and Rebecca Minkoff are proof of that.

All in all, while we loved certain aspects of both Fashion Weeks, there is no denying the fact that New York was higher on the fashion and versatility aspects, while London fared better on the usability of looks. That’s why we love back-to-back fashion events- they give us a chance to take the best from both worlds (or cities, in this case).

What We Disliked:  

We’re just glad that this was one season where the dislikes were far fewer and scattered in between some really stunning hits.

In both fashion weeks, we noticed a clear lack of usable accessorizing. When it did exist, it was sparse and barely noticeable. A great look can be trashed by the wrong accessory. Another aspect where we expected better was the scope for using a variety of different fabrics. Some designers managed to do this and excelled with some very good results (like Naeem Khan at NYFW and David Coma at LFW). But, there was scope to do so much more, as you’ll see from our Spring Summer trend forecast. 

However, that’s all we could find to complain about, and that in itself is saying something, isn’t it?

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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The Big Hits And Glaring Misses From Paris Fashion Week Spring Summer 2019

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#fashionstartup, couture designer, Elie Saab, fashion biz, fashion blog, fashion blogger, fashion brand, Fashion Business, fashion designers, fashion entrepreneur, fashion label, fashion trends, Fashion Week, fashion world, Givenchy, Hermes, Issey Miyake, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Paris Fashion Week, Valentino

We’re finally winding up the whirlwind of fashion events that seem to have occupied our collective attention over the last two months. As the last show of the season, expectations ran high from Paris Fashion Week. Some of our favorite designers didn’t disappoint, while others did just that, and glaringly so.

In today’s article, we discuss the seven designer collections we absolutely loved- both for their vision and easy adaptability. We also present a few misses.

1. Elie Saab: Summer is coming in nice and bright, and Elie Saab at Paris Fashion Week is proof of that. We love the lace details that make summer dresses that much more elegant. Take special note of the use of several different fabrics and accents- a sign of the demanding times to come in fashion. Are you ready to design both workwear and off-time casuals?

2. Givenchy: Givenchy has set new standards for how formal wear must look. Those suits are the very definition of power dressing. We particularly love the use of the silhouette itself to design clothes- it has been a long time since every piece of clothing has not been designed for a mannequin. High waist, big belts, ruffles, full sleeves- all, check.

3. Hermes: The famous fashion house’s Paris collection has received mixed reviews, to say the least. We, however, think the collection has a huge adaptability factor. The jackets and overcoats are almost ubiquitous in nature, and we love ourselves a leather pair of shorts. Whether you like the collection or you don’t, you have to admit that a niche choice of fabric has never been this stylish and universal.

4. Issey Miyake: Miyake is not known for being shy about self-expression. From the villages of Japan (if they still exist) to the modern cities, this year’s collection draws inspiration from every corner of the small yet influential country. The clever choice of colors and fabric lend themselves well to the theme- you know that green coat is meant for the cities. We’re also glad to see flowy pants making a reappearance. God knows we need more of them.

5. Louis Vuitton: Shockingly, LV has received negative to mixed reviews for their Paris Fashion Week show. While we’re disappointed with the general lack of novelty and the brand playing it too safe, we do love some of the dresses. The blue one, for example, starts off as street-style and ends with a clean hemline. Surely an inspiration for designers to try something a tad bit different with their collection.

6. Miu Miu: Formal wear is all set to look different, and Miu Miu is leading the revolution. There’s no denying the fact that this collection is not meant for the faint of heart. But then again, the average Parisienne is not known for being that! Miu Miu has experimented quite elaborately with animal prints, sheer and denim, and we love their use of fabric in so many different ways.

7. Valentino: Most of Valentino’s dresses look like the inspiration for next year’s Met Gala, and that isn’t such a bad thing. For retailers, the key takeaway would be the use of pleats to create form without making them overtly obvious. For everyone else, there is the sheer gorgeousness of the dresses to look at. We can envision some of them as separates- they’d fly off the shelves for sure!

Unfortunately for Paris, it wasn’t all roses. Chanel’s collection came under severe criticism for sheer lack of originality, and we can’t help but agree. Balmain, taking inspiration from a theme they probably didn’t quite understand, tried to go Egyptian and instead ended up all over the place. Perhaps the most disappointing of all was Stella McCartney. After receiving huge media attention post the royal wedding, she couldn’t find a way to make the spotlight work for her and try something new.

But with all misses, we are grateful for these too, because they teach us even more about the consumer’s expectations and how we can stand out.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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The Home Of Haute Couture: Design Highlights From Milan Fashion Week Spring Summer 2019

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Christian dior, couture designer, design house, Dolce & Gabbana, Emporio Armani, fashion biz, fashion blog, fashion blogger, fashion brands, Fashion Business, fashion designers, fashion forecasting, fashion trends, Fashion Week, Fendi, Gucci, Max Mara, MFW, Milan Fashion Week, Missoni, Moschino, Roberto Cavalli, runway fashion, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sportmax, Spring Summer 2019, style, Versace

Move over New York and London- Milan has just made its most iconic fashion splash yet. There’s something about the spunky vibe of Milan, on and off its runways, that has made this the destination to watch when keeping an eye out for the bigger fashion houses. We think there’s a lot to be learned and implemented from the Dior and Versace of the world, and being one-of-a-kind is just one of them.

Here’s a compilation of designers and clothes we loved the most at Milan this year. Designers with ambition, take note.

1. Gucci: When Gucci makes a statement, heads turn. Almost singlehandedly, Gucci took clothing from overtly suggestive to plain old, yet standout styles. One look at the whites and tans paired with signature motifs shows us that some fashion houses are more about subtle experimentation than others. The sleeves are the ones standing tall this time around.

2. Christian Dior: When Dior’s in love with mesh, we know that the trend is here to stay. Casual is the name of the game for SS19, and what better way to do it than with one element in each outfit that grabs attention? We particularly love the understated elegance of the models themselves, allowing us to see outfits as they should be. We could take that blue top right there and think of ten different bottoms we can pair it with, using items already in the wardrobe. Now, that is versatility.

3. Fendi: Fendi is one brand that knows how to have fun in the subtlest of ways. The Milan SS19 runway was full of looks ideal for the workplace, and even better for drinks after. These are clothes you can take to meetings and to holidays with equal panache. Peplum gets a new definition that the world will soon come to love, and we’re not complaining about the very versatile handbag/ phone holder/ fanny pack accessory either. In fact, give us just that.

4. Emporio Armani: Armani gets a bit of a ‘not-so-couture’ rep, we think, because of the number of cheap fakes doing the rounds the world over. Imitation is the best form of flattery, so it is safe to assume that everyone adores this label. One look at the shiny jackets that imitate everything from animal skin to a backpack shows us that Giorgio Armani has the uncanny talent for drawing inspiration from just about everything and turning it into some gorgeously wearable works of art.

5. Missoni: It was a relief to see Missoni on the runway, partly because of the dresses that are everyday-casual, and mostly because of the mesh detail done differently. When you’ve had too much mesh, turn to Missoni for some fashionable relief. The careful placement of prints and flowy silhouettes are made for the modern day Bohemian.

6. Roberto Cavalli: What’s with the free-spirited vibes, everyone! Fashion labels always channel the mood of the season, and going by the Cavalli designs, 2019 looks like an excellent year for travel and exploration. Mirror work is not a Middle-Eastern trend alone anymore and can be adapted in the most diverse of ways. For those looking for more subtle statements, foil prints are in, too.

7. Max Mara: Add Max Mara to the list of formal wear collections we absolutely love. The pants are getting shorter, keeping in mind the very diverse jobs that women today hold. These outfits are meant for action in the boardroom. The frills, the colors, the polka dots, the statement belts…we could just go on and on with the little details from this collection that everyone can find a way to adapt into their designs.

8. Moschino: As the ‘LOVE MOSCHINO’ bags prove, this is one label that is not afraid to stand out every single time. And so it is with the Milan Fashion Week Collection. Why say jackets need to be held together with buttons alone? That red dress is going to make a lot of red carpet appearances soon, and a bralette in lace? Yes, please! Moschino’s prints are so commonplace yet so hard to replicate. Standing out and blending in, both are done right in this collection.

9. Versace: Swearing allegiance by florals, Versace has a whole new take on them. Out go embroidered flowers, and in they come in black instead. A base of bright colors adds a significant contrast to a collection that otherwise risks fading out. Versace is known for exploring a woman’s sensuality like no other designer ever can, and the lace camisoles and thigh-high slits, artfully covered in long jackets, prove that point once again.

10. Sportmax: A trip to the Hamptons next year is going to be woefully incomplete without at least one piece from the Sportmax collection. These clothes are what you wear when you head off to a game of golf, or lounging by the beach. Some of the elements like the sleeves are clearly drawn from Scuba gear, while others are more suited to cocktails and sunset. Either way, being outdoors is not going to be the same anymore, and you don’t have to play a sport to be part of the game.

11. Salvatore Ferragamo: The colors of the outdoors are well-represented in the SS19 collection from the house of Ferragamo. These are beiges and tans that have been carefully chosen to represent the outdoors in as understated manner as possible. Paired with tropical prints in similar shades, it works magic simply by complementing the wearer’s skin tone beautifully.

12. Dolce & Gabbana: Occasion wear has been done right with D&G once again. Here’s one design house that is loud, and unabashedly so. Operatic themes are evident, as are carnivals. Suits in gold and silver are most definitely gothic, as are doodle prints with lace. Channeling a bit of the dark side are the corsets and fringes, both of which remind us of Hotel California. With that collection, D&G takes a bow like no other house managed to this time around.

Which of these designers did you absolutely love? What are some details that you’ll be taking away from Milan and into your collections? Tell us in the comments.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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Ruffles, Florals and Jewel Tones: Updates From London Fashion Week Spring Summer 2019

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blog, Burberry, Christopher Kane, David Coma, Erdem, fashion, fashion designers, fashion trends, fashionweek, inspiration, LFW, londonfashionweek, springsummer2019, SS19

Before we state anything else, let us say this- cherry red is the new color of the season for SS 19. When Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo go overboard with it, we know there’s good reason to start using it in our collections too.

Which brings us to the other thing we love about London Fashion Week in general, and this year in particular. Unlike the clean-cut lines and definitions of other showcases, LFW is all about leveling the playground and providing equal opportunity to both established designers and newcomers alike. This is why so many new trends come forth here- it is just a different perspective.

Here are some key lessons from LFW that all retailers can follow:

1. Bending, not breaking the rules: Halpern Quinn is all about sequins, but other shiny things can follow suit as well. Burberry is known for their iconic checks, but they can be adapted. Brands are very conscious about moving away from their statements entirely, but they do know how to play within the boundaries and create something unique. In fact, this is what sets a good brand apart from the rest- the ability to see itself with stark clarity.

2. A touch of nostalgia: New doesn’t always mean doing away with the old. For Victoria Beckham who marked a decade of her collection at both NYFW and LFW, the choice was clear. Nostalgia in motifs and elements can be an excellent way to rehash an old collection and make something new and spectacular.

3. Not too streety: Street styles are great- they’re comfortable, cozy and very easy to maintain. However, fashion houses at LFW disagree. They did their best to take clothing away from the streets and into couture without losing the very aspects that make street-style so desirable. Looks like the time has come to put street-style and athleisure together, and let the good clothes be as they are.

4. The loud colors: A Londoner, until yesterday, would never be caught in a bright coat. Indeed, a black or a tan overcoat is a wardrobe staple that never goes wrong. Blame it on the political circumstances in the world, but everyone wants to express themselves today. True to London style (where coats, let’s admit it, are needed ten months in a year), the overcoats are getting brighter and chirpier, not to mention bolder. Yep, time to get spotted on the Underground.

5. The full look: Not so long ago, the real intent behind a fashion week was to showcase individual pieces, heavily dressed up. Patrons would then face the challenge of taking the different elements and creating their own looks with them. Either people are bored in general, or online shopping has done its bit, but shoppable looks are all the rage this season. You might do well to design a collection with a few different complete looks than to leave it to the consumer to mix-and-match. Fashion as a form of self-expression is, for one, giving up the hot seat to fashion for comfort and speed.

Meanwhile, we’re not done yet! What is a fashion week if we don’t give you the lowdown on the designers we loved, and hopefully you did too? Here are a few that stood out.

1. J.W.Anderson: One of the few street-styles we saw on the runway, and yet, here’s a collection that manages to look so chic! We’re in the same league as mesh any day, and we know it is good when we have these looks for a company.

2. Christopher Kane: Form meets high fashion in this collection for so many different body types. We can already see the boxy mini dress on a tall woman, and the warrior suit is a must-have for the power dresser who makes a statement at work and the after-party.

3. Burberry: We’d die of nostalgia if we didn’t spot at least one piece in the Burberry collection with the trademark lines and colors. Luckily for us also, Burberry is going experimental- with colors and form. Needless to say, this is one work wear collection people will be waiting for. The proof is in the reinterpreted animal prints.

4. David Coma: Never one to shy away from bold silhouettes, this one. Can just a juxtaposition of black and white give rise to such stunning outfits for work and beyond? David Coma’s collection proves that it indeed can. We love that cutout details are making a comeback. Nostalgia, anyone?

5. Erdem: Making a point on the shoppable looks we mentioned above, Erdem’s collection is one that you can walk off the runway and onto the streets in. We love the high-waisted pants so reminiscent of a tuxedo, and the more feminine outfits with stunning details. The fascinators, we’d probably save for the next royal wedding.

6. Victoria Beckham: posh spice meets everyday woman, and that’s where Beckham’s magic lies. Her clothes are as easy to pull off as they are elegant, and that’s why we’re rooting for them.

7. Mary Katrantzou: Bohemian prints have the uncanny ability of looking good on all clothes. Mary’s collection is perfect for workwear as separates, and to the Met Gala alike.

Which of these business trends do you see as easy to adapt for your brand? Tell us in the comments below.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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The Fashion Business Epiphanies We Garnered From New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2019

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brand consultant, fashion brand, fashion consultant, fashion designer, fashion labels, fashion startup, Fuel4Fashion, Mara Hoffman, Marc Jacobs, Naeem Khan, New York fashion week, NYFW, Prabal Gurung, Ready to wear, Rebecca Minkoff, RTW, Tadashi Shoji

The recently concluded edition of the New York Fashion Week held not so many design surprises as it did business lessons. It is only natural, then, that we wanted to do a feature right away!

Fashion is a form of expression- there’s a reason why people buy so loyally from the brands they love. This applies to all strata of the fashion society. People love their labels as much as they enjoy the ease and comfort of label-less, brand-less clothing. And that’s what NYFW was all about- shunning the label in favor of the individual.

Here, we deconstruct eight ideas from NYFW SS’19 that are worth exploring in your own fashion business.

1. The Return Of The Self: Colors to make you feel better, shapes and silhouettes to help you feel safe- clothing is now about your mood. You may remember from one of our earlier features that color is a huge determinant of how we feel and how we express this to the world outside. A similar idea was extensively visible in the designs of Prada and Givenchy.

2. Landmark Collections: Ralph Lauren turns fifty. Fifty years of bringing enhanced sports fashion to mainstream shows. Emotions ran high at NYFW, but what we took away is the message that sportswear is becoming the new casual wear. Looks that respect this notion will go very far.

3. Tailoring Done Differently: Was it only yesterday that form and fit were the fashion buzzwords to look out for? Well, both form and fit are on holiday at NYFW, and the focus is instead on comfort and function. Not surprising, considering the urban commuter who moves around so much, and people’s general lack of interest in buying pieces that only ever sit in the wardrobe.

4. Feminine Goes Fierce: This year, even the more conventionally minded designers shifted their focus to clothing that made a stronger statement. Case in point- Brock Collection. Their collection is so much more refined and represents strength, inside and out.

5. Subtlety Over Statement: While everyone is busy making a statement, The Row toned it down. This is a potent message for fashion houses designing their collections right about now. Sometimes, in a world that is screaming statements, not making any statement at all may just be the most powerful way to go about anything.

6. Nostalgia: Perhaps the harshness of the world we live in today, with its myriad issues and its elected leaders, is making us fond of the services, army, and even the eighties! Junya Watanabe and Isabel Marant both took this nostalgia and channeled it into something beautiful.

7. Beyond Visual: The tink-tink of Paco Rabanne’s dress collection proved, yet again, that there’s no end to innovation in fashion. Auditory stimuli aren’t the first thing you’d associate with a dress, but they need not be the last either. We’re not rooting for squeaky shoes and hopefully, haven’t descended to dresses that play songs, but as long as the sound is pleasant to hear, why not!

8. The Return Of The Unisex: There’s no way to know how much of it is because of a movement, and how much merely a factor of comfort, but clothing collections are no longer split along gender lines. Case in point- all of the designers who exhibited their collections for men and women at the same time, on the same stage. Come to think of it, why doesn’t love a multipurpose piece?

The looks we loved from New York Fashion Week SS’19: 

1. Mara Hoffman: We love a designer with a voice, and what a statement voice she has! We love her easy whites, stand-out silhouettes and statement florals.

2. Marc Jacobs: elegance never goes out to style, and neither do high collars and breezy cuts suggestive of the elite. Culottes can be statement pieces too, if you know how to stitch them.

3. Naeem Khan: contemporary has never been this classic. Spaghetti dresses and high collars meet more modern ideas of prints and embellishments in this highly versatile collection.

4. Prabal Gurung: did we say pops of colour? Prada is not left alone on that count, what with Prabal Gurung joining in. We love the bright shades sure to make any day better.

5. Rebecca Minkoff’s collection is perfect for a statement workwear.

6. Tadashi Shoji: a master of the feminine, if there was one. Also one of the few collections we spotted this season with animal prints. They’re not going out of style anytime soon.

Which of these ideas will you use as inspiration for your next collection? Tell us in the comments.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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A Toast To The Best Formal and Semi-Formal Styles We Spotted At Lakme India Fashion Week

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Amit agarwal, brand consultancy, design studio, fabrics, fashion brands, fashion designers, fashion labels, fashion show, fashion startup, Fashion Week, formal wear, formal wear and evening wear, freelance fashion designer, garments, Kunal Rawal, Lakme India Fashion Week, runway fashion, Saaksha and Kinni, sheer fabrics, silhouettes, styles, styles and trends

If you’re a fashion aficionado, an aspiring designer or a follower of celebrities, your timeline was probably flooded with images from Lakme India Fashion Week that concluded just a few days ago.  We know because we’ve been digging some of these styles, too.

Here at Fuel4Fashion, we’re huge believers in practicality. Some of the most stunning styles on-ramp often fade away from existence entirely. Some others look great on models but probably not so much on real people in real situations, minus the flashbulbs. That said, three designers absolutely stood out for us and showcased designs that can be adapted into wardrobes.

Take notes, fashion entrepreneurs- your customers will be asking for these styles very, very soon.

1. Saaksha and Kinni

Perhaps the clearest example of a designer’s clarity of thought comes through in this designer duo’s collection for Lakme India Fashion Week this time around. Prints are a very urbane expression of the self- in fact, think back to your ancestry, and you’d be sure to remember one print or one weave that everyone spoke about.

Interpretations of Ikat and Pochampally in 8-bit game pixels is a genius move, we think.

Also, everyone needs space, people!

Flowy fabrics are in, especially for formal wear. In a tropical country like India, and for the sake of comfort the world over, people are seeing the virtue in abandoning the sharp suit for more statement pieces. Think blouses with bell sleeves and prints, printed formal pants with plain shirts, and jackets in a variety of cuts and styles. We’d go so far as to say that you should think of one statement accessory in the collection to lift up all the Boring formal wear that all of us inadvertently own. Excited yet? Thanks, Saaksha and Kinni!

2. Kunal Rawal

We love Kunal Rawal’s collection because it comes as a breath of fresh air in the parched men’s formalwear section this Fashion Week. It’s still super cool to wear formal-ish suits and all-black this festive season too, guys!

Also, come to think of out, wardrobes should always be function over fancy, and while it’s nice to have the flower-embroidered jackets, we all need evergreen pieces that can be adapted to a variety of occasions.

And that is precisely what this collection brings to the ramp, and to wardrobes. We highly recommend including some earthy hues in the formal menswear collections this time. They add a nice touch to an array of blues and blacks.

We also like the idea of using self-designed motifs on pants and jackets for an extra layer of detail. Dinner jackets in shades of orange and burnt umber, details on trousers, and brogues with extra motifs at the toe cap- all recommended.

Did we mention athleisure? A wholly tailored suit with pants that mimic tracks are in right now, and this is a trend you can adapt for both genders with relative ease.

3. Amit Aggarwal

Bringing some much-needed sass to women’s evening wear is Amit Aggarwal. We particularly love his silhouettes because of the sheer global appeal of those gowns. Here’s a cocktail dress that one could pull of absolutely anywhere in the world.

Shades of grey and bronze, a dress separated into coordinates, African culture inspired gowns- is there any better way to go global? Also, grey is a color that is kind to all skin tones, and in all climates, so that’s an added plus too. Think cocktail dresses with one central motif, and add in geometric details.

Another way to adapt Amit Aggarwal’s collection into your stores, apart from the gowns, is to design peplum tops in metallics, tailored pants and thinking of bow pants a la Emma Watson.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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Milan Fashion Week Vs Paris Fashion Week – 2015

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Bottega Veneta, Chloe, Christian dior, colors, Elie Saab, fabric, fashion blog, Fashion design studio, fashion illustrations, Fendi, Ferragamo, freelance fashion designer, garments, Milan Fashion Week, Moschino, Paris Fashion Week, pattern, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, styles, tech pack, trends, Virtual Fashion Design Studio, Yohji Yamamoto

After the New York and London Fashion week, now’s the time to look towards Milan and Paris, as they present their forecasted interpretations.

The trends tend to overlap, but here are a few things that differed:

Gather the Pleats

Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/0ch7Sv, http://goo.gl/UYyoqV, http://goo.gl/9jSuqB, http://goo.gl/7qUAi2

Milan Fashion Week concentrated on a lot of silhouettes, but pleats were used by every designer in various forms. While some designers used light creases for pleats like Bottega Veneta, while Ferragamo brought grace through perfect alignment.

Paris Fashion Week showcased the other side of silhouettes; gathers. Givenchy and Nina Ricci among others united their personal inspirations and presented delicate and subtle styles in their collections.

Brocaded Denim

Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/V3rzz8, http://goo.gl/cRFAEN, http://goo.gl/e3VA6W, http://goo.gl/bkrrrt

Milan brought forward the fabric of the kings and presented the richness of the colors, with their own creativity. Roberto Cavalli’s idea of the rich-poor combination was clearly seen in his collection with Prada creating striped brocade providing an edge to the fabric.

Paris Fashion Week concentrated on the denim fabric and was seen in every collection with different interpretations. While Chloe stuck to more modest designs, Yohji Yamamoto presented his creation that symbolizes the women of today; the perfect combination of feminist and freedom.

Tracks Vs. Pants

Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/x6d0RH, http://goo.gl/ojJ5lk, http://goo.gl/UCmqkR, http://goo.gl/N2TTEi

In Milan Fashion Week, track suits became a part of the collection in textures and fabrics that made exercising look appealing. Fendi concentrated on comfort and textures that would work brilliantly for a casual occasion. Moschino which is known for its womanizing way conveyed the barbie doll woman image.

Paris Fashion Week, decided to follow the pant suits style forecast and came up with designs like Elie Saab’s lace pant suit that convey feminine elegance and beauty that is beyond comparison. Christian Dior on the other side presented the serenity and the gentleness that describes the heart of the woman.

As the Milan and Parish Fashion Weeks end the collections of Spring Summer 2015, we get an insight to the designers minds and how they translate their ideas into something that creates worldwide following.

New York Fashion Week Vs London Fashion Week – 2015

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Betsey Johnson, colors, fabric, fashion blog, garments, London Fashion Week, New York fashion week, pattern, Rebecca Taylor, trends, Virtual Fashion Design Studio

As the month of September arrives, so does the time for Fashion Week held at the capitals of Fashion. The month of September brings the Ready-To-Wear collection for Spring/Summer 2015 outlining the forecasted trends, styles, colors and fabrics; everything a fashion conscious person adores.

As the fashion week moved from New York to London, there were various trends and styles that differed and provided us with something entirely new in both the cities.

Floral Psych:

– Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/GYLjlJ, http://goo.gl/fAMHlT, http://goo.gl/GNIXeU, http://goo.gl/DZ5sjU

New York Fashion Week saw a lot of floral prints among the collections presented by the designers in various sizes and forms that brought every woman to her knees. Some flaunted the prints concentrating on the elegance and grace it provides while others brought the sparkling girl’s eyes in their garments.

London Fashion Week on the other hand, brought together their collection from the 70s, the psychedelic prints from the hippies crowd. This Peter Pilotto print for example, reminds us of the era of rock n roll and freedom where the prints spoke the frame of mind.

Black and White…

– Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/mBIsSf, http://goo.gl/e17tiH, http://goo.gl/14vY36, http://goo.gl/C64u8m

The New York Fashion Week brought black and white combinations back in fashion with silhouettes and designs that would inspire others. Alice and Olivia brought together their elegant collection with the silhouettes that were inspired from feminism and classiness of Victorian women.

The London Fashion Week created a color blocking effect combined with the shapely subtlety that comes with the black territory. Emilio de la Morena’s interpretation of the color black to the feminine shape is shown aptly in his collection that gives the perfect amount of sexiness and elegance.

Fabric-ed

– Photo Credits: http://goo.gl/v2ZL6F, http://goo.gl/xMSsIi, http://goo.gl/9qAinM, http://goo.gl/Q8RlO4

The New York Fashion Week worked on the sheer fabrics that were presented in varying densities. Betsey Johnson used these fabrics to create a Gothic- rough outfit that was very Out-there as compared to the garment produced by Rebecca Taylor who went in for a more subtle undertone.

The London Fashion Week chose to show off the other fabrics like lace and knitwear in its collections. Knitwear produced a casual effect with a metallic jacket in the McQ Alexander McQueen’s collection whereas the lace, provided a graceful feminine look.

There were many similarities between New York Fashion Week and the London Fashion Week with the play of colors and styles. A lot of techniques, fabrics, colours, silhouettes etc. were seen, which are always present in both the fashion shows. While the upcoming fashion designers in the US and UK set a pattern for next year’s collections, it will be interesting to see what the big names of Milan and Paris come up with for their interpretations for next year.

Highlights of Berlin Fashion Week

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apparels, Berlin, Berlin Fashion Week, blog, fashion, fashion blog, fashion designers, fashion history, fashion illustrations, Fashion Show Berlin, Fashion Week Berlin, freelance fashion designer, GreenShowroom, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin, pattern

Among mainland Europe’s powerhouses of commerce and arguably its largest economy, Germany has been lagging in one key industry – fashion. Milan, Paris and London far outrank Berlin in the European and global fashion industry and the Germans have been working hard to catch up.

Since 2007, the Senate Department for Economics, Technology and Research has been promoting the German fashion industry by sponsoring the Berlin Fashion Week twice a year. The program includes a variety of events ranging from the pinnacle Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin to niche events like Bread & Butter (international trade fair for street and urban fashion) high fashion ordering platform Show & Order, as well as shows for plus size fashion, ethical fashion and the eco-fashion show GreenShowroom.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin for Spring-Summer 2015 took place in July which had featured designers such as Grazia, Marc Cain, Laurel and Schumacher. The overall tone was subdued colors with a focus on lightweight breathable fabric.

Design by Grazia (Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin)

Design by Marc Cain (Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin)

Design by Laurel (Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin)

Design by Schumacher (Images: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin)

The GreenShowroom featured upcoming designers from Germany like Johnanna Riplinger, Edelziege and Katharina Kaiser, with a focus on simple styling and detailing.

Design by Johnanna Riplinger (Image : GreenShowroom)

Design by Edelziege (Image : GreenShowroom)

Design by Katharina Kaiser (Image : GreenShowroom)

The ethical fashion show highlights included stylish casuals by Asquith of London, modern minimalist designs by Sonia (Netherlands) and Peopletree’s fair-trade collection.

Designs from Asquith (Courtesy:Ethical Fashion Show Berlin)

Designs from Sonia (Image : Ethical Fashion Show Berlin)

Design from Peopletree (Image: Ethical Fashion Show Berlin)

Besides these, Showfloor Berlin and Lavera Showfloor were two of the notable events where fashion brands could showcase their latest collections.

While the fashion week did have a large number of German designers participating, getting international visibility will require a few more seasons. But the fact that Mercedes Benz has included Berlin as one of the fashion weeks it sponsors along with New York, Miami, Australia and Istanbul should see increased interest from buyers in the near future.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion, the first virtual design studio that caters to new and upcoming fashion design labels with a diverse portfolio of design services. She is a member of the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Women Entrepreneurship Program and has over a decade of fashion industry experience with international labels and start-ups.

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