The blouse has shed its dowdy image to emerge chic & sassy As we recover from an overdose of fashion,given the back to back shows held at the just concluded Chandigarh Fashion Week,it is time to look at the trends that were. The overriding theme at the week was definitely bridal couture with most designers dishing out collections to match. In all that blinding bling,we noticed the an essential piece of clothing that seemed to have undergone a major makeover. This season,the humble blouse has shed its dowdy,covered-up image to emerge rather sexy and sassy. From sheer net ones to those fully embellished,racer backs to cut-away sleeves,it seems the blouse is now as important as the seven yards! Going by the way it showed up on the ramp,it seems the garment is not just an accompaniment to the saree and lehenga but is the most important part of the ensemble. "With women all toned up,they are eager to experiment with cut-aways,halters and teeny-weeny sizes," mentioned Ludhiana-based designer Sonu Gandhi who presented her collection at the Chandigarh Fashion Week. Gandhi's shimmering sarees were teamed up with stringy-blouses with a lot of detailing. "The saree is an Indian ethnic garment but it takes an Indo-Western style when the blouse is contemporary," added Gandhi. Until now the blouse was made from extended fabric culled from the saree length,but that no longer seems to be the case. "Mix and match is the ruling theme and that holds true with blouses as well," points out designer Sulakshna Monge whose label 'Soltee' showcased sexy cuts and lots of embellishments. "Halters are passe. It's more about strappy cholis and racer backs," Monge lists out. Her Spring Summer line-up boasts of blouses made from brocade,crepe,velvet,lurex and more. Speaking of cholis,designer Pallavi Jaikishan's show put forth interesting designs that had a line of sequins for straps! "The Indian bride is no longer coy and shy. Therefore the change with the entire silhouette," mentioned Jaikishan as we noticed her blouses on the ramp boasting of tie-ups that looked like tassles ending with pretty jhoomars and embellishments. Speaking of specials,Satya Paul proved once again on why he's the leading saree specialist! Blouses were certainly the high point of the label's Spring-Summer collection with Bikini styles to those with sheer long sleeves,corsets and more making an appearance.
