As is the norm, the end of each fashion week brings with it ample substance in the form of influences to chew on and decipher which would make a promising case for the next big trend. While it is still too early to validate what the masses would take to, the forecaster in us scrutinized the presentations at Lakmé Fashion Week 2016 – Winter Festive edition for a few powerful recurring looks directly off the runway.
While a few trends make a comeback from past seasons in fresh ways (velvet, capes and monochromes), others convincingly feel more fierce and shiny (metallics, transparency and leather detailing).

METALLIC MANIA

Fashion sans drama is plain unspirited, and what spells drama better than a generous offering of sparkle and shine? This season, designers have taken the cue rightly by presenting hard-to-muster metallics in decidedly fresh ways. Hands down the biggest trend on the block for this season, metallics have got their biggest comeback – yet, from the 80’s!
It’s that time of the year/decade when shining bright like a diamond serves well for both daytime and evening – and casual and formal looks.

Myoho, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Shivan & Narresh and SVA among others, are a few names who revolutionized the trend for the approaching winter festive season.

PEEK-A-BOO LEATHER

Once upon a time, anything leather instantly called to mind a style statement reserved for rebels and bikers. Thankfully, owing to an especially strong showing on Fall 2016 runways at AIFW and LFW both, where leather as a material is no longer restricted to jackets and shoes alone, ( read: Revisiting Leather). Interesting variations in the form of leather detailed panels, piping, trims, lapels and patches made a strong case for the approaching season specifically at the presentations of Kunal Rawal, Nought One, Vaibhav Singh and Asa Kazingmei.

THE REIGN OF THE VELVET

Without any doubt, this winter festive season’s identity lies in opulence – the fabric of choice being luxe velvet in jewel tones.
The likes of Manish Malhotra, Kallol Datta and Sonal Verma sold the regal trend in their latest collections on the runway.

TRANSPARENCY IS SHEER GENIUS

A very hefty number of designers pushed coyness to the curb and introduced the sneak-peak concept within their garments owing to sheers and cut-out detailing.

Skin baring hints in different variations and sizes, like free flowing sheer dresses, gowns, blouses and peek-a-boo cuts featured on swimwear or grazing the waist and shoulders, were spotted at Kaleekal, Shantanu & Nikhil, Myoho, Wendell Rodricks and Atsu, among others.

CAPE EFFECT

Now that flared silhouettes have completely entered the fashion lexicon, every facet of the cape style is regaining its popularity. SVA, Pariah by Pranami, Ridhi Mehra, Bina Rao and Tarun Tahiliani among others, approached this trend (which seems to have no intention of going away) – with experimental takes on it – and used it on everything from lehengas, to cocktail dresses to bohemian inspired lines to back to basic separates.

MONOCHRO-MAGIC

Despite showing up on runways season after season, this iconic trend refuses to budge.
The classic monochrome trend was spotted on the runways of Ilk, Shivan & Narresh, Kaleekal, Ashish N. Soni and Atsu among others and was presented in a variety of concepts ranging from, prints to graphics to colour blocking and piping detailing.

ASSYMETRY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME

If there’s one trend designers unanimously up-roared an approval for this winter-festive season, it’s the collective taking for asymmetrical silhouettes.
Designers conjured up interesting separates that would do as much justice alone, as they would together. From shirts to trousers to dresses to shoulders and necklines – asymmetry followed suit at Cord, Wendell Rodricks, Chola, LoveBirds and Ants Craft!