Indian Fashion's Digital Transition And Festive Dressing For The Autumn Winter 2020 Season

2020 has been an unprecedented year full of firsts. For industries like fashion and hospitality, that meant plenty of adjustment. Fashion weeks have always included glitzy ballrooms in five-star hotels, models sashaying down the ramp and right off the runway clothing stalls. None of the familiar sights were present this time. Models shifted from catwalks to screens and their designer clothing, part of fashion films and short videos. Celebrity showstoppers moved from head ramp to social media photos with their thoughts on the experience all conveyed digitally.

FDCI's Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week and Lakme Fashion Week are taking the pandemic in their stride. The bustle around them continue but the somberness is evident to fashion observers and consumers alike. On the flip side, the fashion designers; who are the lifeblood of fashion weeks, continue to process, mull and create for the autumn winter 2020 season to come. NDTV Swirlster spoke to Swapna Anumolu, Founder of Mishru for her thoughts on festive dressing this time around and the digital transition that 2020 has brought for the industry.

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Mishru's collection at Lakme Fashion Week

The Hyderabad based label, who has dressed the likes of Manushi Chhillar, Kareena Kapoor and Chitrangada Singh, participated in the latest edition of Lakme Fashion Week.' Speaking on the shift from a physical showcase to a digital one, Swapna said, "This year has taught us to constantly adapt and live in the moment. In every given industry, it's important to figure out different ways and avenues in which a brand can move forward and fashion is definitely not one to take a step back. While it is a different experience, it's one we are very excited for." Mishru unveiled a collection titled 'The Lost Summer', which we interpreted as for the months gone by. Swapna chimed in, "2020 has been a year unlike any other. With the looming gloom and bleakness, the world suddenly found itself confined indoors. However, we wanted to ensure that those limitations couldn't take away the freedom of our minds that dreamed of wondrous places and sun-kissed days. Therefore, our collection is an ode to the summer that existed in our minds."

Mishru's collection at Lakme Fashion Week

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On how the autumnal collection manages to weave summer accents within it, she added, "We have incorporated our signature floral embroidery in vibrant hues of blush pink, hot pink, cloudy blue, navy blue and ivory." While this month marks the arrival of trends for the new season to come, it also heralds festive dressing for the multitude of occasions to follow. We asked Swapna her thoughts on how it will transform for the year, to which she said, "Versatility will be the key. Every buyer is opting for outfits that can be styled in different ways and reused; it's a great shift from over-consumerism to mindfulness."

Mishru's collection at Lakme Fashion Week

Celebrations may be more muted but that's not to say they will be disappearing completely. On what we can expect from 2020's festive trends, she said, "According to me, bold and bright colours will continue to be the underlying theme of the festive season as it always has been. Pre-draped sarees, lehenga sets, Indo-fusion skirt sets, asymmetrical tunics to layered capes, jackets, corsets, jumpsuits and gowns will be a top choice for autumn winter 2020." As she signed off, Swapna's expert festive fashion advice was, "My advice always was and will be to be comfortable with what you choose to wear. If you opt for an outfit that is not true to yourself or your personality, it will always be a misfit."

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