The Yves Saint Laurent collection targeted at ?women in powerful positions?, unveiled two weeks back in Paris, was sleek and even severe, but designers in India favour a more carefree and relaxed corporate look for the summer of 2010.
From pastel colours, flowing lines, bold accessories and even floral prints, office wear has it all. The minimalist look, shorn of any embellishments that symbolised ?let?s get down to business?, is no longer the norm.
The optimism in the economy will be reflected in what corporate India dons this summer. FE taps four leading fashion designers to envision Indian office wear for the ?summer of 2010?
?Neeta Lulla
Style that relaxes, comforts
Summer 2010 will see straight or flare pants, definitely marking a trend for corporate wear in India. Skirts and drapes or pleating or shift dresses will be the fashion that women will don. Shirt-waisters, vests, jacketed denims will also dominate corporate fashion for this summer.
Fabrics that will make the cut include linen, georgette and nets. Viscose and crepes will also make a style statement. These will feature in wardrobes, as they are comfortable, relaxing and easy to slip in. Beiges, taupe and pale peach will reflect the season, while grey, black and bourdeaux will add that dash of heat colour in the coporate world.
Refurbishing of one?s closet should definitely be a priority in any season. This year, the addition of interesting bags, scarves, belts, shoes, singlets or shirts will complete the look. Accessorising always adds that little something to an ensemble and this summer it will lean towards the colorful or printed.
?Kunal Rawal
Clean silhouettes, earthy tones make the cut
This summer, colour blocking will be the strongest trend in corporate fashion. This season, cleaner silhouettes are available in a wide range of colours and tones. The combination of these pieces will define the look for corporate India.
The materials used to shape the summer will be sharper suiting fabrics like lightweight 100% wools and wool-silk blends (wrinkle-free qualities and slight lycra is always welcome). Also, summer suits in fine twills and cotton blends have made a huge comeback.
Recommended styles to complement the summer are simple and elegant, like the classic twin-lapelled, two-button suit in single and double-breasted styles. The cuts that will make the mark are slimmer and straighter.
I recommend adding some inky navys and blues to one?s collection. Charcoal greys and browns are very big this summer and tones include tobacco brown, deep tan and dark chocolate. Teaming them with tonal or light ground shirts in fresh colours like sky blue and light ochre, and mixed colours like bone white or navy black enhances the appeal. A dark brown or charcoal suit helps revamp a wardrobe, as they are fashion colours and easy to match. Black suits will never go out of style.
Accessorising will be elegant in the form of tie clips in dull gold and bright silver shoes and belts in brighter tans and browns are safe this summer. Ties will be seen in microprints and tonal diagonal stripes. Carry a pen that?s you, be it a colourful one or even one that has the face of your favourite singer or icon.
?Puneet Nanda
Dynamism in timeless style
Sarees with abstract designs, hand-painted florals always look appealing and are timeless in a corporate setting. However, care needs to be taken that it does not get too loud. Ideal fabrics for summer are georgette, chiffon and crepe. The colours and also lightly embellished sarees are a staple of the Satya Paul line, which especially caters to the urban, professional woman. Summer cool fabrics like cool wool, viscose-blended high twist fabrics for bottom skirts/trousers work very well. Women can choose from an array of straight fit A-line dresses, which are both feminine and elegant. One can play with a lot of asymmetrical stripes when it comes to skirts and box pleat dresses, which look trendy and chic. Floral patterns and abstract forms in dresses look both classy and understated and are ideal to add to one?s wardrobe. Fabrics for this kind of wear encompass viscose lycra, georgette, chiffon, voile and organza.
Where accessories for women are concerned, chic handbags brighten up the outfit and give a classy statement. Our SS2010 range of pr?t line?Satya by Satya Paul?is available in a kaleidoscope of colours, from classic black and indigo blue, to funky yellow, green and bright pinks.
The collection has attractive scarves and rich stoles in crepe, chiffon and georgette in various colours and enchanting prints. These scarves accentuate your style quotient by bringing out a chic summer look.
?Narendra Kumar
It?s in the details
Corporate wear is a new concept in India. It used to be focused on the softer, frilly side. Now, it carries a more tailored look, with an emphasis on necklines. The boring, staid look in men?s shirts will change as fashion walks off the ramp and enters boardrooms.
Striped shirts will give way to solids, light, small and tiny prints. Also, the style of trousers will change. They will be not too wide on the legs and will walk the straight and narrow. Detailing will take its place in the sun, as it finds it way on waistlines, loops, cuffs and pockets, among other things.
Corporate colours can restrict and stay within the blue-grey-black range. This year will require greater confidence. The optimism and fun in the economy will be reflected in the tops that corporate India dons. The dress sense will not be as daring, as the concept of corporate fashion is relatively new here. Going out on a limb would mean walking too far ahead and going out of its space.
We are limited by our climate, so a variety in fabric takes a backseat. Mul and chambray will make a statement this summer, along with other largely cotton-based fabrics.
We don?t reinvent our wardrobes every season; we add layers. Tops with interesting details on the sleeves like pleats make for more trendy and stylish wear.
I wouldn?t suggest excessive jewellery for a work place. Trendy scarves and bags generally do the trick.
All in all, this year?s corporate fashion should reflect confidence without saying anything or trying too hard.