‘Indian celebrity fashion inspires designers globally’

NEW DELHI - Indian celebrity fashion inspires designers around the world, says Worth Global Style Network (WGSN), an online research and fashion forecaster that aims to work with leading Indian retail chains to raise their level of pret lines.

“We are very much inspired by Indian celebrity fashion. They are an inspiration for many designers around the globe,” London-based WGSN’s content director Juliet Warkentin told IANS.

“People want to look confident and hence they opt for those clothes that enhance their personality. India already offers rainbow of colours that inspires entire world to add a dash of colour in their wardrobe as well,” added Warkentin, who is here with WGSN’s Asia Pacific managing director Julie Harris to meet leading fashion houses like Westside, Shoppers’ Stop, Raymonds and Arvind Mills, among others, to do fashion forecasting for them and understand their needs.

“So, while understanding the Indian fashion scene, we have to keep a check on their style as well,” she said.

The duo have also met officials of the newly-created Fashion Design and Promotion Council (FDPC) that aims to serve as an interface between Indian designers, the government and the industry.

“We visited some of the Indian retail chains and the stuff they are offering is great. We are very much impressed. The clothes are very comfortable and the fabric and its finish is amazing,” Warkentin maintained.

The only demand that Indian fashion houses had on WGSN, that has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and Melbourne was for that something extra that would set them apart from their contemporaries.

“The only demand each fashion house here had for something different that will set their lines apart from their competitors,” Warkentin explained.

How then does WGSN forecast fashion trends?

“We attend various international fashion weeks. We indulge in street photography that tells us what is hot and favourite all around the globe. Fashion forecasting is not easy as loads of analysis, research and robust work goes into it,” Harris averred.

The common conception people have in India is that trend forecasting doesn’t work much here thanks to varying weather conditions and style sensibilities. Warkentin refused to buy this statement.

“We give people a global view of the fashion and they interpret it in a manner that meets their requirements. We tell them what is available in market and they then add that extra dimension to their garments,” Warkentin explained.

Harris also sought to dispel the notion that celebrities’ style statements are aimed at only their fans and at shutterbugs. Rather, celebrities’ style dictates fashion trends globally.

“You just can’t ignore celebrities’ fashion style. They are the ones youngsters look up to. What they wear dictates fashion trends. Thus, after the Oscars, we come up with an Oscars inspired collection targeted at fans of different celebrities, Harris explained.