The year 2009 has begun and it is usual time for resolutions. Taking stock and generally reassessing where we as people, individuals and as a country stand today. 

FASHION PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR WHICH IS YET TO BEGIN--2009.

I am repeatedly being asked about the above and am always surprised at both the question and the presumption that there would be an answer to such a question which would not be totally in the realm of fiction. At least as far as this market-- that is India is concerned. There is a small history behind my observation which I would like to share. The presumption that Indian fashion reacts in much the same way to designers and their outputs as their western counterparts is not a fact. As a matter of fact, the very vocabulary that is used in the western world, vis a vis fashion, is being used by India and particularly the media without relating it to the reality of the situation on the ground in India. Indian fashion , in particular women's fashions do not generally follow dictates except in niche pockets , which are given out by any ramp communication,no matter how strongly it is portrayed. 

Indian fashion is coloured by two important aspects-- The seasons and the auspicious religious calenders. The former tend to be hot and tropical and the latter largely influenced by regional and society dictates. Amidst this scenario there is some space for the Indian fashion designer as he or she sends out the models wearing the seasons creations. Bollywood also colours the way our seasons and festive seasons are affected. This is a far cry from what happens in the western world vis a vis fashion.In Paris Milan and new york fashion is controlled and owned by multi nationals who run the industry like a well oiled professional organization. There is little or a very rare energy for the mom and shop store where the designers work out of a studio to create works of individualistic genius. The western fashion runs on oiled wheels where the mantra is consumption. The mood , colour , shape etc of the next collections is decided on what will excite the consumer and out date the present wardrobes of the women who are already bulging with a surfeit of clothing -- but need a change. The industry comes together from the manufactures of stockings, to fabrics, styles, accessories etc etc to ensure that last years looks become outdated and a new investment is made into the thriving fashion industry which spends large sums of money on the promotion and popularizing the predicted trends. Hence if yellow is in fashion, and you do not wish to be involved the chances are that there will really be great choices in yellow and the dusty rose that you love will not find place on the shelves.

In India this phenomenon has somehow not really happened yet. It has touched a small section of the metros but is still a very niche space for a small cosmopolitan Indian who relates to the swings of the fashions internationally. 

We do have our own fashion phenomenons though. 2009 is a year which is going to see the fall out of the recession internationally and the impact of the sobering influence of the Bombay blasts which has given every citizen in this country an occasion to have a reality check. Fashions in the country are going to go conservative. The indian psyche which is dormantly cautious is going to feel the effect of the environment around it and react in a predictiable indian fashion.

The younger generation is going to continue to use retail therapy -- but in fun innovative ways. Its the time when character and individuality is going to make its presence felt. Last years skirt will be teamed up with a fun today's t-shirt, a crazy pair of sneakers will do with both jeans, skirts, perhaps even with a lungi. The chunni or scarf is going to find many avatars as outfits come together without any dictates at all.The sari blouse with a pant or a chooridaar with a chunni worn like a sari could also become the coolest look next year. Recession is always a time for great innovation and I feel that the young Indian has so many choices today that we will see fashions coming out of their wardrobes which probably will point the way for the way India is going to look in 2009.

The environment is another pointer in what I see is going to influence fashions in India -- the country is tropical, and except for a few months in the northern part of the country is hot hotter and humid. Cotton is going to be the fabric for the year in all its avatars.Crushed more likely than finely ironed. Block printed, boldly patterned, brightly coloured in shapes which are easy and sexy. The kaftan , kurta, wil rub shoulders with cotton biker t- shirts and may or perhaps will be worn together as layers. The capris , dhoti salwars, hybrids of the chooridaars, jodhpurs will all find different expressions as free and easy flowy bottoms take presidence over tight trousers. Hot polyester blends seem to be on their way out.

All in all an interesting bohemian twist on the Indian way of life is how I see us In the Indian fashion in 2009.