Pert, petite and pretty, she seems comfortable even in the muggy hot weather, despite the drone of the generator. Sitting with Aneela Haque through a powercut provided the perfect opening to a story on summer fashion.
"You can chase trends all you like, but the best way to be happy with what you wear is to be a little weather wise," Aneela says. The ramps, the boutiques, the magazines around town are all bursting with tips and tricks and the latest styles, but at the end of the day, one has to be comfortable with what one is wearing. Especially with our summers being the way they are, with the blazing sun, the sweltering nights, and the occasional burst of rain, there's no way one can ignore the presence of Mother Nature, even in the city."
Nature, then, is her theme for the summer.
Can you paint with all the colours of the wind?
One big consideration for the summer wardrobe is the colours you will be wearing. The shades have to be such that are comfortable in the heat, yet cheery enough to counter the drab when it rains. Fluorescents definitely fit the bill, while Aneela's own collection borrows from nature, with the rainbow shades of blue, purple, bright yellow and orange, and banana-leaf green, along with the basic black, white and red, which are somehow inescapable in a Bengali wardrobe. The Sub-Continental complexion palette ranges from olive to wheatish, so the hues must complement the wearer's skin tone. While women have always played with colour, men have traditionally stuck to a few 'safe' shades, but this summer is the perfect time to experiment. Go with bright accents to sombre neutrals if you don't want to be too daring, although, when done with reason, that's not such a bad thing.
Livin' in a material world
Perhaps more so than in other seasons, this is the time that one needs to pay attention to the fabric of one's clothing. Natural materials that are light and breathable are definitely a must, if one is to avoid the discomfort of clingy fabric sticking to and irritating sweaty skin. Summertime is perfect to break out the cottons, jamdani, light khaadi, linen and soft silk. Aneela's signature graphic prints are instantly recognizable, but one can also play with both traditional and contemporary motifs. Simplicity is the key: too many embellishments can get too crowded, and look tacky.
We will become silhouettes
2009 is seeing a lot of simple, basic cuts, and each designer has his/her own ideas, but the slim fit seems to enjoy unanimous popularity. "You don't want to end up looking like a walking tent, do you?" Aneela chuckles. Last year's flaring dhooti and patiala pyjamas still seem to be popular, but the new short shalwars are also getting attention. Somewhere between 'proper' shalwars and capris, they are straight cuts that show a little ankle. Another interesting concept for evening wear includes the long, sleeveless jacket that brings to mind the Arabian nights.
Bling things
Ethnic jewellery and accessories are still highly popular. Aneela advocates artisan jewellery, featuring combinations of silver with beads, terracotta clay, and shells. One can even eschew jewellery in favour of a funky scarf, belt or bandanna for an edgier look, teamed with a botua, or the jhola bags favoured by Art students.
Fashion is wearable art, and the bottom line, as Aneela Haque sees it, is that one must dress to make oneself happy. Looks that are bold, yet comfortable, and attuned to one's own personality is what's most stylish this season, and always.
By Sabrina F Ahmad
Photo: David Paul Barikdar
Styling : Aneela Haque
Model: Asif Khan
Source: thedailystar.net
