Mumbai, Feb 16: As India waits for its fashion Capital to shape the season's statement, fashion pundits forecast the general direction for Summer 2004. A continuation of the trend, glimpses of which were seen even at the Lakme India Fashion Week last year in Mumbai, is the verdict. "The look for Summer 2004 will be very feminine, romantic and delicate," says senior professor, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Asha Baxi. It is not likely to be the "disco, sexy" look, instead the trend would be more of "fresh and cheerful" with plenty of vibrant colours. And the colour white could dominate the ramp once more.
The fabrics are likely to be softer materials like viols and chiffons. The garments would have soft volume with gathers, frills, layers and plenty of patterns, reads the forecast.

"We won't see much of heavy fabrics. It would be softer look with drappy fabrics," says this fashion pundit.
Interestingly, the trends for the season have been forecast looking at the changing international scenario and the state of the Indian economy among other things. "At the international level, people are trying to get over the Iraq War. People want to feel more happier and so they will choose brighter, fresh colours. After the September 11 incidence, it was observed that people in New York became more family-centric and the trend of fashion changed to brighter colours and more layered clothing," explains Ms. Baxi.

The upbeat mood of the Indian economy is yet another factor for the trend. "It has been observed that when the economy is doing well, people tend to flaunt their clothes. But when there is a downswing, the clothes reflect it. Right now there is a "feel good" factor in the economy so happy and cheerful colours is what people would like to buy," she says.
Apart from the general forecast, certain other trends have also been noticed in Indian designing that are likely to be repeated. "We will again see a lot of patterns, cuts, asymmetrical styling and the deconstructed look. Uneven hemlines will be there too. This is more of an international trend at the moment and we shall see it here in India too. There is a lot of creativity that is involved in making this kind of look," says the professor. Besides this, the emphasis on detailing and styling - previously associated only with haute couture - that has been observed in the prêt collections would be seen again.