India's Runway: A Clash of the Modern and the Traditional

by Karolina K. and Jodie Al-j., B2

http://uberkid.typepad.com/fashionbusiness/images/2007/09/21/vogue_india.jpg

Vogue India: India living fashion-forward with the debut of their own take on the magazine

     With a culture and history as rich as India's, it is hard not to have conflicts that arise between its past and the trends of the modernizing world. Globalization has set a certain standard for people, and the ones who do not adapt will be pushed aside. The Indian fashion scene is emerging, becoming more contemporary but still keeping the traditional elements. Modern Indian designers incorporate elements like bright colors and precious metals into their designs in order to keep to the traditional Indian form. But there is another conflict. People ask themselves what to wear nowadays. In the small towns only traditional clothing is acceptable, but what does one wear in a big city? The young wear international trends in the metropolis, and the fusion of the West and the traditional East can be seen on the streets. Even the ways of wearing saris have changed as influence has come in from the West and from Indian movies. It has also been noted that the lengths of blouses have gotten shorter, signifying a clash between modern standards and traditional styles, with a win from the modern standards. People constantly try to be in style, adding pants or jeans to traditional dress. Overall this creates a tug-of-war in the fashion industry requiring compromises between modern and traditional.

     We chose this topic because we are both greatly interested in fashion, and we found it intriguing that India is adjusting to Western standards when it comes to fashion. We found out that India is making its own mark in the fashion industry, with Vogue India as well as many designers emerging.

http://www.topnews.in/files/WIFW.jpg

Indian models wearing an adaptation of the traditional Indian dress. One can see that the cut of the clothing is more Western (something that would be unacceptable in the rural areas).

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9999/lehngavr4.jpg

TRADITIONAL

VERSUS

CONTEMPORARY (and extravagant too) 

http://www.cosmoworlds.com/Graphics/fashion/india_fashion_week/india_fashion_week-krishna.jpg 

Skit

On the streets of New Delhi two sisters ran into eachother...

Aditi: Holy cow, what are you wearing?!

Jasmin: What? It's the new style. You wouldn't know.

Aditi: Maybe but not only is your dress unacceptably short, but you're wearing those, those...

Jasmin: ...jeans. How can you criticize my outfit! I found the same idea in Vogue India! As soon as I saw it I went out to the newly opened mall close to us. It's the place to go.

Aditi: It is a disgrace with no respect to the traditional markets in the middle of town. What about all the years of tradition that shaped our rich clothing styles?!

Jasmin: *sigh* Don't worry. My outfit keeps to traditional Indian form. It just is more modern. And look- these bangles were Grandma's. I think my outfit is traditional well-worn.

Aditi: Ugh. I give up. You're right. I actually like the idea of jeans. Will you take me shopping with you to help me be more fashionable?

Jasmin: Haha. I win.

http://pictures.directnews.co.uk/liveimages/Red+Carnation+ONLY+Indian+Fashion_596_18572974_0_0_7012781_300.jpg

New designs in textiles have been introduced to modernize the clothes, like cheetah print.

Works Cited:

"Colour Me Bright".The Times of India. (March 29 2009) Global Issues In Context. Gale. International Academy High School. 1 May 2009.          <http://find.galegroup.com/gic/start.do?prodId=GIC>.

Doshi, Gaurav "The Changing Face of Indian Fashion Industry". The Changing Face of Indian Fashion Industry. 5 Feb 2007. EzineArticles.com. 1 May          2009. <http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Changing-Face-of-Indian-Fashion-Industry&id=442686>.