Ready for a haute winter?

Unlike the West, where fashion is ruled by trend forecasts, in India, fashion is as diverse as the country''s culture. Nothing is similar... ever. If on the Western catwalk, stripes became the signature tune for all design houses last year, on the desi ramp, they were conspicuous by their absence. Individual fashion designers are, as always, bringing in a variety of garments for the Fall/Winter 2004 season.And no design is similar to the other this time also. A look at the major trends...
Globally, it''s going to be prints, fur, tweed and textured fabrics as against other fabrics like chiffon, satin, suede and leather (both fake and real). Down-filled or padded items, specially functional parkas will be practical and fashionable. Graphic pop art prints amid floral prints, will sit happily with the neutrals as more and more individuals accept pattern and colour back into their life. Pucci prints have been revisited and other prints that may emerge this autumn include those with a natural feel using bamboo grasses, tiny florals and grape prints.
"Stripes are a big NO for us this time. Instead, we are using plenty of prints on shirts," says designer Rohit Gandhi. "Prints for men come in the form of floral and paisley and for women, it''s the destructured kaftan look." Designer Mandira Wirk has used animal prints as linings in her winter collection. For designer Puja Nayyar, pop art prints form part of her lines. "Screen and block prints, Origami cuts, interesting shapes in terms of silhouettes which will stay close to the body, textured fabrics, unconventional darts are some of the stuff I have dabbled with," she says. As for the colours: psychedelic! Dusty apricot, old gold, mustard yellow, honey, yellow gold, banana cream, topaz, burnt ochre, camel... "I have used both brights and pastels this season," says Mandira. ''Add to this, jewel-encrusted belts and crystal broaches and you know there''s going to be a riot of colour this winter
For designer duo Ashima and Leena Singh, it''s going to be a Greek December. "The colour pallette is pale with light greens, beiges and creams," says Leena Singh. "The silhouette is flowy with French and Italian fabrics in addition to brocades."
And now the key question. Where will the hemlines end? Several inches above the knee. This will add a fresh look to the 1980s retro styles. Women will enjoy showing off their legs again after years of shrouding them in trousers. And in case, you go for the trousered look, you have the leggy option here too. For winter 2004 shall see slimmer, more fitting trouser styles that will provide a viable body-revealing alternative to shorter hemlines. Sophisticated cigarette pants with ankle zips and sexy skinny, second skin-like trousers will set the adrenalin rushing. Sometimes, they could even be cropped at the knee.
And for the maverick, there will be the ''look'' too: wide trousers with turn ups as well as timeless sailor front button trousers. So, are you ready for the chill-bills?