How do these cinematic A-listers continually redefine what is to be in fashion? Bollywood stars, with their larger-than-life personas, have become the arbiters of the nation’s style.
Photo: Bollywood Actress Alia Bhatt in Gucci
The country's film industry holds an unparalleled sway over fashion trends, which is not just cultural but also economic. Designers vie for the opportunity to dress top stars, knowing that a single appearance can catapult their creations into the spotlight.
Butter Yellow
Photo: Instagram @deepikapadukone
Butter Yellow — a gentle, muted yellow that is more pastel and creamy than bright or neon, has been heralded as the colour of the summer by Instagram fashion analytics page, @databutmakeitfashion. Bolstered by data from clothing site ASOS, which reported a 98% surge in yellow-related searches on its website in April. Meanwhile, the Resort 2025 runway shows have prominently featured a spectrum of yellow hues in their collections, with Butter Yellow standing out as a favourite. From the ateliers of Chanel and Chloe to the maisons of Hermès and Gucci.
In India, the trend was swiftly adopted by none other than the fashion icon Deepika Padukone, making a sensation with her bright yellow sundress designed by Gauri & Nanika. Butter yellow's resurgence in this year can be attributed to a trend of embracing softer, pastel colours that provide a calming effect.
Popular Butter Yellow Pieces
Dresses: From flowing summer maxi dresses to structured cocktail dresses, butter yellow adds a soft, feminine touch.
Knitwear: Sweaters and cardigans in butter yellow are cozy yet stylish, perfect for layering.
Outerwear: Light jackets and trench coats in this shade offer a fresh take on outerwear.
Pearl Trend
Photo: Hindi Cinema Actress Kriti Sanon in Manish Malhotra
This year, designers are creatively incorporating pearls as embellishments into their designs, giving them a classic and regal finish. With a surge in search interest on Pinterest, quantified at a notable 47.54% rise towards the end of 2023, the pearl trend seems to be maintaining its momentum into this year.
While the West is having it's own interpretation of the trend, India certainly is sure of its execution. What comes into observation is the recurrent use of pearls to embellish saree and lehenga blouses. The neckline, sleeves, borders and back of the blouses are adorned with pearls, creating a luxurious and refined appearance.
While, Janhvi Kapoor's appearance in a Tarun Tahiliani couture, featured blouse adorned with strands of pearls, Shloka Mehta Ambani draped in a custom Tamara Ralph ivory saree featured halter neck blouse embellished with pearls.
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Coastal Grandma Core
Photo: Radhika Merchant in Custom Dolce and Gabbana
Coastal Grandmother is a style movement inspired by the relaxed, timeless, and elegant aesthetic often associated with affluent, older women living by the sea. It emphasizes comfort, simplicity, and sophistication, drawing heavily on classic wardrobe staples and neutral color palettes.
The 'Coastal Grandmother' aesthetic, first introduced by TikTok influencer Lex Nicoleta in 2022, has experienced a resurgence in 2024, with a 26.98% increase in Pinterest search interest in May. Early this summer, the pre-wedding festivities of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant provided a platform for the trend. Radhika Merchant, the bride herself opted for a more updated version of the trend — the Coastal Granddaughter Core, with a printed blue Dolce & Gabbana dress paired with a straw hat. On the other hand, Deepika Padukone remained true to the classic interpretation of the Coastal Grandmother trend with an all-white trench coat and pants set from Sabyasachi.
Key Characteristics
Natural Fabrics: Linen, cotton, and cashmere are preferred for their comfort and breathability.
Neutral Colours: Shades of white, beige, navy, and soft pastels dominate, reflecting the coastal environment.
Loose Silhouettes: Oversized sweaters, wide-leg pants, and flowing dresses offer a relaxed fit.
Layering: Lightweight layers are common, including cardigans, shawls, and scarves.
Accessories: Straw hats, oversized sunglasses, and simple jewelry pieces add a touch of elegance.
Footwear: Slip-on shoes, espadrilles, and simple sandals complement the laid-back vibe.
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Gucci Ancora
Photo: Alia Bhatt in Gucci Spring/Summer'24 Collection
Gucci's Spring/Summer 2024 collection, known as the Gucci Ancora collection, featured a rich burgundy colour — Rosso Ancora. The brainchild of creative director Sabato De Sarno, Ancora red swiftly became a sought-after colour in all product domains. As De Sarno's debut collection for Gucci, the choice was both bold and fresh, establishing Ancora stand out as a trendsetter for the season, albeit a short-lived one. As Gucci's brand ambassador from India, Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt subtly represented the Italian fashion house by outfitting herself in an Ancora red short jumpsuit with a plunging V-neckline from the collection.
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Method Dressing
Photo: Actress Janhvi Kapoor in Custom Falguni Shane Peacock Dress
Well typically, method dressing is a fashion approach towards creating a thoughtful and intentional wardrobe that emphasizes dressing with a purpose, often aligned with practicality, personal meaning and expression. While it has been there in practice for quite some years in the film industry for the purpose of film promotion by dressing up as the character (or taking elements from the character), the term has come into highlight only after Zendaya's promotion for her movie "Challengers" in the beginning of 2024.
In India specifically, many actors have aced the art of method dressing as well - from Alia Bhatt for her film Gangubai Kathiawadi's promotional events in 2022 to Ranveer Singh for Bajirao Mastani in 2015. It was Janhvi Kapoor though, who gave method dressing a shot of her own in 2024, soon after the trend came into attention, with cricket inspired fashion for her film "Mr. & Mrs. Mahi".
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