As Bollywood fashion goes, so goes South Asian fashion. For the past decade, the designers of the largest film industry in the world have been shaping the fashion of Indian and Pakistani clothing. Recently, Bollywood fashion is transcending and making a major impact on Western style as well. Things weren’t always this way. Let’s learn more about the cultural phenomenon that is known as Bollywood.
Until the late 1980s, Hindi films demonstrated limited sense of style. Clothing was either everyman clothing or way over the top garish. Bollywood designers came to the limelight ever since Manish Malhotra did those catchy numbers for Urmila Matondkar in Rangeela. It was all upwards from there. Bollywood fashion became a force to be reckoned with.
When Sushmita Sen appeared in flowing saris in a recent hit, this traditional dress got a big boost into urban style. Shamita Shetty made the sharara a hit with aptly titled “Sharara Sharara”. Finally, Priyanka Chopra made the red dupatta (stole) synonymous with Bollywood fashion.
Hindi films may have inspired Indian style over the last two decades, but the fascinating phenomenon is the transcendence of Bollywood fashion to the West. The recent tunic top craze is one example. Everyone from tween to grandmother is wanting to get one.
The recent bohemian or ethnic clothing wave is driven by Indian, and hence Bollywood fashion. Most of all, there seems to be no end in sight. TIME, MSN, and even Bella Online are unified in their praise of the hot ethnic trend. The comfort, elegance, and especially the versatility of Indian clothing are not lost to the western public. For instance, various kurtas (tunic tops) can be worn to the beach, a tea party, the mall, or even a grand formal!
Where should you look for hip Bollywood fashion? A local Indian boutique is not a bad start. Another good place is the web. Plenty of sites such as Benzer and Seasons offer good choices.
