A leather bridal gown! One would think that’s fit for the ranch or a Goth-style wedding, right? But this year’s Leather Fashion Show displayed a charming, white, flowy gown that looked elegant enough to walk down the aisle in or pose against the backdrop of an imposing old castle.
The annual show proved that leather isn’t just about the usual black, brown and beige bags, shoes and jackets. The possibilities are immense. “It is increasingly becoming a luxury material. Leather is now possible in various shades. Ethnic embroideries and varied surface ornamentation make it an option for bridal wear,” says N. Mohan, global head for Leather Products at TATA International.
Over nine rounds, seven leather manufacturing brands showcased their Spring-Summer 2016 collection. Tuxedos, flowy skirts, crop tops, bralets, iridescent shirts, waistcoats, classy bags, trendy footwear were all part of the collections. Frills, fringes, laser cuts, soft and sculpted silhouettes, hand-woven techniques, a palette of unusual colours… added to their appeal.
The fashion show started high on the cute quotient, with Bachi shoes’ footwear for children. A bunch of adorable child models, girls in pink and boys in green, sauntered down the ramp, while some just tottered along, flashing cherubic smiles. Next came a brigade of sculpted males and enviously in-shape female models showcasing a range of clothes and accessories. Bharthiya International, UNIPEL Corporation, Kethini, Ceralli by Supreme, Calonge and TATA International were the participating brands with TATA displaying their garments, footwear and their new brand Aerosoles over three different rounds.
Bharthiya’s jackets, skirts and loafers blended retro chic with sporty details — candy-striped leather jackets and skirts, while an overdose of shine and shimmer marked UNIPEL’s collection which, like every year, had Chaitanya Rao’s inputs. While TATA International’s Aerosoles had what appeared to be a comfortable range of footwear in dazzling shades using a stitch and turn concept, their apparel selection went from jungle chic to boardroom classics. As for the leather playsuits… any takers?
Kethini was all about practical everyday handbags and footwear in understated as well as pop colours with varied textures. And when a model appeared in a pastry pink outfit from the house of Ceralli, it was almost like a dainty strawberry mousse walking down the ramp. The mustard yellow long coat and a tan jacket with an exaggerated collar sported by the glamorous Parvathy Omanakuttan won the most appreciation. Vibrant, hand-woven bags and strappy shoes stood out against a backdrop of plain white, black and grey outfits, setting the tone for the finale by Calonge.
Organised by the Trade Dinner and Fashion Show Committee under the aegis of The Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Chennai, the event is in its 30th year. It’s rather surprising that a city where the mercury is on a merciless high for most of the year is one of the important hubs for all things leather. The event has apparently drawn 5,000 visitors this time. Buyers come here to understand and witness the latest trends in leather fashion. G. Umachandar, president, UNIPEL Corporation, who has been participating in this event for the last three years says, “India is seen as a manufacturing hub. This is a prime show for leather companies through which we let potential buyers know about our design capacity. European production houses are vanishing. China is more equipped for mass production. So India has an edge and when these buyers see what we are capable of producing, they place orders with us.” It is no surprise that high-end luxury brands such as Cavalli, Trussardi, Vivienne Westwood, Hugo Boss among others look at India for a majority of their leather goods supply. “Some of the garments we make are sold abroad for about 1,500 Euros,” adds Umachandar.
With people taking to veganism is there a drop in the demand for leather products? “Definitely not in the premium brand segment. We receive large orders because there is a demand for them in the market,” he says. N. Mohan adds, “Leather is a 12 billion dollar industry in India. In the next three years, the projected growth is 27 billion dollars, of which 12 billion is export and 15 billion domestic.”
Apart from patterns in hide, the show has often been synonymous with popular names from the modelling world. Though there was no Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone or John Abraham unlike in the earlier years, what it had was innovative styles and an evening where leather was the only diva.
