Apparel Online India Magazine May 2nd Issue 2018 | Page 39

FASHION BUSINESS
Lace, with its ornate intricacy and haptic appeal, sits extremely well with the ‘slow
fashion’ movement as it can easily add a hint of luxury to any basic garment. The lace
trend is now moving away from its erstwhile rococo vibes and going towards a more
bohemian and global traveller outlook.
Wide Portfolio
of Demand
From eclectic patchwork and crafty
trims to Jacobean motifs, design
improvements in the segment range
far and wide depending on the brand
profile and demographic for which
one – manufactures. However, one
thing that’s clear is laces are not being
used that widely as an applicator of
the erstwhile rococo or rustic baroque
mood. The lace trend going forward
has more to do with a boho, escapist
and global traveller outlook.
According to Tanuj Goel of ATM
Exports that supplies laces, trims,
etc. and has even set up a garment
manufacturing unit now, though
growth is stable, the market for laces
has grown highly competitive. This
has forced buyers to get extremely
creative in designing strategic
placements and picking up different
styles to create value. Goel adds that
compared to the last few years, there
has been a huge upsurge in originality
and since everyone is looking for
something different, there is no set
directional trend in the market.
Maison Margiela
Antonio Marras
However, the technique that is being
touted as the biggest trend of the
moment is Schiffli. Corroborating this
demand is Sumesh Jain of K Gian
Chand & Co., who adds that machine
embroidered laces that come with
some relaxed textures like Schiffli/
Eyelet in cotton as well as delicate
patterns tightly stitched onto illusion
bases have a strong market presence
at the moment.
Also popular are chemical laces,
which allows extensive use of lace
in even difficult areas of application,
as the technique essentially involves
embroidering lace onto a cloth backing
that is later dissolved in a chemical
bath. It is being widely used for tops,
dresses and even home furnishing
products.
Designers on the runway are
employing lace in unexpected colours
like pitch black or screaming reds
and the suppliers also agree with the
same. Goel further elaborated that
any colour that is trending in normal
garments is a colour we are seeing
the demand for in laces. So, for Spring
2019, there are a lot of pastels like
lavender or subdued yellow that are
selling well.
However, Rakesh Gupta of Vakorns
Embroidery emphasises that there is
no particular lace technique or pattern
that could be called a direction, or a
defining trend. What are doing well
are the all-over basics and machine-
made laces as well as comfortable knit
laces that provide agility and contour
with the body easily.
Perfecting The
High-Low Mix
The overarching trend in the garment
industry currently revolves around
functionality and laces are somewhat
the opposite of that. Nonetheless, the
fandom of the trend thrives due to the
fact a tiny piece of lace can serve as
a perfect feminine contrast to a lot of
www.apparelresources.com | MAY 16-31, 2018 | Apparel Online India
39