February 2020 Issue Apparel February 2020 issue | Page 111

esides the popular and elegant sari drape—
Besides
hich is the national attire of India—another
which
favoured trio that has moved to the top of
the fashion ladder is the one comprising the
lehenga, choli, and dupatta. It is looked at as
one of the most coveted ensembles for women
not only in India but also across the globe. The
lehenga, choli, and dupatta are the most desired
threesome not only for bridal wear but also for
festivals and red-carpet appearances. In the
following piece, we trace the beginnings of the
trio and encapsulate what makes it one of the
most prized items of traditional Indian clothing. strong tradit
tions s that go back by centuries. One
traditions
of the most pop
popular options during Dussehr
ra
Dussehra
and Navarati—when nine nights are spent
dancing away in swirling, colourful, ghagras—this
s—this
ethnic ensemble has evolved into a spectacular
cular
fashion favourite for many in the last decade.
e.
From its humble origin in the northern states s
of India—such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Himachal
hal
Pradesh—the ghagra and choli have now
metamorphosed into an ultra-glamorous item
m
of clothing; it is also something that designers
ers
have been experimenting with extensively.
EARLY BEGINNINGS
It is believed that the lehenga-choli-dupatta look
emerged and evolved from the colourful and
shimmering ghagra, choli, and odhani. Historians
are of the opinion that the chaniya or ghagra has LUXURIOUS LEHENGAS
The lehenga is the focal point of the trio;
it has evolved from its original umbrella-type e
ghagra form to display a variety of silhouettes—
es—
panels, flares, sleek, figure-hugging shapes, and
APPAREL
I
FASHION SPEAK
February 2020
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