After Hrs chronicles the transition of this unique fabric from beachwear to becoming a mainstream staple
The 2014 resort collections are rich in neoprene - be it Diesel Black Gold or Tomas Maier. Singer Rita Ora wore an Adidas wet suit at Radio 1's big weekend Glasgow fest this year and designer Julien David for his Quicksilver collaboration reinterpreted the wet suit as surf-punk evening ensemble. Also, Balenciaga's spring collection saw a lot of sculpted looks in neoprene.
In India designer Anand Bhushan for his Wills fall show showcased a line of texturised and embroidered neoprene pieces. Designer Gauri and Nainika for the recently concluded bridal week used a lot of neoprene for the new age bride.
Best for curvy bodies
Anand Bhushan, who used scuba neoprene in his fall offering says, "It's no longer just in beachwear but has become part of mainstream fashion - be it day wear or night pieces. Also, it works well if you are inside air-conditioning all the time."
It works well for curvy Indian body type as it's a slimming fabric. "Since it's a tight silhouette, one can make anti-fit out of it and it falls beautifully on a well endowed individual," Bhushan adds.
Malleability to adapt
Designer Narresh of label Shivan and Narresh says, "Neoprene appeals to us with its malleability to adapt to various shapes and volumes without unnecessarily weight. With its varying thicknesses, it opens a plethora of options for usage, from a scuba diving suit to even a lehenga! We have used neoprene previously for our avant-garde swimsuits as well as cruise dresses and coats where the shapes have structures that cannot be created with wovens or jerseys. The beauty of the material lies in its versatility to adapt to shapes and structure as well as purpose - from a diving trip, ski holiday as well as destination wedding."
Designer Shivan and Narresh's usage of Neoprene was mainly as a tool to make the idea of lehengas transcend to the arena of destination weddings without coming across as a misfit - to rather serve a purpose in terms of material, embellishments and functionality. "For a destination wedding wardrobe it's best kept in use for the bride as a neoprene lehenga in her trousseau that helps her escape all the excess wight and layers and layers of tulle silk under her bridal outfit."
How to rock it
For the autumn winter line, the designer duo have taken neoprene as a tool to explore bomber jackets, cruise dresses and gowns to even trousers ad pencil skirts, making neoprene an effortless addition to a cruise or aprés-ski wardrobe.
"Neoprene does not require much layering due to its structured look and hence, it is best suggested to keep the look singular. Team neoprene pencil skirts or trousers with bralets for a structured look or with a capelet for an easy evening look," says Shivan.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}