Incredible Indian Fashionista's Tour of 2023

Ishita Gupta

Incredible Indian Fashionista's Tour of 2023

The weaving of fabric is not just a labour of love but a story that never gets old. When we talk about the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, it creates a landscape that is both diverse and enchanting. And guess what? With Indian Gen Z being the global trendsetter in fashion, textiles from India that embrace cultural diversity will never go out of style. Here’s why!

DIOR’s first-ever show in India | Source: businessoffashion

The environmentally-conscious actress Dia Mirza was seen supporting sustainable fashion and often wore outfits made from organic Khadi. In addition to that, many local and homegrown brands took a leap of faith in this digitally driven market and made significant contributions to advocate sustainability in the industry. Embracing the beauty of Indian handlooms and crafts, one of the year's top designers Karan Torani collections aimed to preserve the timeless charm of Indian culture with his amazing storytelling abilities set against the backdrop of the modern world. This has resulted in a synthesis of styles and a larger respect for Indian craftsmanship for the present generation to appreciate.

Where fashion has always been ever-evolving, did you know that Meta’s Social Media Survey of 2023 concludes that 44 per cent of Indian Gen Z have nailed DIY (do-it-yourself) hacks in clothing and went easy breezy with their creative endeavours to influence the global trends for real?

By making a shift from fast fashion to thrifting, innovating sustainable trends, and reviving rustic handlooms out of the box, the year 2023 witnessed some revolutionary shifts in how India chooses to dress itself. For international recognition, India has stepped up its game with Dior staging its first-ever show in our city of dreams, Mumbai, or the First Lady of the UK adorning a silk saree crafted by a homegrown brand RAW MANGO, during the G20 Summit.

Yes, it’s time for you to pay attention because we cannot stop talking about how Indian celebrities, content creators, designers, and brands have made headlines while capturing the attention of Western mood boards effortlessly. The year 2023 made it evident that Indian textiles are not just clothing; they are expressions of art, culture, and heritage. As India continues to slay on the global stage, we at ThisDay are excited to do the yearly wrap for you!

The threads of this story weave another interesting fact about more than 95 per cent of the world's handwoven fabrics being made by Indian artisans while being recognised as one of the largest cotton exporters in the world. Using fibres as their medium, these artisans craft stories that capture India's cultural heritage. In fact, there has been a noticeable shift in Indian consumer attitudes in the last few years, with people more inclined to support homegrown businesses and embrace their own cultural identity.

The government is also establishing measures to position itself as a textile sourcing and investment destination in the growing market. It also focuses on increasing its footprint in technical textiles and apparel. A consortium of export promotion councils of India has launched BharatTex, which positions the country as a major player in the global textile supply chain, supported by the Ministry of Textiles. The NMACC is another recent landmark in Mumbai, celebrating India's tale of couture and planting another massive cultural centre on Indian soil that will flourish under the leadership of Jio World Drive. Even the industry's impact on fashion experienced an all-time high, with Indian actresses like Alia Bhatt and Ananya Pandey tapped as brand ambassadors for labels like Gucci and Jimmy Choo, respectively.

Many of the most popular influencers like Komal Pandey, Masoom Minawala, and many others seen on social media platforms like Instagram went beyond the clothes to interpret the creativity they saw on the runway. The year was a testament to the fact that influencers hold great relevance today and thus, are given accreditation to fashion events and collaboration as they cater to large audiences.

As seen, Indian textiles became increasingly popular among designers, influencers, and consumers as they integrated them into a wide range of their clothing throughout the year. Likewise, the idea of sustainability and innovation reflected the growing beliefs and interests of Indian consumers, particularly the significant Gen Z cohort, in preserving Indian heritage and enhancing their clothing choices. The capacity of brands and designers to align with these principles is increasingly linked to their ability to create a story that goes beyond aesthetics and resonates with the socially conscious and culturally proud customer. Hence, it's time to cater to the interactions that reflect the richness and creativity of Indian textiles in the ever-changing fashion environment while embracing our choices.