Fashion Forward (Liquid Outfits)
Welcome to the World of Lyrical Liquid Wardrobe!
Liquid fashion flows beyond the traditional boundaries of style and aesthetics with dynamic energy, fusion and optical illusion.
Yes to Liquid Dresses
A suite of outfits conforms to the liquid
fashion category. “Dresses that feel like they’re poured onto the body and
that’s what liquid fashion is all about. Think of slinky, figure-skimming
silhouettes that move with you, not against you. To be precise, flowy jersey
pieces that don’t need constant adjusting but just fall into place and still
hold shape. It could be a body-grazing gown or a draped dress that blurs the
line between structure and effortlessness. In a nutshell, it’s more about the
way it moves,” shares Shweta Kapur, founder and creative director
of the reputed fashion label 431-88.
Liquid fashion typically includes apparel made
from fabrics that offer a high-gloss, flowing or a metallic effect. Examples
include slip dresses, metallic draped gowns, bodycon dresses, holographic
dresses, et al.
“Slip garments are made from silk or satin,
offering a sleek, rolling silhouette, while metallic drapes are often spotted
on red carpets, crafted from fabrics like lamé or liquid metal textiles.
Bodycons are fashioned out of stretch satin or latex, which cling to the body
and elevate the liquid illusion. Last but not the least, holographic dresses
incorporate reflective, iridescent materials to create a liquefied, shimmering
effect,” informs designer Bhawna Rao.
Popular fashion and lifestyle influencer Navya Chaudhary’s pick is “mostly slinky silhouettes with bias
cuts or cowl necks — anything that drapes and sticks in just the right places.”
“The kind of dress that looks dripping and drizzling all over the body. Think
Zendaya (American actress-singer) in a custom Balmain (luxury fashion brand) or
those molten metallic looks you usually see at fashion week after parties,” she
instances her few favourites.
Unisex Styling
Liquid fashion is not only compatible with
womenswear, it woos and takes care of men’s needs too who ace liquid attire
with visible swag.
“We’re in
an era where fluidity in fashion is finally being celebrated. I’ve seen men in
glossy shirts, draped tunics or even in flowy sets. Boy, they simply look
amazing. It’s more about admirable attitude than gender. So, definitely it’s
not just for women,” avers Chaudhary.
Admitting that liquid fashion is not exclusive to the female bastion,
the malefolk can also embrace this trend by opting for fluid, glossy fabrics,
Rao suggests liquid metallic blazers, satin or silk trousers, glossy shirts or
tunics for the latter.
Metallic blazers are worn over a simple shirt, unleashing a bold,
futuristic look. Satin or silk trousers provide a fluid, elegant drape whereas
shirts or tunics are ideal for fashion-forward events or as an evening wear.
“Fashion designers are increasingly infusing fluid textures into menswear,
proving that the concept transcends gender norms,” notes Rao.
Liquid fashion is for anyone who’s confident
in his/her skin and wants to wear something that mirrors his/her personality.
“It’s not about being feminine or masculine. It’s all about carrying oneself
with comfort, simplicity and a certain kind of energy. That’s universal,”
opines Kapur.
One wonders if liquid fashion is more prominently about unstitched drapes with a free-flowing, cascading effect in volumes of silk and satin. Or can it be stitched and woven in parts or come in as separate pieces of an ensemble?
“It can be both,” assures Kapur. “For
couturiers, it’s about creating a structure without losing fluidity. Even
stitched pieces like a waterfall sari or a relaxed-fit liquid top have
movement built into them. The objective is to strike a poise between tailoring
and drape as well as sharp lines and tender contours that inject power into
these pieces,” she enlightens.
Seconding Kapur’s views, Rao repeats that “liquid fashion is versatile
and can manifest as both unstitched, flowing drapes or as stitched, structured
garments.” While flowing gowns and wraps epitomise the unstitched aesthetic,
tailored liquid blazers, pants or even structured bodysuits with a polished
finish aptly suit the stitched variety. “The purpose is to maintain a sense of
flux and variability in the creations, regardless of whether the piece is
draped or constructed,” she claims further.
“Some
pieces look like liquid sculptures with a well-defined structure, while others
seem more hassle-free and almost undone. To cut a long story short, it’s all
about the visual effect — the sense that the fabric is slipping, flowing or
hugging the body like water,” apprises Chaudhary.
Colour Code
Boardroom shades like black, white, brown and
grey seem sober to the eye. The seriousness of such tones can be smartly broken
down by dashes of acid green and red. “The neutrals bring restraint, while a
pop of bright, vivid colours fetch attitude. Solid dyes work best with liquid
textures because they let the fabric speak clearly through the movement, the
light, the body underneath and so on,” fathoms Kapur.
Pattern Picture
Notably, liquid dresses can also be found in
prints, patterns and motifs. However, many gauge that this may divert the onlooker’s
attention from its shapeless floating effect.
“The drama of liquid sagas exists in their
cuts, drapes, silhouettes, etc. Prints can be distracting in that context. The
idea is to keep the attention on the form and flow of the garment, not divert
it elsewhere. That said, subtle textures or tonal play could definitely work
but the same has to serve the silhouette well, not compete with it,” highlights
Kapur.
Although single colours typically maintain the mirage of fluidity,
some designers experiment with abstract patterns, metallic prints and gradient
effects. “Subtle motifs that integrate with the reflective nature of the
fabric, such as metallic florals or geometric holographics, can enhance the
silhouette rather than digress the focus from its dreamy liquid aesthetic,”
chips in Rao.
Chaudhary
apprises that “rarely do we come across liquid dresses with prints, patterns or
motifs and even if we do, it’s always understated.” “Maybe a water ripple
effect is strewn here and there. The main character remains the fabric itself.
Too many patterns can disrupt that glassy, fluid finish,” warns the lifestyle
expert.
Minimalism is Key
Minimal jewellery and accessories should
complement liquid garments as otherwise that could steal the thunder from their
divine dramatic show.
“Yes, limited accessories are recommended to sustain focus on the
garment’s fluidity. Small, elegant pieces like metallic hoop earrings or
glittery cuffs match the aesthetics of the outfit without overwhelming it.
Chunky or overly ornate accessories might compete with the dress’s gleaming and
flowing qualities, diluting its dramatic impact in the process,” reminds Rao
offering tips.
Less is
absolutely more here as the liquid dress does enough drama for itself. “A neat,
chic bun; clean heels or maybe a bold ear cuff can adequately accompany liquid
fashion, which is bold in its simplicity. Over accessorising or donning surplus
adornment can spoil the impression,” warns Chaudhary.
Kapur insists that “liquid fashion doesn’t
need much else. The garment already holds space. I’d say go minimal. A snug
belt or a sculptural earring will be enough to make its presence felt. Avoid
overdoing with heavy doses of ornaments and other trappings. Just get along
with the essentials. The moment things become superfluous, the softness and the
dancing, sprinkling movement vanish in no time. Let the piece do all the
talking for itself.”
Merging Reality With Fantasy
Nowadays, prosthetics (artificial body parts)
are amply used in fashion shows for the ramp walkers to add an unusual element.
Can this wacky technique be also incorporated in the liquid fashion parade to
add an edge to the apparently runny and melting outfits?
“Well, if it adds to the story, then certainly
it gets a big nod. See, liquid fashion already sits at that intersection of
form and formlessness — of structure thawing into the body. Prosthetics could
lift that further, visually. But such an attempt has to feel honest and not
gimmicky. The idea is to erase boundaries, not deviate from the core
narrative,” deduces Kapur.
Fashion pundits feel that implanting prosthetics into a liquid fashion
show could amplify a surreal, otherworldly ambience.
“By designing prosthetics with flashy surfaces or using fluid-like
extensions, the models would appear to be seamlessly melting or merging with
the runway itself. This fusion of fashion and body modification would enrich
the visual narrative, thereby pushing the envelope beyond the tried-and-tested
formula with something daring, extreme and adventurous that needs to be
executed with perfection,” insists Rao.
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