Extended summer seasons have forced fashion houses worldwide to hire climatologists, to ensure that their collections don’t pile up in stores, a phenomenon, which has designers worried.

From seasonal collections, ramps and stores are now set to flaunt trans-seasonal clothes which, designers say, is their answer to global warming. Let's check whether this trend curries favour with the Indian fashion industry.



Awareness about global warming and, hence the need to change design or fabric, is very much on the agenda of Indian designers.

Rathi Vinay Jha, Director-General of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), says, "Designers, like any other business entrepreneurs, are aware about the demands and needs of the market. Their collections are a result of a close analysis of the requirements of the markets."

And, what is the role of the FDCI in this?

"We, as the apex body for the fashion designers can only advise them on market trends. It is ultimately the choice of the individual designers as to what they want to showcase in that particular season," adds Jha.



Fashion designers at home have not yet warmed up to the idea of having climatologists on board.

Well-known fashion designer Anuradha Vakil says, "I do not think we will go to the extreme of hiring climatologists, but yes, keeping an eye on the weather is important. Since a lot of us designers are into exporting, we have to keep in mind international trends and climate while designing clothes and choosing fabrics."

A view, which is also endorsed by Jha, as he says, "The issue related to the fabric depends on the dialogue between the buyers and the designers. The existing trends, the demands and the niche clientele, along with the season,



Model Sonalika Sahay says that the idea of a trans-seasonal collection is one that can be easily picked up by designers here.

"It would help my wardrobe greatly. With such unpredictable weather these days, dresses which look good for all seasons are truly the need of the hour. Of course, I think hiring climatologists is taking things to the extreme," she says.

Associate Professor of a fashion designing institute, Malini D, says that there cannot be much variation in clothes as most of India has a tropical climate.

She goes on to add, "Except for two to three months of chill, that too in the north, designers mostly design for warmer climates. In fact, here we have to concentrate a lot on colours that look good in all seasons. So, designing for global warming per se won’t be done here."



With temperatures soaring, a change in the type of fabrics used is something that designers are giving a lot of priority to.

Says Jha, "Yes, global warming is an issue. We can see a lot of designers using organic cottons and vegetable dyes these days."

Adds Vakil, "Hand-crafted textiles and vegetable dyes are a good alternative, as these clothes can be worn throughout the year, and they also fulfill the requirement of bright hues and sturdy fabric. I use a lot of these."