Fashion Law Journal
We live in an era where every aspect around us influences our perception. Fashion is a medium of self-expression, creativity, culture, etc. Everything that is considered fashion is available and popularized by the fashion system (industry and media).
Fashion through movies has a great potential to influence people. Today, the life of people revolves around social media, and in the era of making reels and other short videos, people tend to copy the style of the lead actress from the movie. There are many such cases where movie stars were recognised in the industry just because of their fashion more than the character they played. It is not always that people will appreciate the style. Criticism of the vogue will also impact the industry majorly. Ultimately, we discover new methods to dress current fashion trends, we implement them into our daily attire.
REINTRODUCING FASHION THROUGH FILMS
Films play a vital role in influencing fashion. It introduces new trends, new styles, and new combinations of attire to the viewers. It also tends to reintroduce the “outdated” or the “old-fashioned” type of clothing, jewellery, etc. to people with whole new concepts (the retro look).
What is Retro Style?
It was 1st coined by London Designers with respect to clothing. Retro style is imitative or consciously derivative of lifestyles, trends, or art forms from history, including in music, modes, fashions, or attitudes. In popular culture, the “nostalgia cycle” is typically for the two decades that begin 20–30 years ago.
Let’s take the example of Bollywood movies. The movies like Bobby – where Dimple Kapadia wore many Polka Dot outfits they were also known by the name of Bobby prints. These Polka Dots dresses became really famous and worn by many women at that time. The same was repurchased in style with various variations, for example, the Bobby style dress was a combination of a white top with black dots which is classic, but the variations were bought which became a not so “catchy” combinations like too many polka dots on a dress with matching hairband was a big no. Then Aishwarya Rai in Action Replay bought back the trend and was appreciated by people whose stunning she was looking. People started to purchase the same or almost the same as she wore in the movie. Well, polka dots have become a meme lately – for the pregnancy reveals by celebrities. Whoever wears a polka dot dress is assumed to be expecting a child, which is funny.
Another example of a retro fashion movie is Om Shanti Om where Deepika Padukone wore a bright pink dress in the introductory scene. The colour and the scene got so popular that the women were wearing bright pink colours at their wedding from typical red or maroon or green wedding dresses.
FASHION TRENDS – BY BOLLYWOOD
Bollywood has always been a trendsetter. In today’s times, there are theme parties are organized in birthdays, colleges, kitty parties, etc. Even there are many Bollywood-themed trending reels on Instagram which inspire other people to host one. It becomes a task for a fashion designer to come up with a unique and aesthetic outfit design which will become a signature dress and through these dresses, the movies are recognized.
– KABHI KHUSHI KABHI GHAM
Movies like K3G created a character like Poo – played by Kareena Kapoor Khan rocked outfits which are in trend to date. The iconic co-Ord set is the go-to party outfit. The other trendiest item is the animal print crop tops and jackets are still preferred by girls today as they are never out of style.
Hrithik Roshan showing off his arms in a tight leather sleeveless jacket and sweater tees made head over heels to not only girls but also the boys who started dressing just like him.
Kunal Khemu is one of the actors who broke the stereotypes by wearing a crop top in the song Tennu le though it got some criticisms then the song was a hit.
Bharmastra song – Keseriya outfit worn by Alia Bhatt is simple, classy and easily available for people and the style of the shrug is a go-to outfit for anyone.
People are not only get attracted to the outfits but also the backgrounds, props and accessories used in the movie which they love to purchase or have a photoshoot with the same dresses and poses with the exact same backdrop.
– DIL WALE DULHANIYA LE JAENGYE
DDLJ one of the iconic movies is appreciated for many things like the sunflower background, Shahrukh Khan’s guitar and the cap with the feather and the bell from Switzerland. The towel used as a prop in the song – Mere Khawabon Mai Jo Aye was definitely a creative prop to use.
Salman Khan’s hairstyle in Tere Naam is still displayed in the barber shops and still, men prefer to have a haircut like that. The Friendship Bands and the “KOOL” necklace in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai have a different fanbase even today.
BOLLYWOOD WEDDING INSPO
In India, weddings are the most important ceremony for families. The wedding is celebrated like a hardcore event and these moments are precious to each one of them.
Bollywood movies have increased the standards of weddings lately. The films have levelled up the game of fashion, the decor, the location, etc. in a wedding. And everyone deserves to have a fairytale wedding and capture those precious moments for life.
The bride and groom use the locations and decorations as their wedding inspiration from these films and make the best out of it.
YEH JAWANI HAI DEWAANI
When we are talking about Bollywood weddings then Yeh Jawani Hai Dewani is the statement movie to talk about. YJHD has improvised the traditional five-day wedding with the destination wedding. The movie had amazing locations, decorations and perfect outfits from the cocktail party to the wedding. It has become a dream of every girl to have a big fat Indian Wedding like that in a huge palace. Naina – Deepika Padukone has been loved for her blue saree at the cocktail party; people were stunned to see someone wear a saree at the “Western” party. Bunny- Ranbir Kapoor in his sequin silver kurta, is made for the perfect Sangeet Night.
The wedding invitations shown in the movie with all the dry fruits, sweets, and jewellery closed in a big royal and elegant box and a floral basket is the most creative and expensive looking invite ever.
Other movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam – where Aishwarya Rai bought the lavender colour simple lehenga choli it lives in the heart rent-free. When Madhuri Dixit wore a violet backless blouse with work on it, tailors were commissioned huge to recreate that same look. In Bole Chudiyan Song Kareena Kapoor Khan wore a stunning Sharara set and who doesn’t want to wear that? A perfect “PHAT” pastel outfit for weddings it is. Not only do girls out there want to own an outfit like that but also many actresses have followed this trend.
Jab We Met and Tanu Weds Manu movie posters – inspired wedding invites are being made by people to make it funny, lively, creative and memorable invite. The fashion in cinema influence people so much that they want the exact same dress made by the top designers of the country, want the same props, and everything shall be themed as per that particular movie. There are many colleges like NIFT, and CHRIST that hosted Bollywood-themed parties at their institute whose reels have gone viral over the internet and many students want to be part of such institutes. There are many movies like Kal Ho Na Ho where the actors wore casual daily outfits to formal dresses for work and the college influenced and help many youngsters to dress well.
CARTOONS
The give cartoons are the most influential outfits for toddlers. Kids spend most of their time watching these cartoons and want to get dressed like their favourite characters.
Disney also organizes Disney princess academy where they send the girls their favourite Disney princess outfits. The girls dressed in gowns with fairy wings will just get us baby fever.
Many birthday parties are themed on these cartoon characters. The toddlers love to wear costumes of Winne the pooh, Marvel characters, barbie, Disney characters, Harry Potter, and other characters. Also, they love to purchase these characters’ merchandise like masks, stationery, bags, and bottles.
CONCLUSION
Fashion in movies plays a vital role to be in a public frame. From kids to teens to elders fashion influences everyone. Films and fashion have mutual influence and they are not separate art. No matter which era the movie is fashion is such a dynamic area which will bring back the trend in retro form. Fashion is representative of these eras.
The aforementioned examples show how well movies and television can promote fashion and influence trends in this area. The popularity of movies and television shows can significantly raise brand awareness and boost sales. Fashion companies’ attractiveness to consumers can be significantly increased by combining personality attributes with them. Characters and clothing from these firms combine to greatly convey their cultural worth. Through the study, we can see how the fashion and cinema industries are merging and shining on one another. Fashion has been strongly promoted with the film’s active development.
[1] References –
- Times of india
- Disney.com
- University of Fashion
- Hindustan times
Author: Aksharaa Saxena
