Known for her linen saris and hand-woven textiles, designer Anavila Misra, who has styled the likes of stars like Sonam Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut and Kiran Rao, says the Hindi film industry and the fashion world share a symbiotic relationship.
Asked how important is Bollywood celebrities' patronisation for the fashion world, Misra told IANS: "It's all part of the wheel which is moving.
"Even if you look towards Hollywood, the film celebrities are the people who are photographed and everyone is looking at them. All the brands are trying to show their garments on the celebrities. I think it's a symbiotic relationship (between the fashion industry and Bollywood)."
The designer, who has an eponymous label, feels that Bollywood strengthens the belief of people for a designer and brand.
"We really follow Bollywood as Indians, and I think it just strengthens the beliefs for the customers, clients and normal people to see, 'Okay, if she can wear it, and look so pretty...'. So yeah, I think it is a symbiotic relationship," she added.
Misra feels the "younger generation" in Bollywood are the trendiest.
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"Look at Kangana. Anything that she wears just looks like it's made for her. Look at Sonam, she has that inherent, very stylish way of things. She picks up her own trends and look very comfortable. Look at Konkana, she is so earthy and simple," she said.
The designer feels that these celebrities "have their own personality".
"They are not guinea pigs to any designer. The stylists are also doing very good work as they are always looking out for what is happening in the Indian fashion industry. Right now the Indian fashion is at a very exciting stage," she added.
Misra spoke on the sidelines of the 28th edition of the Amazon India Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2017, organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).
At the gala, she showcased her latest collection When I Look Back Tomorrow, which had 34 ensembles, mostly handloom saris.
She feels handlooms of some areas in the country are getting popular.
"There are some clusters that are easily accessible or are more open to ideas...West Bengal, for example, or Benaras... These are the places where people are working more because these places are accessible, weavers are open in their minds and are ready to collaborate," she said.
Misra also stressed that there is a need for more exposure for weavers in smaller places.
"These are the places that maybe government, agencies or some brands, who have that kind of vision have to go to and now collaborate with those people. Otherwise those crafts will slowly die," she added.
--IANS
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