On the catwalk of the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2005.

The pics don’t even come close to doing it justice, but you can see the whole gallery here, including a fun one of me with Malini Ramani – one of India’s top designers. I think we’ll really start seeing much more of the Indian-fusion styles come to Western markets – note that it would be exceptionally rare to see any of the racy outfits from the show on display in real life here in India itself…

For women, at least, India has some great fashion. The colors are brilliant, and there has been a lot of innovative design on even the traditional outfits. The sari – which is most readily recognized as that of a traditional Indian woman’s - is made of a short blouse and petticoat and six meters of fabric that’s wrapped in an intricate way. Many of the women here (40%?) wear these on a daily basis. The fabrics come in amazing patterns, weaves, and colors – Bangalore is famous throughout India for its Mysore Silk – a gorgeous, lightweight soft weave that often includes intricate patterns made of real gold thread.

And some might remember the dress-over-jeans look that was popularized by the New York fashionistas and Sex in the City… hello – have you seen a Salwar Kameez? Let’s give credit where credit is due!

Men and boys, on the other hand, almost exclusively wear slacks and button-up shirts everyday; aside from any reflections I pass by, I can go an entire weekend without seeing a pair of shorts or a t-shirt. I have seen really small children in shorts (part of their school uniforms), but that’s it. Note that it’s getting quite hot here now – 85-95 degrees F. I would think that the necessity to stay cool would have already outstripped the cultural norms of having to wear pants every day. I, for one, have long since given up trying not to look like an outsider… being white and 6’2” doesn’t afford me much of a disguise anyway. :-)