India in Fashion - NMACC's Fashion Treat

India in Fashion - NMACC's Fashion Treat

The "India in Fashion” exhibition in Mumbai has started accepting audiences and will run until June 4. Located in Mumbai's brand-new Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center, the event spans a whopping 50,000 square feet (more than 4,600 square meters) across nine exhibition rooms and provides a truly unforgettable experience. 

What is Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC)?

Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) is a new performing arts and cultural exhibition space that recently opened on March 31, 2023, in Mumbai, India. Nita Ambani, who is renowned for her charitable work and who also holds the position of chairman of the Reliance Foundation, founded the center. The primary goal of the center's establishment is to promote and preserve various forms of Indian arts and culture.

Located in the Bandra Kurla Complex of Mumbai, the NMACC is a part of the Jio World Centre. The Great Indian Musical: Civilisation to Nation made its debut on the evening of its opening. This theatrical production features a variety of Indian art forms such as dance, drama, music, and more. It was created by renowned playwright and director Feroz Abbas Khan to celebrate India's rich cultural heritage.

What is the "India in Fashion” exhibition

The fashion exhibition, curated by Hamish Bowles and designed by Patrick Kinmonth in collaboration with Rooshad Shroff, is focused on showcasing Indian fashion and its global influence. While the exhibition is dedicated to Indian fashion, it explores not only its history in India but also its impact on the global fashion industry.

Rather than following a purely chronological approach, the exhibition takes visitors on side trips to explore various aspects of Indian fashion. These include the use of different materials, silhouettes, and the intricate embroidery that is characteristic of Indian fashion. Overall, the exhibition provides a unique and comprehensive perspective on Indian fashion that highlights its rich cultural heritage and global influence.

Inside the “India in fashion” exhibition

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Given that the exhibition is taking place in the center of the Bollywood film industry, it is almost to be expected that it would recognize the significant impact that the industry has had on Indian fashion and culture. The clothing worn by the actors, actresses, and supporting characters in Bollywood films has a huge impact on the Indian public's imagination.

The exhibition begins with an introduction that explores the evolution of Indian textiles, silks, and embroidery over time, particularly in court during the nineteenth century. The exhibition then pays homage to Bollywood with a section titled "An India of the Imagination." Here, visitors can trace the evolution of Indian clothing, from fantasy to film, as depicted in Bollywood movies. This segment acknowledges the profound impact that Bollywood has had on Indian fashion and culture, making it an integral part of the exhibition.

An integral part of the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through time and space, starting in a Mughal garden where opulent floral chintz dresses are displayed. These dresses had a significant impact on Western fashion and were picked up by European couture, along with muslin creations, showcased in the following room through six light and breezy ensembles.

The exhibition then delves into the allure of India meeting Paris couture, with three rooms dedicated to the ensembles by Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent from 1960 to 1968 that were inspired by Indian fashion. Along the way, visitors come across Diana Vreeland's observation that "pink is the navy blue of India," a trend that has become ubiquitous in Indian culture and fashion.

Valentino's designs greet visitors in the next room, symbolizing "a marriage of East and West." The exhibition also explores the journey of the sari, a marvel of drapery that has claimed its rightful place in the history of Western fashion. The sari has been constantly reinvented by designers, including Paul Poiret, Elsa Schiaparelli, Mainbocher, Madame Grès, Carolyn Schnurer, Hubert de Givenchy, and more recently, Cristobal Balenciaga, Ritu Kumar, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Raw Mango.

Next, the exhibition showcases a diverse array of dresses, accessories, and other objects from various decades before and after the Great Exhibition of London 1851. The Great Exhibition marked a high point in the complex colonial relationship between Britain and India and had a profound impact on fashion, particularly in the popularity of Kashmir shawls and the use of the paisley design. This influence continues to be evident in the work of both Western and Indian designers, such as Christian Lacroix and Anamika Khanna.

The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai is currently hosting an exhibition titled "India in Fashion," which celebrates the influence of Indian fashion on the global industry. The exhibition includes collections from both historical and contemporary Indian designers, demonstrating the evolution of Indian fashion over the years.

The "Hippie Trail" room, which displays the colorful and playful creations of designers from the 1960s and 1970s, is one of the exhibition's highlights. As more people traveled to India and were inspired by the country's distinct aesthetic, there was a surge in interest in Indian fashion and culture during this time period.

The exhibition also includes a section titled "Traditions and Innovations," which examines how contemporary Indian designers incorporate traditional Indian textile and craft techniques into their avant-garde designs. The exhibition concludes by celebrating the diversity of contemporary Indian fashion designers and their contributions to the global fashion industry.

Putting on such a large-scale exhibition was no easy task, with lenders ranging from couture houses to personal collections and museum loans. Visitors are advised to bring reading glasses and ear plugs to block out the piped-in music because the exhibits are dimly lit.

If you're a fashion fan looking for an exciting exhibition, don't miss "India in Fashion" at Mumbai's Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. This exhibition showcases some of India's most stunning and one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories from various regions.

From the traditional sarees to the modern fusion wear, "India in Fashion" has it all. You'll be fascinated by the intricate embroidery, rich colors, and diverse fabrics used in the outfits on display. Not only that, but the exhibition also showcases the evolution of Indian fashion through the years, making it an educational experience as well.

This exhibit is a must-see for anyone who wants to discover the beauty and complexity of Indian fashion, whether they are locals or tourists. Don't pass up the opportunity to look through this incredible collection of designs. "India in Fashion" will be on display until June 4th, 2023, so mark your calendars and prepare to embark on an unforgettable fashion adventure.