Blow Haute, Stay Cool

UCB’s summer lineup blends casual comfort with chic styling

Chandigarh, February 20: Change of seasons are so much fun. New styles, new fashion, new wardrobe. Going by United Colors of Benetton (UCB), which rolled out its spring-summer collection this Monday, this summer of 2007 is all about playing up colour. ‘‘It’s also a blend of style and elegance with the casual and charming,’’ pitches in Gagan Singh, managing director, Benetton India, who was in town for the launch. The women’s collection boasts of a variety of themes — Upper East Side, Beverly Hills, Neo Romantic, Desert Rose, each of which offer individual style statements. The most noticeable being the colours — which go from white, purple, mauve to shell beige, earthy brown. ‘‘You’ll notice a very cottony feel to the whole collection,’’ adds Singh.

There’s also an accent on denim in various weights — tamed, treated, battered and shaped into innovative styles - from jackets with off-shoulder neckline to the slip dress. Another new for the season are details borrowed from grandma’s trousseau that translates into pedal pushers, blouses ribbed with tiny frills, lingerie cotton skirts and long gauze gypsy skirts.

Over to the men’s collection and here’s where Singh highlights the new trend. ‘‘Baby pink, powder blue, citrus green...these are colours men of today are happy to wear. A huge change from the past,’’ says Singh. So you have themes that range from Up Street - suits and easy wear linen blazers, Spring Forward - a largely urban theme with slim fit trousers in treated cotton and denim to Training Camp - a casual theme with army touches and finally Caribbean Love - a leisurely Hawaiian feel in bright and soft shades.

And then there’s the huge new summer spread for children. ‘‘This season you can dress up your little girl in floral prints while it is essential for boys to slip into cargo pants,’’ mentions Singh. Again, it’s a riot of colours for tots who can be dressed up in gypsy skirts, sundresses, tunics, sailor trousers...‘‘We are also introducing a new unisex sneaker in our footwear range that should be in stores in March,’’ adds Singh mentioning the accessory lineup that boasts of belts, bags, caps all of which play up the summer theme.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=170714

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