Light up your wardrobe

Diwali is a great time for fashion as well as festivities. Find out what's 'in' this season.

Celebration is just around the corner. Diwali, one of the biggest Hindu festivals, arrives on October 17.

On Diwali, which means "festival of lights" in Hindi, people light rows of lights to commemorate heroes, in Indian mythology, who triumphed over evil forces. Diwali is also a propitious time for new endeavours.

Exchanging gifts is a tradition and many people host dinners and parties. The festival is synonymous with not just lights, fireworks, sweets and gifts but fashion, too.

Wearing new clothes in vibrant colours is tradition. They often commission designers for the occasion or buy stylised prêt-a-porter. However, during these difficult financial times, people are spending less time and money on their outfits.

"Earlier, people used to place orders for their garments a month in advance but things have changed," said Prakash Kumar, the store manager of Rivoli in Karama.

At Rivoli, customers choose fabrics, mostly for saris and salwar kameez, which are sent to the tailoring unit to be stitched.

While customers prefer reds and burgundies for Diwali, they choose bright colours such as pink and turquoise for festival parties, Kumar added.

At Studio 8 on Jumeirah Beach Road, business is doing well this year.

"Our clientele has increased compared to the past few years. Since ours is a multidesigner store, we can cater to almost all nationalities," said Pallavi Bhatia, business manager.

She said the trendy colours this season are red, maroon, yellow, green and gold.

"Flowy anarkali suits and chiffon saris are the preferred styles this season. The traditional churidar has been replaced by jewelled tights," Bhatia added.

A wide range of designer-wear is available at Samsaara, a high-end boutique at Souk Al Bahar in Old Town, by designers such as Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, JJ Valaya and Vikram Phadnis.

According to Rohini Gehani, store manager at Samsaara, styles have changed. "The basic kurta-churidar-dupatta set is the same but has been stylised into an Indo-Western outfit; the kurta has different cuts with a Western twist.

Today people like wearing fitted saris that are easier to wear and put on. However, the traditional festive look is the same in terms of colours, embroideries and some styles," she said.

Other popular outfits are, skirts with corsets - the modern lehenga, jackets and waistcoats.

Diwali lasts for five days, with each day representing a different facet of the festival. Many communities honour Hindu deities such as Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, and Ganesha, deity of auspicious beginnings.

Best buys

For those of you who haven't bought your Diwali outfit yet, there are many boutiques and shops in Dubai with a wide range of fabrics, haute couture and prêt-a-porter outfits. Here are just a few:

Samsaara

- Souq Al Bahar, Old Town, Downtown Burj Dubai

- Prices range from Dh600 to Dh4,000

Mumbai Se

- Dubai Mall

- Prices range from Dh600 to Dh2,200

Rivoli

- Za'abeel Road, Karama

- Prices range from Dh150 to Dh2,500

Studio 8

- Jumeirah Beach Road, Villa 3

- Prices start from Dh2,000

GET THE LOOK

Accessories for women

- Chandelier earrings are in. But if you think they have been overplayed, go for long, slender earrings with one or two crystals at the end.

- Try diamonds or stones with sheen such as topaz, aquamarine, amethyst or crystals.

- Accessorise with embroidered handbags, belts or waistbands.

- Footwear such as mojris add to the traditional look. Alternatively, try wedge heels, stilettos or metallic high-heels in bronze or grey.

Accessories for men

- Wear embroidered belts or those embellished with beads in solid colours. These go well with a kurta.

- Drape a crushed chunari, in solid colours.

- Try pairing jootis or mojris with traditional attire. Depending on your outfit, you could also opt for Western closed shoes or sandals.