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2. Inspired by anything that spells adventure,
sportswear trends this year will see a meteoric shift.
Youth’s growing interest in F1, football, tennis or even
wrestling and shooting, has contributed largely to rising
sales of sportswear brands in India. With the upcoming
MotoGP the market will only expand further. This year
the category is all about experimenting − with multiple
fabrics, their blends, never-done-before cuts and finally
it’s about anything that relates to youth.
Passion and impact
Global web reach has made internationally held
tournaments accessible to legions of sports fans across
India. Moreover, we are hosting a series of international
sporting events. In addition to this, sports promotions,
training and infrastructure too, have been developing
tremendously in the past few years.
The recent accolades that Indian sports stars won in
various prestigious tournaments has boosted awareness
about sportswear in the country. Now with a growth of
adventure sports in India there is an increased need of
comfortable and hi-tech apparel and shoes.
Worthy of note is the trend of using sportswear as
casualwear, which has expanded the consumer base
for the concerned brands. To add to this, the increasing
penetration of the internet in India is fuelling the online
sales of this category.
LEFT:A CAR RUNNING AT DAKAR RALLY.
BELOW:A PARTICIPANT AT MOTO GP 2012
POSPISILMRL,SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

3. Off ramps
Fashion ramps were abuzz with sportswear last year, where top designers
gave a glimpse of their version for SS 2013. Dakar Rally − an offroad
racing event held in the South American countries inspired New York’s
Rag Bone designers to showcase biker jackets, trousers and lot of
layered looks. Bright neons were juxtaposed with white. Other designers
also did acid colours, for instance, green by Preen and orange by DFV.
Designer Derek Lam catapulted Madras checks to stardom by making
jersey dresses, and used cellophane to put together futuristic dresses.
Typical bright hues that mark sportswear were also seen here − orange,
yellow and reds to name a few. But to make this highly rock-chic line, his
inspiration was art world − an exhibition of 1970s paintings by portraitist
Barkley L. Hendricks.
For the Milan Fashion Week, the thought of men’s trunks at Versace’s
collection came from the sport of wrestling. Similarly, Dolce and
Gabbana presented high-waist shorts worn with belts. Edgy and sharp
is how Alexander Wang’s sportswear could be described and so will
be Isabel Marant’s paisley T-shirts and short sweatshirts and metallic
detailing. J Crew and Creatures of the Wind embellished their shirts
with sequins and gems for daywear sporty chic. DSquared2 projected its
elements of sportswear by the way of biker boots and jackets for men
and tight T-shirts for women.
One of the popular styles for this season will be retro. Both striped
apparel and cropped trousers, ending at ankles will come up as big
trends. Be it tops or bottoms, jackets or skirts; horizontal or vertical
stripes as shown by designers Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs or cut-out
stripes by Alexander Wang would be big too. Similarly, racerback tops
with multi-spaghetti straps or with layered necks would be in too.
Although so far we have not seen much of prints especially animal or
tropical taking a prominent place in sportswear much, this season it
will. The same print would continue from top to bottom in a dress or
co-ordinates. Fashion weeks also predicted plenty of geometric, boxy
or angular cuts and silhouette. Oversized jackets at Jil Sander,
rectangular sportswear pieces at Maxmara or geometric cuts at Fendi
are a few examples.
International trends
Internationally sportswear retailers are introducing some stimulating
technologies and designs for their 2013 collections. Some of them might
hit India, while most may not do yet. Graphics, inscriptions, sorbet
colours, fringe trims, checks and geometric prints and grunge styles will
be key trends in sports footwear.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:
SHORTS AT DOLCE
GABBANA;SPORT-CHIC
LINE FROM DSQUARED2,
A MODEL IN DEREK LAM,
AND ADIDAS’ SLVR IN
SORBET ORANGE

4. According to fashion forecasting expert WGSN, futuristic and 3D styles,
metallic surfaces, bomber jackets in bold colours, asymmetric and layered
dresses and knitted apparel are key words for sportswear this year.
Talk of technology and you think of Nike. It is going to launch new
version of its Dunk Woven sneakers, which essentially comprises of
weaving treatment on its heel, sidepanels and toe box. In last winter it
introduced limited edition leggings in some markets, with embroidered
Christmas-winter motifs, made of Dri-FIT.
adidas SLVR SS’13 line is about bold prints and tailored activewear
mostly inspired by martial arts. White, navy and orange hues mark the
collection. Under its label adidas Originals it is compiling a delicious
mix of ankle-high sneakers in multi-chromatic palette with a hint of
animal prints.
PUMA’s wedge sneaker line for this year would be all about colour
blocking − which means a lot of shocking pinks, tangerines, leaf greens
and yellows can be expected. Materials such as suede, mesh or patent
leather would be used prominently. Tommy Hilfiger goes nautical with
its endless stripes in colours taken from the brand’s logo − white, red
and blue.
New lines and promotions
Indian sportswear retailers are going a step ahead − not only in terms
of various manufacturing innovations but also in collaborating with or
organising related events. The aim is to create awareness among its
target buyers − the youth. As we are already seeing in the market, result
is manifesting in the form of − better products and informed consumer.
Golfwear and equipment brand Callaway will be offering a
technologically-infused collection this year. Their green marked Dry
collection has unique moisture wicking properties that would keep a
wearer dry for a long duration. It has got a rating of UPF 15+ that protects
from harmful UV rays from the Sun and anti-microbial treatment that
keeps garments fresh. The blue marked Wind collection offers wind and
water resistance along with quick dry properties. The orange marked
Warm collection makes outfit that are breathable and insulating at the
same time. In terms of style, polos, shorts, skirts and trousers have a mix
of stripes and bright colour story of red, green, purple and orange.
If the gigantic Dakar Rally inspired Rag Bone, GAS Jeans is
already working on its MotoGP 2013 line. Barbara Grotto, Head of
Communications, GAS Jeans, informs,“GAS Honda Collection is a fashion-
orientated re-interpretation of the Honda Racing world. It is designed
by Aldo Drudi of Cattolica, who has worked with many leading names in
motorcycling world. Repsol Honda Team and Honda HRC staff replica
CLOCKWISE FROM
RIGHT:BIKER-
INSPIRED OUTFIT
AT RAG BONE,
WRESTLING-INSPIRED
TRUNKS AT VERSACE,
STRIPED SWIMSUIT
AND NAUTICAL
COLLECTION BY
TOMMY HILFIGER

5. apparel is part of GAS HONDA line produced and distributed exclusively by
us through official Honda dealers in Europe, clothing stores in more than
30 countries around the world.” Repsol Honda riders and team, as well as
the HRC staff, will wear the new line during the entire 2013 championship
season. The line includes high performance jackets, fleeces, shorts, polo
shirts and pants. Cuts and details on garments are strongly inspired by
racing suits and bright tints; and aggressive, appealing graphics evoke the
idea of race circuits.
Keeping with the brand’s philosophy of connecting to youth, Liberty’s new
line of footwear comes in bright neon dyes and white soles. “Today, many
shoe companies are inspired by the latest tiny foot sensor technology for
running fits. This technology helps in calculating distance and pace, and
communicates with iPod or iPhone, even if one is running on a treadmill.
Going forward, Liberty, in like manner, is looking at introducing gadget
shoes,” informs Anupam Bansal, Executive Director, Liberty Group.
Lotto Sport Italia, which has been associated with sports personalities
like Luca Toni, Joan Capdevila and Agnieszka Radwanska Marion Bartoli;
and sponsors several events such as marathons, cyclothons and college
fests, “does it with the objective of connecting the brand to the target
buyers,” says Ashish Pareek, Assistant Manager, Marketing, Lotto, India.
Inspired from tennis balls seen in ATP courts, Lotto’s new line of products
would primarily have lizard green undertones. Footwear for men will be
available in colours such as lime green and royal blue and for women
in pink, blue, sea green and purple respectively. In terms of technology,
their Skyride footwear will be sold in coming seasons as well. Pareek
says, “One of the main reasons for us to launch Skyride was demand for
light-weight shoes by our customers and we got tremendous response
from them. Some of the successful experiments done by us are innovative
knitting structures, new treatments such as bio-wash to improve
aesthetic quality of the products, et cetera.”
Nike’s 2013 collection offers Flyknit Lunar One+ shoe. The footwear
has an ability to provide precision fit helping it to adapt to foot in
motion. Support and structure are knitted right into the material, which
helps eliminate seams, weight and areas of friction and keep the shoe
lightweight. Images of astronauts and their near-weightless walking on
the moon inspires its cushioning. Strategically-placed durable rubber
inserts in bottomless carrier deliver maximum impact protection to key
points on the heel and forefoot.
Launched in 2011 south India based sportswear brand Moxi uses
technologies that ensure moisture management, odour control and UV
INTERNATIONAL SPORT STARS:CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT:
FOOTBALLER CRISTIANO RONALDO, OLYMPIC SHOOTER
ABHINAV BINDRA, WORLD BOXING CHAMPION MC MARY
KOM, OLYMPIC SPRINTER USAIN BOLT, FOOTBALLER
LIONEL MESSI,TENNIS ACE SERENA WILLIAMS,
BADMINTON CHAMPION SAINA NEHWAL AND BATSMAN
SACHIN TENDULKAR

6. protection for making their apparel. AL Muthuraman, Moxi Sports, says,
“We have identified a few sports such as running and cycling for which
we would exclusively develop garments in 2013. These will have stuff
like lower GSM tee for running or compression shorts for cycling.
New British Motors Heritage line by sportswear brand Proline may
not have many hi-tech features however it connects to automobile
enthusiasts for its vintage designs and logos. This collection has
exclusive graphic tees for youngsters.
Adventure and outdoor apparel brand Woodland associated with
popular music fest Sunburn Goa 2012. “The purpose was to link it
with youth and ask them to take shared responsibility. At the festival
Woodland built a pro-planet booth and made youth aware of our pro-
planet initiatives and connected them to our Leave No Trace campaign.
Our booth was constructed with help of locally sourced waste plastic
bottles, scrap metal, recycled wooden crates, recycled wood, VOC
free paint, et cetera,” informs Amol Dhillon, Vice President, Strategy
Planning, Woodland. Its next collection is designed for performance
activities and made use of innovative technologies like solar energy
in manufacturing. Their biodegradable jackets are laminated with a
membrane making them environment friendly. And with their solar
jackets a person can charge their gadgets anytime. Just like other
brands, Woodland would offer sun protection, moisture-wicking and
quick-drying apparel for coming season. Its coming up with a new
technology for footwear manufacturing that uses vegetable tanned
leather. It is a type of processed leather made by using ingredients
found in vegetable matter, tree bark, and other such sources. It will also
have recycled cotton lining. This recycled cotton and jute uses natural
fertilisers that contain no harmful chemicals. It will also bring another
range of shoes with soles made of recycled rubber.
Not only niche sportswear brands are trying to attract budding
consumers of India but the music channel and a huge brand in itself,
MTV recently re-launched its accessories for the Indian market. Inspired
by contemporary art the collection has graphic prints which is the USP
of the range. It has got various bags such as backpacks and duffels in
bright hues of green, orange, red, blue, et cetera.
As young Indian consumer becomes more involved in internationally
famous sports or adventure events, it will continue to have a positive
impact on fashion business of the region.
The advent of numerous international brands in India in the last five
years signals the takeoff.
FROM TOP LEFT:BAG FROM MTV, A
MODEL WEARING GAS-HONDA APPAREL,
PRO-PLANET BOOTH BY WOODLAND AT
SUNBURN, NIKE FLYKNIT LUNAR ONE+
AND FORCE SHOES FROM LIBERTY