Ruchika Kher

While movies are at the core of the annual cinema extravaganza called the Academy Awards, fashion is also an integral part of this event. Many wait for it to see what their favourite celebrities will step out wearing. Like every year, the 89th Academy Awards — aka the Oscars 2017 — also had celebrities walking the red carpet in their finest. Most stuck to safe options in black and white, but a few others did experiment with the colour of the night — gold.

You may have seen Pochampally ikat or Patola ikat saris in your mother's wardrobes, which she is sure to count among her prized possessions. But today, ikat is not just limited to traditional garb. From breezy tops to funky footwear and bags, the textile technique is being used by designers in a more contemporary avatar.

In 2014, when Rahul Mishra became the first Indian designer to bag the International Woolmark Prize (in the womenswear category), suddenly the award garnered immense attention in the country even from people who might not necessarily be great consumers of designer wear. After all, it was a prize that has been won by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld in the past. Last year saw another Indian name, Suket Dhir, shining bright at this prestigious platform.