By Divya Vijayakumar
While fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana seem to have run out of steam as the end of the year approaches and are taking to social media to promote hideous pairings like giant roses and leopard spots, the situation is much brighter in this part of Uttar Pradesh. Banda district in Bundelkhand seems to have no dearth of inspiration when it comes to its sartorial choices. The women of Khabar Lahariya recently went filming in One~India Family Mart, whose tagline comfortingly reads, “Fashion that is Higher than Expectations, Prices that are Lower than Expectations”. The latest trends drew from a smorgasbord of films and politics – from the Modi jacket to the Bajirao Mastani lehenga, there’s something to suit every bent of mind. As manager Arpit Tripathi put forward, “If you want to follow Bollywood, if you want to be like the stars, the first thing you’ll need to do is adopt their clothes.”
Across floral bomber jackets (only five left in stock), peachy bedazzled high-necked tops (they’re racing off the shelves), frothy pink cardigans for newborns (that’ll make even the grinch go *squee*) and faux-fur lined parkas (with great quality fabric), here’s what’s hot in Banda this winter.