~ 299 ~ International Journal of Home Science 2019; 5(2): 299-306 ISSN: 2395-7476 IJHS 2019; 5(2): 299-306 © 2019 IJHS www.homesciencejournal.com Received: 25-03-2019 Accepted: 27-04-2019 Koshalpreet Kaur School of Fashion and Design, G D Goenka University, Sohna Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India Anjali Agrawal School of Fashion and Design, G D Goenka University, Sohna Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India Correspondence Koshalpreet Kaur School of Fashion and Design, G D Goenka University, Sohna Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India Indian Saree: A paradigm of global fashion influence Koshalpreet Kaur and Anjali Agrawal Abstract Indian Saree, the symbol of Indian tradition is one of the oldest form of clothing and has a long story behind it. This paper examines the history of saree, its drapes and patterns, the influencing factors and its evolution to the present form. This article also explores the relationship between traditional Indian saree drapes, studied across centuries, with the creations of various contemporary International fashion designers. The inspiration many a times may not be clearly visible but is seen through subtle observations. Western designs have been juxtaposed with drapes and patterns seen in traditional sarees. Lastly, a path in the future, influenced by the rapid economic growth in India and the effects of technology on the evolving design and popularity of the saree among the international fashion designers is described. Keywords: Saree, drapes, traditional, contemporary, juxtaposed Introduction “Fashion will last forever. It will exist always. It will exist in its own way in each era. I live in the moment. It’s interesting to know the old methods. But you have to live in the present moment” Azzedine Alaia Over the past few decades, Eastern and Western cultures have fused together to create new designs and provide fresh meaning to the fashion industry. With the occurrence of industrial globalization, the cultural boundaries have melted and have dispersed [1] . Fashion has become borderless and is no longer constrained to ideas of a particular nationality and culture. The global fashion industry is increasing and changing at a very astonishing rate. Culture and traditional dress have always been an incredible part and source of inspiration for the fashion industry. India’s rich culture and tradition has always been stimulation for the fashion industry. Designers see Indian textile and clothing style, as archetypes of immemorial vestimentary practices. A sharp contrast, though, can be detected in the uses they make of the chosen mode [2] . Since past few decades the international designers have created beautiful interpretations from India’s rich culture, bright colors, exotic hand crafted techniques of embroideries and weaves. Indian aesthetics have found a fresh popularity in the area of global design culture. International designers like John Galliano for Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gautier have used Indian designs and themes to create new fashion collections [3] . Indian culture and art provides both a market and an inspiration to these brands [4] . One such Indian aesthetics, which has inspired a number of designers, is Saree. Saree is one of the world’s oldest and perhaps the only surviving unstitched garment from the past [5] . The saree forms the core of history and legacy. Few Indian designers have realised the impact of this powerful drape and are making efforts to re-establish and reinvent the saree in their collections [6] . Over the eras, it has become a sensuous, glamorous all-time-wear for women. It is a fashion trend that has stood the test of time and is still worn by millions of women worldwide. One cannot underestimate the importance of fashion in shaping the styles around the saree. There have been several considerations while exploring the origin and influence of saree. Firstly, the term saree was used to describe a type of drape, which was later used for varied styles of draping a fabric.