It will be an Indian summer for the international leather fashion industry as hues and textures from here will dominate the global leather business in the year ahead.

MODEUROPE is the conclave that decides on the trends in the leather industry. The forecast and selection helps designers to work on apparel and accessories. This year the decision-making body held its roundtable in December 2005 at Kornwestheim, Germany, to decide on the colours for the Spring Summer 2007 fashion collection.As least 19 Indian leather tanners submitted 447 colour proposals at the roundtable for the fashion Spring Summer 2007. The Indian presentations were made bearing in mind the trends in the fashion industry tracking colour, fabric and texture.

Twenty of the 21 colours submitted for footwear were selected. Ten Indian colours found place in the garments section. Light shoe colours were renamed silk, skin, shell, foam, pearl. Garment colours received even more exotic names like smoke, hazel, moor and ink.

Indian summer shades are being preferred for the season. Washed raw leather buffed and polished, big, soft grains and unassuming sports fabrics will dominate wardrobes.

Velvet will be the winter tale for tapestry along with pale Damasks and a flash of metallic. New minimalism will take over the world and experts say that nude colour satins, fleshy pinks, lilacs and lemons will dominate. The 1960s' trend is back in the reckoning with neat floral patterns embossed on leather dominating trends in 2007.

As far as footwear is concerned, quilted satin inner socks on sandals and bags will be the constant theme. Honeycomb structured coloured patent leather will be preferred for strappy summer sandals.

Sportswear in 2007 will be clean, simple, translucent or with matt finishes and punched details are set to be back. Some greens and indigoes will still hog ramp space. Black, however, will make a comeback in a big way next year.

To access the European fashion market well in time for the 2007 seasons, the Council of Leather Exporters (CLE) has positioned an India leather desk in Milan and Italy, the Mecca of hi-fashion.

"The desk began functioning earlier this month and is headed by internationally renowned leather consultant Mario Pucci", CLE executive director K. Elangovan told the media here at the 21st India International Leather Fair.

Among the countries participating this year are China, Pakistan, France, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Brazil and Ukraine.

Chennai-based CLE has invited MODEUROPE to hold its Spring Summer 2008 roundtable in January 2007 in Chennai and this is under consideration.

(www.newkerala.com)