Bollywood is the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India, which was established in the 20th century. Bollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world, more than 1,000 movies are released annually. A significant element of the films, industry and culture is Bollywood fashion. Fashion, clothing, shoes and makeup in Bollywood films have evolved and transformed with other aspects of the industry though the decades, whilst exerting their influence over consumers, designers and others involved in the fashion industry.
A brief statement explaining how, when, where and why Bollywood began.
Raja Harishchandra by Dadasaheb Phalke was released in India in 1913, making it the first Bollywood movie. From then on, Bollywood production and consumption value only grew, reaching approximately 200 films per year in the 1930s. The first movies were black-and-white silent feature films. Gradually, sound and colour were introduced, and consumption grew in terms of statistics and geographical location.
1930s
Bollywood movies released in the 1930s were similar to some extent, but exciting at the same time as new technology and techniques were introduced to the industry. For example, sound and technicolour movies were introduced.
The 1930s were dominated by a fusionistic style, comprising both 'Indian' and 'imported Western' elements. Women on screen usually wore sarees with ruffled sleeved blouses. For makeup, they usually had thin eyebrows, minimal smokey eyes and dark red lips. They powdered their faces to acquire wheatish complexion and wore their hair in 'finger-waves'. Men popularly wore suits on screen.
Bollywood makeup from the 1930s.
1940s
Information about fashion trends during the 1940s.
Fashion trends in the 1940s were influenced by actresses such as Nargis, Meenakumari, Suraiya and Begum Para. Looking back, many consider these women to be fashion-forward in their time. For clothing, traditional clothes like draped sarees were popular, but cropped shirts and wide legged trousers were brought into the limelight. Makeup was simple, albeit eyeliner styles were more dramatic than the previous decade. It was the age of femininity and minimalism.
Female Bollywood fashion during the 1940s.
Summary of trends (1930s - 1940s):
The Golden Age of Bollywood is when most of what are considered 'Bollywood classics' were created, such as Mother India. The Golden Age of Bollywood included numerous movies gaining international recognition, and a probable increase in consumption. Many wide acclaimed movies dealt with themes of urban life and social lives of the working class, and so the fashion reflected this.
1950s
1950s Bollywood fashion trends were influenced by the west to some extent, duet to increasing globalisation. Men wore tailored suits on screen, as well as traditional Indian clothing. Women wore their hair in neat buns and pearls were a popular jewelry choice. Bell sleeves, sarees and wide legged trousers were also popular.
A newly married couple in Shillong, India, in 1954. The man (left) is wearing a western suit in the photograph and the woman (right) is wearing traditional Naga clothing.
1960s
Bollywood fashion in the 1960s was aesthetically pleasing and classy. It consisted mostly of bright colours, bold styles and innovative ideas in the fashion industry. Women often teased their hair, to give the illusion of more volumous hair. Women wore bold winged eyeliner, and lots of peachy-coral shades, especially in terms of makeup.
Mumtaz in Brahmahchari (1968).
Summary of trends (1950s - 1960s).
Classic Bollywood was an era in the industry when fashion was being quite heavily experimented with, although mainstream movies mostly maintained a constant theme: love.