Parashar added that two to three years ago, the majority of women used to wear kurtis. But now almost 40 percent of those women have taken to stylised forms of kurtis.

'They wear tunics or, for that matter, during day time women are also seen in dresses and hats. I don't think a lot of young women would be seen sporting a salwar-kameez unless it is for a formal occasion,' she said.

In the photograph: An Abhishek Dutta creation, Lakme Fashion Week, Fall-Winter collection, 2008

Photograph: Sanat Tanna