Giambattista Valli

Valli made a signature style for himself early on in his career that very few have been able to achieve. The future looks bright for the Italian designer and the Couture collection 2013 was another sign of his creative prowess. Bell shaped shirts and sculpted jackets in a variety of colours and fabrics. The show opened with a black and white animal print silk jacket that could double as a couture dress. Valli is also recognised for his feminine floral motifs and applique work, which was seen this season as well. The dresses varied from short cape like to vintage below the knee silhouettes. Adding to the luxe element was the intricate gold and bronze floral motif jewelled headgear, neckpieces and belts. The cascading hemlines amped up the style quotient, not that the beautiful detailing and fabrics were not sufficient.

Christian Dior

This was Raf Simons’ second couture showing at the house of Dior and it is pretty safe to say the critics have given their go ahead to the genius’ talent at the iconic Parisian house. This couture show had a bit more exuberance and flounce than last year while keeping intact the skillful tailoring of Raf and DNA of Dior. Models sported a cropped hairdo with crystallized lips and an otherwise clean face. The runway designed around a garden highlighted the beautiful shapes of the garments as they sat on the female body. The floral beading details somehow made a fresh impact. Raf Simons has already set a new landmark designing couture for Dior.

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld’s latest collection for Chanel paid homage to William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. In true Chanel style, the stage was a grand setting of a forest. The fashion was however hardly referential to the past, perhaps only to the part where it never showed much skin. The genius of Lagerfeld lies in recreating the heritage of such an iconic brand season after season without repeating. The signature tweed in colours like black, ivory, crème, snow-white were the predominant looks. The highlights were the wild flowers motifs dresses and gowns in organza, chiffon, lace and sequins. The closing looks comprised of precious wedding dresses in white with delicate feathers and pearl beading detailing.

Giorgio Armani Prive

The Asian influence over Armani continues with slick silk pants and matching blouse-jackets. Armani Prive is for the put together power women who know their style sensibility and who live on fuel from the couture house for fresh designs. The predominant colour tones were steel gray and silver with rich geometric patterns in the auspicious tone of red. Intrinsic beadwork seen on hand held purses and blouses was the main differentiator from the House’s ready to wear line. The usual sleek lines of straight cut pants and blouse were given a break with peplum and flouncy pleats on gowns. Perhaps the entire collection was best summed up by the concluding look of a strapless maroon gown that the model glided in onto the runway, which on a closer take highlighted intrinsic beaded diamante work all over.

Versace

Signature Versace style translated into expensive couture. The show though with fewer pieces than most couture shows was fast to communicate what they were feeling for Couture 2013. Short, tight, skin revealing, gold and fur in a few words was what the show was about. Donatella Versace has recently been reflecting on the 80s signature Gianni Versace sensibility successfully. This was another example of the same. Strong looks with hand detailing and ornamentation were seen. Neon fur was used on dresses and jackets. Belted waists with the company logo medusa head. The hair and make-up were strong as well with focus on eyes and hair swept back. This would be an easy choice for an opulent hip hop artist or for wearing while party hopping at night.

Tina Fey

The co-hostess of the night must give her stylist a big increment after this awards night. The funny woman resonated a vintage vibe with side swept wavy hair and flattering dresses throughout the night. The actress who usually wears bootcut jeans and shirt for her TV character stunned the audience with waist cinching feminine gowns. The red carpet welcomed Fey in a below the knee L’Wren Scott strapless dress with a Roger Vivier clutch.

Ben Affleck

The double winner for the film Argo (that won the best director and best film) got the third win in our books in the category of men’s fashion. Walking hand in hand with wife and mother of three, beaming Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck stood his own ground in a three-piece indigo tuxedo. The satin lapels made it stand out from a sea of well-made tuxedos. The black bow tie and neat stubble added an old world charm and casual elegance.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler played the role of the co-host very well and proved that women can be funny and fashionable. The blonde actress wore plunging looks throughout the night. Starting with a black tuxedo and high heels keeping the look embellishment free. At the awards function the actress wore a low cut violet gown cinched at the waist with a embellished belt and clean neckline. The actress looked elegant and super comfortable in her fashion choices.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway wore a Chanel Couture strapless white peplum gown. The winning actress of the award Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture chose to wear a colour out of the ordinary. The dress worked well for her fit frame, highlighting the toned shoulders and arms. Her pixie like haircut also shone with just a pair of simple diamond stud earrings.

Jennifer Lawrence

Star of the film Silver Linings Playbook wore a Dior Haute Couture coral organza evening dress with structuredbustier. The winner of the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical award, shone in this stunning Raf Simons’ minimal design resonating the elegance of vintage glamour while keeping heavy makeup at bay.

Jessica Chastain

Winner of the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama award for her role in Zero Dark Thirty kept things light on the red carpet. Chastain chose a light blue plunging gown free of embellishments and layers. The minimalistic dress worked wonders for her frame. Her red hair was a great accompaniment to the light blue tone, which she wore open and combed back. The diamond jewelry accentuated her muted look.

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu wore a Carolina Herrera pre-fall/winter 2013-14 floral ball gown. The actress bought a refreshing change to the red carpet by breaking the existing norm of wearing block colour slit gowns. This strapless ball gown rose print matched with her satin gold clutch bag. The side braid thought didn’t work for her advantage and would have preferred to see her with open hair instead.

Lena Dunham

The awkward and lovely Lena Dunham took away the big TV awards of the night. Lena accepted the best comedy and best actress awards in a violet satin ball gown by fellow New York designer Zac Posen. While the dark colour of the gown suited her skin tone very well, the ill fit of the dress was apparent, as the actress seemed to be in excruciating pain while coming up and down the stage to receive her big awards.

Claire Danes

Another winner of the night, Claire Danes wore a classic red carpet look for the Globe awards. The winner of the Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama award for Homeland wore a plunging bright red gown by Versace. While Versace does some very sexy, fitted numbers, this one seemed a little shabby on the actress. Neater hairdo and accessories might have helped the actress sport the dress better.

Dev Patel

The actor represented his home country in a British heritage brand Burberry tuxedo. Patel wore a black grosgrain notch lapel tuxedo, white dress shirt and black grosgrain bow tie all by Burberry. Burberry is known to dress the new crop of young musicians and actors from their country. The slim fit and clean lines work well for Patel’s frame and give him a fashion forward stance.

Adele

The winning songstress and new mother accepted her award in total surprise stating she had traveled to the award show just to have a good time with her friend. At the red carpet Adele shone in a Burberry gown in what seems like her favourite colour black. The embellished boat cut neckline and sparkly red manicured nails made the simple black dress look special.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson wore a black Alexander McQueen gown that highlighted her petite frame in a flattering way. The full-length gown had long sleeves and a high neck with a deep keyhole slit on the neckline. The bejeweled art deco inspired embellishment highlighted the waist and neckline of the black dress. The actress made this strong look her own keeping her hair relaxed and open.

The writer is a fashion blogger (www.lovestruckcow.blogspot.com) who attempts to bridge the gap between creator and consumer. As a fashion writer, she hopes to promote Indian fashion among Indians and on a global level too.

Shirt

Smart office attire starts with a well-made cotton shirt. No matter what your body shape is, opt for a slim fit shirt that doesn’t hang loose when you wear the shirt tucked in from the waist. The sleeves of the shirt should not exceed the end of the palm and should be long enough so it is comfortable to raise your hand to shoulder level and then over your head. The shirt collar is a confusing topic for most men and while there are no hard and fast rules, opt for a collar that most flatters your face. The rounder the face, the wiser it is to go for a narrow collar. A close point collar will elongate the face giving the illusion of a longer neck and make the face seem thinner. Slim collars are in vogue at the moment and can be worn with slim silk ties for a professional look. A good shirt should look great under a suit or worn alone with trousers.

Jeans

Why are jeans mentioned in a work wear essentials list? Because more and more offices are allowing semi casual attire and a bad pair of denim jeans can ruin your professional look completely. To start with, jeans for office should be a well-fitted pair. Not baggy hanging low from the crotch, not skin tight to stop your blood flow while sitting down. A straight cut pair is more versatile and will not stand out too much. The dark indigo version is a classic and looks great with a tucked in shirt, sports jacket or cardigan. The wash is another topic to keep in mind when shopping for work. The style of denims that is torn or stonewashed seem too casual to wear to a traditional work place. Unwashed, rigid denim jeans look smart and will last many trend cycles in your wardrobe.

Suit

The great thing about living in an urban space in India is the abundance of tailors to make you made-to- measure suits. A good tailor is always worth the expense than buying off the rack. Now that you have found a good tailor, the basic suit to invest in is a slim two-button with flat-front trim pants and very little break at the ankle. This style is a basic for the modern man and will make you look sharp and versatile when  paired with different shirts and ties. Some common mistakes men make while choosing a suit are: the length of the jacket. The jacket should be not too long on the two-button jacket and should allow you to easily put your hands beneath in the trousers pocket. Another tricky situation men find themselves in is opting for fabrics and patterns that are dowdy or overpower one’s personality. When opting for pinstripes, steer clear of wide spaced ones that resonate the traditional Wall Street style. A fine line pinstripe is a better option. Invest in a grey suit – nor charcoal neither light grey – the tone that matches well with a white crisp shirt and black tie.

shoes

Most people confuse basic footwear with boring and unflattering footwear. Classic footwear to own for workplace is the black lace up shoes. A pair of brogues in leather is a classic take on formal dressing. The double monk strap is a rare sight and definitely a style win. Besides the black leather, one can go for suede also. A great pair of formal shoes will complete the suit and will make denim jeans look sharp. Shoes with a slightly sturdy base or sole is better for shorter people as it gives a strong base when worn with a suit or slim fit trousers. Socks are an oversight many times – vibrant colours like green, blue and red make a basic grey suit pop. Socks with patterns and geometric shape design can make your fun personality peak from a uniformed look. Don’t try to match socks with shoe colour. Shoes also don’t follow a hard and fast rule when matching colour with suit. Tan shoes with navy suits or black shoes with brown suits look great together.

Briefcase

Let’s admit it. Men need handbags as much as women do. In this day and age there are enough essentials and gadgets that men need to carry along for work and meetings that a slim fit suit or trousers will not carry. A briefcase besides being utilitarian is also a style statement. Buy a good quality briefcase that matches your personality. If you wear suits to work, then get a clean handheld leather briefcase that will keep your paperwork, iPad, charger, sunglasses, spectacles, pen and pencil. A well made briefcase will be structured and have pockets/ sections for storing different items. A messenger bag is a slightly less formal option that can be carried to work. Refrain from colourful fabric and torn detailing that make you seem like an intern. A good messenger bag can be quite useful.

Hair care

For many of us, hair care is fast becoming a cause of concern as early as in our 20s. The stress and toxins are causing hair damage and hair fall. To avoid damaging your hair, use a heat protectant spray before firing up your hot tools. Refrain from washing hair every day. Instead wash every alternate day. The natural oils in the hair are stripped off every time we shampoo. Pick products, which have natural ingredients. Get a regular cut to avoid split ends. Avoid breakage of hair by not combing it immediately after shower. Instead, wrap it in a towel and let it dry for 10 minutes. Then comb using a wide-tooth gently.

Clean and clear

Clean and clear is not just a name of a skin care product. It is about cleansing your system of toxins, having a glowing clear skin and a radiant smile. And all these can happen with a few changes in exercise, diet and what you apply on the skin. Have enough water. The human body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these body fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. Having enough water can help flush out toxins from your skin. Remember to clean make-up brushes, eyelash curlers regularly as it is a common breeding ground for bacteria. Speaking of beauty products, make sure your man has a kit with his essentials – sunscreen, moisturizer, face wash, under eye cream and more specially tailor fit for his needs. Regardless to say, do not share your make-up with a friend. It is an easy way to transfer germs and catch eye infection. Clean your lip and eye pencils every month simply by sharpening them. Exfoliate your skin with a loofah or brush to get rid of dead skin, dirt and bacteria that you catch on during the day.

Medical checkups

While the above mentioned will provide for a healthy lifestyle, regular doctors checkups cannot be replaced with home remedies. You can avoid the stress of waiting and nip certain diseases at the bud. See a dermatologist who will check for yearly screenings for skin cancer. Women above the age of 40 should have a mammogram and pap smear test done annually to detect pelvic, cervical and breast cancer. Men must also get check ups for cancers like prostate cancer by having a prostate specific antigen test done regularly. Similarly a fecal occult blood test could trace colorectal cancer in the early stages as a colonoscopy can lead to early detection of colon cancer (Source: http://www.medwonders.com). This year, getting healthy and happy shouldn’t have any excuse. Get your life in order by getting the basic medical tests in time.

Sunscreen

This year go bask in the sun and get the Vitamin D for the skin. But remember to wear sunscreen before stepping out in sun. While sunburn is one of the side effects of overexposure to the rays of the sun, other health problems that can arise are premature ageing of the skin, eye damage such as cataract, suppression of the immune system, and even skin cancer. Every time you step out this year onwards, remember to put a generous amount of sunscreen on with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 or more for sufficient protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UBB) rays. Cover each exposed area of skin with sun block about 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after sweating or swimming. Sun block is required even in winters and non-sunny days.

Ayurveda and Yoga

We all know exercise ranks top on New Year resolutions. A fit body and mind can be achieved by working out at least three times a week counts for a natural glowing skin. Give Yoga a try because even if you have been working out for years and you are your ideal weight, yoga has benefits that many forms of exercise don’t provide. It aims to achieve this through a series of physical and mental exercises. At the physical level, the methods comprise various yoga postures or ‘asanas’ that aim to keep the body healthy. The mental techniques include breathing exercises or ‘pranayama’ and meditation or ‘dhyana’ to discipline the mind. Ayurveda translates into the knowledge of long life. The focus of Ayurveda is to integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit. Adapting to the Ayurvedic prescribed lifestyle is a good measure for long and healthy life. This year, try at least one Ayurvedic treatment for your skin, hair or health problem.

]]> http://postnoon.com/2013/01/06/for-the-skin-you-live-in/100823/feed 0 http://postnoon.com/2012/12/28/2012-a-year-in-fashion-what-made-news/98134 http://postnoon.com/2012/12/28/2012-a-year-in-fashion-what-made-news/98134#comments Fri, 28 Dec 2012 09:24:48 +0000 Surabhi Chauhan http://postnoon.com/?p=98134

As the year-end approaches, we take a look at the newsmakers of the fashion world.

Raf Simons leaves Jil Sander

Raf Simons after giving accolade worthy collections at Jil Sander label announced in February he would be leaving the brand. The king of minimal was a great fit at Jil Sander who’s own sensibility was very similar to Raf’s. Jil Sander replaced Simons with an unprecedented re-hire of its founder Jil Sander to take over the reigns again. Raf Simons was later announced as the high profile successor to the French couture LVMH brand Christian Dior Couture and ready to wear.

Nicholas Ghesquiere leaves Balenciaga

Another departure from a high profile job was of designer Nicolas Ghesquiere from the French label Balenciaga. Ghesquiere had been the creative director at Balenciaga since 1997 and was touted to be fashion’s biggest talents. Ghesquire was credited to reinvent the Balenciaga style made popular for its founder Christobal Balenciage with a futuristic touch. Ghesquiere’s future is unknown still but he has hinted in the media to start his own label soon.

Queen Elizabeth II

2012 marked as an important year for the queen as it was the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. A multinational celebration throughout 2012 marked the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the thrones of seven countries upon the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952. The queen managed to position herself on the fashion list because of anticipating and delivering to the high expectations of the people from her wardrobe. What’s more a book Dressing The Queen: The Jubilee Wardrobe, was also published this year, containing every little detail about Queen Elizabeth II’s fashion.

Elle Fanning and Elizabeth Olsen

Fashion’s new tinsel town stars are also celebrity siblings. 14 years old Elle Fanning is the younger sister of actor Dakota Fanning and won the hearts of the audience because of her brilliant acting and distinct look. Dakota’s fashion choices do not go unnoticed on and off the red carpet and is a darling of American young designers Rodarte. Another sibling to have made her mark is Elizabeth Olsen, the Olsen twins’ younger sister. Elizabeth’s rise in fashion was credited to the refined taste similar to her sisters’ but at a much younger age. She wears indie labels but in a mature more lady like manner giving her a distinct look about herself.

Emma Stone

Young beauty Emma Stone didn’t just win the film critics’ hearts this year. The funny girl starred in the summer blockbuster Spiderman this year and made memorable red carpet appearances while promoting the film world over. Her fashion choices are as much to credit her for this likeness as her vivacious personality. She is a rare combination of comical, sexy and girl-next-door look, which the industry hadn’t seen for some time now. While she is seen in jeans and simple blouse off duty, she manages to pull off couture gowns and dresses in vivacious tones on the red carpet. Her penchant to carry of anything and not taking fashion too seriously has got her pleasant attention in the fashion circles.

Manish Arora leaves Paco Rabanne

After only two seasons as the Artistic Director at French house Paco Rabanne, Manish Arora announced his departure. His first collection for the brand had injected media attention and even persuaded Lady Gaga to wear this collection for the 2011 MTV European Music Awards. Though some argued that Manish’s designs caused media attention but not enough retail sales, the cause of his sudden departure is a mystery. Nonetheless, it was a landmark achievement for an Indian designer to make news while heading a recognised European label.

Choupette

Choupette is designer Karl Lagerfeld’s cat. A cat made the list because it got adopted by Karl Lagerfeld and got introduced to the world in a tactful way like no other cat has been. Karl Lagerfeld who has no children of his own surprised us by showing extremely caring and loving behaviour towards Choupette. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar he said “She goes in the kitchen and sits in front of the food. She doesn’t like to eat on the floor, so I have to put the food on the table. Her dishes are by Goyard. She has one for water, one for her little croquette, and one for her pâté. You have to serve everything, and she makes a choice.” Hinting at the princess like treatment offered to the pet. Choupette also has 24 hours medical attention, two maids who maintain a diary at all times for the cat so that Karl could keep tabs on his beloved feline. Choupette today is much talked about and even has a twitter account dedicated under ‘@ChoupettesDiary”.

Michelle Obama for four more years

The unexpected fashion role model was crowned to Michelle Obama in Obama’s first term in the office. This year Obama won the second term and Michele fan base grew even more. Michelle’s stance on fashion is very distinct and approachable. She shops the brands available to the public in malls and online for important occasions while managing to look dressed up. She also wears American designer especially the young ones who could use a global ambassador like her to promote their business.

Alexander Wang joins Balenciaga

A young American designer to head a French brand is something that doesn’t go unnoticed. After iconic designer Nicolas Ghesquiere left his place in Balenciaga after more than ten years, his succession was anticipated by the whole fashion world. Young designer Alexander Wang was appointed at the creative director of the PPR owned brand Balenciaga in early December 2012. Wang had triumphed the youth with his own label based out of New York by giving designs that were high fashion and effortless.

YSL becomes Saint Laurent

Stefano Pilati exits the French fashion house and Dior Homme designer Hedi Slimane is hired in his place. The great fashion shuffle of 2012 wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the hire of Hedi Slimane. Hedi hire will be remembered in the history as he managed to changed the logo and name of the brand from ‘YSL’ to ‘Saint Laurent’. The new shops bear his signature style of stark black gloss and shine. Hedi who also gained popularity because of his black and white photographs of the young and restless was seen in the advertisements of the newly names Saint Laurent brand. While Stefano also made a distinct look for the brand during his reign, such major changes came as a shock for the public to happen to such an iconic French brand.

The writer is a fashion blogger (www.lovestruckcow.blogspot.com) who attempts to bridge the gap between creator and consumer. As a fashion writer, she hopes to promote Indian fashion among Indians and on a global level too.

1. Perfume: A great perfume can speak louder than any expensive branded fashion item. The Gucci Sport Eau de parfum is a cool and fresh scent with flavours consisting of juniper berry, vetiver, grapefruit, ambrette, cypress, cardamom, fig, mandarin, and patchouli

Available at www.jabong.com Rs.3,499

2. Shoe bags: Shop for Things offers some great gifting ideas for him like the shoes and sneakers bag for him to keep his footwear clean and tidy in. These individual bags allow him to carry footwear easily in a suitcase while travelling for work or vacation.

Available at www.shopforthings.in Rs.100

3. Herbal beauty: Give a gift of natural beauty to him in the form of methi shikakai shampoo. Enriched with wheat germ oil, lecithin, and neem and methi seeds – this specially formulated shampoo penetrates the hair shaft, strengthens the roots, nourishes the scalp and brings out the bounce and volume in your hair without stripping off its natural oils.

Available at: Just Herbs http://www.fabulloso.com Rs.225

4. Boots: Men usually fall short on winter footwear and a sturdy pair of boots is the perfect solution for that. This season gift him a neat black pair which is versatile enough to wear with wool trousers or denim jeans. These suave pair should last many years till he wears them off.

Available at: www.asos.com Rs.6,000/-

5. Burberry Gold Pheasant Umbrella: For the daring and fashion forward men, the Burberry gold pheasant umbrella is like the classic umbrella never seen before. With a rich gold ornate detailing and large black shade, this is a wardrobe classic and yet will make him stand out.

Available at www.burberry.com

6. Toga coat: This plaid toga coat is not like your grandfather’s. Though it would look amazing on your grandfather or younger brother alike! In harsh winters when he is bundled in a warm jacket like this he will have only one person to thank.

Available at Calvin Klein jeans

7. Chivas Regal Limited edition pack by Rohit Bal: Chivas Regal, one of the leading super-premium blended Scotch whiskies in the world collaborated with India’s leading couturier Rohit Bal for a limited edition design bottle. Imagine his glee seeing this under the tree. No packaging required.

Available at: all premium outlets in India

8. Lumberjack shirt: No, his occupation is not to chopping woods. Yet a winter staple for men is the lumberjack shirt that gives a rugged casual look. Something he can easily pair with already owned denims or trousers.

Available at FCUK

9. New launch Lacoste live collaboration with Micah Lidberg: Lacoste launched a great collection in collaboration with famed American illustrator Micah Lidberg to create an exclusive capsule line for Fall Winter 2012-13. Micah has featured his signature illustrations on men’s polos and shirts, which makes them a perfect gifting item for Christmas.

Available at Lacoste

10. Play Clan: Indian label play clan has been introducing funky t-shirts which men will love to dress in. The Jodhpur collection brings colours, tradition, pop culture all together in collections of T-shirts, mugs and coasters.

Available at www.theplayclan.com

1. Perfume: An eau de parfum is a classic gifting item that reflects a lot on the giver’s taste. The Paul Smith Rose is a beautiful floral scent which will make any girl feel special.

Available at: www.jabong.com Rs.3,399

2. Saffron facial cleanser: This works as a great gift for all special ladies in your life – from grandmother to daughter. The Forest Essentials Kashmiri saffron and neem delicate facial cleanser will leave her skin pure and radiant, any time of the year.

Available at: www.fabulloso.com Rs.775

3. High heels: Secretly all girls want to own a pair of fabulous heels and the ones on ASOS.com are perfect for the party season.This pair is unusual with a touch of feather trim on the front and suede make. Named the Hurricane heeled sandals, these will cause look backs in any room.

Available at www.asos.com Rs.4,300

4. Blue jeans: Blue jeans are a staple in a wardrobe yet we are always on a lookout for a fresh new pair. New online brand bhane.com offers basics altered to fit the forward thinking customer’s needs. Pick from great quality fitted jeans for her to wear all year round.

Available at: www.bhane.com Rs.1,800

5. Gold member: Its tricky to wear metallic tones in fashion without fear of looking like a Christmas tree ornament. This Calvin Klein handbag is an exception with deep metallic tone and versatility to wear for day or night look.

Available at: Calvin Klein

6. Cocktail dress: Show your special woman you understand latest trends and gift a cocktail dress in print or pattern that will make her stand out and fashionable at the party. This FCUK dress is a flattering fit and festive season appropriate with gold and blue pattern.

Available at FCUK

7. Luxurious lingerie: Gifting your girlfriend or wife lingerie designed by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is in a way saying they are as beautiful as the Transformers actress and model. The Rosie for Autograph Collection comprises of pieces that include luxurious silk lingerie sets, cami and French knicker sets, a teddy and a kimono style robe.

Available at: Marks and Spencer

8. Red jumper: A cozy sweater is an essential for this winter season. A bright tone like cobalt, orange or red is on trend and Christmas season appropriate. What’s great about a good wool jumper is that the sizes usually fit different shapes easily.

Available at United Colors of Benetton

9. Tarun Tahiliani: Women have the gift to recognise designer wear especially when it comes to couture items. Tarun Tahiliani has a great selection of saris, lehngas, suits, kaftans, gowns for her to treasure. A gift from his Hyderabad store in Banjara Hills will be a guaranteed hit.

Available at Tarun Tahiliani

10. Sunglasses: Versace relaunched their medusa emblem and the sunglasses collection is a great gift for your fashion forward lady. They come in a variety of colours and been seen on pop stars like Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Rita Ora already. The medusa collection is a hot retro style made famous by Gianni Versace drawing inspiration from the famous tale of Greek Mythology.

Available at leading optical shops

She is an international icon, known for her glamourous personal style.On her recent visit to India, we look at how she charmed all with her fashion sensibilities.

Recently Dita Von Teese visited India for the very first time and got many people talking. No, she is not an actress. Not a singer or a political figure. She is a burlesque dancer or stripper. What is it about Dita Von Teese that she has more female fans than male ones?

Born Heather Renée Sweet in Rochester, Michigan, Dita has revived the art of burlesque in modern times. Wikipedia explains the art form of new burlesque as: “ Neo-Burlesque is the revival and updating of the traditional burlesque performance. Though based on the traditional Burlesque art, the new form encompasses a wider range of performance styles; Neo-burlesque acts can be anything from classic striptease to modern dance to theatrical mini-dramas to comedic mayhem.

Neo-burlesque is more focused on the “tease” in “striptease” rather than the “strip”. Audiences for neo-burlesque shows tend to be mixed gender, age, race, and class.” Dita started performing burlesque in 1992 and focuses on the ‘tease’ more than ‘strip’. A blonde converted to brunette, 5 feet 5 inches in height and a notorious hourglass figure with the help of her corsets has made her an icon of pop culture.

While not many have seen her live performances, she is popular around the world because of her unique image and projects she is involved in. Her maiden visit to India was thanks to liqueur brand Cointreau who’s global brand ambassador she is. Cointreau commissioned Indian designer Shivan and Narresh to design and style looks for Dita Von Teese’s India trip and events here. The project was under wraps four months prior to her visit and one got glimpses of a kind of black sari that was retro yet revealing to show off her sensuality and elegance.

On November 20, Dita wore a black lace sari with a lace bandeau blouse and diamond polka earrings and maang tikka for the event. This was a special project for young luxury swimwear designers Shivan and Narresh as they had previously cited Dita to be a muse whom they would love to dress some day. It is her alluring anatomy that makes her a popular choice with many world-renowned designers and places her above super models and actresses.

Dita has been continuously cited in the best-dressed lists and attends fashion shows in Paris, and Milan as a special guest. She receives designer clothes to wear in public as the designers consider her a known face to fashion their creations. This makes her a celebrity who should ideally have a team of people who help her put her look together. Not true. She is one of the rare celebrities who does her own make up, her own hair and chooses her looks all by herself. Her Indian sari look were put together by designers Shivan & Narresh but she still managed to do a complimenting hair and make-up around the looks they conceptualised.

It is perhaps her do-it-yourself approach that endears her to the designers, especially her original take on retro fashion and style. She has been invited by designer labels Giambattista Valli, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Jean Paul Gaultier haute-couture to model for their shows. Von Teese has appeared in the USA Vanity Fair, Vogue, Elle, and has graced the cover of the international issues of nearly every fashion magazine. She has campaigned on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and appeared in their ads as well. Von Teese has performed for some high profile events including those for designers such as Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, Chopard, Cartier and was the first guest star in history at Paris’ famed Crazy Horse (established in 1951) where she has performed several sold-out runs. Show designer Christian Louboutin is so much in awe of the dancer that he made her special shoes for her burlesque performances.

Dita is also a businesswoman with a line of lingerie, films and book under her belt. Most recently Dita launched a line of dresses. These are a capsule collection of figure hugging retro-inspired black dresses. The dresses were first launched in Australia and Britain last month when it debuted on US website shopdecadesinc.com (priced between £373 and £620).

More than going for popular trends or designs, Dita has stuck to her own idea of retro glamour and beauty and extended that to the public in forms of dresses.

Swarovski Nathalie Earrings

ASOS Rhinestone Spike Doorknocker Earrings

ASOS Cross Gem Stud Earrings

Earrings

An easy way to get some sparkle in your wardrobe is with a pair of diamond or glass earrings. Hoops, dangling chandeliers, studs, all work well depending on your face shape. Go for the coloured stones instead of prissy diamond studs. Not-too-expensive options from high street labels like ASOS, Forever 21, Zara, make way for fun accessories to wear with a formal dress or even torn jeans and sweat shirt. Let your face take center stage with hair pulled back into a ponytail or chignon and sparkling baubles on the ear lobes.

Dior VIII 33 mm Automatic WhitE Diamond Snow Set Beze

DIOR VIII black auto Diamond snow-set bezel

Timepieces

A jewelry timepiece is a long-term investment in your wardrobe and definitely shines apart in one’s look. A sparkly wristwatch can be worn with any party outfit and will definitely elevate the style quotient. It is also a great gift item for girl friends as one size usually fits all and a good wristwatch is designed to appeal for a number of years as opposed to a seasonal fashion cycle. For example the Dior VIII Black Ceramic and Diamond Snow Set Bezel is a watch-making classic of timeless Parisian elegance.

Swarovski Nirvana

River Island Vintage Style Cocktail Ring

Rings

Besides the romantic connotations of a diamond ring, this festive season go buy yourself a sparkling band just to match your festive mood. A glass or diamond ring is a great addition to a somber or decadent outfit. If diamonds are not your choice of the stone, then there are enough great options in glass, Swarovski in colours bright and brilliant to make your hand stand bright like a Christmas tree. Wear a single big bauble or stack thin bands in gold, red, silver, green, blue depending on your fashion mood.

Body jewellery

A fashion centric choice to go for the season would be body jewellery that was made popular through many runway shows. In Paris, Manish Arora displayed a ornamental look and at the Chanel show, Karl Lagerfeld dedicated an entire collection to India titling it ‘Paris-Bombay’. Maximalist style of jewellery in traditional form and in body art form of hand bracelets, arm bracelets, maangtikka and chest brace were displayed at these shows.

Hair accessories

A subtle way to get in the party mode is wearing studded hair clips and hair bands. Ever since the hair accessories trend has been spotted on the runway and silver screen, there are numerous options available in the market. The ethereal look with a golden wreath on the forehead is a festive look for the daring. A smaller clip in Swarovski and stones adds a hidden detail to an easy wavy hair chignon.

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Men sit up and take note if your wardrobe has these essentials for winter season. These picks are not just fashion forward but also warming and utilitarian.

Scarf

While a summer scarf is quite strictly for style statement, the winter counterparts keep you away from the cold. Scarves in knit wool or blend can be tested in various patterns and colours and fits one size all. The cashmere scarves in plain colours are versatile and could be worn casually or with a suit.

Wool coat

A type of coat that is worn as the top most clothing layer. This coat made of thick fabric to protect you from strong cold. A good wool coat will last you many cold winters and portrays a dapper image of a man who masterfully keep warm while wearing few layers when not indoors. Shearling lining, cashmere blend, leather collars are classy additions in the current designs.

Beanie

The hat of choice for winter, beanie is arguably the most comfortable to wear. This snug-fit hat protects you against chill winds. Beanie wraps the head and ears with its elastic fabric property. In snow covered areas, this is essential for survival, but for less harsher colds the beanie still protects while making a strong stylish statement.

Wool blend trousers

Suits are no longer a necessity to wear for official or formal events. Skip the suit and go for super tailored pair of trousers in rich wool blend fabrics to wear with sweater, jacket, cardigan, shirt, blazer, etc. The wool blend trousers are much more polished than denims and equally comfortable and easy to wear.

Knitwear

The latest trends in knitwear are of the classy 90s roll neck and the knit patterns like the Fair Isle. Bottom line; do not be afraid to go bold. The simple thin cashmere blend v-necks are always handy to wear over shirts and under jackets. The chunky patterned knits stand a place of their own and look formal when worn over wool blend trousers.

Gloves

Gloves keep hands warm so it is important that good quality pair be invested in to make the right impression. Lambswool knit gloves are common and come in numerous colours. For a more grown-up look and feel, there are gloves in leather and suede with cashmere lining inside for a truly luxurious experience.

Blazer

A good blazer will instantly clean your look and make it suitable for you to wear it for a formal dinner. A well-fit blazer or jacket is an investment in your winter wardrobe. Pick a colour that sets the look apart from your office suit jacket. Tweed, wool blend, wool, velvet, double breasted, slim fit, quilted — the options are numerous. Opt for the one that is most comfortable and versatile to wear with different trousers and inners.

Plaid shirts – flannel, madras checks, wool shirts,

While men usually have enough dress shirts (white, blue, stripes, etc) in their wardrobe, its time to look at the more laid back styles of a flannel shirt. Flannel was part of a grunge fashion movement in the 90s and is popular again. Wear with denim or corduroy pants for a weekend or even for a casual work look.

Leather boots

Winters are the time to hide away your open toe sandals and bring out the lace-up shoes. A smarter alternative to sports shoes and sneakers are boots. Go for ones that provide comfort as well as match the shades of your work trousers and jeans. Options in leather and suede with wool detailing are meant for winters and promise to keep your feet cosy in the harshest of winters.

Bomber jacket

Flight jacket or Bomber jackets is the term derived from the pilot’s jacket. These are warm and encapsulate enough heat for pilots to wear when up in the air. Bomber jacket also reflect a casual style and could be worn over a dress shirt and trousers for after-work hours. Bright colours and textures for outside and lining make for many options to wear this winter.

The writer is a fashion blogger (www.lovestruckcow.blogspot.com) who attempts to bridge the gap between creator and consumer. As a fashion writer, she hopes to promote Indian fashion among Indians and on a global level too.

On the announcement of the second term for President Obama we celebrate the four years of stellar style statements made by the first lady Michelle Obama.

It is the position that you can’t contest for yet you have an entire nation, if not the world, looking upto you for inspiration and motivation. The first lady of United States of America, Michelle Obama embodies all the qualities required for the position. During Obama’s first four-year tenure, Michelle was highly respected by the public for her work. She had a new kind of stature she founded in her newly appointed role as the wife of the president. Since the very beginning her style was immediately noticed by the media and the Internet websites. She wore high street affordable brands like JCrew in colours as bright as yellow, pink, green and blue. She chose young designers who were struggling to make it big and gave them a platform to be popular instantly.

Michelle Obama’s choices in fashion have often been compared to people such as Lady Diana’s and Jackie O. People keep a hawk’s eye on her style statements and almost always are well appreciated and recommended by style experts. It is not just the title of being the first lady that has her bestowed with the title of a style icon. The former president of France Sarkozy’s wife Carla Bruni who was a renowned model before had support of one of the best fashion houses like Christian Dior dress her, but her style statements lacked the fan following that was experienced by Mrs. Obama. It was the formula of dressing in labels that most public had access to. In collections that were bought from the shops rather than specially ordered for the president’s family. This style statement made way for personal choices to shine and let the masses connect with her more.

Most recently when the president was re-elected for a second tenure, Michelle Obama repeated a Michael Kors dress, which she had worn before in 2010. Her style very well reflects the personal choices she makes. America going through a tough economic situation would not reflect well if its first lady wore couture dresses for a one-time basis. The lady wears high street labels many a times and makes a conscious decision to wear young American designers.

The American designers she has supported have gotten a sales boost like no other because of the first lady. Her style and presence is so well respected that when she chooses to wear a designer dress, the designer immediately gets hundreds of orders on the same dress. When PM Manmohan Singh visited the white house for the State dinner, Michelle Obama wore Indian— American designer Naeem Khan. She chose to wear India born designer Ranjana Khan jewellery when she visited India to give an image of the indo-american alliance in form of design. The second tenure by Obama will make way for four more years of new style statements by Michelle Obama while the world watches.

The writer is a fashion blogger (www.lovestruc kcow.blogspot.com) who attempts to bridge the gap between creator and consumer. As a fashion writer, she hopes to promote Indian fashion among Indians and on a global level too.

Aneeth Arora, the founder of Péro, tailors perfectly for a modern gypsy. We take a tour of her workplace and home.

Photos by: Zacharie Rabehi

There are many moments in fashion that get me excited. Most are revolved around meeting people who are deeply absorbed in creation and passionate about their craft. Speaking of craft and passion, Péro is a young brand that has made a name for itself because of their clear ideology and design directions. “At péro we believe in the organic evolution of design through experimenting with traditional techniques and locally available skills.” reads the Spring-Summer 2013 note. The clothes are an amalgamation of different skill sets mostly form India, taking design inspirations from what is seen on the streets and villages.

This is about the day I spent with the founder and creative head of Péro — Aneeth Arora. A graduate of NID Ahmedabad and NIFT Mumbai. More than a fashion designer Aneeth is also an anthropologist in my opinion. Her knowledge of the local crafts and Indian cultural references make you want to live in her world and soak in the vast education. The first time I came to know more about the brand was when I was covering the British Council Awards where Aneeth was awarded 2011′s Young Creative Fashion Entrepreneur. Her designs are creative and make a viable business model that gives steady income to local artisans and women who work from home in their villages.

Here is a feature done in collaboration with photographer Zacharie Rabehi who has travelled in remote locations within India to shoot humankind. Though he has not shot “fashion” before, his portrait images of the Gujarati and Rajasthani people made it clear that the patterns, textures and organic fabrics of Péro by Aneeth Arora would be captured well by him. These photographs are shot by Zacharie at Aneeth’s home and work place.

The literal meaning of ‘Péro’ is ‘to wear’ in Marwari. The garments seen on the hanger or on the runway models entice you to wear them yourself. Her style is easy and tailored perfectly for the modern gypsy.

Well ‘gypsy’ only because you like to collect things from the past and pick up different items from the places you visit. Because you want your clothes to reflect an idea which is more than something ‘shiny and tight’. Péro clothes are far from costumey or tribal. The techniques are handpicked and put together in a way that could be worn in Europe (and most are) or to a religious place in India. This is one name that will only grow bigger and make us prouder to be Indian.

Pallavi Jaikishan

Pallavi Jaikishan has been working in fashion since the past three decades. Her made-to-measure couture garments are treasured by women and even passed on to new generations. Her designs hold a place of their own as she uses fabrics and embroideries that suit the indian and skin tones. But her work is also appreciated abroad when she was stocked at renowned shops like Saks 5th Avenue, Lord and Taylor and Bergdoff Goodman. Heavily encrusted lehengas with rosettes, dupattas edged with gold lace, velvet cholis is her vision for brides this season.

Sabyasachi

Sabyasachi is a name that has become synonymous with bridal wear in the recent past. Sabyasachi’s designs are easily recognised and in fact are most copied in the market today. His TV show Band Bajaa Bride helped a few lucky brides get expert guidance on their wedding trousseau and general look. The undoubted highlight of the show was when the bride was given her Sabyasachi attire to wear. His clothes have an inbuilt stature and romanticism that makes them a great fit for the new generation bride and grooms. The all white couture creations for brides could be a unique option for Christian weddings.

Neeta Lulla

Mumbai- based designer Neeta Lulla showcased a collection titled ‘Radha’ to bring out the fun and frivolous side of a bride. Radha – also a symbol of love, had a clear inclination towards a young bride. Which was enhanced further with use of bright colours used together in one outfit. Zardozi, quilting, appliqué and embroidery were some of the prominent techniques used in the collection. The fabric choice was rich and opulent as Banaras Jaal and Chinar Butti brocades along with the traditional Kanjeevaram, organza, tulle and silks. The colour palette consisted of raani pink, purple, orange, saffron, emerald, and fuchsia. Lehengas and ghagras with small cholis and dupattas is the designer’s silhouette of choice.

Manish Malhotra

Director Karan Johar’s favourite costume designer, Manish Malhotra epitomised the wardrobe for a Bollywood style dramatic wedding. His glitzy, bright outfits for both men and women are one of the most popular picks. This collection had his signature long anarkalis and saris. Colours like neon pink with beige and gold are added with a more traditional maroon for the winter weddings. The elaborate look with skin show is a hit with the Bollywood actresses and was seen on many during the recent wedding of Kareena Kapoor. In the recently released film Student of the Year by Karan Johar, the new comer Allia Bhatt wore a pink and silver lehenga by Manish Malhotra which will surely be a bestseller as far as Indian weddings are concerned.

JJ Valaya

JJ Valaya is having a great year this year. He closed the fall-winter fashion week in Delhi and his company celebrates their 20th anniversary this year. JJ Valaya’s couture 2012 collection finds its inspiration in the Ottoman Empire. Titled the ‘Azrak collection’, which in Turkish means ‘rare and uncommon’ it saw some gem of creations that were rich, elaborate and yet subtle. Valaya embodies the traditional handwork of India mixed with new age techniques like digital print and shirt-blouses for easy to wear looks. Fabrics such as silks, Dupion, Jacquards, Georgette and Lush velvets with techniques like metal work, Zardozi, Badla, Resham and semi-precious stone inlay were seen. The colours for the bride and groom come in a variety of ivories, maroon, turquoise blue, red, orange with a hint of black and white.

Adding to the twice a year winter and summer collections, international brands introduce a cruise collection in stores around this time for customers planning their holiday or travel wardrobe. These collections are for the privileged ones who get to travel to warm climates, beaches, resorts during the winter months. So the collections comprise of breezy, summer garments even though it is cold in Europe and other non-tropical places. Here is a look at some cruise collections to covet at the moment.

Thakoon Addition

Thai-American designer Thakoon Panichgul has fast built a fashion house. The additional line to his eponymous line caters to a younger audience. People, who want to enter his world of contemporary cuts and signature prints, can first afford to buy Thakoon Addition. This Cruise collection comprises of extremely easy to wear pieces. T-shirts, shorts, cardigans,
dresses, jackets, and long dresses for a slightly more evening wear attire. Something that one can slip in and out of with élan. In all, a collection that transports you to an easy, vacation mode. A pair of open toed sandals, and sunblock is the only accompaniment to such a collection. The prints, which are the highlight of a Thakoon collection, are of ethnic, jungle and animal references.

Thakoon Addition

Christian Dior

Christian Dior has been in the news recently because of the shuffle in its head design position. After designer John Galliano’s exit and right before the high profile appointment of Raf Simons, Bill Gaytten served the position. Gaytten had worked as Galliano’s right hand man at Dior for years so his collections carry the essence of Christian Dior. This collection (cruise 2013) is the last collection by Gaytten as the creative director of the house. The pieces were simple and carried the elegance of the house with its impeccable tailoring and cuts. This collection was for the well-heeled Dior customer who is looking to purchase pieces to wear on a private cruise. The easy knits and floral print added to the relaxed mode of a cruise vacation.

Christian Dior

Chanel
Chanel Cruise collection is infamous for their presentation style. Held in Versailles, France with the backdrop of the fountains, the elaborate show was juxtaposed of urban street and royalty from Versailles. The infusions of hip-hop elements like baggy trousers; gold trainers; elaborate motifs and jewels added a touch of whimsy to an otherwise clean French palette. The models had candy floss colour wigs to play along the lines of hair-dos Marie Antoinette and the likes donned. Even though this is a cruise collection, there were dresses as precious and elegant befitting to be worn to a summer party. Perhaps it is designed for the society girls to wear for a beach party paired with a sunhat and sling bag in pop colours. This Chanel show was a reminder that luxury need not be a strict code of boring black, white and beige.

Chanel

Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney knows what women Britain, Stella trained under a Saville Row tailor early on in her career, which counts for her sharp tailoring skills even today. The pieces are what women want to wear from menswear but with added detailing to suit the women’s shape and desires. A suit with yellow trousers and jacket, simple white shift dress stitched to perfection without the frou-frou. The Stella McCartney girl is a sharp dresser but also a conscious consumer. For cruise, the colours are bright and joyful. These were ready-to- wear pieces that would be an investment to buy and wea .

Stella McCartney

Burberry Prorsum
Super brand Burberry Prorsum had carved a name for being urban cool from a traditional, safe brand under the supervision of chief creative officer Christopher Bailey. Looking at Bailey’s vision for Burberry Prorsum, the customer is not travelling much far away from the city. The jackets, trousers, and handbags were layered but put together in a more relaxed fashion from their Spring-summer or Autumn-Winter shows. The bags were roomy — hinting at a carry all to put your night change while you board your private jet for a quick trip to a tropical island. This was perhaps for the girls and boys who find it hard to shrug off their dressed up tailored pieces. There were dress shirts for men paired with brogues and ties. The women wore pencil skirts in brocade and corseted details.

Burberry Prorsum

The writer is a fashion blogger (www.lovestruckcow.blogspot.com) who attempts to bridge the gap between creator and consumer. As a fashion writer, she hopes to promote Indian fashion among Indians and on a global level too.

MARK FAST

Alexander McQueen

Knit dress

A wool dress doesn’t have to be out of shape and frumpy. Designers like Stella McCartney, and Mark Fast have made sexy, figure hugging numbers that are warming and flattering on the body. The great thing about wool dresses is that they fit the body well. It will accentuate the curves and form the shape of your body rather than other way around. At Sarah Burton’s Alexander McQueen she lent a softer touch to the brand by providing thick knit dress cinched at the waist with leather belt to keep the extraterrestrial vibe of the brand added with her easier- to-wear touch. If you decide to give this trend a try, make sure you feel comfortable in a knit dress and can walk tall. A wool dress could be revealing without showing any skin because of its simplistic design. Go for fun colours like cobalt, purple, red and green.

DSQUARED

RALPH LAUREN

Sweater vest

A sweater vest is a classic trend having been worn by your grandfathers, professors, uncles and local milkman during winters. This style is on-trend this season especially when worn with tailored pieces of suits, jackets, trousers and shirts. The traditional Fair Isle knitting technique was seen at Ralph Lauren womenswear winter collection. Fair Isle knit vest has a palette of five or more colours in which only two colours per row are used thus limiting the length of a run of any particular colour. In the West these knits are popularly worn during Christmas. This trend can be worn by women as well fashioned with other menswear classic winterwear like button down shirts and hunting trousers.

STELLA MCCARTNEY

ASHISH

Chunky jumper

Something borrowed from the 80’s and 90’s casual wear fashion. A chunky knit reflects laid-back attitude while showing an inclination towards the grunge style. Again, a trend equally modern for men and women, this can be worn with basic wear like black jeans, tights or pencil skirt. At Stella McCartney the designer paired textured jumpers over flimsy small dresses to keep the proportions even. The look has a chance of looking frumpy because it conceals the waist, so it is best to highlight other body parts — legs, ankles, neck, etc. The roll neck is also made a comeback from the 90’s and could be worn in a jumper style. A good point to keep in mind when sampling this trend is to opt for great quality knitwear. Cashmere, angora, merino wool options are plenty available and can last for many winters in your wardrobe.

BURBERRY PRORSUM

Patterns

It is time to unearth the hand-knit sweaters and scarves sent by that relative with dexterous knitting skills back into your wardrobe. The hand knit patterns is in vogue with the appeal of chunky wool and uneven designs. Bring it forward to 2012 by wearing with a slick pair of chinos, or dark denims. Don’t go for a complete look from the past by wearing with unflattering mom-jeans. Men and women can wear the traditional Fair Isle pattern sweaters and scarves with a tweed suit. The hand knits are upgraded by being stitched in new patterns like a wool dress, long dress, and wrap-around cardigan. At Burberry, the sweaters with animal patterns in front never looked more fashion forward when worn with velvet skirts, suede gloves, and grey trousers. Keep the rest of the look basic and tailored when wearing patterned knitwear to find balance between traditional and modern.

VERSACE

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

Cardigan

Cardigan is again a classic wool creation that has been worn by many generations before you. This trend can be worn in the simple style of no pattern, no embellishment button down style in soft cashmere blend to give a simple, slimming look when wearing layers. An update of this style was seen on the Milan runway at Versace menswear. The cardigan was in dual shade with gold buttons and fur collar attached. Bold trends like these work well when worn with simple pants or skirt. Shearling collars continue to be a big trend for this winter and can be adopted onto cardigans for a new spin.

The winter season is perfect time to bring out your precious jewelery and fine accessories to wear for dressy soirees. Add jeweled, playful and equally precious handbag to your look to suit the occasion. We bring you a list of bags for you to choose from

Bright pop

Neon greens, fuschia pinks, and tangerine oranges are tones that have been in vogue for sometime now. And the trend continues for the festive season as well. Carry it in small handheld clutch style or oversized envelope clutch. Cross body sling bag or a wristlet style. With basic denims or elaborate gown or lehnga. This style of handbags shows a fun side of your personality. These are not the ones that your grandmother or the Queen would carry. The Kate Spade pink bag is a classic for the bold. Wear it with a same tone sari for an afternoon tea. These colours are bound to make you shine.

Jeweled

Jeweled clutch bags and sling bags are a maximalist trend that is hot at the moment. Something that Indian fashion has seen every season are matching bejeweled handbags to the opulent garments. These bags are precious on their own and add a sense of exuberance to any outfit. Wear with sari, suit, long jacket, gown, pant suit — it suits the style just like jewelery does. Try something non traditional by having a simple leather bag with jeweled chain strap to sling across your body for a unexpected glitz.

Velvet

Velvet is a fabric associated with nobility. Royalty has long worn velvet in form of capes, clothes, crowns and footwear. It is a fabric that is worn during winters. While tricky to wear as onto garments due to its nature of forming a thicker layer, velvet is easiest to wear when on accessories. Dainty handbags in dark tone velvets like maroon, royal blue, black, green give a vintage appeal and certain richness to the outfit. Chanel showcased sling bags variations of their classic 2.55 quilted handbags in velvet for fall-winter, which will go well with a tweed suit or jeans and jacket.

Classic

A good classic handbag is a wise investment in anyone’s wardrobe. These handbags are designed to appeal for years to come and are sturdy to carry your essentials. Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi, Tod’s, Ferragamo, celebrate classic handbags and introduce new variations in sizes, fabrics, colours to suit the seasonal trends. Lanvin for instance celebrates 10th year of its design director Alber Elbaz with a classic bag he designed in variation of luscious black leather and brown stitching. Overly Parisian, this bag is sure to suit the Indian sensibilities as well with its simple design yet impeccable craftsmanship. The best feature of classic bags is that you can carry them day or evening to go with different garments.

Jewel tone

Right now fashion is playing a dark mysterious card with deep lip tints and jewel tone garments and accessories. Gucci’s applauded fall-winter collection comprised of velvet and satin gowns in maroon, dark green and black. The richness of the colours is not subtle and that is what fashion is about right now. More is more. The subtlety lies in keeping layering to a minimal and not by muting the colours. A deep neck gown with a small handbag and booties all in jewel tones can be worn for this season. Do not shy from wearing the jewel tone from head to toe. And to shift day look of dark denims and tailored jacket to evening, just add a jewel tone accessory like a handbag to your look.

As the festive season approaches, we need not only opt for traditional Indian wear to match the occasion. Glamorous trends from international fashion give us great new ideas to add a touch of glitz to our wardrobes easily. Here is a look at a few styles to sample.

Metallic tones

Metallic trend is something that adapts very easily to western silhouettes. Metallic reflection automatically elevates the garments wearability to formal events. You will be the focus of the room when you decide to wear gold, silver, platinum or copper tone garments. Wear this style head to toe or just as an addition, to accessorise, like the handbag.

Glitzy trousers

Trousers are borrowed from men’s fashion but have found a calling of their own when done is various fabrics, colours and fits. Slouchy trousers in sequins worn with breezy blouses are a comfortable way to wear the dressed up style this winter. For a more tailored look, trousers in metallic leather or embellished surface will look glamorous at an evening do.

Costume jewellery

You can have a lot of fun with piling on costume jewellery to your existing wardrobe. These are jewellery pieces that make a statement and don’t break the bank. At a Chanel pre-fall show, designer Karl Lagerfeld took inspiration from India and dressed models in maang-tikkas and layered necklaces. The look clearly resonates with the festive look and you can wear it with a dress or trousers as well.

Jewelled tones

This one is a no brainer for winter season. Wine, burnt orange, emerald green, turquoise blue, royal purple are tones that suit the festive spirit. Wear it in velvet, silk, wool, or a jersey in a simple dress or as a jacket. This is just the colour of the season and is not a passing trend.

Button details

It is the epitome of fashion luxury, when minor details like the inside lining, or the button are paid special attention to. And this season, luxury labels hinted us to go bold by wearing coats and dresses with bejewelled buttons. Add a sparkle to your jacket or shirt for a statement making presence.

Brocade jackets

Brocade is the fabric used immensely in the royal attire. It is a rich fabric that makes a bold statement. Also a tricky fabric to wear as it distracts the eye with its busy pattern. This season Brocade was seen on international runways of Paris and Milan in manners that is easy to adapt to. Wear it as a tailored jacket, a shift dress or even as ankle boots.

Long skirts

Reflecting the same aesthetics of a lehnga and sari, the long skirt is easier to wear and a modern approach to dressing up. Depending on what flatters your body shape, long skirt can be in a mermaid style, straight cut or pleats. Try one in a metallic fabric for a dramatic look especially when it moves when you walk or dance.

Baroque

Baroque style derives from the European art history hinting to a minimalistic, elaborate craft. On clothes, Indian wear and western gowns have long applied this technique. It is rich and automatically makes a bold statement. Sicilian designers Dolce and Gabbana gave a beautiful collection of jackets, dresses and accessories in gold baroque style for winter this year.

Sparkle heels

One of the easiest ways to look dressy is by wearing a pair of shinny heels. There are a plenty of sandals in gold, velvet, metallic leather, stones, and diamanté surface. Don’t shy away from these options and pair it with a basic black dress or over the top gold lame dress. These options hint at the fun loving nature and will look great on the dance floor.

Siren red

Red is a Hindu bridal colour that indicates that the belle of the ball should opt for red as well. Red is also a colour that commands authority and prosperity. Wear this colour of love as the main one in your look. Wool dresses, long jackets, suede booties would look great in this tone.

The trendsetters have made their presentation at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. We look at the some of the key trends that stood out.

Graphic Prints

Graphic prints are a fairly new fashion for Indian designers to dabble into. For spring summer 2013, collections used digital prints in a way to spell out their collection theme more literally. Like in the case of Ashish N Soni whose prints were of red blood cells, glucose, and vitamins. The collection itself was inspired by ‘microbiology’. A clinical looking wardrobe of jackets, blouses, pants and skirts were splashed with a zoomed-in graphic print of life cells. The print helped the designs be transformed from his signature best to something completely new and what was unexpected from the designer. Designer duo Hemant and Nandita continued their style of using graphic images onto garments. A sportswear inspired line was made unique with x-ray print of flowers in blue, pink and black on white canvas garments. At Alpana and Neeraj, the inspiration was snow and ice and interpreting the complex geometric shape of a snowflake onto the garments in form of embroidery, shape and prints. The prints specifically resembled the geometric shapes of an iceberg. Kolkata based duo Dev R Nil used print to define their newly coined logo for the brand. This logo is a heart formed with adjoining of two thumbprints. The theme of the collection was based on a Dev R Nil girl lost in a maze looking for love. The maze was depicted with use of honeycomb patterns and love was shown with use of the heart print both of which were used on the garments in a layered manner.

Color white

A trend that was prevalent abroad as well, the showcase of statement looks in the shade of white. A pure tone in which the clean-cut lines and shapes of a garment are the front-runners. Designer Rahul Mishra opened the show with a line of dresses in organic white khadi inspired by the traditional Kerala mundu. The linen shaped the bodice carefully and the lines were defined by the gold on the hemline. Alternative designer Kallol Datta showcased a pre dominantly white collection with hints of black. Even though each garment was made with the same cotton fabric and color, yet was distinct in the way it was stitched. Titled ‘ Grotesque Nonsense’ he left the brief to just that. But if I were to interpret the choice of color palette it seemed to resemble that of x-ray photographs of bones, limbs and fetuses, which were noticed literally as the prints.

A fan of the red-carpet dressing Gauri and Nainika also produced a white and black collection inspired by Cecil Beaton’s creations in ‘My Fair Lady’. Designer Vaishali S took the bow in a white cotton sari. Her collection was made from similar fabrics and color of white. Deconstruction of traditional Indian garments like sari, suits were modeled in long dresses, skirts and blouses.

Organic

In acountry that boasts of handspun fabrics and natural dyes and colors heritage in fashion, it is surprising to see this as a newly recognized trend on the runways. Designers like Aneeth Arora for Pero have made a name to utilize this skill of hand artistry and giving a more natural and organic look to the fabrics. The models are styled to wear her garments in a nonchalant organic manner like how you and I would wear the same garments paired with a classic pair of blue jeans and rolled up sleeves. She has successfully formed an identity, which connotes natural, organic and lovable fashion. It was clear that ‘organic’ trend was a winning trend when futuristic designer Rimzim Dadu took onto patterns of flowers. A fairly softer take by the designer who is known to use metal coil and wiring as fabrics in her collections. While many designers use floral motifs and linen for summer time, it was Divyam Mehta’s easy laid-back look that gave a significant direction to how we should dress next Indian summer. His idea is that fabric should resemble second skin – moving, shaping and draping the body shape rather than the other way around. What could be more organic than that?

Modernizing the sari

The hundred of years old garment sari has seen many tweaks in its life most of which did not survive due to its poor conceptualization. This time, the designers might have cracked the code and given options of designer saris that are a little different from one six yards long fabric garment. Designer Arjun Saluja who is known for making menswear for womenswear and womenswear for menswear gave the sari a completely new twist. The bottom of the sari was a cleverly self-draped wide legged trouser with front pleats that was paired with a shirt-blouse. The free flowing palu of the sari modified itself into a narrowing piece of fabric with constrained movement neatly placed onto the shoulder and hand. This Sari is not to be worn like the traditional one and neither would a traditional one replace it. Goan designer Wendell Rodricks took a more minimal route to show his version of the sari. A barely there blouse or bikini top worn with a pleated skimming skirt and a sheer stole to resemble the palu of the sari. This is definitely the one to wear for a resort season or paired as an alternative to a swimsuit-covering kaftan. Payal Pratap Singh paired her Kutch, Gujarat handloom saris with the traditional kedia jackets as blouses. A blast of colors, this was a collection for the Indian woman who is looking for a change in traditional wear yet wanting to wear traditional – a good reason to modify the sari.

Tropical fashion

Indian fashion week loves to showcase for summer season. It could be because our culture supports wearing bright, clashing colors in the sun. The glimmering tones sparkle on Television, during festivals, on the streets and during wedding seasons. We are not the ones to shy away from color and this is also noticed as a popular trend on the runway. Designer Ranna Gill showed neon green, peach, yellow, blue and fuchsia tones on long dresses, jumpsuits and skirts. Designer Malini Ramani who signature is the tribal-bohemian look also opted for neon pink dhoti pants, small dresses and fringed boleros. Designer Nachiket Barve and Gaurav Gupta each also added an extra boost of color in their collections having sending a bold, fearless woman to fight the summer heat.

With the closing of the big fashion week of spring summer 2013 season, Paris hosted the crème de la crème of the fashion world in one long week. Here are some highlights.

Giambattista Valli

Valli has a penchant to make extremely feminine, floral and romantic clothes for his Spring-summer collections. This season, he chose a more muted path and put forth a sexy, yet slightly androgynous look. The show opened with a model in a tailored grey suit and that set the tone of the collection. Great pieces to wear for work or evening with lace, embroidered details peeking through the classic silhouettes. The closing looks came closer to home base with sheer skirts and red tone coats, and dresses.

Louis Vuitton

Designer Marc Jacobs’ collection for Louis Vuitton had met with much success and it gave him the tag of one of the most significant designers in the industry. The handbags, shoes, hats, coats, dresses he designs for the brand become the must-haves for the season. This collection was a reminiscent of the 60s with the short dresses, and beehive hairdos. The graphic prints and shapes in check pattern were the dominant factor. The handbags followed the same pattern in black and white or yellow and white checks.

Dries Van Noten

Antwerp designer Dries Van Noten displayed a grunge collection with checks, and plaid patterns. But this was grunge, how it would be shown in Paris Fashion Week. Easy separates of buttoned-down shirts, t-shirts, skirts and trousers layered together. The colour tone and embroidery sparkled in light and made the models seem extremely laidback and cool. The detailing on the embroidered skirts and jackets was impeccable and will definitely make it to the most coveted pieces list from the Spring summer collections.

Alexander McQueen

Sarah Burton’s collection for Alexander McQueen got another stellar review by bringing forth what the brand is most appreciated for while maintaining her individual style. Models walked in accentuated hip cinched waists, elegant hemlines and dramatic hats. Rich embroidery and honeycomb patterns were consistent throughout. The closing looks comprised of larger than life floral skirts with caged bustier on top to balance the element of the feminine — soft and restrained.

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld’s visions and sets for Chanel keep getting bigger and better. The Chanel Spring-Summer 2013 set up comprised of a working windmill past which the models breezed through wearing easy to wear separates and dresses. Celebrating the signature black paired with stark white, this Chanel collection had a certain easiness about it. The blouses and jackets hung loose on the bodice and the skirts were roomy. Luxury was redefined with use of large pearls for detailing on the surface and as buttons.

Stella McCartney

The designer who had a busy year designing the Olympics uniforms for the host country Great Britain put together a collection with the right elements of sportswear and ready-to-wear. Models wore slouchy jackets, blouses with straight leg trousers or calf length skirts. The role model of cool, Stella McCartney fans have plenty of options to wear next summer which will last them for many more seasons to follow. The eveningwear was equally comfortable to wear. Loose hanging dresses with oblong embroidery of panels of fabric that moved and formed an elegant shape with the body.

Christian Dior

All eyes were on Christian Dior since the appointment of minimalistic designer Raf Simons as director of the famed couture house. This collection was the best of what Simons is recognised for – clean, path breaking, and elegant dressing. The show opened with a simple black suit with black pumps. Coat dresses, blouses that updated Monsieur Dior’s flair for luxurious feminine styles to 2013. The classic handbag ‘Lady Dior’ was introduced in an all-new avatar in soft colours and prints. The Dior fan has a completely new look to acquire without foregoing her loyalty.

Givenchy

Riccardo Tisci’s women are strong and have a pure vision of beauty. Simple designs that are not so simple to design. Tisci’s colour palette was clean and stuck to the one tone per look. The hair and make-up was natural and the jewellery was as simple as a gold metal choker. The inspiration was the 60s silhouette and reminiscent of the nun’s dressing. Exclamations in forms of defined ruffles on the hemline of sleeves and skirts. Sheer serene white and skin tone fabrics were used to make dresses and long blouses.

Miu Miu

Miu Miu has been known to give the most adored heels or handbags of the season. For Spring – Summer, the Miu Miu girl has gotten a more sophisticated and grown up appeal. She wears below the knee skirts and fox fur stoles. The blouses are button down with a variation in textures. Perhaps the best noted looks were in denim used in a manner that made denim seem elegant and eveningwear appropriate. The mysterious look with muted tones, this collection will be favoured by the classic yet originality seeking audience.

Manish Arora

Indian designer Manish Arora bought a taste of home country to Paris with Indian influences silhouettes and jewelled details. Models walked wearing metallic tone tunics and trousers with embellishments inspired by the gold traditional Indian jewellery. The jewellery itself was done by Indian brand Amrapali with impressions of animal heads done in minakari style. Post last season, where the silhouettes and inspirations were much more Parisian, this season was all about showing India the way he sees it. Kurta over skinny pants and skirts is something that the world will look at India for next season, thanks to collections like his.

Find out about the interactive fashion and lifestyle brand ‘Play Clan’ and its founder Himanshu Dogra.

“Because playing instantly changes the mundane into the magical and takes us into an alternate universe.” reads the company bio on the website. Ten minutes talking with the founder of the brand ‘Play Clan’ I realise that their motto comes from an honest sentiment of adding chutzpah to the pop-culture image of India. And without a doubt, this playful side has fast connected with the locals. A completely Indian design house, Play Clan offers collections in home, fashion, gifts and stationery, resonating the art of story telling in each product.

Himanshu Dogra

Play Clan is the brainchild of designer Himanshu Dogra whose journey has been a series of uncharted fortunes. A graduate of the NIFT (National Institute of Fashion and Technology) New Delhi, Himanshu was equipped with a fashion design degree from one of the most prestigious fashion design schools in the country. He worked with a garments company where he honed his skills in designing streetwear fashion as opposed to couture or trend centric designs pursued by his peers. “In college we were given trend books from Europe that basically guided the students to make their collections. I found a disconnect there and wanted to use daily inspirations in my designs,” comments Himanshu. After graduation Himanshu dabbled with product design and set up a business of graphic design and branding, which is not the most natural career path after studying fashion. Dogra’s unpronounced plans were coming into place when in 2008 he came up with a capsule line of t-shirts and homeware that were put on display in the newly opened Select City Walk mall, Delhi. The success of the mall benefited from the sales of the small kiosk and Play Clan soon gained store space in the same mall. This sales experiment gave the brand a stamp of approval from the public. The brand was unstoppable now, and Dogra soon set up more shops in Mumbai, Goa, Pondicherry, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi and Pune.

What sets Play Clan apart from a flock of art and illustration led brands is good old research. While many small businesses try and enter this market by selling youth centric Indian pop-culture items, very few have been able to turn it into a burgeoning business. Where Play Clan shines is their ability to translate everyday events and occasions into stories that are depicted on the merchandise in a fun, easy, and colourfully illustrated manner. This comical artwork resonates with a wide group of audience while not diminishing the story of the subject. “Our market is surprisingly not just the youth. 45-60 year-old travellers, expats, and the culturally active set is very happy to experiment with these things as well!” adds Himanshu. While the notebooks and t-shirts are more popular with the kids, the 35-45 age group buys the slightly more expensive home products like plate sets and cushions. Himanshu’s product innovation is a clear indicator of his innate business acumen. The product line is diverse and the prices start low. The opportunities are endless and the product line innovation happens very often — entertaining their current fan base and finding new customers at the same time. “We love the story we are into. It takes 9-10 months to do just a pack of cards. We don’t try and take an image from Internet and rework on it. It is more about the love of the subject and the final product. There is no rush to bring a product out. Some even take an year to conceptualise,” concurs Himanshu.

One thing Himanshu admits to have maintained throughout from the conceptualisation stage is to make playful products with a lot of passion. The essence of the brand lies in storytelling from the apparent artwork on the surface to the hidden details inside. Play Clan wants all details to contribute to the story line. The new ‘Mahanatma – Indian Idols’ collection tells the story of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, HH. Dalai Lama and Swami Vivekananda with a fresh new take, re-introducing these important figures in a playful yet educative style.

Play Clan also believes in following an affordable design philosophy. There have been times when they placed large orders without having a roll out plan so as to minimise the per product costing. “We do not want to connect just with the elite. People who appreciate culture, art and story telling are the customers. We know the expectations of people are high and we do not want to give any excuses,” says Himanshu. Having control over all the stages is also something he takes seriously. Having an outsider fund the business has been out of the question for him as he believes in having control over all stages of the business. “Our philosophy is to ‘do it’. Play Clan is fully manufactured in India and we have our own factories producing the goods. Maybe it wasn’t the best way to go while starting up, but it has given us the ability to maintain clarity. The (stand alone) retail spaces allow us to bring out an experience around the brand. I’ve seen a lot of good brands go down because they give control to other people,” he adds.

Another successful philosophy for Play Clan has been the varied collaborations they have entered into. One of such is with British designer Sir Paul Smith. The Paul Smith team approached Himanshu when they came across a signature Play Clan diary/notebook with an illustrated map of Delhi’s urban hot spots. The designer met with them in London and was asked to present ideas for a tie-up between the two brands. Over the quick span of three months, Dogra’s design illustrations of east meets west aka the Queen with our Rani, got an immediate approval from Paul Smith himself and resulted in a capsule collection of Play Clan ‘Del-Lon-Del’ merchandise being sold in Britain. Another interesting collaboration was when Play Clan was asked to create in-room compendiums for The Park Hotel in Hyderabad. The tote bags and notebook narrating a comical story of the Nizams became an instant hit and was stocked in the hotel shop because of guests’ demands. Play Clan’s future road map is not charted yet. Himanshu does not like to plan too much in advance. But there could be a hint at opening a Tokyo shop with growing demands from an international market via their online store, or locally go deeper in the existing product lines with furniture, and café. The future seems bright, till the playfulness exists in this clan.

Play Clan can be purchased throughout India online here www.theplayclan.com.

As the festival season begins, invest in these Fall Winter 2012 styles from Indian designers to wear for parties, cocktails and dinners.

Shruti Sancheti

Shruti Sancheti
T his mélange of festive colours like red, orange, mango, and blue in the collection will suit traditional events with friends and family. One should opt for this designer when looking for something new and rich in traditional craft like Sindhi tanka and kutchh stitching.

Vaishali Shadangule

Vaishali Shadangule
This is an elegant collection where unusual tailoring and comfortable fit plays a good balance. Fabrics like Chanderi, silk organza and brocade are used to make long dresses and skirts, which cleverly form a slim silhouette on the body make this a good investment.

Gaurang Shah

Gaurang Shah
T his rich and luxurious collection of Kanjeevarams, Kalamkari and zardozi has been intended for an Indian wedding.Yellow, red, orange, gold, pink all considered auspicious for the bride were seen. If you are a fan of traditional wear then this collection can be worn to family wedding functions as well.

Abraham and Thakore

Abraham and Thakore
Pioneers of Indian textile, designer duo Abraham and Thakore Winter vision uses subdued tones like black, and maroon and mixes with shine of large mirror work detailing. Unlike any traditional Indianwear yet inspired by the traditional fabrics and tie and die techniques, this collection can be worn for evening parties or shows where your look will come across as dignified.

Amrita Thakur

Amrita Thakur
Salma Sitara is a clean and refreshing collection by Amrita. It also is an appropriate choice to wear to festivals or such events this fall. Saris in chiffon, net and organza with zari work, Kalidaar kurtas worn over net slip, different tone jackets paired with kurta, all are easy to wear and look flattering on Indian body shapes.

Anushka Khanna

Anushka Khanna
Anushka’s collection was titled ‘Floral Fragments’ and reinterpreted the Victorian style to Indian silhouettes. The bubblegum pink lehenga skirt worn with an asymmetric top was simple yet grabbed attention. It is best to wear it for a cocktail or dinner this season.

Meera and Rohit Aggarwal

Meera and Rohit Aggarwal
Inspired by Shah Jahan’s wife Mumtaz Mahal, this was a collection for the exuberant and heritage-inspired dresser. Traditional wear like saris made with silk, chiffon, and net in colours such as gold, red, blue, green and orange defined the collection.

Neeta Lulla

Neeta Lulla
A veteran designer, Neeta Lulla’s collection this season will appeal to the young girls with the introduction of fun and flirty skirts and choli tops. Using multi colours in singular looks, this collection will be easy to mix and match to wear giving scope for unique styling when wearing it yourself.

Payal Singhal

Payal Singhal
Inspired by the crafts of Indian states like Kutch and Orissa, this was a refined take on the tribal garments seen on the locals. Patiala salwars, silk jodhpurs paired with kurtas, sherwanis or net asymmetric dresses. These clothes are great to wear to dance and mehendi functions where the movement allows the fabrics to glisten in light.

Karishma Shahani

Karishma Shahani
S he is a young designer with a vision to design a collection that appeals to pop culture. The garments seem to have a global inspiration with the shine and glitz perfect for an Indian festival. Cape like jackets in metallic detailing would be the perfect accompaniment to the existing sari or suit from your wardrobe.

Milan Fashion Week – Spring/Summer 2013 Collections is a crucial fashion week where some of the biggest luxury brands showcase their new collections for the upcoming season. We bring some of the noted shows from the past week.

Roberto Cavalli

A name is synonymous with bold patterns and animal prints, but for next summer Cavalli is all about keeping the prints minimal — trousers, shirts and dresses with cut outs and peek-a-boo tailoring in shades of black or white. This collection was every bit bold and sexy, which is expected of the designer, but in a more muted colour palette.

Dolce & Gabbana

Mr. Dolce and Mr. Gabanna know how to live life. For summer, they presented a wonderfully playful collection that will transport you to an island vacation automatically — bright colours, graphic prints, signature 50s brassiere top and pencil skirts, scarf headwear, and big trinket earrings. The unusual and noted looks were the garments made in raffia and jute that will surely make an editorial splash in leading fashion magazines.

Salavatore Feragamo

An accessories sales led brand, Salvatore showed aplenty boots like sandals, jackets, trousers and handbags in luxe leather. So what if the collection is for summer season, the Feragamo woman is always on the move and even in the months of July she can wear her jacket and knee high equestrian inspired heels at a cold climate.

Fendi

Karl Lagerfeld has time and again done the unimaginable task of maintaining the rich heritage of Fendi while giving it a futuristic appeal. This collection was a scientific concoction of 3D shapes, fur, leather, colours and trompe l’oeil. The genius of the brand lies in bringing all these elements together without seeming extreme or hard to pull off.

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta creative director Tomas Maier has carefully transformed the brand image to something that is handicraft and appealing to the modern woman. Printed summer dresses with half sleeves and knee length skirt are easy to wear. The accessories were in signature woven leather featuring thin rectangular clutches with leather straps.

Versus

Ever since young English designer Christopher Kane has been given the job to design Gianni Versace’s sister label ‘Versus’, it has returned to its glory days of eye-ball grabbing garments that cool kids would wear. This collection was about playful short dresses, thick chain necklace and choker and mix of various fun prints.

Jil Sander

Jil Sander returned to the label she founded in 1968 after an eight year absence. The brand had been flourishing under the design direction of Raf Simons who left last season to join Christian Dior. That doesn’t put the fate of Jil Sander at risk as the original tastemaker of simple design is back on the helm. Jil is known for her unfussy designs with figure flattering shapes. This collection reflected her strong points with due updates for 2013.

Versace

Donatella Versace is giving women a breather from second-skin hugging garments with free flowing dresses this summer. Still extremely sexy, the Versace girl will need to be in shape as these garments show hints of skin. Mid riff, legs, back are shoulders are the new erogenous zones as per Donatella and looking at the appeal of the runway looks, it hard to disagree.

Gucci

Gone are the times when sexy was defined by black only. Gucci’s Spring- Summer collection started with a series of magenta flirty looks. Neatly put-together tailoring defined the Gucci woman as someone who is immaculately dressed while having fun with colours, prints and embroidery. The snakeskin print dresses and monotone black and white looks gave a plenty options for Gucci fans.

Alberta Ferretti

Soft silks, see through chiffon, lace trimming, moving beads, highlighting sequins and feather detailing — Alberta Ferretti designs are for the romantic woman with very thorough options of silhouettes. Options range from short and long dresses, trousers and blouse, coats and gowns. This collection was predominantly in shades of the ocean – blue and green. The models hair was wet and swept back as if they just walked out of water into their dreamy lives.

London is a talent pool where majority of designers seem to emerge from. Having a top ranking design school situated in London helps in having the young graduates show at this fashion week. For spring/ summer 2013 the collections are bright, bold and immaculately tailored. Here is a selection of designers and brief description of their runway shows

David Koma

Seems like the Olympic fever is still spread in UK as edgy designer David Koma was inspired by a female tennis player for this collection. But these are not the cute tennis dresses and skirts you find in sports shops. Brilliantly cut with new found tailoring of cut out tops and pleats on skirts, this collection is for the most fashion forward sportswoman in Summer 2013.

Giles

British designer Giles Deacon founded his eponymous label in 2003. He is one of the most talented designers to hail from London and to have stuck to London while most leave to show in Paris or Milan. This collection was inspired by shattered glass, where he interpreted the textures onto fabrics and cut outs like never seen before.

Mary Katrantzou

Born in Athens, Greece Mary attended Rhode Island School of Design and then completed both her BA and MA at Central Saint Martins. Her popularity skyrocketed in the past two years when she showed a collection that eerily looked like upholstery and lamp shades and won the hearts of editors and style pioneers. Spring/summer 2013 is inspired by world history, global exploration and Guilloche pattern play.

Erdem

Erdem is a designer who is recognised for his romantic, ladylike dresses and prints. He won the prestigious BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund in 2010 after beating some big names. This collection had his signature floral shapes in form of embroidery and prints mixed with a harder snakeskin print and ladylike solid pastel shades.

Michael van der Ham

Only six collections old, Michael has proved his caliber early on in his career with a collection of separates for the urban women who care about traditional prints. His skills come from experience working with design houses of Alexander McQueen and Sophia Kokosalaki before taking a place on the highly coveted Central Saint Martins MA course.

Burberry Prorsum

Perhaps the biggest fashion house based out of the UK, Burberry takes great pride in celebrating British heritage. And the credit goes to Chief Creative Officer of Burberry, Christopher Bailey who is responsible for the design of all Burberry collections and products, as well as all advertising, corporate art direction, architectural design, multimedia content and overall brand image for Burberry. They have managed to update the classic designs into something super modern that is worn by young actors, musicians and models for many public appearances.

House of Holland

A favourite of the young London cool crowd, Henry Holland likes to have fun via his creations. Mix and match of prints, colours and slogans is his signature design style. This collection had long dresses worn over trousers in the same print but different colours. The blazers and dresses fit close to the body with bustier and belt detailing. Seems this collection was more ladylike but with the splash of wild sense and acid colours.

Ashish

Born in New Delhi, Ashish Gupta set base in London after graduating from the prestigious Central St Martin’s for an MA. His signature style is to use sequins every season. The interpretation is far from the bling-Barbie doll style. His style is very grunge with fabrics and silhouette references from 80s sportswear. Sequined tank top, and sweat pants, acid wash denims and deconstructed white mens shirts were seen on the runway.

Paul Smith

Legendary British designer Paul Smith continues to present a new season collection in line with his signature styles but with new shapes and prints. Prints are something that is synonymous with this brand. For spring-summer Paul Smith introduced shirts with half print and half solid colour fabric paired with high-waisted fitting trousers.

Christopher Kane

A designer to look out for, Kane has drawn the fashion experts’ votes every season. With clever interpretations from the strangest inspiration sources, Kane has a way of making extremely womanly creations. This time he was inspired by the character of Frankenstein with literal prints of his head and then subtle references of nuts and bolts replacing zips and buttons on garments and shoes.

Master draper and couturier Tarun Tahiliani opens shop in Hyderabad for the first time. Read on to know about the designer and why you might want to sample his designs yourself.

When you think of celebrated couturiers living in the country, there are a few names that can be cited on the fingers of your hand. In the land of rich heritage, prevailing craft culture and incredible workmanship of artisans, it is upto these couture masters to bring all the elements together and create a fashion house with its own identity and a high level of quality. Born in Mumbai, Tarun Tahiliani graduated from the prestigious Wharton business school in Philadelphia, and went on to study design at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He set up his first fashion store ‘Ensemble’ in 1987 with his sister Tina Tahiliani, which is today one of the most reputed multi-designer retail store in the country. The Tarun Tahiliani brand was launched in 1990 and today has stand-alone stores located in five cities with the latest one located within the confines of an antique house at Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

His design and business ventures co-exist and have found him success in various segments besides fashion. Tahiliani has also collaborated with Johnnie Walker, Swarovski Elements, Titan watches to create premium limited edition products. Tahiliani has designed for hotels, restaurants, and done interiors as well. Working independently from the seasonal fashion weeks, Tahiliani showcases his new collections in lavish settings, which sets him apart from the other designers. It was infact the satisfying response from his Couture Exposition in Hyderabad last year that convinced him to open shop here.

Tahiliani’s base is setup in Delhi and has enabled him to hone the definition of the women who epitomize his label. His women (or women who wear Tarun Tahiliani) walk tall, request for traditional wear but with a modern updated silhouette and are romantics. Saris with belts, lungi trousers, digital ethnic print t-shirts, bandhgala jacket style blouses; Tahiliani’s trademark styles all reflect his penchant to update the traditional garments into easier to wear flattering garments. The brand is definitely aspirational and has been worn by some of the most influential women of the world. When talk show host Oprah Winfrey visited India for the first time, Tarun Tahiliani introduced her to the Indian silhouettes. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty wedding trousseau was custom designed by the designer. Tahilaini dressed Upasana Kamineni for her wedding in Hyderabad. International pop star Lady Gaga wore a Tarun Tahiliani sari for her first and only performance in India. On one of the most iconic Indian fashion magazine covers, supermodel Gisele Bundchen wore a TarunTahiliani digital print string bikini.

His brand has a wide offering of ready-to-wear and couture for men and women.

People from all over the world have been able to wear his designs in aplomb as he creates for a modern clientele. Some high profile weddings in North India and South India alike have seen the trousseau designed by Tahiliani. “The TarunTahiliani brand is the marriage of exquisite Indian craftsmanship with western design and fit that combines the spirit of old India with the form of modern India, to revolutionise contemporary Indian fashion. I feel that it has an appeal not only to the women in north and south, but universally. You can be comfortable in these garments at a wedding in Rio or a fashionable cocktail in Paris!,” adds Tahiliani.

With his growing demand it made sense for the designer to open shop in the city of Hyderabad after Delhi and Mumbai. “We have a lot of couture clients (from Hyderabad) who were flying to the studio in Delhi and Mumbai and that’s why the decision to have a couture studio in Hyderabad” says Tarun Tahiliani. “My love affair with Hyderabad started as a child when I first visited and saw its bouldered landscape and Deccani domes. We did a wedding for a client in the Falaknuma palace and I truly feel proud of what we created that evening and what a magnificent backdrop.”

The Tarun Tahiliani boutique in Hyderabad was launched on August 23, 2012. The store has the feel of a long narrow hallway situated in an old world house with inset hand knotted carpets, wooden textures, and Osler chandeliers. This Banjara Hills store carries the complete collection from the Tarun Tahiliani Design Studio — Chikankari Sari’s, Masterful drapes, Concept Sari’s, Anarkali’s, Lehenga’s, Sherwani’s, Digital Prints etc. In addition, the store offers Tarun Tahiliani’s embroidered classics in chikankari, gota, resham, his Swarovski spangled sari’s and structured drapes for special occasion and bridal wear for both men and women. All this and more can be seen at a special bridal event to be organised at the Hyderabad store on September 27 to 29 which will be hosted by Tarun Tahiliani himself.

New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2013, the biannual fashion week held in New York City that was concluded today, introduced us to some path breaking new trends. This article talks about few designers whose creations will define what the urban population will be wearing next summer

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs is one of the most significant designers in the world currently (designs men and womenswear for 3 runway labels — Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs), and that does not stop him from taking massive risks. The Marc Jacobs Spring Summer 2013 collection seemed to be inspired by the 60’s mod movement. Imagine Andy Warhol and his factory reintroduced in a new manner.

Rodarte

Mulleavy sister Laura and Kate might be based of Pasadena far away from the bustle of New York City, but they sure know what to present at the New York Fashion Week that makes it on to the fashion pages of top magazines and newspapers. Rodarte showed a collection with their usual flair of high detailing and use of non-conventional patterns and textures. Leather pants, silk blouse, brocade organza dress, and fringed jackets — the Rodarte girl is tough, yet girly with her defined curves and silhouettes.

Rag & Bone

DDavid Neville and Marcus Wainwright’s brand Rag & Bone has been a growing testament to the street culture of the American fashion. Mix of sportswear, utilitarian casuals with evening wear, their collection is easy to wear and not just made for the model shape. Loose dresses with a joined hoodie could be worn in NYC or dunes of Abu Dhabi.

Alexander Wang

Wang turned the basic wear of black and white shirt dressing into a tribal and sci-fi inspired dressing. Models walked with a clean face and geometric line highlighting the centre parting on their ponytailed hair. Clever slashes, cut outs, overlapping tailoring and peekaboo textures made this a memorable trend story for next season.

Diane Von Furstenberg

DVF is the perfect example of a brand that has cleverly been moving forward with times to include the younger audience as their clientele. Bright prints, easy to wear dressing and technology forward accessories? Yes, DVF collaborated with Google and models wore the revolutionary technology Google Glasses which allows you to view and record digital from real time and vice versa.

Victoria by Victoria Beckham

UK celebrity turned designer Victoria Beckham showed a winning collection in New York after quickly impressing her home country. Sister line ‘Victoria’ is a cooler, younger counterpart of the refined and immaculate ‘Victoria Beckham’ line. Short dresses in print that are easy wear for daytime sophisticated dressing was the recurrent theme in the show.

Zac Posen

Zac Posen has been known in my eyes as the young designer who was born in the wrong era. Not because his designs are out dated, but because he has a penchant to make modern clothes elegantly tailored like how it was in the 50s and 20s. Elaborate silk, organza and chiffon dresses that a modern day Audrey Hepburn character from Breakfast at Tiffanys would have enjoyed wearing to social soirees.

DKNY

Donna Karan is one of the leading ladies of New York Fashion and both cannot be separated from each other. The label DKNY is a womanly take on the American sportswear. Denims, white shirts, swimwear, Graphic T-shirts, sports bra looking blouses, visors, fanny packs and backpacks were the noticeable trends here.

Tommy Hilfiger

Another American fashion staple brand is Tommy Hilfiger. Blazers, polo shirts, knit sweaters, swimsuits prominently in Americana colours white, blue and red. This is the collection the preppy crowd would not have expected for their classic wear to be transformed into. Espadrilles sandals and boat shoes took on a new avatar as well with the modern outlook of the designer.

Prabal Gurung

Hugely popular young darling who knows how to speak Hindi (studied at the National Institute of Fashion and Technology, New Delhi) presented another collection that will probably be seen soon on the red carpet by the likes of Anne Hathaway, Kate Bosworth and Zoe Saldana. Taking a break from Winter collection trends of bold graphic prints in purple, this season the designer showed a muted monochrome based collection with a hint of prints and colour.

One of the most exciting things come winter is the idea to dress up and add layers stylishly. From snugly hats, to stylish boots. We look at the footwear trends that are worth taking note of for this winter season.

Ankle boots
Fnkle boots are easy to wear option in winters. They could be worn by different body shapes and paired with various dress options. This season, the ankle boots are to be found in the classic beige and black leather and also in the deep shades of maroon, indigo, peacock blue. At Balmain, the ankle boots were its luxe best made in velvet with rich gold embroidery. At Fendi the models wore easy to slip into ankle boots, which were the equivalent of high heels with a better grip of the feet. Ankle boots or booties can be worn with trousers, long skirts, and dresses. Avoid wearing cropped leggings, shorts, or garment that deduct height from your frame and add bulk to the legs. Since the ankle boots come in numerous texture, style and heel options, this style continues to be part of the winter wardrobe basics.

Bold heels

The elegant heels that are usually the statement pieces in your wardrobe are plenty available in new designs for the upcoming winters. Called the ‘evening heels’ these are sandals that are not too big on comfort. If you can forego the comfort, these seasons’ heels will definitely be lust worthy to your senses. At Diane Von Furstenberg the footwear matched the dressing sensibility of the label – bold, feminine and pretty. Christian Dior reminiscent the classic dressing and gave a variety of elegant black closed high heel sandals. At Chanel the most exotic looking sandals made way with jeweled heels in glass crystals and signature fabrics like tweed, satin and leather on the top part of the shoe. Louis Vuitton where Marc Jacobs painted an imagery of women who travel in first class trains with porters carrying their handbags and hat bags behind them. This woman need not worry about wearing ‘sensible’ shoes and go for the most luxurious wardrobe for the feet. The Louis Vuitton pumps are extremely high, exotic skins covering the toes and with massive crystals embellishing the straps.

Hidden heel

The heel need not always be prominently displayed in a stiletto form. The clever winter designs give us option to seem taller without giving out the exact inches of the heels. French designer Isabel Marant designed the sneakers with a hidden heel that gave a lift to the wearer and made those calves look super toned. Pierre Hardy has given a similar range of sneakers this season. At Alexander McQueen the opposite is applied where instead of hiding the heel, the heel is missing and left a void in its place. The shoe has a platform support under the toes and empty space under the heel. The arch of the foot is quite evident and is a winning option for the risk takers. At Givenchy, the high boots had outer leather covering the silhouette of the shoe like a curtain disclosing the height of the heel.

High boots

For the fashion savvy, no winter wardrobe is truly complete without a pair of season fresh high boots. At Gucci, the boots were inspired by the equestrian styles in flat form and heels. These are the classic styles that can be worn with trousers tucked in, whether sitting on the horse or not. At New York based Altuzarra show, models wore thigh high leather boots in exotic leather skins. Over the knees boots sometimes give an illusion of pair of well-fitted trousers and could be worn under short dresses replacing the tights or multiple layers of clothes. This is however a very tricky style to wear, as long shapely legs are usually the size these styles fit onto easily. But the knee-high boots are a convenient option and protective of the harsh winters, for all body types.

Midi heel 

Aah the comfort of wearing a low heel! Was not lately accepted by the fashion trend cycles. But this winter many fashion houses not only made a collection of low heels but also made the models walk in them for their winter runway collection. At Valentino the models wore pretty dresses with low heels that made the look a winning combination of style and comfort. While the skyscraper heels have a place of their own in a woman’s wardrobe, the midi heels have found a loving space in the wardrobe of woman on the go. The practical yet beautiful appeal of the shoe is the reason why America’s first lady Michelle Obama is often seen wearing them. Shoe designer Christian Louboutin known for making heels that add sex appeal to any feet also went the midi heel route by offering designs in the height he is not recognized for.

Flats

One of the key trends this season is womenswear inspired by menswear. The same follows on footwear where design houses like Armani, and Tod’s gave us menswear style options of brogues, loafers, laced flat shoes in women’s sizes. These literally look like styles borrowed from the men’s wardrobes and could be worn with other pieces from their wardrobes like shorts, shirts, and dapper tailored jackets. If you fear the complete dedication to the opposite sex, the flat footwear look equally fashion forward when worn with a breezy dress or skirt. A fairly new style in the footwear trends is the ‘flatform’, which is a hybrid of platform shoes and flats. There is an additional height given to the shoes but without the arch of the heels. The entire foot is elevated from toe to heel in this style. At Italian house of Marni, the flatform is dainty and sweet in earthy tones of leather and fabric.

The writer is a fashion blogger (www.lovestruckcow. blogspot.com) who attempts to bridge the gap between creator and consumer. As a fashion writer, she hopes to promote Indian fashion among Indians and on a global level too.

When designers display a collection on the runway, it is not just the garments that are to set the trends for the forthcoming season. The styling is of equal importance. These are the hair and make-up trends that made a statement on the runway and can easily be tried at home.

1. Hair Accessories

Adorn your hair with clips, jewels, barrettes and bands to define the shape of the hair this season. Match the colour of metal to the outfits. Fashion aside, this trend conveniently keeps your hair neat and in shape. No flyaway, or incontrollable messiness for the festive season.

2. Bold eyes

It is not the time to be shy in fashion. Wear royal bold colours on clothes and don’t stop just there. Eye make-up is elaborate for the season. That doesn’t mean the trend should only be saved for the expert hands of fashion shows. Wearing one bold colour eye shadow with a mascara and eyeliner will get the runway look at home. If that is too risky, you can channel Stella McCartney show by applying a electric blue mascara on a clean face.

3. Red Lips

A classic make-up trend that keeps making its way in and out of fashion is back again. Matte red lip colour can neatly be applied with a simple lip brush and tried by all skin tones and face shapes. Keep the rest of the make-up pretty basic to maintain an understated look. At Gucci, the lips were in the deepest shade of red that made for a deep and mysterious yet sexy look.

4. Pink Cheeks

That natural tone of flush pink cheeks made a comeback on the runway. Models showcased a natural look on lips and hair and matched that with a pair blushing cheeks. A very feminine nod to the winter season, pink cheeks can be worn for a day or a night look. Wear this make-up with a simple wool print dress and boots during daytime or with a floor length gown in the evening. Expert’s tip to apply the blush is directly on the cheek bones – neither under the eye nor on the cheeks.

5. Sparkle

Having too much sparkle on garments might be passé lately, but that doesn’t mean sparkle doesn’t appear in make-up this season. A clever dusty effect shimmer on the eyelids or nail enamel in glitter were a popular trend at the couture shows in Paris. At Chanel couture show, the nails were applied with silver shade wit a half covered top layer of baby pink. Sparkle is treated in a gentle feminine manner as opposed to the Disco era bold manner.

The India Couture Week is held once a year in Delhi organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). This year it was held from August 8-12. Selective designers participate who are able to show an elaborate collection of handcrafted and luxurious garments mostly for the well-heeled society to wear for the following month’s wedding season.

Gaurav Gupta

Gaurav Gupta is one of the youngest couturiers in the country to show under his own name. A graduate of the prestigious Central St. Martins design school in London, Gaurav’s foray into Indianwear was unexpected. Having worked with designers Hussein Chalayan, Stella McCartney, Rafael Lopez and Vivienne Westwood, his western wear sensibility was highly lauded. Gaurav entered Indian couture segment by deconstructing the sari and lehenga with easier to wear gowns. The blouses take a modern approach at times stitched onto the sari. The colours injected a stream of youthfulness into Indian wear, with a palette of bisque ecru, rufescent red, and blush nude. With hands free of stoles or dupattas (most were stitched onto the garment itself), the models held a swan like stance and modelled the garments without any added jewellery.

Anju Modi

A collection dedicated to women, titled ‘Devi’ and designed by a woman. The show began with poetry from Bengali laureate Rabindranath Tagore “Who is this, steering close to the shore singing? I feel that she is someone I know. The sails are filled wide, she gazes ahead, waves break helplessly against the boat each side. I watch and feel I have seen her face before.” The collection comprised of lehengas with full skirts and blouses that had clear design inspirations from the classic styles and reflected a very feminine approach to fabrics and silhouettes. The collection used red, white, and gold. At a time where most designers are altering and deconstructing the traditional drapes, Anju Modi retained those styles. Without messing too much with the traditional Bengali aesthetics, the collection used red, white, and gold. Sealing the deal was actress Madhuri Dixit wearing a red, white and gold lehenga, polka diamond jewellery, open hair with the traditional sindoor.

Varun Bahl

“My definition of fashion is luxury, and for me, luxury is happiness. Bohemian-minded, in control, mature and experimental – that’s how I see my individual buyer,” says Varun Bahl as he describes his design sensibility. That explains why most of Bollywood seems to be wearing his designs. Titled ‘Indian Nouveau’, for the Fall 2012-13 Haute Couture collection, Varun Bahl merges the classic evergreens of old India with the outlook of modern Indian dressing. The underlying inspirations being Indian: the Sari, the Achkan, the Sharara, the Mughal Farshi, and the Lehenga. But if you think this is a bridal wear show, the release clearly states — “the collection is aimed not only at the Indian wedding, but also towards those who love to dress Indian with pride, but are looking for modern updates on traditional Indian silhouettes.” Using black — a colour that is perceived to be inauspicious, was a way to defy the traditional wedding wear norms and yet giving his customers well-crafted garments to invest in for the coming winter soirees.

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Indian couture begins and ends with a Sabyasachi show. This one was the closing show for the PCJ Couture Week held in Delhi. A traditional nonconformist, his show had the making of a perfect romantic wardrobe. Long skirts with embroidered blouses and dupatta, lehenga-sari in black and white net, suits with knee-length slim kurta and traditional churidaar or velvet salwar, and jackets with exquisite gold embroideries. Sabyasachi shines when he converges different crafts together in one collection or even one garment. Russian needlepoint, boutis from Provence, zardozi from Agra, Kantha from Bangladesh, block printing from Bengal and Rajasthan, Pashmina from Kashmir, chintz from the United Kingdom and toile de jouy from France, coexist with rhinestone, baubles, bows. Combined with his signature quirks of spectacle frames, handheld clutches, stacks of embroidered fabric bangles and colourful print wedges. This show was another success for the booming Sabyasachi brand.

Many a fashionista of the silver screen have taken time off from their reel life commitments and tried their hands at fashion. For these celebrities, fashion runways and design boards were more appealing than the silver screen. Here are some actors and musicians who turned designers.

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson started her career as a singer turning to reality television actress and then a fashion mogul. An unexpected star of the fashion world, Jessica in 2010 had a massive $750 million in retail sales as per Business Insider. Her easy daily wear as well as eveningwear options at affordable prices gained her the commercial popularity. Shoes, handbags, apparel, jewelery, sunglasses, and perfume is a growing line of options for women world over (she retails online from www.jessicasimpson.com as well). Since the birth of her baby Maxwell Drew, Jessica has launched a maternity line and a perfume inspired by her child.

Jay-Z

Founded in 1999 by Sean Carter aka Jay-Z, leading American rapper and producer was the fashion line Rocawear. Jay-Z proved his business acumen when he converted his music career popularity into a burgeoning fashion empire with net sales of $700 million. Jay-Z never gave up his music career to work on the fashion line and it can be argued if he has anything to do with the designs himself, but the popularity of the brand definitely piggybacks on the popularity of the musician. In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group for $204 million. Jay-Z will retain his stake in the company and will continue to oversee the marketing, licensing, and product development.Rocawear offers a wide range of menswear, womenswear, plus sizes, kids, footwear, accessories and fragrance.

Sean ‘P-Diddy’ Combs

Another successful musician turned business mogul, P Diddy launched his label ‘Sean John’ in 1998. In 2004, P Diddy won the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America ‘Men’s Wear Designer of the Year’. In partnership with Estée Lauder Companies, Sean John launched two signature men’s fragrance, Unforgivable and I AM KING, as well as Unforgivable Women’s. Both men’s fragrances won the FiFi awards (annual event sponsored by The Fragrance Foundation which honor the fragrance industry’s creative achievements) in the ‘Best men’s fragrance’ category. In May of 2010, Sean John signed a deal with American retail giant Macy’s to be the exclusive U.S. department store retailer for the Sean John men’s sportswear collection. The Sean John product is available online at macys.com and in over 400 Macy’s stores this year.

Victoria Beckham

‘Posh Spice’ from the famed Spice Girls music band started her own fashion line some years ago, and much to the skepticism earned glorified reviews from fashion critiques. Winning the ‘Designer of the year’ award at the British Fashion Awards 2011, Victoria Beckham established herself as more than just a footballer’s wife. She is a great model herself for the line, as she continues to be in the best-dressed list of women in Britain. Business Insider reports that in 2011, Victoria’s clothing line made an impressive $95 million in sales. The collection retails at $600-$6000. Showing her line at the biannual New York Fashion Week, Victoria Beckham collection is said to be flying off the racks in American shops where her fame as a celebrity is lesser known.

Ashley & Mary Kate Olsen

Who knew ‘Michelle Tanner’— the cute adorable child actors from the show Full House, will be ruling a mini fashion empire in their young adulthood? Twin sisters and actors Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have three very successful fashion lines under their belt currently — Olsenboye, a kids fashion line; Elizabeth and James, targeted towards a mid-market; and The Row, a high-end line. The great thing about celebrity-designers is that they are their own free models and publicists. The girls are often seen in Elizabeth and James casuals walking around in Manhattan and on the red carpet wear The Row. They have starred in numerous magazines and have been looked up by young girls spanning from their pre-teen years to the 20s. The latest accolade for the twins was winning the prestigious CFDA award for ‘Womenswear designer of the year’ for their line The Row. According to Business Insider, the Olsen twins business is now worth a whooping $1 billion dollars. The 26-years-old sisters live in New York City.

From last week we continue to highlight the designers and brands that stole the limelight at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012.

Sailex

Inspired by the pin-up girls from 1950s, Sailex NG highlighted the womanly curves with the use of clever designs and tailoring he is known for. Nipped waists, flowing skirts, cleavage highlighting, shoulders accentuating, this collection aimed to put the wearer in front and the centre of attention. Without making it blatantly revealing, Sailex’s pieces could be added to your wardrobe staple festive and evening wear with ease. The winning pieces were the metallic jackets that were tailored beautifully to be worn with dresses, saris, or basic t-shirt and jeans. Speaking of saris, the designer introduced Indian wear to his collection paired with a silver choli and a long- sleeved peterpan collar blouse.

Kallol Datta 1955

Chosen as the finale designer for the Mumbai-based fashion week, Kallol had a big crowd to support him through this big accomplishment. Inspired by the sponsor’s theme of ‘monochromes’ the collection was predominantly black and white. But in a Kallol Datta rebellious style, there were more than a couple of coloured garments in blue, camel, green, and silver. Prints of snails mating, melting faces and bats & birds left the audience intrigued. The construction of the garments was signature Kallol Datta 1955 style with further editing and cleaner lines from last season. A surprisingly new development was when Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor walked hand in hand with the designer in his garment to take a bow.

Bodice by Ruchika Sachdev

Young designer Ruchika is another testament to Lakme Fashion Week for bringing up new and young talents into the limelight. Brand BODICE has in a short while defined their forte in tailored-menswear-inspired womenswear– spilling out into easy jackets, trousers, and shirtdresses. The detailing is unexpected and separates her from other labels trying to do similar androgynous urban collections. This collection is inspired by the Indian Maharaja and the Sadhu Bodice, combining the two contrasting themes with sharply cut garments. Shades of maroon, burnt orange, olive and mustard were used as hand woven pure cotton denim, crepe, wool and tulle formed the base. An obvious brand extension was to diversify into menswear. Easy separates with shapes this time inspired by womenswear, looked extremely wearable by men.

Shivan & Narresh

Young and famous resort wear designers Shivan & Narresh designed a collection based on their show sponsor DHL’s tag line of ‘Speed’. The designers cleverly adapted the brand’s theme into a non-cliché depiction titled Equus – Latin for horses. The shiny fabrics used for the ‘Festive 2012’ collection resembled the sheen of a horse’s skin translated into one-piece swimsuits and cover-ups. The detailing of the braiding of fabric, cut outs to resemble the mane of Equus, prints of horses onto garments, Swarovski tassels hanging from the back, took the inspiration forward. Collection of maillot, bikini, dress, gown, sari, tankini, trikini, jumpsuits and shirts as well as the duo’s newest addition after their bikini sari and Kaftan sari the “Kafsuit” comprised the collection.

Drashta

Extremely feminine Drashta Sarvaiya always showcases something that the modern women would want to wear. This collection was a season ahead of the official season that the Lakme Fashion Week endorses. Drashta Spring Summer 2013 collection is a pastel shade card dream of lightweight dresses, skirts and trousers. With draping used on most of her fabrics, she managed to keep the looks light, airy and non-fussy. Fabrics like lightweight brocade with flower motifs, double georgettes and crepe were used. Crystal embroidery and raffia added to the charm. The winning looks were the white silk-layered crepe tunic and trousers that highlighted the clever construction and tailoring clearly.