2012

Masaba Gupta
The designer, known for her quirky prints and a page 3 darling, landed the big job as Fashion Director at Satya Paul. Masaba has been hired to revitalize the brand and to attract the younger crowds who seem to like Masaba’s fashion. Clever move, win-win for everyone!

Masaba Gupta at LFW S/R 2012

Manish Arora
Designer Manish Arora went in and out of Paco Rabanne before anyone could say “Paris Fashion Week”. The design house claims that hiring Manish was a short-term move anyways, but the real reason for his quick exit will probably never be known by us mere mortals. Meanwhile, Manish is back to his usual space-age OTT creations.

Aneeth Arora and Payal Pratap Singh
As winner and runner-up of India’s first Vogue Fashion Fund, both designers are set for a promising career. Hope to see even better fashion from the two women this year onward.

Below: Aneeth Arora with her creation

Kallol Dutta
First he made news as finale designer at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012, then as the author of a scathing article in a news magazine sparing almost no one in the Indian fashion scene.

Pankaj-Nidhi
Givenchy Fall Winter 2012 and the designer duo at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012- inspiration or imitation? You decide.

Shefalee Vasudev
The ex-editor of Marie Claire India wrote an insightful account on Indian fashion, covering both ends of the spectrum. I enjoyed every word of her book Powder Room.

Nonita Kalra
Elle editor has quit after a long tenure of 12 years. Greener pastures beckon?

Playboy India Bunny’s costume
The modified outfit, adapted to Indian sensibility, made for fascinating news and hilarious tweets.

In 2012, Bollywood Fashion, Celebs, Interview

Chic 2012: The Bollywood Fashion Story

Speaking ChicJanuary 2, 2013January 1, 2013Leave a comment

In the movies

Cocktail’s three lead actors’ looks, all styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania, were a major part of the pre-release publicity blitz. Everyone wanted to know about Diana Penty’s jumpsuit and Deepika Padukone’s skirt. And no one really asked much about Saif Ali Khan, because he looked too old to be in the movie.

No one cared much about the clothes in Ishaqzaade, though I found the costumes in the movie to be among the most intelligently designed in recent Bollywood history. I can’t imagine Parineeti Chopra’s character without the black waistcoat over a fitted kurta.

The fashion in Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Student of the Year fell flat after high expectations. But where one lacked charm and romance, the latter’s mantra was “Brands, brands, brands” without a sensible story to tell.

On the covers

The surprise fashion mag cover girl find of the year was Kalki Koechlin (Women’s Health in November and Vogue the following month), while editorial favourite Sonam Kapoor appeared in Roberto Cavalli yet again on the cover of Grazia. (Yawn).

On the small screen

Amitabh Bachchan’s jackets and bandhgalas on Kaun Banega Crorepati were superbly elegant and finely tailored by Rohit Bal. Karan Johar donned casual- dressy blazers on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, while Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss wardrobe was confusing (too many colours and styles).

Most people loved Madhuri Dixit’s Jhalak Dikhla Jaa clothes and jewellery, and her stylist made it a point to dress the actor in outfits from various Indian designers. No bodycon dresses for her!

Surprise style icon

Sridevi had been under the fashion watchers’ radar for a while now, but in 2012 she surprised everyone with a new-found, elegant look, wearing Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi. She wowed everyone when she walked for the latter in Delhi, a far cry from her stumbling ramp appearance in an ugly silver-grey gown for Neeta Lulla couple years ago.

Not (yet) an icon

Alia Bhatt may have had a big debut with Student of the Year, and appeared on two covers (Vogue and Grazia), but her personal style quotient was quite blah. The problem? She tried too hard to look cute.

In 2012, Accessories, Fashion, Men

Chic 2012: Brands that created buzz

Speaking ChicDecember 31, 2012December 30, 2012Leave a comment

New Movers

Formal wear suddenly became important with the launch of Kenneth Cole and Thomas Pink. I’m especially excited about the Kenneth Cole though the Indian tax-laden prices could stretch anyone’s wallet.

WonderBra lifted Indian women’s hopes (pun intended) by making their debut on Zivame.com, while Furla’s accessories made for a colourful display at their Palladium store.

Superdry got the best launch publicity ever with Shahrukh Khan wearing a Superdry vest in Challa from Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

And Sephora’s first store in India was the best Christmas gift ever! Can’t wait for it to come to Mumbai, even though a friend has promised to bring me some goodies from the Delhi flagship at Select Citywalk this week. Fingers crossed.

Coming soon

Lipsy for party dresses and red carpet gowns; Stuart Weitzman for pricey men’s and women’s accessories; Dune for footwear and accessories that are a bit more affordable.

With Indian law now allowing 100% FDI in single-brand retail, we can expect many more brands like Topshop and H&M to consider setting up shop on Indian soil.

Almost disappeared

Esprit called off their deal with Madura, so the brand’s flagship stores in India are already shutting down. Miss Sixty is nowhere to be seen either—any idea if the Italian brand’s around at all?

This is the second in a series of posts rounding up the Indian fashion scene in 2012.

In 2012, Advertising, Fashion

Chic 2012: Best fashion ads of the year

Speaking ChicDecember 31, 2012December 30, 2012Leave a comment

Fashion ecommerce sites ruled the fashion ad space in 2012. And they caught attention with the decades-old funda- Sex sells!

Myntra’s Hottest December Sale promo had gorgeous Lisa Haydon doing a striptease on primetime television. I’m sure I’m not the only one who initially mistook it for a Fastrack commercial.

The BeStylish promo was about sexy shoes and seduction. Enough to excite shoe lovers and then some!

And Tanishq brought in a refreshing change to boiler-plate jewellery advertising with their Mia commercials. Go-getter office girls dealing with real problems like parking space and not-so-good appraisals.

Special Mention: Fashion videos

Anita Dongre’s Jaipur Bride was beautifully shot and made every woman want to be an Indian bride.

Fastrack’s Like Bunnies We Multiply was funny, irreverent and unconventional. Just like the brand!

Which fashion commercial / video did you enjoy this year?

This is the first in a series of posts rounding up the Indian fashion scene in 2012.

In 2012, Fashion, Men

Chic Guide: 5 things guys need this December

Speaking ChicDecember 18, 2012December 18, 2012Leave a comment

Winter jackets and coats

Trench coats are classics, wool jackets are reliable, and shiny finishes are hot right now!

Trench coat from Zara

Lined Reefer jacket from La Redoute (available on Rock.in)

Jacket from Celio

Party essentials

A fun evening shirt, smart blazer or coloured jeans- what are you wearing to the Christmas and New Year parties?

Shirt from Calvin Klein Jeans

Blazer from Diesel

Look from Rajat Tangri Lakme Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2012

Sherwani/ Bandhgala

There are plenty of weddings to attend this month and the next, so an embroidered or brocade sherwani is a smart fashion investment. Gentlemen will also love the classic bandhgala in a contemporary colour.

Look from Debarun Lakme Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2012

Look from Anita Dongre

Scarf/ muffler

Scarves and mufflers say a lot about you while keeping you warm. Are you Mr Safe Grey or Mr Experimental?

Decking stripes scarf from French Connection

Scarf from United Colors of Benetton

The right shoes

There’s lot of places to go this month and the next, and you need shoes to take you there.

Hand woven shoes from RUOSH (for weddings)

Shoes from Kenneth Cole (for parties)

In 2012, Accessories, jewellery, makeup

Chic List: Things that shine! (Part 2)

Speaking ChicDecember 13, 2012January 14, 2013Leave a comment

In my earlier post, I shared some carefully-selected clothes that “shone”, especially those with metallic finishes. Today it’s all about the accessories!

Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough metallic-finish accessories, but there are some glittering patent-finish and croc-textured options that put gold to shame. Here are my picks:

Bags

Metallic bag from Calvin Klein Jeans (love the texture!)

Croc shopper from French Connection

Bag from Steve Madden

Shoes

Metallic finish slip-ons and heels can dress up any outfit!

Vanilla Moon

Charles & Keith

Steve Madden

Jewellery

Pendant from Myra- The New Age Chic Collection by Tara Jewellers

Bangles from Toniq

Bonus: Makeup that shines!

Maybelline hyperglossy eye liner

Body pigment powder from Inglot

In 2012, Fashion, trends

Chic List: Things that shine! (Part 1)

Speaking ChicDecember 10, 2012December 9, 2012Leave a comment

All that glitters this season is ….. worth wearing! I don’t just mean the sequinned party dresses, but the shiny fabrics and textures! They glitter and sparkle in just the right amount to bring some holiday cheer to winter wardrobes.

The metallic finish pieces I’ve seen recently in stores look HOT (I’ve written about it earlier)! If I had an occasion or more to wear them, I’d have at least a few such in my closet by now! I’m almost feeling bad I don’t. 🙁

Here’s the first part of my list of things that shine! What’s your favourite?

Dress

Rajat Tangri (LFW W/F 2012)

Chic Tip: Accessorise with a dull-finish bag or statement jewellery.

Tops/ blouses

Calvin Klein Jeans

Only

Zara

Chic Tip: Metallic finish blouses look hot when worn with dark slim or skinny pants.

Skirt

Mango

Chic Tip: A shiny skirt goes well with printed blouses or fitted tees. Wear with heels for a killer party look.

Pants

French Connection

Sisley

Chic Tip: Sexy halter top, peek-a-boo lace blouse, or a corset—let the mercury rise!

Jackets

Calvin Klein Jeans

Mango

In 2012, Fashion

Chic Guide: 5 things you need this December

Speaking ChicDecember 4, 2012December 3, 2012Leave a comment

Winter jackets and coats

For the cold, cold weather! Choose from leather, faux fur and wool.

French Connection (wool)

Gas (faux fur)

Blingy dress

To party the last few nights of the year away!

Vizyon

Mango

Vero Moda

Embellished lehenga

There will be plenty of weddings to attend this month- and you need to dress to impress!

Pallavi Jaikishen

Manish Malhotra

Shyamal-Bhumika

Gorgeous earrings

For party nights (diamonds), for sangeet (jadau and polkis), and for weddings (traditional).

Myra by Tara Jewellers

Neety Singh

Nizam Collection by Ganjam

High heels

Special occasions call for special shoes… who knows, your Cinderella story might come true. 😉

Metro

Steve Madden

In 2012, Street Chic

Street Eeks: What NOT to wear at a cricket match ever

Speaking ChicNovember 30, 2012January 14, 2013Leave a comment

Folks, there are things you can wear to a cricket match, and there are things you just don’t. This girl I spotted at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium over the weekend got it all wrong! Firstly, she was dressed in all black on a warm day, with a funny floral, black-silver skirt. (I can’t even describe it!).

Then there was a sling bag across her body of a very odd mud colour and long dangling earrings (not in picture). But I can’t decide what’s worse- her shoes with the funny heels (aspiring me to be booties), or the black socks with them! Or the skirt. Or the odd black top…Yikes!

Meanwhile, I aimed for chic comfort at the India-England match- wearing a purple polo tee with lemony pants and my loafers of the moment.

What would you wear to a cricket match?

In 2012, Accessories, Fashion, trends

Chic Lesson: Baroque Fashion for dummies (and where to find it)

Speaking ChicNovember 28, 2012January 14, 2013Leave a comment

What’s baroque?

Baroque is an artistic style that flourished in 17^th century Europe. It’s characterized by exaggerated motion and details that create tension, drama and exuberance. The Baroque style extends to painting, sculpture, architecture, theatre, music and literature.

So what is baroque fashion?

Don’t get confused, baroque fashion is not inspired by what people wore in the 1600s and early 1700s. Rather, it is an extension of the key attributes of the Baroque style- ornamentation, gold and richness in fabric, details and textures.

(Below: Dolce & Gabbana FW 2013 collection)

So how do I identify Baroque fashion?

Look out for:

Gilt/ gold embellishments (refer Dolce & Gabbana FW 2013 below)

Heavy brocades
Gold-centric prints
Embossing
Bright and large floral prints
Velvet with embellishments
Tapestry-inspired embroideries and prints in a range of colours- think spirals and volutes. (Refer Zara Jacquard mini skirt below)

Why is everyone talking about baroque fashion?

Fashion mags are touting it as a hot trend for Fall/ Winter 2012 (I had mentioned this as an upcoming trend at the end of the previous season). That’s because it made an appearance in collections of important designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander McQueen and Balmain.

And in India?

Closer home, designers like Rajat K Tangri and Khushboo Agarwal-Prem Kumar (below) got baroque in their winter collection. And it will also stay on as a trend for SS 13.

So where does the baroque trend appear?

On jackets, dresses, blouses, jewellery and accessories like bags and shoes! In India, there will never be dearth of gold embellishments and zardosi, or gold accessories, so you might just find something somewhere! (Lipsy Baroque Mesh Top below)

Where can I buy baroque pieces?

Key fashion brands feature some elements of the baroque trend. Zara and Mango both have some baroque pieces. Some brands like Forever New have elements of baroque as well.

Mango Baroque Velvet Blouse

Motel Coco Baroque Blue dress (available on Rock.in)

Forever New Lily 2 in 1 dress

What about baroque-inspired accessories?

Wavey Clutch from French Connection

Necklace from Toniq

Earrings from Viange

Showing all posts in 2012

Chic 2012: Fashion news makers we talked about