LFW WF 2013

I’ve declared Accessories Week this week at Speaking Chic! Here’s kicking off the series with my favourite accessories at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2013. Scroll down for more on the accessories featured in the slide show.

Shoes at Shantanu Goenka

Shoes at Sneha Arora

Bags at Square Loop by Kanika Sachdeva

Bags at Square Loop by Kanika Sachdeva

Clutches by Karieshma Sarna

Neckpiece from House of Chic

Accessories at House of Chic

Nitya Arora accessories at LFW WF 2013

Nitya Arora accessories at LFW WF 2013

Hair jewels at Pria Kataria Puri

Hair jewels at Pria Kataria Puri

Maang tikka at Shyamal & Bhumika

Hair accessories at Shantanu Goenka

Loved the shoes at…

Shantanu Goenka: Wonderfully embellished and to match the outfits!

Sneha Arora: No-nonsense manly shoes are required for war, even if it’s only on the ramp.

Aditi Holani: The cut-out shoes went well with the distressed look.

Noteworthy bags at…

Square Loop by Kanika Sachdeva: Neutral boxy leather bags are just right for work.

Karieshma Sarna: Her embellished clutches are winners all the way through.

And jewellery…

House of Chic: Spikes, skulls and dark metal…. it’s all goth!

Valliyan: Nitya Arora has been on the fashion week circuit for a while now… and we know why she’ll always be popular.

A word on hair accessories

I’ve always believed hair accessories are the most under-rated accessories… so the maang tikkas at Shyamal & Bhumika, bird clips at Shantanu Goenka, and butterflies at Pria Kataria Puri have made their place in my personal lookbook. 🙂

In LFW WF 2013

LFW WF 2013: The best evening wear trends (with gif & instant style tips)

Speaking ChicSeptember 8, 2013September 8, 2013Leave a comment

Architecture at Amit Aggarwal
Amit Aggarwal’s dresses were beyond ordinary red carpet gowns. They were architectural wonders, sculpted and moulded in a fine manner with metal, drape, chiffon and jersey. You got to be bold to wear this look.

Instant style tip: Look for skirt and 60s inspired dresses that have a bit of buckram or tough lining that support the flare.

(Taken on Nokia Lumia 820)

Gold at Vikram Phadnis
Sticking to our favourite metal (and festive colour), Vikram Phadnis’s dresses, jumpsuits and separates were rich and very wearable. Especially if you love gold too. 🙂

Instant style tip: This one’s easy enough for the bling lovers. If you aren’t one, you could always carry a sequinned clutch or pair of shoes.

[Check out the slide show below… more info after the jump!]

Bold construction at Jatin Varma
Jatin Varma combined structure with fluidity in eye-catching colours (shocking pink and cobalt blue). The nylon mesh and crochet binding on the intricate gowns were stunning!

Instant style tip: Tough to find, even tougher to wear. Best to pay a visit to the designer himself!

Fire on the ramp at Kommal Sood
Kommal Sood presented gorgeous cocktail dresses that shone bright in fiery colours. I loved the idea of orange evening wear and short capes.

Instant style tip: Mix and match sequinned pieces with luxurious separates for an offbeat red carpet look.

Dark ages at Rocky Star
Black has turned into Rocky Star’s signature statement, this time with lace, tulle, silk and velvet. Sheer was everywhere, and so was opulence. Only for the daring!

Instant style tip: This look has to be worn with stark makeup or you’ll look “incomplete”. The lips should be dark and the eyes deeply coloured.

In LFW WF 2013

LFW WF 2013: The best of festive wear

Speaking ChicSeptember 3, 2013September 2, 2013Leave a comment

Now that Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013 has ended, it’s time to make some serious fashion choices for the upcoming season (Diwali, weddings and more). Lehengas, anarkalis, saris and more… take your pick from my shortlist. Take inspirations from these designer outfits so you can celebrate looking stylish. 😉

PS — Don’t miss the cool cinemagraphs shot from the Nokia Lumia 820 embedded below.

Debarun
Debarun’s festive, yet non blingy collection mixed beige, ivory and red, with a geometric print forming the “base” of the collection.

Manish Malhotra
The two trends to take away from this collection– chic mirror work and desi-inspired colour blocking.

SVA by Sonam & Paras Modi
Peacock motifs and earthy colours dominated Sonam & Paras Modi’s SVA Couture collection. The embellishments were just about right– not too OTT.

Payal Singhal
Black is almost an acceptable colour now for the festive season (if not weddings), and paired with pale blush pink it made quite an impact. Also, the printed dupattas with colour blocked lehengas are a new look to try.

Ritika by Vivek Kumar
Vivek Kumar’s collection is for those who wan an “Indo-western” look. I liked the embroidered yokes and some of the metallic embellishments.