LFW WF 2013: The best of festive wear

LFW WF 2013: The best of festive wear

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.

Debarun at LFW WF 2013

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

Manish Malhotra at LFW WF 2013

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.

TV Review: Trinny & Susannah’s India mission is kinda disappointing

TV Review: Trinny & Susannah’s India mission is kinda disappointing

So Trinny and Susannah, those cheeky, Brit gals with a great sense of style, came to India on a fashion mission (Trinny & Susannah Makeover Mission India, to be precise). They found some interesting “subjects”, and worked their magic on them. But the magic didn’t work much for me as a viewer. Maybe I had high expectations from their India season, since I’ve been a fan of their UK shows. Despite my obvious disappointment, the ladies did make an effort to put together a good show for our style-challenged audience.

Here’s what worked for me, and what didn’t.

The Good:
Trinny and Susannah chose some interesting subjects. Like an odd couple or two, plus-sized men and women, and even a female wrestler! It was great that they travelled to different Indian cities, and visited several local hotspots. I spotted Pizza By the Bay and Fab India in the Mumbai episode. And I saw a Delhi mall too (sorry, can’t remember the name). And I must they had done their homework to understand Indian culture and fashion, and especially our attitude to clothes. For instance, Trinny commented that most Indian men kinda had a uniform for everything- formal shirt and trousers! Couldn’t agree more. 😉

Trinny & Susannah’s approach was not just about looking great- it was an exercise to address the subjects’ fears, insecurities and lack of confidence. They spoke to the men and women about their life, their work, their aspirations. They seemed genuinely interested in helping the subjects make an impact and feel confident, rather than just wear branded clothes.

The Not-So-Good:

The styling was quite uninspired. True, for most Indians, any type of basic “styling” or even thinking about clothes or makeup is a BIG THING, so maybe it WOWed several people. But the choices they made didn’t really excite me. And I absolutely didn’t like how they styled one of the plus-sized women. A maxi that further increases the hips– not exactly my first choice for that lady!

I noticed a couple of ill-fitting outfits and some “subjects” who looked uncomfortable with their new clothes. Now that’s not good news, is it? And I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks the show was a bit watered down, partly it was too short (barely 22 minutes!). So there wasn’t too much time for Trinny & Susannah’s witticisms that’s their trademark of sorts. And I certainly missed the motivational “session” they have with women to make them feel comfortable in their own skin. And I’m not even talking about getting the women to undress in a window display of a high-street store! (Yes, they’ve really done that a number of times in the UK show).

But hey, Trinny & Susannah came, they stayed, they styled. Mission accomplished.

Trinny & Susannah India

What did you think of the Trinny & Susannah’s Makeover Mission India? The show airs Monday to Friday at 9PM, only on TLC.

Bollywood Fashion : Why Sonakshi Sinha is a fashion flop in OUATIMD, and Akshay Kumar isn’t

Bollywood Fashion : Why Sonakshi Sinha is a fashion flop in OUATIMD, and Akshay Kumar isn’t

I saw Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara (OUATIMD) over the weekend, and I wasn’t impressed by the movie, and definitely not by the fashion. Sonakshi Sinha’s costumes, designed / styled by Manish Malhotra were a complete let-down. Here’s why:
Sonakshi was not wearing the right fits

OUATIMD- Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha’s wardrobe disaster in Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara is primarily because of the ill-fitting outfits that she’s wearing. Yes, she’s a plus-sized actor, but that doesn’t excuse the tailoring. The knee-length kurtas were too tight for her– unsightly bulge jutted out at the sleeves and the back.

Sonakshi’s outfits were wrong for her body type
The camera adds 10 pounds and the silver screen another 10, I’d say. While the costume design team had to stick to the styles and trends of the era, Sonakshi looked bloated and way too plump next to the fit Akshay Kumar and skinny Imran Khan. Tweaking the outfits to better suit her body shape would have helped. Like the kurtas could be a bit looser on the chest and hips, and the necklines should have been higher.

The era was all wrong

OUATIMD- Sonakshi Sinha
Contrast dupattas are a fairly recent phenomenon, so Sonakshi shouldn’t have been wearing them in the movie. They weren’t around in the 1970s and 80s. I remember my mom and aunts wearing dupattas that were the same colour as their kurta and salwar. And the little prints on her kurtas can be found in any bazaar, department store or ethnic brand store in India today!

The costumes didn’t match the character
Sonakshi plays a naive aspiring actor from small-town Kashmir, and a girl with such a background would NOT be wearing such low necklies or plunging backs. And the dupatta would actually cover up her chest, not play peek a boo.

Sonakshi’s makeup could be so much better
Blush, eye shadow, liner and lipstick, all put together in a single look made me feel the makeup artist could have done a far better job. Sonakshi looked lovely in the scenes in which there was no hint of lipstick or rouge. And oh, the silver nail polish. Really?
Is the off-screen Sonakshi more fashionable?

OUATIMD-Sonakshi-Sinha
BTW, Sonakshi looked lovely in some of the events promoting the film, much more real and relaxed, and carrying similar looks but looking much more fashionable and comfortable. The fits seemed right this time. What say?

A word on Akshay Kumar’s costumes

Akshay Kumar looked pretty much the gangster comfortable in his own skin. While I thought Akshay’s acting was over-the-top, his look was very well styled by Kunal Rawal.

OUATIMD-Akshay Kumar

Kunal dressed Akshay Kumar in solid and striped shirts in colours like like deep wine, burgundy, and steel grey teamed with muted jackets in greys, navy and black. Unmissable accessories defined the man and his persona– a mix of classy (Cartier watch), trendy (over-sized dark sunglasses) and wanting to show who’s boss (shiny and pointy shoes). Slick and stylish!

BTW, another great piece of movie styling by Kunal Rawal is Aisha (click here to read about the Aisha costumes).

What did you think of the costumes in Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobara?

Chic Video: Ladies, here’s the best excuse to shop!

A distraught husband can’t fathom the circumstances of the robbery at his home. With the wife in the shower, the robber sneaked in, stole all the wife’s clothes,  but left behind some expensive stuff.

Or so the wife says.

This video posted by Shoppers Stop on their YouTube channel will make you smile if you’re a shopaholic woman, or hold your head in despair if you’re a man. Either ways, you will enjoy it just like I did. 🙂

Now go shop your heart out!

IBFW: Hot colours, new looks, WTFashion moments & more…

IBFW: Hot colours, new looks, WTFashion moments & more…

Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week Delhi 2013 drew to an end last week, so here’s a quick look at some “trends” I observed from the various shows.

Brides want to try new styles…
A whole new set of designers are experimenting with bridal wear and creating radically new looks for the modern Indian bride. While Falguni & Shane Peacock did a goth bride, Shantanu-Nikhil used sharp silhouettes and unusual neckline shapes for their bridal outfits. (Below: Neha Dhupia for Falguni & Shane Peacock, Shantanu-Nikhil)

Neha Dhupia for Falguni & Shane Peacock at India Bridal Fashion Week

Shantanu & Nikhil at India Bridal Fashion Week Delhi 2013

… While some designers look at the past
Mughal, Renaissance and Kotwara influences- the days of yore fascinate designers, brides and fashion-loving Indians in equal measure. (Below: Meera Muzaffar Ali, Ashima-Leena)

Meera Muzaffar Ali at India Bridal Fashion Week

Ashima Leena at India Bridal Fashion Week Delhi 2013 (2)

Hot colours for brides are oranges and nudes
Jewel tones like rich purple, bright blue and peacock green have almost disappeared from most designers’ colour palette, in favour of orange, coral and peach shades, with nude, ivory and beige. Must say that some shades of orange I saw on the ramp were delicious. 😉 (Below: Ashima-Leena; Tarun Tahiliani)

Ashima Leena at India Bridal Fashion Week Delhi 2013

 

Tarun Tahiliani-India Bridal Fashion Week

 

Gold is still the black of Indian bridal wear
Embellishments are golden… ’nuff said. Us Indians will always be obsessed with the yellow metal.  (Below: Sonam Kapoor for Rohit Bal; Suneet Varma)

Sonam Kapoor for Rohit Bal at India Bridal Fashion Week

Suneet Varma at India Bridal Fashion Week

 

Fashion weeks will never be short of WTFashion moments
From Rina Dhaka’s overtly kitsch collection to some sort of headbands at Adarsh Gill, ramp shows will always have some seriously WTFashion styles. (Below: Adarsh Gill, Rina Dhaka)

Adarsh Gill at India Bridal Fashion Week

Models for Rina Dhaka- India Bridal Fashion Week

What did you think of the collections at Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week?

India Bridal Fashion Week: 5 outfits I want to wear to my wedding

India Bridal Fashion Week: 5 outfits I want to wear to my wedding

My big day is barely four months away, and India Bridal Fashion Week Delhi 2013 came along at the right time. Looking at all the pictures from the week gave me a good idea of outfits I could try, some embellishment options I could explore, or hot colours for brides over the next few months.

Here’s my pick of the outfits I’d choose to wear for my wedding (and the related ceremonies). My top choices range from lehengas for the wedding ceremony to gowns for the sangeet. Which outfit is your favourite from these?

Chic Ads: Deepika Padukone makes boring specs & stylish shades look sexy for Vogue Eyewear

Chic Ads: Deepika Padukone makes boring specs & stylish shades look sexy for Vogue Eyewear

Deepika Padukone always looks good, and this summer of 2013 she’s rocking the Vogue Eyewear campaign wearing everything trendy in eyewear- from cat-eye sunglasses to square-shaped opticals.

Deepika Padukone for Vogue Eyewear

Dressed mostly in the hot neon colours of the season by Anaita Shroff Adjania, Deepika is showing off sunglasses to be worn at a stylish afternoon soiree, for a day of shopping and an early evening party. But she also sheds her glam image for a geeky stay-at-home look with plain ol’ glasses (aka spectacle frames) with a book by her side.

Deepika Padukone for Vogue Eyewear

The campaign has been shot by fashion photgrapher Prasad Naik in a variety of settings and looks. BTW, Deepika is the first Indian face of Vogue Eyewear and I think she’s the right choice! I can imagine her wearing the flirty shades in Cocktail and Race 2, and the geeky frames in Jawani Deewani. And maybe girls like me won’t feel too embarrassed about wearing specs anymore. 😉

What do you think of Deepika Padukone’s campaign for Vogue Eyewear?

Chic Trend: Take a bite of your favourite citrus fruits!

Chic Trend: Take a bite of your favourite citrus fruits!
Orange, lemon and sweet lime are juicy, sweet and the right of sour. And this summer, they’re delicious enough to wear. An easy balance of colour between neon, sorbet and pop shades, the citrus colours of orange, green and yellow can easily be worn as dresses or separates, and can be paired with each other.
Take a look at Speaking Chic’s citrus picks and read some handy style tips below:
Some tips to wear citrus:
  • These colours should be worn with a light neutral shade like beige, white or khaki. So if you’re wearing an orange top, try on a pair of beige slim fit trousers.
  • For citrusy pants, you could wear a contrasting coloured top or printed blouse.
  • Citrus + citrus = Yummy! (Warning: Take your husband/sibling/ mom’s opinion before you step out in a top-to-toe citrus ensemble).
  • If you’re wearing a bright orange or yellow dress, make that the key piece of your look. Which means your bag, shoes and earrings should be subtle. Nude pumps or a tan belt would look great!

LFW SR 2013: Bags of the week

LFW SR 2013: Bags of the week

Shimmery beach bags

They’re shiny, they’re bejewelled, and they’re supersized. Check out the beach bags at Pia Pauro!

Pia Pauro beach bag

Wooden clutches

Wooden carvings from the Renaissance appeared on clutches at Sounia Gohil. Do we need another reason to believe they were romantic, luxurious times?

Sounia Gohil wooden clutch

Urban laptop bags

Bags for the busy working woman are simple, carefully crafted and neutral—as seen at Nishka Lulla (bags by Vitasta).

Nishka Lulla Vitasta bag

LFW SR 2013: Sanjay Hingu plays with neon colours and details for men

LFW SR 2013: Sanjay Hingu plays with neon colours and details for men

There are very few menswear designers who can create collections that make an impact. Sanjay Hingu is one of them. For Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013, he used just a few colours in the collection. So green, brown and red dominated,  while neon pink made a guest appearance. This hot colour was on piping, lapels, collars and button plackets. The colour also peeked out from below jackets (on shirts). I like how he kept the jackets and pants simple, but played around with the few colours and details for attractive evening (and maybe even day) outfits for guys.

Sanjay Hingu at LFW SR 2013

Sanjay Hingu at LFW SR 2013

Sanjay Hingu at LFW SR 2013

I can imagine men not liking the idea of wearing a neon colour,  but if Indian men can wear maroon, yellow and green pants, why not just a bit of neon in their ensemble? Now that they are daring to wear colours, might as well wear them loud and proud!