BBlunt

In 2012, Accessories, Beauty, Fashion

Chic Guide: Top 5 things to do this week

Speaking ChicJuly 16, 2012July 16, 2012Leave a comment

Watch: BE BLUNT with Adhuna Akhtar

Every fashionista loves a makeover show. This time, celeb hairstylist Adhuna Akhtar, along with Osh Bhabani wield their styling tools to transform girls from across India. The women get a fab hair makeover and a new look in this six-part series. And they get to meet their fave Bollywood stars too. 😉

BE BLUNT with Adhuna Akhtar will air every night, 10 pm starting July 16- only on TLC.

Buy: Batman tees

Batman fans are in for a double treat this week. First, The Dark Knight Rises releases this weekend, and second- exclusive Batman tees! French Connection’s limited edition range of Batman tees feature comic book illustrations that fan boys will love (sorry, girls- tees are for guys only).

Batman tees are available at select French Connection stores across India for Rs 1699. Limited stock available.

Look After: Your leather bag

A wet leather bag is never good news. Here’s what you can do to keep it looking as good as new in the monsoon:

Pat your wet leather with a soft cloth.
Let your bag dry out in a naturally dry place or air-conditioned room. Don’t leave it under direct sunlight!
Invest in an appropriate cream or wax for your bag- choose one that actually “moisturizes” your accessory. Use it after the bag is completely dry.
Store your leather bag in a cloth bag to protect it from dust and moisture. Do remember to air it once in a while.

(Tips from Hidesign).

Shop till you drop: 50-50 at Oberoi Mall

This Wednesday, Mumbai will head to Oberoi Mall for its bi-annual 50-50 sale. During this one-day-only offer, 50 brands at the suburban mall will offer FLAT 50% off on their merchandise. There’s fashion (Jack & Jones, Wills Lifestyle, Jashn), beauty, department stores (Lifestyle, Central) and even food counters participating!

50-50 sale is on Wednesday, July 18 only at Oberoi Mall, Goregaon.

Talk about: Superdry coming to India

Superdry is not a new dry cleaning service. It’s a casual wear brand with unique urban clothing that’s set to enter India in partnership with Reliance Brands. Superdry fuses design influences, from Japanese graphics and vintage Americana, with the values of British tailoring, and has got unmistakable branding. Superdry offers mostly casual wear- t-shirts, jeans, sweaters, joggers, shirts, rugby shirts, polo shirts as well as bags and accessories. They have a premium approach with vintage detailing, tailored fits and bespoke fabrics- so expect higher pricing than other casual and sports wear brands Jack & Jones, Levi’s, Puma, Adidas etc. BTW, celeb fans of Superdry include David Beckham and Zac Efron.

What are you planning to do this week?

In Accessories, Beauty, Fashion, hair, makeup

Chic Finds: 4 fabulous Friendship Day gift ideas to please your BFF (and your pocket)

Speaking ChicAugust 5, 2011Leave a comment

Girls, it’s Friendship Day this weekend! And while most of you plan to celebrate by tying ribbons, maybe it’s time to give some thought to your special friend—you know, the one who knows about all your crushes, responds to your 2am SMS and listens to your rants about the b**** who stole your ex. In short, your BFF.

But inflation is sky-high, pocket money is limited and it’s only the beginning of the month. So we’ve shortlisted some presents that your friend will love (and so will your wallet)—everything’s Rs 500 or less!

Idea 1: Fashion

Shop at 109F—their stores are offering flat 50% off (and some even 70%)! Prices start at Rs 695, simple math will tell you there are great bargains to be found!

Idea 2: Accessories

Choose colourful accessories from the girl who brightens your dull day. From statement rings to charm necklaces to long earrings, your friend will love these!

Below: “Key to my heart charm necklace” from Toniq; earrings from Aldo Accessories; kundan ring from Sia

Idea 3: Beauty

Here’s a fun thing you can do together this weekend—get your hair braided at b: blunt. Then join your other friends and show off the trendy plaits.

Idea 4: Makeup

This one’s for the girl who can never have enough makeup… even though she’s gorgeous. Go wild with glosses (very wearable), dark kajal and mascara, and funky-coloured nail polishes.

Below: Lakme Lip Love conditioner, Maybelline Colossal Mascara, Colorbar nail polish, Lotus Herbals kajal.

Have a great Friendship Day weekend with your friends!

In 2011, Bollywood Fashion, Fashion, trends

Chic Insider: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara looks decoded!

Speaking ChicJuly 4, 201129 Comments

Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin—the cast of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) have been rocking the promos and we’re enjoying what we see (fashion-wise)—from Farhan’s hats, Kalki’s sleek bangs, to Katrina’s free-spirited vibe.

Curious about the five looks, we spoke to the styling team of ZNMD for a better perspective on the characters and how their traits translate into their screen persona. Arjun Bhasin, the costume designer for ZNMD explained the fashion looks while Osh Bhabani, Avan Contractor and Walter Dorairaj (the b:blunt stylists), told us the story behind the hair styles.

Here’s what the experts tell us (Fashion by Arjun Bhassin, Hair by b:blunt team):

Abhay Deol as Kabir
Fashion: Kabir is a funky rich kid with a sense of humour, so his personality and clothes are colourful!
Hair: Being a rich guy, Kabir’s look is strong and edgy. So we’ve given him a lot of texture that’s fashionable, classy and tasteful.

Hrithik Roshan as Arjun
Fashion: Hrithik (as Arjun) is a chic London investment banker who’s bit of a control freak so his clothes are tailored,controlled, crisp and perfect.
Hair: Arjun’s character starts off almost straitjacketed. He’s a perfectionist which reflects in his style, though he becomes more relaxed after he meets Laila (Katrina). His hair style goes from smooth and and sophisticated to casual.

Farhan Akhtar as Imraan
Fashion: Imraan’s a bohemian, eclectic, romantic poet. So he’s bit of a hippy and that reflects in his wardrobe—so he wears a kurta from a local market with designer sunglasses.
Hair: Imraan is effortless, fresh and lively, so the hair style is boho-inspired and has got a boyish feel. We’ve played with Farhan’s natural movement and texture, going from wavy to curly.

(Below: b:blunt stylist Avan Contractor working on Farhan Akhtar’s hair on the sets of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara).

Kalki Koechlin as Natasha
Fashion: Kalki is a super spoilt rich girl from Mumbai, hot on the trail of designers with kickass bags and shoes.
Hair: Natasha is very chic and classy. Totally inspired by designer outfits, her look just screams expensive!

(Below: b:blunt stylist Walter Dorairaj styling Kalki Koechlin’s hair while shooting for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara).

Katrina Kaif as Laila
Fashion: Katrina Kaif as Laila is a bohemian traveller and an island girl. She buys beautiful clothes everywhere and mixes them up. She’s not a designer girl—she more casual and sexy, and has a got a “Kate Moss” vibe.
Hair: Laila is a free spirit and “live in the moment” kind of girl. Since she has born and brought up abroad, she is very modern and boho, which translates into her hair style through beautiful movement, textured feel and the longish length.

Which look do you like the most?

Coming soon: In-depth look at the fashion in Zindagi na milegi dobara with costume designer Arjun Bhasin.

In 2011, Accessories, Beauty, Fashion, News

Chic Alert: It’s sales season again!

Speaking ChicJuly 2, 20116 Comments

It’s July, and it’s time for bargain hunting at the monsoon sales in almost every store across India. So break your piggybank, demand a salary/ pocket money hike, and hit the mall like there’s no tomorrow.

For our shopaholics’ convenience, here’s a list of fashion stores/ brands on sale. Print it out, mark your preferences and carry it with you to the mall. Tick off your list as you dole out the cash.

Clothes (stand-alone brands/ designers)

AND
Global Desi
Anita Dongre
Ranna Gill
Globus: 40% off
Ed Hardy: Up to 50% off
Zara
H&A
Chemistry: up to 50% off
Promod: up to 50% off
Latin Quarters: up to 60% off
French Connection: flat 30% off for men, up to 50% off for women

Lingerie

La Senza: up to 50% off

Accessories

Nine West: 40-60% off
Charles & Keith: up to 30% off
Reebok: Flat 40% off
Citywalk: 50% off

Multi-brand/ designer stores

Mogra: up to 80% off
Re: up to 70% off
Ensemble: up to 70% off; from July 7-9, 2011

Jeans/ casual wear

Lee: up to 50% off
Pepe Jeans: up to 60% off
Levi’s

Beauty (Special Offer)

b:blunt’s Monsoon Manicure Madness: every new customer gets a complimentary manicure. Existing customers can recommend a friend and get a free mani.

Have a great shopping weekend!

In 2011, Advice, Fashion, hair, Shopping

Chic Weekend: Get a haircut at b:blunt, shop at Ensemble, Grab a Lavie bag

Speaking ChicApril 16, 2011Leave a comment

Speaking Chic’s weekend to-dos for fashionable fun!

Get a haircut at b:blunt

One of our favourite salons B:Blunt has just opened at hip and happenin’ Bandra. The salon will be run by Shimsha and Shefali Shetty, the sisters known for great hair styling. So if you’re in Mumbai’s western suburbs, and you’re looking to prep your hair for the hot summer ahead, you know where to go!

Below: Abhishek Bachchan with the Bandra b:blunt team.

Shop for Rohit Bal and Kotwara at Ensemble

Ace designer Rohit Bal and Kotwara’s collections recently hit the racks at Ensemble, Kala Ghoda (Mumbai). While Rohit Bal’s collection comprises flowy crushed kurtas, Kotwara’s designer duo Meera and Muzzaffar Ali have used chikankari work on whites and soft pastels.

Below: An outfit from Kotwara’s Ensemble collection

Grab a Lavie bag

We like Lavie bags because they’re affordable and chic. 🙂 Would be a good idea to check out their bags—they’ve got a whole range from sensible work bags to trendy clutches. (Available in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.)

Below: Lavie Cloris bag

In 2011, Bollywood Fashion, Fashion

Bollywood Fashion: Shahrukh Khan’s got contrasting looks in Don 2

Speaking ChicFebruary 25, 20114 Comments

Shahrukh Khan looked haggard, gaunt and almost repulsive on the cover of Bombay Times this Monday. His hair was long, dishevelled and tied up, he was unshaved, and he was in a prisoner’s uniform. In another photo (see below), he sports a tattoo on his right arm. Certainly not the Shahrukh we’re so used to.

We suspect that’s how Shahrukh will look in the early scenes of Don 2: The Chase Continues (releases December 2011).

After Don escapes from prison, and cops chase him around the world (including Berlin), the gangster will be back to his conniving ways and his preferred style. Calling it a stark contrast would be an understatement, right?

Shahrukh Khan is formal, though he’s not wearing a suit. The stylist/ costume designer (we’re still trying to figure out who it is) has layered several textures in varying shades of grey. The garments have been tailored to make the already-fit Shahrukh aka Don look sleeker. And the trench coat is just to die for—can’t remember the last time Shahrukh Khan wore one on-screen. It’s the perfect touch to the 21st century, sophisticated gangster look.

Meanwhile, Don covers his evil eyes with sunglasses and sports a haircut that is full on the crown and slightly spiked (we suspect it’s Adhuna Bhabani-Akhtar/ her B:Blunt team behind the hair style). And oh, he’s clean-shaven. Yay to that!

In two words: We like!

In Beauty, hair, trends

Dial 022 for chic hair: b:blunt’s hairstyle collection for the fashion-forward

Speaking ChicJanuary 31, 20116 Comments

Talking to Adhuna Bhabani-Akhtar, Avan Contractor and Brent Baker of b:blunt is like hanging out with a bunch of friends who share an intense passion for hairdressing. And though Brent (a UK hairdresser) is the newest member of the 12-year-old b:blunt team, the lively bonhomie indicates otherwise. The trio recently kicked off their collaboration with a collection of hairstyles for Spring/Summer 2011, called 022 (Mumbai’s phone code).

Speaking Chic spoke to Adhuna, Avan and Brent over coffee and cake to talk about the story behind their new hairstyle collection.

Firstly, why 022 and Mumbai? Why not an international fashion capital like Paris or Milan?

Adhuna: Because Mumbai is where we all met for the first time! And because we all love the city.

Brent: I just love Mumbai—the city has a certain vibe to it that I enjoy.

How did you design the 022 styles?

Adhuna: While the three of us [Avan, Brent and I] ideated a lot about hair styles, we realised we had a common link: we all loved the iconic Halo hairstyle, which is very popular right now. So we modernised it for our collection, staying true to its curved shape, but playing with texture and colour.

Brent: We’ve used the Halo to give very “round” shapes to our styles. There’s lots of layering, and you can wear the styles in different ways.

How did the photo shoot go? Styling is a creative process, so were there any last-minute ideas that popped up?

Adhuna: That’s exactly how it happened!

Brent: Well, being a creative process, there’s always an element of surprise, but you deal with it, and you’re always prepared for disaster.

OMG, so were there any disasters?

Avan: Well, the disaster was that there too many wonderful options for us to choose from. But in the end, we choose the most trendy style, with some classic elements.

Brent: The disaster was that there wasn’t enough coffee!

Did anyone serve as your inspiration for these styles?

Brent: At the edge of East End in London, I’ve seen a lot of cool kids who dress incredibly creatively. And they have bangs right up to their eyes, it’s amazing how they carry it off. They were an inspiration for me.

What’s one definitive look from this collection?

Adhuna: This decade is not so much about a definite look. It’s must more about personal and individual style.

Avan: Yup, and today, everyone is more lifestyle-dependent, everyone wants the hairstyle to be quick, low-maintenance and easy to manage.

Who would be a B:Blunt guy or girl?

Avan: David Beckham, because he likes to try new looks.

Adhuna: Everyone, because we have something for everyone.

Brent: It would be someone who likes being different, but not necessarily loud. They can be different in an understated way.

Which is your favourite style from the collection?

Brent: (Picture below)

Adhuna: I don’t have a favourite.

Avan: (After thinking hard) Tough to have a favourite, they’re all different, yet similar.

Speaking Chic’s picks from the collection:

Which hairstyle would you like to try?