black

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.

In Fashion, WIFW AW 2013

WIFW AW 2013: Hot trend- metal!

Speaking ChicMarch 14, 2013March 14, 2013Leave a comment

There’s more than one way to wear metal on your clothes, according to Siddharth Tytler and Anaikka at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2013. Siddharth loves goth glam looks, so metallic embellishments remained the focus of his collection, but he made it interesting to watch (and wear) with feminine skirts and combining with textures like sequins and leather.

Anaikka innovated with metallic thread patchwork on garments, beads and spikes. Long chains were wrapped around the torso, while heavy metal embellishments covered a body suit all over, creating the illusion of bondage.

Would you wear metal?

In Fashion, WIFW AW 2013

WIFW AW 2013: B&W to be around next season too?

Speaking ChicMarch 14, 2013March 13, 2013Leave a comment

Maybe we should hold on to our black and white prints end of this season, ladies. For black-and-white promises to be around next season, according to Anupama Dayal and Masaba Gupta among others.

(Below: Looks from Anupamaa by Anupama Dayal)

Islamic and Mughal art inspired Anupama Day’s zigzag and checkerboard prints on sharara-like trousers, jamas and angarakhas creating a flowy effect; while Masaba Gupta’s watercolour prints were true to the Satya Paul DNA.

(Below: Look from Masaba for Satya Paul)

Are you wearing black and white yet?

In 2013, Fashion

Chic First Look: Vero Moda Spring / Summer 2013

Speaking ChicFebruary 18, 2013February 17, 2013Leave a comment

What to Expect from Vero Moda’s Spring/ Summer 2013 collection

Get stylish casuals to dressy club wear at Vero Moda this Spring / Summer. They’ve got a wide colour palette (bright fuchsia, mint green, white) in simple easy-to-wear silhouettes. The prints include two-tone bold stripes, ombre effects, tie and dye and the ever-popular florals.

Detailing includes beading, with lace and neon hints on lightweight and sheer fabrics like silk, satin and organza.

PS—British model Poppy Delevingne is the face of Vero Moda for 2013, chosen for her fresh look and easy elegance.

Bang on Trend

The “True Summer Look”: Lots of soft hues in pinks, whites and washed blues, seen on light fabrics.

Updated Florals: They’re on dresses, tops, pants and shorts—but get a 2013 summery twist with the new colour palette.

Black and White: This classic combo gets a bold edge at Vero Moda from Spring/ Summer 2013, with larger-than-life stripes and prints.

What to Buy

Floral printed pants and shorts

Black-and-white pieces (as stripes or colour blocked dresses)

Feminine white tops (the basics for the season)

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, Fashion, Men

Street Chic: Which car colour would you wear?

Speaking ChicJanuary 10, 2012January 10, 2012Leave a comment

In a fashion blog, there’s no chance for car talk. But since I love cars, I thought I’d share my love for them with a fashion twist and share them with Speaking Chic readers. Over the past year or so, I’ve spotted a lot of colour on Indian roads—from deep orange to dark blue to various hues of green. Some look great, some are urgh, and some are just wow. My question is—would you wear any of these colours?

So here are some cars in unusual colours I spotted on Mumbai roads recently. Take a look and tell me which colours are wearable and which ones are just too horrible to look at.

Weird green on Mahindra Xylo:

If there’s one colour weirder than mud green, it’s got to be this one. This green is somewhere between a pastel and a fluorescent, it looks terrible on the car, and would look worse on me!

Two shades of brown in a single look—yeah or no way? (For me—no way, Jose!)

Shiny black all over—great look for the night. (And I’m coveting the Merc too!)

Red cars are popular in India, and most Indian women wear red as a symbol of marriage. But what about maroon? I think a maroon lehenga or sari would look gorgeous on an Indian bride.

Unusual bright colours have made a recent appearance on Indian cars. The green Ford Figo has become popular (they call the colour squeeze), and so has the sunlight orange Nissan Micra (endorsed by Ranbir Kapoor).

Both cars are spunky, and bring a tinge of freshness to Indian roads. What’s more, both colours would be just right for an Indian woman’s spring/summer wardrobe, but she would need a very strong personality and careful styling to carry them off.

Art on cars: Would you sport an Ed Hardy tattoo? Or something similar? I’d never get a tattoo, period!

So which car colour would you wear?

In Accessories, Fashion, trends

Winter Guide: The best of boots!

Speaking ChicNovember 30, 2011November 30, 2011Leave a comment

It’s the season for boots, ladies! And with hundreds of styles to choose from, we girls are spoilt for choice… and confused. So here’s my pick of boots for winter 2011-12, along with chic tips to wear them!

The classic blacks

You can’t pass a winter without a pair of black boots for daily wear. Black boots go with almost every colour I can imagine, and are ideal for day wear, office and evening!

Chic tip: Bored of black boots? Try tan or brown boots, or look for blacks with a hint of detailing like lace or texture, or a cool buckle.

Below: Black boot from Metro, lace-up boots from Sisley, grey lace boot from Benetton

Boots for parties

Boots now come in fun styles! Decorated with sequins, rhinestones and beads, boots can be as embellished as your party dress. Spiky-heeled boots are a great alternative to stilettos and peep-toed pumps.

Below: Embellished boot from Metro, boot from Mochi

Chic tip: Let’s be honest—boots can make you look like a tramp. If your look is too grungy or blingy, then you run a serious fashion risk with embellished boots. If your boots are quite catchy, tone down the jewellery and the sequins on your dress.

Tall boots

Tall or knee-high boots can be quite intimidating for many women, but don’t think you’re too short or too tall for something. If a pair of tall boots looks great on you, wear it with confidence. They are great to keep your legs warm in the cold weather!

Below: Boot from Bootz Collection (at bestylish.com), Heeled boot from Zara

Chic tip: Avoid wearing knee-high boots with shorts, though they do look great with skirts, dresses and skinny jeans.

Which boots are you wearing this winter?

In 2011, Fashion, trends, WIFW AW 2011

WIFW A/W 2011: Important fashion lessons from Day 3

Speaking ChicApril 10, 2011Leave a comment

Fashion Lesson 1: Black will always be the new black

Fashion designers declared black as the colour for Autumn/Winter 2011, proving that black will always be in fashion. We spotted black at Sanskar by Sonam Dubal, Namrata Joshipura and Mrinalini.

Below: Sanskar by Sonam Dubal, Namrata Joshipura and Mrinalini.

Fashion Lesson 2: Designers are loving geometric shapes!

Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna turned linear geometry on its head, creating vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines with crosshatching patches on grey felts, mixing see-through fabrics with opaque, and use of superimposed patterns. Mrinalini’s collection drew inspiration from origami, crafting garments in straight lines, checks, circles and patterns. She managed to give her clothes a paper-like feel. Meanwhile, Raj Shroff used cutwork jackets to layer for winter. All these designers showed us geometry in fashion is tres chic and wearable!

Below: Mrinalini, Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna

Fashion Lesson 3: Head gear is ruling the ramps across India

We spotted plenty of head gear last month on Day 2 of Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011. And on the third day of WIFW A/W 2011, we spotted fun head gear and accessories at Divyam Mehta, James Ferreira and Prama by Pratima Pandey. Now we’re only awaiting the highstreet versions and roadside bargains. 😉

Below: Divyam Mehta, Prama by Pratima Pandey.

Fashion Lesson 4: Stockings will be fun this winter

Stockings and tights made a comeback recently, and it’s nice to know they will be around for a while. From plain boring leggings and stockings, we’ve moved on to printed ones, and now designers are keeping them for next season. So they’re in bright colours at James Ferreira and Small Shop by Jason Anshu, shaded at S&N Drape by Shantanu & Nikhil, and bejewelled socks at Namrata Joshipura. They’re on our winter must-have list already!

Below: Small Shop by Jason Anshu, S&N Drape by Shantanu & Nikhil, Namrata Joshipura.

Fashion Lesson 5: We’re ready for new silhouettes

At Small Shop by Jason-Anshu, the silhouettes were geometrical, making boxy shapes, yet draped in a feminine manner. The designer duo played with colour mixing and draping to create multi-layering effects. And at Raj Shroff’s aptly-named Mystic Contours, shapes were best-defined as anti-silhouette, not following contoured lines and other physical attributes, yet striking a balance between extremes. Textures involving tipping and patchwork and slits were seen in twisted forms.

Below: Small Shop by Jason-Anshu, Raj Shroff

Fashion Lesson 6: Fashion designers do try hard

Both Manish Malhotra and S&N Drape by Shantanu & Nikhil showcased their collections at LFW S/R 2011. And while both designers stuck to similar concepts from last month’s shows, they made a marked attempt to present different styles to the audience. Thank god for that!

Below: Manish Malhotra, S&N Drape by Shantanu & Nikhil.

In 2010, Fashion, trends

Party dresses: Black is chic!

Speaking ChicDecember 21, 2010Leave a comment

It’s Christmas week; it’s time to get in the party mood. And it’s time to pick out the right party dress, accessories and makeup. We kick off our party series with eternal party favourites: Little Black Dresses (LBDs).

LBD with a twist

Wear your LBD in an unusual cut that will flatter your body shape. Cinch it at the waist with an eye-catching belt: it could be in a pop colour or studded, or both!

Dress from Vizyon; belt from Charles & Keith.

Asymmetrical Dresses

Asymmetrical hemlines are fun to wear and can play peek-a-boo if you want to flaunt your toned bod. Add on some shimmer and sparkle, and you’re set to party!

Dress from Vizyon.

LBDs: Little Black Blazers

If you like to defy convention and stay away from dresses, try a night-time blazer with interesting details like sequins or stones. Pair with super skinny dark jeans or mini skirt.

Blazer from mapxencaRS by Riddhi & Siddhi.

Which of these LBDs do you want to wear?

In Accessories, Fashion, trends

Chic Diwali gifts: Quilted bags

Speaking ChicOctober 23, 2010Leave a comment

Who says you need to save up for a decade to buy a fabulous quilted bag like Chanel’s? Not anymore, you don’t.

Fortunately for us fashion fiends, high street brands have taken a leaf from Chanel’s page and adopted quilted bags to their product offering, making them much more affordable. And some of their bags are just gorgeous. I knew I had to have one the moment I spotted one a few days ago. And it made it to my list of great Diwali gifts to give (or want).

Don’t believe me? Check out the pictures. On the left is the famous Chanel bag. On the right is Aldo’s spin-off of the classic accessory.

Yup, the high street version won’t last forever, but true fashionistas need new bags every season, right? 🙂

Showing all posts tagged black

LFW WF 2013: The best of festive wear

Debarun