celebs

4 edgy styles cover Rolling Stone this month

Speaking ChicMarch 17, 2015March 16, 2015Leave a comment

Four talented female musicians are on this month’s cover of Rolling Stone India, and boy, do they look edgy or what?!

The seventh anniversary special issue of the magazine features Monica Dogra of Mumbai electro rock band Shaa’ir+Func, Tipriti Kharbangar of Shillong blues band Soulmate, and Mumbai-based vocalists Anushka Manchanda and Vasuda Sharma.

These stars of the Indian alternative music scene are in a never-seen-before avatar and I bet none of you have seen them in such looks before. According to the shoot’s stylist Roli Gupta, it was a fun experience and the women were open to suggestions making them easy to style. “I decided each look based on the personality of the musicians,” she says. (All clothes are by Tommy Hilfiger.)

Ladies, if you’re looking for edgy inspirations for your looks, take a tip or several from these pictures. Here are my fashion takeaways from these pics:

Wear a pair of sexy knee-length boots
Pair black with another strong colour like red.
Mix prints and colours without hesitation!
If you’ve got it, flaunt it! (I mean a great bod, of course).
Don chunky metallic accessories.
Keep your hair wild.

Photographed by Ashish Shah

Clothes by Tommy Hilfiger (Spring Summer 2015 collection)

Styling by Roli Gupta

Hair and make-up by Jean-Claude Biguine

Rolling Stone India March 2015 is available on stands for Rs 100.

In 2013, Fashion

Chic Chat: Fashion icons get candid in a WeChat group

Speaking ChicJune 14, 2013June 14, 2013Leave a comment

This blog post is a contest entry for the IndiBlogger WeChat with Anyone, Anywhere! contest. You can check out the WeChat YouTube channel, and download the app on your iPhone, Android, Windows, Nokia or Blackberry phone.

Fashion is fun, but it can be a pain for the style icons of our time. The constant media glare, the ever-critical bloggers, and the omnipresent fashion police make dressing up a tough process for even the most stylish celebs. Plus, I’m a fashion blogger so in my imaginary WeChat group, I would love to have the hottest fashion divas with completely different fashion statements coming together. These icons are:

Vidya Balan, because of her traditional choices on the red carpet. (WeChat ID: VidyaBalan)
Sonam Kapoor, for her high-fashion obsession and versatile choices. (WeChat ID: StylishSonam)
Kristen Stewart because she is quirky, offbeat and can pull off everything, from a punk look to a jumpsuit on the red carpet. (WeChat ID: KStew)
Lady Gaga for every outfit she wears is unconventional, makes a political or social statement and snubs all norms. (WeChat ID: LadyGaga)
Michelle Obama or Mrs O, because she turns every outfit into a classic noteworthy ensemble. (WeChat ID: MrsObama)

I will be creating the chat group and inviting the ladies. The chat will be mostly about fashion of course, with the divas expressing their take on fashion, red carpet, WOW moments and their style secrets. And since fashion often courts controversy, the ladies would share what they feel about the drama surrounding fashion and style.

On a lazy afternoon, the chat would go something like this.

WeChat group name: Style Talk

Sonam: Oh god, I’m fed up of people talking about my nath at Cannes. I think it was a really cool accessory.
Vidya: Me too! Can’t they get over it already?
Kristen: Hey, what’s a nath?
Sonam: It’s a nose ring we wore at Cannes. Check this out!

Kristen: Oooh, that’s like really exotic.
Me: Exactly! I mean, come on. It’s like an Indian fantasy symbol or something.
Vidya: Hey, I don’t know what the whole fuss was about with our innocent nose rings! People have problems with whatever I wear, like my saris. 😐
Sonam: @ Vidya You look great in saris, but you could loosen up a bit! Like try some nice dresses, blouses and stuff.
Vidya: WTH! No way, l love my saris, thank you very much. I don’t see the big deal about western wear. I don’t want to change my style!
Kristen: But heyyyyy, you should try on new clothes sometimes!
Lady Gaga: Yes girls, fashion uniforms are no good! I don’t have a uniform, and never liked the idea of one.
Mrs O: IMHO, you should wear whatever makes you feel good about yourself. If you’re comfortable with what you’re wearing, it becomes easier to connect with people.
Kristen: But most times, I feel better about myself when I like try on something new or different. Or fun! Like this outfit at the Met Gala. 🙂

Sonam: OMG, I love that Stella M pantsuit. And your makeup is brilliant! Totally punk! <3
Kristen: Thanks *blush*
Lady Gaga: Hey Kris, I like that you’re so cool about your clothes. I love changing myself all the time. But yeah, I make sure I am always myself, not anyone else. Even in my music.
Vidya: Why can’t a woman be herself, and wear whatever she wants? Why should she wear what people or her family or friends or critics want her to wear?
Sonam: Touché.
Lady Gaga: You know what, to hell with critics. And society. And what people think is beautiful.
Kristen: That’s like your body revolution right?
Lady Gaga: Yep! Like I said last year to my little monsters, embrace your imperfections. They are just perceived flaws, but they are beautiful, just like you.
Vidya: @ Lady Gaga Well said! (Y) I’ve had people panning me for being fat and curvy, it’s ridiculous!
Lady Gaga: Hey Vidya, I admire your bravery. And it’s awesome that you stick to what you like best.
Kristen: You got awesome attitude @ Lady Gaga.
Sonam: Like the time you wore the meat dress!
Lady Gaga: Oh, that dress! It was the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. 🙂
Kristen: Really? Can’t be more comfy than my Converse shoes. 😀
Mrs O: Or the clothes I like to wear every day!
Sonam: You know what, Mrs O? I can totally imagine myself growing up to dress like you. I mean, we both love fashion, love to try new brands and designers, but we have our own statement too!
Mrs O: 😀 Remember don’t lose yourself in trying to be someone else.
Me: And you make it look so effortless! How do you manage to do that?
Mrs O: That’s a fashion secret. 😉
Me: Tell us. Pleaaaaaaasssssee!
Sonam: + 1
Mrs O: Find your favourite, most flattering style and play with it. Like I love my clean-cut dresses, but I make sure even my formal gowns have a clean look.
Me: Yeah like the Naeem Khan Oscar gown. A dash of bling, but really classy! And see what I found.

Kristen: Woah, that colour’s called lemongrass, right? I could totally wear that!
Mrs O: Yep I love trying new colours and upcoming designers.
Me: Thanks for the secret, Mrs O. 🙂 How about we spill our own little fashion secrets too, ladies?? @Sonam wanna start?
Sonam: Wear feminine, wear classics, and make your favourite brand your new BFF. You can never go wrong with an LBD or a girly blouse.
Lady Gaga: Girls, make a statement about who you are every single day. And just be yourself.
Vidya: I think it’s okay to stick to what you love best, no matter what people say. Indian women should really try traditional options.
Kristen: I don’t follow trends at all. Like I just don’t like peplums and didn’t wear one when everyone else was wearing it. I wear what I feel good in, what speaks to me. 🙂
Me: Awww, thanks guys! I’m gonna blog about this. =)
Vidya: Great chatting with you lovely ladies. I am off for a Ghanchakkar event, wearing crazy clothes! 😛
Sonam: GTG too! Love you all, muah!
Me: Ciao! And keep it chic. 🙂

In 2013, Celebs, Fashion

Cheap & Chic: Deepika’s leather look for under Rs 5000

Speaking ChicApril 11, 2013April 10, 2013Leave a comment

It may not be the right weather for this sweaty fabric, but Deepika Padukone chose to wear a leather skirt at a promotional event couple days ago. Pairing it with a nautical striped tank top, Deepika’s high-waisted skirt made her look taller than she is (which is a LOT).

Anyways, I’m not a fan of leather for summer, but hey– if Deepika can rock leather, so can you! Here’s how you can get a more summer-friendly “leather look” for under Rs 5000, along with some tips.

(Skirt available on Rock.in; top available at Only brand stores and select fashion retail websites).

A few handy tips when wearing a leather skirt:

If you’re wearing a black leather skirt, experiment with neon or bright stripes. It’s summer, after all.
Soften the hard leather look with a feminine touch- delicate earrings or a hint of lace.
Skip the boots, please– it’s not winter!

In Bollywood Fashion

Bollywood Fashion: Wear Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola’s looks the easy way

Speaking ChicJanuary 17, 2013January 16, 2013Leave a comment

As expected from a movie based in rural India, there’s not much fashion in Vishal Bharadwaj’s latest venture Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola. With costumes by Payal Saluja, the clothes are rustic and raw as they should be, with each key character having a distinct style statement. Here they are (and how you can wear them):

Matru (Imran Khan)
Matru is not what he seems to be. Though he serves the zamindar, his revolutionary spirit is camouflaged well. Hence his look is decidedly blend-in-the-crowd and inconspicuous.

What he’s wearing: He dons a cotton kurta with sleeves folded or rolled up, teamed with worn-out waistcoat or leather jacket, jeans and long scarf (the rural gamcha) wound around his neck.

How to wear: Both guys and girls can ape this ambiguous look, except perhaps for the gold balis and kada on his wrist. Instead of kurtas, try a long-sleeved tee for a more “cityish” look.

Recommendation: Kurta from Fab India

Bijlee (Anushka Sharma)
She’s cute but bold, and has got tattoos at the oddest of places to prove she’s rebellious.

(Picture courtesy: Official movie page on Facebook)

What she’s wearing: Anushka is in chunky knits/ shawls and oversized crochet tops over camisoles, with a skirt or hot pants and lace stockings. Her hair is usually a mess, but the eyeliner is never out of place. On her wedding day, she changes from shorts to a calf-length ghagri in what seems to be a jiffy.

How to wear: Baggy tops are hot right now so wear them much as you like, but skip the shorts and wear jeans with boots instead. It’s grungy enough without being inappropriate.

Accessories tip: Anushka’s accessories are quirky earrings (like the long feathers-on-chains in Oye Boy Charlie) and several leather bands around her wrist. All of these are easily available at local and high street brands.

Recommendations: Cable knit cardigan from Zara, Color Carnival earrings (available on ShopInOnIt).

Mandola (Pankaj Kapur)
The most complex character in the movie, Mandola is the rich zamindar who lives a luxurious life. On an ordinary day, he chooses between a Rolls Royce, Bentley and limousine and has a guy to hold his sunglasses for him.

What he’s wearing: He dresses elegantly in tailored suits, complete with matching pocket squares and scarves. And oh, very British hats! Unfortunately his Haryanvi paunch requires him to wear unattractive suspenders. Pankaj Kapur may not be a handsome actor, but his character’s irony is not lost given the context of rural India.

How to wear: Most men may choose to wear coloured suits now, but the best bets are still black, grey and navy. Ties are optional.

Recommendation: Suit from Anita Dongre

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 2012, Bollywood Fashion, Fashion, trends

Bollywood Fashion: An introduction to Cocktail style

Speaking ChicJuly 3, 2012August 1, 2012Leave a comment

Talking fashion with Anaita Shroff Adajania is fun though a bit overwhelming. After all, she is fashion director for Vogue India and costume stylist for a bunch of movies, which kinda makes her an industry veteran.

So of course I was nervous when I spoke to her about fashion in Cocktail, her latest movie project. With her insights, I’ve put together a primer on key looks in the movie. Enjoy!

(Psst… This is just a look-see into the movie, stay tuned for more Cocktail fashion over the next few days.)

Veronica (played by Deepika Padukone):

Veronica is a fashion forward gal, though she doesn’t follow trends blindly. She enjoys looking good and being the centre of attention, even though she makes her style look completely effortless. She experiments by mixing high street fashion with designer wear and dressing according to her mood. So you never know what she’s going to wear next!

What she wears: Being a fun-loving girl in the movie, you will spot Deepika wearing off-shoulder tees, bold colours and prints, shorts, distressed jeans, designer bags and stacked accessories.

Style in five words or less: Unpredictable, whimsical, fun!

What I like: The animal print cardigan and gold party dress.

Veronica’s fashion tip: Be your own person, folks! Pick up things you like- they could be from anywhere- and put your looks together.

Meera (played by Diana Penty):

Meera is a middle-class girl from Delhi, hence her dressing style is a bit conservative- so you will see her in kurtas and patialas, and she probably still wears butterfly clips! She wants to blend in with the crowd, and will keep her arms and legs covered as much as possible. Even though she dresses for comfort, the layering makes her wardrobe exciting.

What she wears: Meera’s staples are a simple cardigan with chinos or flared jeans. Her prints are simple too- nautical stripes, polka dots and delicate florals.

Style in five words or less: Muted, feminine and understated.

What I like: Layering cardigans over tees with skinny belts, comfy blouses and tees.

Meera’s fashion tip: Simplicity is never boring. Being conservative can be cool!

Gautam (played by Saif Ali Khan):

Gautam’s got a very casual approach to life and fashion. He wears a jacket to work only because he has to, and pairs it with a skinny tie. He probably doesn’t iron his clothes, and keeps it casual most times. He’s got the “lived-in” look.

What he wears: Saif’s character enjoys wearing old t-shirts, easy shirts, shorts and subtly distressed jeans.

Style in five words or less: Easy dressing!

What I like: Worn-out tees and shorts.

Gautam’s fashion tip: Wear your clothes with a bit of carelessness.

Which character’s look would you like to try?

Coming soon: Bollywood Fashion: The Anaita Shroff Adajania interview! stirs a heady fashion mix in Cocktail

In Fashion, LFW W/F 2011

LFW W/F 2011 Day 3: Debarun goes B&W, Shyamal & Bhumika play with rich colours and crafts

Speaking ChicSeptember 3, 2011Leave a comment

The 5.30pm show on Day 3 of Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 was easily the most contrasting dual-designer show of the season. While Debarun Mukerjee kicked off the show with a starkly black-and-white collection, bridal wear experts Shyamal and Bhumika Shodhan’s clothes were rich in colour and embellishment.

Debarun Mukerjee
Aptly called Kohl, Debarun’s creations ranged from saris, lehengas, churidar-kurta sets, dresses and gowns for women and sherwanis, kurtas, bundgalas for men.

Using applique throughout the line, Debarun made the most of the two-colour palette with clever use of fabrics (net, Chanderi, raw silk, silk), accessories (scarves, bags, flat chappals) and detail (floral motifs on yokes, dupattas and across the front).

Shyamal & Bhumika
Trust Shyamal & Bhumika Shodhan to sweep the audience away with their luxurious and opulent festive wear, apt for brides and guests at grand weddings alike. The designer duo presented traditional garments like jamas, chogas, peshwaz, achkan, panelled lehengas and cholis in velvet, net, brocade, matka silk, tissue and shot silk georgettes. Jewel tones like wine, honey gold, aurora and beet red, burnt orange, gold, copper, and peacock green, added to the richness.

Shyamal & Bhumika re-introduced flared shararas with floor-length anarkalis, and dressed women in slim sherwanis with diaphanous skirts. Sexy cholis were paired with panelled lehengas. As for the embellishments, we could write pages! They played with zardozi motifs and jaals, wire Marodi embroidery, washed gold, copper, peeta and gota work, along with precious jadau stones.

The show had two showstoppers, Hema Malini and Esha Deol. Needless to say, Shyamal & Bhumika don’t need Bollywood to wow fashion lovers, their fashion is enough!

In 2011, Bollywood Fashion, Celebs, Fashion, Interview

Chic Interview: Arjun Bhasin takes Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara on a fashion trip

Speaking ChicJuly 6, 201112 Comments

For costume designer Arjun Bhasin, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) was perhaps a mammoth project. It’s a movie with five carefully-etched leads that demand diverse looks—clothes, accessories, the works. What’s more, the cast is fashionable and near the top of the Bollywood ladder—Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin.

Currently working on Life of Pi, Arjun Bhasin talks to Speaking Chic about working with Farhan and Zoya Akhtar, and shares the various fashion stories playing in the movie.

You have worked on earlier movie projects with Farhan and Zoya Akhtar as well as the actors. How different was the experience with them this time?
For ZNMD, the entire setup was different—we were shooting in Spain, and working with a smaller crew. Hence a lot of the work and styling was much more organic– we were all grabbing things and working at a completely difference pace. But Zoya and I know each other well and I know exactly what she wants. As for the lead actors, I’ve worked with three of them earlier [Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol], and I wanted to put new spins on them, especially Farhan and Hrithik.

The three male lead actors Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol are all stylish in their own way. Hrithik, for instance, is a style icon, How difficult was it for you to try something new with them?
Not at all. Actors like to change and try different things–hair style, clothes, looks etc. Also, I always let the script and characterisation dictate what an actor should wear. So if the same character would be played by another actor, I would keep the same clothes/ look.

ZNMD is your first movie project with Kalki Kechlin and Katrina Kaif. What are the distinct looks have you created for them?
Kalki Koechlin plays a spoilt rich girl who’s into high fashion. Kalki has such an amazing fashion body—she can carry off jumpsuits with heels, and short dresses. I wanted her to be a bit free, while being a bit overdressed. Her dressing is also a kind of tongue-in-cheek joke on fashion.

Katrina Kaif is an island girl and loves to mix and match. So she could combine a long dress from a street market with a blazer and boots, or carry off a sadhu necklace at a beach.

Which brands are the actors wearing in the movie? Being a stylish movie, which clothes and accessories should fashion lovers look out for (such as the Lady Dior in Aisha)?
The brands in the movie are chosen because they met our specific clothing and accessory needs.
For instance, Hrithik is wearing Tod’s and Bottega Veneta. He has an amazing look with lots of supershort cropped shirts, and especially when he lands at Barcelona airport—chambray shirt, trench coat and lace-up shoes.

Farhan’s character is a bit different, so he could be wearing Dior sunglasses and a kurta from Mumbai’s Managaldas market. Abhay (as Kabir) plays with colours so he’s got a lot of Paul Smith, which he pairs with slim pants from Etro.

Even though Kalki’s character Natasha is into high fashion, I’ve used a lot of high street wear and made it look like high fashion. Her clothes are from brands like Miss Sixty, and she’s wearing a Diesel jumpsuit. But her bag is from Tod’s, and you’ll also see her Hermes Kelly bag (which has a character of its own in the movie!).

Which are your favourite looks from the movie?
I absolutely love Farhan and Katrina’s looks in the movie, since the are closest to my personal style, it’s kinda hippy. For example, Farhan wears kolhapuris with a suit!

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara releases July 15, 2011.

In 2011, Bollywood Fashion, Celebs, Fashion, Interview

Chic Interview: Arjun Bhasin takes Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara on a fashion trip

Speaking ChicJuly 6, 201112 Comments

Currently working on Life of Pi, Arjun Bhasin talks to Speaking Chic about working with Farhan and Zoya Akhtar, and shares the various fashion stories playing in the movie.

Katrina Kaif is an island girl and loves to mix and match. So she could combine a long dress from a street market with a blazer and boots, or carry off a sadhu necklace at a beach.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara releases July 15, 2011.

In 2011, Bollywood Fashion, Fashion, News

Chic News: Manish Malhotra & Shaina NC’s charity fashion show; meet Ford’s new Indian supermodel

Speaking ChicJune 21, 2011Leave a comment

Two of Mumbai’s leading fashion designers Manish Malhotra and Shaina NC joined hands for the sixth annual Caring with Style fashion show for Cancer Patients’ Aid Association (CPAA) hosted by Pidilite.

What made the fashion shows different was that the “models” were not professional ramp scorchers, but women from various walks of life. There were actors, business persons, doctors and even outstanding students.

I loved both the collections and some outfits were especially gorgeous. Take a look at some of our faves.

From Shaina NC’s show:

From Manish Malhotra’s show:

And we couldn’t help thinking when we saw Sheetal Mafatlal, “Here comes the queen of all pouts!” Check her out and decide!

Meanwhile, Kajol attended the event looking resplendent in a beige sari, while Nita Ambani wore a superlong printed kurta. Vivek Oberoi (CPAA brand ambassador) walked the ramp in a Manish Malhotra outfit.

Delhi girl named Ford Supermodel from India

Delhi lass Ninja Singh was named Ford Supermodel of the World—India couple of days ago. The young woman won the contest after she walked the ramp with other finalists. The Indian, evening and swim wear collections for the finalists were designed by Gauri & Nainika, and Shrivan-Narresh.

Here’s Ninja in her winning moment with her father Dr Jagan Singh. Awwwww!

Ninja will now be a part of Ford Supermodel of the World (the prestigious global contest), where she could win a contract of a whopping $250,000. She will also walk the ramp at FDCI’s next Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.

Among the jury members were Bipasha Basu, Manish Malhotra, photographer Bharat Sikka Leila Alaoui of Ford Models, FDCI’s Sunil Sethi and model Fleur Xavier.