headgear

Dev Anand—the actor, the director and the producer? Yes to all! But Dev Anand as the style icon? I certainly think so.

For Dev Anand impressed not only with his versatility, but also his style statement. He was not too flamboyant or sophisticated, but his style was casual and insouciant, yet charming. Over the decades, his style remained more or less the same, but with a gentlemanly touch that was right for his age. I’d call his style old-school elegant (in the context of the 21^st century).

Dev Anand’s fashion trademarks:

Scarf/ cravat/ muffler: A simple scarf worked in a number of ways for Dev Anand—from a formal cravat to a casually draped muffler.

Hats: Dev Anand wore all types of hats in his movies—like berets, flat caps, and fedoras.

Hairstyles: Dev Anand’s hairstyles changed with his movies. His styles ranged from the “roll” to longish front bangs to the flat hair.

Pray a tribute to Dev Anand—wear a scarf today. I’m wearing one!

All pictures courtesy: Dev Anand’s official website

In Bollywood Fashion

Bollywood Fashion: How Aki Narula made Ranbir Kapoor a Rockstar!

Speaking ChicNovember 8, 2011November 8, 2011Leave a comment

India’s got a new silver screen rockstar— Ranbir Kapoor! Ranbir’s Jordan (aka Janardan) is a rebel who doesn’t care a damn about the world. He sings about his angst, raises his voice against the establishment, and most importantly, he wears what he wants.

Ace designer Aki Narula has designed for Ranbir in Rockstar, and the two distinct looks he has created for Ranbir are poles apart. Here’s how Aki Narula has worked his magic on Ranbir in the movie.

Ranbir Kapoor’s pre-rockstar look (Janardan)

With unkempt hair and stubble, Jordan portrays the ultimate Jim Morrison fan. But much before his rockstar days, Jordan was Janardan, a middle-class Delhi boy who was awkward around girls and wanted to be cool.

That’s when Ranbir wears:

Skinny and straight-fit jeans
Colourful knit sweaters
Typical “stylish” shirts

Ranbir Kapoor’s Rockstar look (Jordan)

Jordan is not the fumbling Delhi boy Janardan in an earlier life. He’s had a broken heart, he’s been to jail, and he’s got a fearless attitude. He doesn’t need to be cool anymore—he goes grunge, dishevelled and vagabond. What Jordan is wearing:

Kurtas: He didn’t wear those to college, because kurtas just weren’t cool. Now he wears them because he no longer cares what people think of him.
Military jacket: The military-inspired jacket (for both men and women) was a rage last winter, and Ranbir might make it popular again. Given his Kashmiri background, Jordan is quite fascinated with the armed forces.
Qawwal jackets: These sleeveless jackets indicate Jordan’s connection with qawwali singers.
The famous police shirt: Ranbir’s wearing a police shirt in Sadda Haq, with an attached feather. A blatant act of rebellion against the system!
Colours: The gypsies of Prague inspire Jordan to wear bursts of colour and add a personal touch to his performance clothes.

Accessories

Ranbir’s Rockstar accessories are minimum. He sometimes dons a Nehru cap with badges that remind him of his mentor (Ustad Jameel Khan- Shammi Kapoor), and tassles and small objects like feathers.

Besides these, Ranbir is also wearing a chain around his neck with a piece of his first broken guitar string and his first guitar pick. He adds little souvenirs to the chain as he travels around the world.

What do you like about Ranbir’s look in Rockstar?

Rockstar releases on November 11, 2011.

In WLIFW SS 2012

WLIFW SS 2012: Day 2 highlights

Speaking ChicOctober 12, 2011November 5, 2011Leave a comment

What we saw on the ramp on Day 2 of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012:

Colours were neutral, muted and then mixed

From ivory to white to beige, we noted a hint of neutrals, mixed cleverly with vibrant colours for a quintessential summery look.

Below: Manoj Dubey, Urvashi Kaur, Manish Gupta

Fabrics, textures and surfaces ruled

Indian designers showcased their skill and adeptness with fabrics through a variety of techniques. There was patchwork at Kavita Bhartia, Japanese structures at Sanchita, and wide variety of materials at Morphe by Amit Aggarwal. Shipra Gupta opted for layering and tiers to add quirkiness to her garments. We also enjoyed the innovative cutwork at Bhanuni by Jyoti Sharma.

Below: Shipra Gupta, Sanchita, Morphe by Amit Aggarwal, Bhanuni by Jyoti Sharma

Embellishments got a new meaning

Embellishments ranged from thread embroidery to metallic, even as WLIFW designers experimented with other materials to bring a special touch to their collections. At Bhanuni by Jyoti Sharma, embroidery motifs were used in a 3-dimensional manner using threadwork and beads. Manoj Gupta used bead work, buttons, laces, tapes, silk threads to make diagonal stripes, swirls and circles, while Namrata Joshipura brought her garments to life with metallic embellishments on textured surfaces.

Below: Bhanuni by Jyoti Sharma, Manoj Gupta, Namrata Joshipura

Sheer is here

Sheer has been a rising trend on the international fashion scene for a while now, and it’s now on Indian ramps as well. The bold sheer-ness at Label by Ritu Kumar, see-throughs at Samant Chuahan, and mix of transparent and opaque fabrics at Taurus by Dhruv & Pallavi are wonderful excuses to wear see-through six months down the line.

Below: Label by Ritu Kumar, Samant Chauhan

Look of the day:

The sophisticated woman at am: pm (Ankur and Priyanka Modi) draped in rich fabric for a glam evening out on town—and chooses not to wear a dress or gown.

Accessories of the day:

Neckpieces at Samant Chauhan; forehead jewellery at Kavita Bhartia.

Makeup and hair of the day:

Bright pink lipstick at Manoj Dubey; side updos at Manish Gupta.

Below: Manoj Dubey, Manish Gupta

WTFashion moment of the day:

That moment when model walked down the ramp by Sanchita wearing supersized headgear and minimal clothing. Wonder what the model was thinking. Any guesses?

What did you like from Day 2 at WLIFW S/S 2012?

In Fashion, LFW W/F 2011

LFW W/F 2011 Day 4: Wendell Rodricks brings pristine to the ramp

Speaking ChicSeptember 6, 2011Leave a comment

Ethereal. Sensual. Organic. Three words to describe Goan designer Wendell Rodricks’ collection at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011. Designed with Himalayan mineral water in mind, Wendell played with soft pastels and splashes of fuchsia in natural fabrics like natural dyed cotton linen and pure silk.

The collection was divided into four segments, each with a distinct approach. The first segment, Naturally Yours, had linen as the base with natural flowers and bark, in colours like pristine white, yellow and wood.

The second, “Indian Water”, would have been great as evening wear. Silk was used in tunic dresses, pin tucked and layered kurtas; and sunray pleats for tunics.

In Mountain Brooks with Sparkling Water, Wendell used ripple pleated fabric to achieve sparkling water detailing in gowns, ponchos, and a pre-stitched sari. The final segment (Raani Pink Carpet Glam) was dedicated to glamourous evening wear like katftans and sari gowns with hints of shimmer and sparkle on the waist, straps and back.

While there were minimal accessories, we loved the specially-made footwear and the odd statement necklace and cuff, some made of nature-inspired materials.

What do you think of Wendell Rodricks’ purity-inspired collection?

In Fashion, LFW W/F 2011

LFW W/F 2011 Day 3: Sabyasachi weaves magic again, one silver thread at a time

Speaking ChicSeptember 6, 2011Leave a comment

There’s always a buzz at Lakme Fashion Week when one of India’s best-known designers Sabyasachi is due to present. Fashionistas, journalists and ordinary folks wear their precious Sabyasachi outfits to the show. Photographers wait in anticipation of Bollywood actors, but there’s a respectful hush as the show starts and the first model walks out.

This season, at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011, Dr Mitul Sengupta danced to kathak beats ending with a series of chakkars, then calmly began chanting classical beats as models glided on head ramp.

Models in pairs and groups resembling North-West Frontier Province families (with kids) strolled out in elegant kurtas, tunics, cholis, sherwanis, dupattas, and wide Patiala salwars and palazzos. The monotonous canvas in the initial garments were balanced with colourful printed dupattas and turbans.

Then came the splashes of colour—first as long coats and cowled pants, then as printed saris with silver borders in zardozi and Kashmiri thread work.

The silver embroidery was a stark contrast to the gold and bronze detailing that are in vogue these days, so it was a bold move to say the least. 🙂 I particularly enjoyed the embellished bodices and shimmering wide borders with velvet and net.

Headgear played an important role with turbans for men, and embellished caps and headbands for women.

Also noteworthy was the Urdu calligraphy on a couple of blouses. Fashionista Sabina Chopra, wearing the same blouse, later told me it meant “bheegi palkein” or wet eyes.

Sabyasachi retained his favourite flavours with Sundarbans floral prints, colours like earthen colours and red, orange and white, fabrics like khadi, organza, silk, and his signature immaculate tailoring. The special moments—senior models like Carol Gracias and Nayanika Chatterjee, children in fine Sabyasachi clothing, and creative concept of presentation—were appreciated by the audience as they clapped and cheered throughout the show. Well-deserved applause, to say the least!

Showing all posts tagged headgear

RIP Dev Anand, thanks for the fashion!

Bollywood Fashion: How Aki Narula made Ranbir Kapoor a Rockstar!

WLIFW SS 2012: Day 2 highlights

LFW W/F 2011 Day 4: Wendell Rodricks brings pristine to the ramp

LFW W/F 2011 Day 3: Sabyasachi weaves magic again, one silver thread at a time