Chic 2012: Brands that created buzz

Chic 2012: Brands that created buzz

New Movers

Formal wear suddenly became important with the launch of Kenneth Cole and Thomas Pink. I’m especially excited about the Kenneth Cole though the Indian tax-laden prices could stretch anyone’s wallet.

Kenneth Cole store

Thomas Pink store

WonderBra lifted Indian women’s hopes (pun intended) by making their debut on Zivame.com, while Furla’s accessories made for a colourful display at their Palladium store.

Wonderbra on zivame

Superdry got the best launch publicity ever with Shahrukh Khan wearing a Superdry vest in Challa from Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

SRK in Superdry- Jab Tak Hai Jaan - Copy

And Sephora’s first store in India was the best Christmas gift ever! Can’t wait for it to come to Mumbai, even though a friend has promised to bring me some goodies from the Delhi flagship at Select Citywalk this week. Fingers crossed.

Coming soon

Lipsy for party dresses and red carpet gowns; Stuart Weitzman for pricey men’s and women’s accessories; Dune for footwear and accessories that are a bit more affordable.

Lipsy

With Indian law now allowing 100% FDI in single-brand retail, we can expect many more brands like Topshop and H&M to consider setting up shop on Indian soil.

Almost disappeared

Esprit called off their deal with Madura, so the brand’s flagship stores in India are already shutting down. Miss Sixty is nowhere to be seen either—any idea if the Italian brand’s around at all?

This is the second in a series of posts rounding up the Indian fashion scene in 2012.

Chic Guide: 5 things guys need this December

Chic Guide: 5 things guys need this December

Winter jackets and coats

Trench coats are classics, wool jackets are reliable, and shiny finishes are hot right now!

Trench coat from Zara

Zara Velveteen Trench Coat

Lined Reefer jacket from La Redoute (available on Rock.in)

LA Redoute  LINED REEFER JACKET

Jacket from Celio

CELIO_Purevers jacket

 

Party essentials

A fun evening shirt, smart blazer or coloured jeans- what are you wearing to the Christmas and New Year parties?

Shirt from Calvin Klein Jeans

CKJ- shirt

Blazer from Diesel

Diesel Blazer

Look from Rajat Tangri Lakme Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2012

Rajat Tangri- blazer

Sherwani/ Bandhgala

There are plenty  of weddings to attend this month and the next, so an embroidered or brocade sherwani is a smart fashion investment. Gentlemen will also love the classic bandhgala in a contemporary colour.

Look from Debarun Lakme Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2012

Model in Debarun LFW W/F 2012

Look from Anita Dongre

Bandhgala- Anita Dongre

Scarf/ muffler

Scarves and mufflers say a lot about you while keeping you warm. Are you Mr Safe Grey or Mr Experimental?

Decking stripes scarf from French Connection

FC Decking Stripes Scarf 1999

Scarf from United Colors of Benetton

aw12_ucbman_sl_44

The right shoes

There’s lot of places to go this month and the next, and you need shoes to take you there.

Hand woven shoes from RUOSH (for weddings)

RUOSH Hand woven wedding shoes. Rs 5490

Shoes from Kenneth Cole (for parties)

Kenneth Cole shoes1

Shopping News: Zara opens in Bangalore; Massimo Dutti, Kenneth Cole coming to India soon

Shopping News: Zara opens in Bangalore; Massimo Dutti, Kenneth Cole coming to India soon

Namaskaara, Bengaluru! Zara has opened its first store down south! Now now, we’re certain that this news brings great joy to us all, but let’s just take a deep breath now. 🙂

The brand-new Zara store brings Bengaluru shoppers (we mean Bangalore, of course!) over 17,000 square feet of pure fashion pleasure, with plenty of trendy clothes and cool accessories. Here’s a glimpse of their stores and their Autumn/Winter 2011 campaign:

Zara Bangalore

Zara woman fall winter campaign

So it goes without saying, Bengaluru gals—cancel all weekend plans and head to Zara!

Zara address:

Phoenix Market City, UG 7 & UG 4, Opp. Mahadevpura CMC, Whitefield Road, Mahadevpura, Bengaluru (Bangalore) – 560 048.

Meanwhile…

…Massimo Dutti and Kenneth Cole have India on their mind

Couple more brands are set to launch in India soon. Inditex Group (which owns Zara) and Trent Limited (retail arm of Tata Group) have extended their joint venture agreement to open Massimo Dutti in India. Massimo Dutti is aimed at shoppers with a different sartorial taste, those seeking sophistication, elegance and high-quality fashion.

Massimo Dutti Oct2011 lookbook

Kenneth Cole will open five stores in India over the next three years, after their licensing agreement with Reliance Brands. Reliance Brands will also handle the brand’s premium wholesale distribution. The longer-term plan includes around 25 stores over the next eight years. Kenneth Cole stores will stock with men’s and women’s footwear, clothing and accessories under the Kenneth Cole New York and the Kenneth Cole Reaction labels.

Kenneth Cole New York

Which brands are you waiting for?