Narendra Kumar

Lakme Fashion Week Summer/ Resort 2013 kicks off today and I’m super excited! Here’s why.

Naeem Khan

The man who’s dressed FLOTUS Michelle Obama a number of times will be showcasing his work Saturday night. And he will participate in a workshop on Friday, talking about his style and creations. Meeting or seeing this man is reason enough to attend Lakme Fashion Week.

Menswear

The best menswear designers in the country will be on the ramp after a long gap. The list includes veterans like Narendra Kumar and Arjun Khanna, along with young designer Kunal Rawal (he did the men’s costumes for Aisha). Narendra Kumar’s shows are always worth a watch, and this time he’s expected to make a strong statement on the country’s socio-political situation. Hmmm….!

One more platform for GenNext designers

Lakme Fashion Week has been supporting new designers for several years now, but this time they get an additional benefit with support from Zovi.com. The online shopping site will manufacture and retail one garment from each of the debuting designers. So get ready to shop already!

Live webcast

Lakme Fashion Week shows will be broadcast live on YouTube, which means instant fashion! So we can all watch the shows in our PJs over the weekend. They’ve already got a preview of the season online, so check it out:

Jewellery

Very few fashion weeks have accessory designers participating. It’s good to see Suhani Pittie back at LFW, and I’ve always wanted to see Pallavi Foley’s creations up close. This is my chance! 🙂

Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013 is from March 22 to 26, 2013 in Mumbai.

In 2012, Fashion, LFW S/R 2012

LFW S/R 2012 Day 4: Models dance for Narendra Kumar (video)

Speaking ChicMarch 6, 2012March 6, 2012Leave a comment

I’m super excited. This is my first video for Speaking Chic, and it’s straight from the ramp! I shot this video at Narendra Kumar’s show at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2012 (Day 4). The Mick Jagger-inspired show was great fun, with Narendra Kumar as the DJ and the models (mostly hot guys) in Jagger wigs!

Enjoy this glimpse of the show:

In 2012, Fashion, LFW S/R 2012

LFW S/R 2012 Day 4: Shows to watch today

Speaking ChicMarch 5, 2012March 5, 2012Leave a comment

It was a fashion-packed weekend that ended sooner than I wanted. But hey, it’s another day at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/ Resort 2012!

Bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva: The young designer has been tweeting extensively about her upcoming collection for her label ‘Bodice’, and the designs seem to be an interesting amalgamation of vintage influences and menswear tailoring, while being futuristic.

Eina Ahluwalia: Eina’s accessories are bold, in-your-face and don’t hesitate to call a spade a spade. Her collection based on domestic violence last year had made quite a mark, and I spotted some good pieces at her stall yesterday.

Below: Eina Ahluwalia at LFW S/R 2011

Swapnil Shinde: Last season, Swapnil used folds, pleats and drapes in materials like acrylic, PVC and leather to interpret sound waves. The “rolls” and tubes made quite an impact on the ramp.

Narendra Kumar: There’s only one word for Narendra Kumar’s shows—fun! One of the few menswear designers at LFW S/R 2012, I’m expecting a stellar collection from him this time as always. And of course, lots of eye candy and an entertaining show. (Last season, he got models to do little jigs and dance steps on the ramp!).

Below: Narendra Kumar at LFW W/F 2011

In Fashion, LFW W/F 2011, Men

LFW W/F 2011 Day 2: Narendra Kumar jazzes up menswear with a swingin’ show

Speaking ChicAugust 30, 2011Leave a comment

There was live music, dancing and some very polished gentlemen. No, it wasn’t a dance club from the mid 20th century, but Narendra Kumar’s show at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011. The collection, presented to a live rendition of Frank Sinatra’s Fly me to the moon, comprised formal evening wear for men.

It was one of the few shows we girls could swoon, whistle and cheer (it was a virtually all-male show). Each model did a little jig or dance step on head ramp, spreading the joy of music and rhythm.

The collection’s focus was bespoke suits (especially classy tuxedos). The colours were beyond black—deep sapphire, wine, green, pale pink, midnight blue, along with neutrals. The men looked dapper in single and double breasted jackets, with broad, narrow, peak and notched lapels. The tuxedo lapels were inspired by Japanese kimonos, while we also saw draped and cut away collar jackets and the iconic “smoking”. The trousers were sexily slim with turn-ups.

The fabrics were just as luxurious with Dupion silks, velvet, smooth Ari silk, patterned and textured handloom silks and brocades. The beautiful jackets had hand and machine embroidery, quilting, appliqués and motifs from the Art Deco and Nouveau periods.

We were almost disappointed when the fun show came to an end, though Kabir Bedi in a white brocade tux and some more singing provided some cheer. 🙂

In 2011, Bollywood Fashion, Fashion, trends

Bollywood Fashion Poll: Is Sonakshi Sinha a style icon?

Speaking ChicApril 14, 20114 Comments

Sonakshi Sinha made her Bollywood debut in Dabangg opposite Salman Khan and became a popular actor after the film’s success. Since the release, Sonakshi’s PR team has been in overdrive, and the one-movie-old actor is being spotted at various Bollywood and other events—store launches, awards, parties etc.

And the girl has also come under the fashion scanner, when she started walked the ramp for Killer Jeans at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 201o, then made numerous such appearances, including at a Shymal & Bhumika show in Ahmedabad.

Sonakshi Sinha with designer Narendra Kumar at the Killer Jeans press conference in September 2010:

Sonakshi’s been spotted in various designers’ outfits, and fashion lovers and reporters alike have begun writing (mostly positive) about her.

But we have mixed feeling about the actor’s fashion choices. We think that she can carry off some ethnic and Indian outfits, but she mostly fails when she steps out in a jeans-and-blouse outfit or a dress. It’s not just about her figure (we admire her for losing so much weight), it’s the whole look: makeup, hair, accessories, personality, grace and charm.

Sonakshi Sinha at a Provogue store opening in Hyderabad recently:

Though her clothes as such seem alright, something in her look make us want to give her a thumbsdown almost every time we see her.

What do you think? Do you think Sonakshi Sinha can be the next style icon? Take our poll!

View This Poll

In 2011, Bollywood Fashion, Fashion, trends

Bollywood Fashion Poll: Is Sonakshi Sinha a style icon?

Speaking ChicApril 14, 20114 Comments

Sonakshi Sinha with designer Narendra Kumar at the Killer Jeans press conference in September 2010:

Sonakshi’s been spotted in various designers’ outfits, and fashion lovers and reporters alike have begun writing (mostly positive) about her.

Sonakshi Sinha at a Provogue store opening in Hyderabad recently:

Though her clothes as such seem alright, something in her look make us want to give her a thumbsdown almost every time we see her.

What do you think? Do you think Sonakshi Sinha can be the next style icon? Take our poll!

View This Poll

In Fashion, LFW W/F 2010

LFW: Narendra Kumar’s dare-to-wear jeans

Speaking ChicSeptember 26, 2010Leave a comment

It’s not often that a high street brand presents at a fashion week, but when an ace designer like Narendra Kumar ties up with Killer jeans, you expect to see something different. Narendra’s been associated with the denim brand for a while now, and this time he played to college boys and girls while daring them to get a bit bolder.

For guys, there were 1980s-style sports jackets, pop-coloured jeans (green, blue, red) and printed shirts with check and military detailing. The jeans ranged from the seriously low-rise jeans (check picture below) in fits that ranged from the straight cuts to to drop-crotch styles, often worn by bare-chested male models.

For women, there were very short shorts, skirts, skinny jeggings, a jumpsuit and even a couple dresses, such as a ruched one-shoulder dress and a more interesting bodycon strapless denim dress.

The jeans and shorts appeared in a variety of washes, and were often distressed or frayed. And oh, Narendra’s models donned hats on the runway, and though they seemed fun, we’re not sure how many Indian youngsters want to adopt that trend. What they will want to wear, however, are the tshirts that say, “Sex Cells” and “Been There, Dump That”.

Would you wear such tees? Tell us!

Showing all posts tagged Narendra Kumar

Five reasons I’m excited about Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013

LFW S/R 2012 Day 4: Models dance for Narendra Kumar (video)

LFW S/R 2012 Day 4: Shows to watch today

LFW W/F 2011 Day 2: Narendra Kumar jazzes up menswear with a swingin’ show

Bollywood Fashion Poll: Is Sonakshi Sinha a style icon?

Bollywood Fashion Poll: Is Sonakshi Sinha a style icon?

LFW: Narendra Kumar’s dare-to-wear jeans