Provogue

In Advertising, Bollywood Fashion, Celebs, Fashion, News

Chic news: Ford Fiesta inspires fashion, Sonakshi joins D’damas

Speaking ChicJune 4, 2011Leave a comment

Earlier this week, designer Swapnil Shinde presented a collection in Delhi inspired by a car– the Ford Fiesta. Based on the concept of “Energy in Motion”, the main themes of the fashion collection (and the car, we suppose) were use of strong colour, flowy silhouette with some modern and futuristic elements.

Swapnil explained that through the collection, he translated the car’s bold kinetic design theme into his creations. While that’s an interesting spin, we would also have loved to see a cooler interpretation of the high-tech stuff used in the Fiesta (we hear it’s got voice control!). Like using entwined wires with tech charms as neckpieces or Blackberry-shaped clutches? (Interesting necklaces and odd clutches are hot trends currently.)

BTW, the fashion show was held not in a five-star banquet, but at a mall where the car is on display currently. Here’s a thought: why not let us girls shop at the mall for the collection/ similar clothes and accessories immediately after the show? And that could get us some freebies if we book the Fiesta? Sorry ladies, too much wishful thinking! 😉

Sonakshi Sinha joins D’damas

Speaking Chic is not a Sonakshi Sinha fan— so what, right? It seems plenty others like her, so she’s got yet another big endorsement, soon after the Provogue Spring/Summer 2011 gig. D’damas, a popular jewellery brand, have just signed on Sonakshi as their brand ambassador. The D’damas people believe Sonakshi’s got the qualities that modern Indian women possess (confidence, self-belief, charm and grace). Most importantly, they say—she “exemplifies the true Indian beauty.”

Take a look at the just-released image below and tell us what you think:

What interests us most is the campaign theme—it’s based on memorable moments in a woman’s life. Like being a bride, celebrating Diwali or just simply enjoying the first rays of sunlight. Frankly, we’re bored of the typical jewellery-celestial-dreamy association, so we’re looking forward to some hatke advertisements from the D’damas people.

In 2011, Advertising, Bollywood Fashion, Celebs, Fashion

Chic or eeks: Bad boy Hrithik, flower girl Sonakshi for Provogue’s Live Mad

Speaking ChicApril 27, 20111 Comment

Whatever Hrithik Roshan does, he does it in style. And in Provogue’s latest campaign Live Mad, Hrithik dons the role of a bad boy, from the skull cap and beads to a deadly tattoo and unbuttoned shirt.

Note the marked difference from an earlier Provogue campaign (Be the Change), in which Hrithik donned formal, sharper clothes to appeal to a slightly more sophisticated or the just-joined-office gang. We rather enjoy Hrithik’s versatility; he’s got the ability to carry off a variety of looks and be those personalities, even in image stills. (And yes, we acknowledge the campaign stylists too!).

Meanwhile, Sonakshi Sinha appears in the same campaign in a fresh floral off-the-shoulder blouse and Zeenat Aman-inspired sunglasses. Needless to say, the young lass is no match for Hrithik Roshan.

We like the Live Mad theme, though we do feel the campaign’s look (posters, ads, brochure) could have been crazier, whackier and edgier. After all, change of hairstyle isn’t the only way to change your look, is it?

What do you think of Provogue’s Live Mad campaign?

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 Advertising, Celebs

Bad Ads: Stars don’t shine!

Speaking ChicJuly 16, 20102 Comments

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Mango and Dolce & Gabbana may be as different as chalk and cheese (one high street, the other a luxury brand), but both have got one thing in common—theirs are the chicest print campaigns this season. (See the Mango catalogue photos here and Madonna as housewife here). Both have got the casting right. And the photography, the wonderful clothes, and the art.

These campaigns befit the star status of these successful, gorgeous women—it’s money well-spent! But closer home, I can’t remember the last time a celeb fashion campaign made me go “Wow!”

Okay, that’s partly because our actors are busy endorsing fairness creams, biscuits and tea, but the few that sell clothes are part of banal and boring campaigns. Cases in point: Amitabh Bachchan’s Reid & Taylor TV spot that had ghosts, and Shahrukh Khan’s insipid Belmonte advertisement.

What I did somewhat like was Hrithik Roshan in Provogue’s print campaign. The handsome actor’s unconventional look and intensity give a much-needed break from shaven chests and chocolate boy looks. Check out his “I-don’t-care” attitude in this print ad. (He may look fugly here, but that’s kinda the point, right?)

Speaking Chic wonders why we can’t make a star campaign really shine. There are plenty of big-budget campaigns and no dearth of talented creative admen, photographers, directors etc, so why should the Indian public suffer from commonplace campaigns with their favourite actors? And besides, fashion and clothes should have an aesthetic appeal to make them saleable, right?

Speaking Chic’s advice to fashion, clothing and luxury brands in India: Keep a chunk of your budget to get the your creatives right. We’re tired of our cricket captain MS Dhoni looking uncomfortable in Big Bazaar clothes.

Loved a fashion/ clothing campaign with your fave star? Tell us!