Vidya Balan

At Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2015, I was looking for inspiration for a new Indian look and I found it at Gaurang. His collection was a refreshing break from the ethnic boho and heavy embellished collections that usually dominate the ramp.

Very Indian in style, silhouette and colour palette, the show featured eye-catching dupattas that I dubbed “statement dupattas” because you can make them the cornerstone of your ensemble. The dupattas featured jamdani, phulkari, chikankari and kalamkari work. Since that show I’ve been hunting for beautiful dupattas—printed, embroidered, embellished, appliquéd, what have you…. I haven’t had much luck and I’ve moved to another country but I can continue to dream, right?

BTW, as icing on the cake, Vidya Balan was the showstopper for Gaurang. 🙂

Memory from: March 19, 2015

Location: Palladium Hotel, Mumbai

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 2012, Fashion, Review

Why Powder Room is a candid recount of Indian fashion

Speaking ChicAugust 24, 2012August 23, 2012Leave a comment

Last year at the exhibits area of Lakme Fashion Week, I had a long talk with an upcoming designer from Kolkata. There weren’t too many people around and he was in a chatty mood so we ended up talking about things beyond the fashion shows. Among other things, he recalled his first fashion week party, when someone turned to him and asked, “Who are you wearing?” “They are so fake, and they love name-dropping,” he grinned. Just then, a designer friend dropped by, and both started making jokes about the appalling amount of bling they’d seen at the ongoing fashion week shows.

This kind of candour is unheard-of in the fashion industry, and this is the barrier Shefalee Vasudev has tried to break through in her first book Powder Room. In the book, the ex-Marie Claire editor explores the underbelly of Indian fashion, attempting to demystify the “beautiful” industry and focus on the fashion professionals’ not-so-glam life. In the process, she also comments on Indian society, its aspirations and the value attached to labels (high fashion brands and Bollywood icons).

Benarsis, Bling and Bollywood

Powder Room takes us on a journey across the fashion industry through a series of stories shared by fashion insiders. For instance, Tarun Tahiliani speaks about brides’ tantrums and bling, an aspiring model says she is willing to jump on the casting couch, and a family of Patola weavers shun Bollywood stars.

Yes, the Patola makes an appearance too- one of the several traditional weaves that’s dying slowly. There are only a few who understand the need to revive region-specific textiles even as boundaries disappear. So you can get a kanjeevaram sari that’s not made in that town, or Maharashtrian paithani that’s made in Varanasi. I’m not sure how many fashionistas would want to own any of these.

Shefalee has travelled across India while writing the book, meeting people and reporting their stories and experiences. A journalist to the core, her reportage is carefully worded to let the reader decide on what they feel about the spendthrift Ludhiana Ladies and the small-town ladies tailors “copy” big designers.

Crafts and Commercials

However, you do feel the indignation as she reports on a family of Patola weavers who struggle to keep the craft alive, even as they shun Bollywood stars and “commercial” versions of their products. The indignation turns to amusement as she writes about the “editorial support” luxury brands offered to Marie Claire.

The contrasts that exist in Indian society often creep their way into the narrative. The monthly salary of the ambitious sales assistant at Emporio Mall cannot buy her more than a belt at the store. Meanwhile, the rich seek out designer wares, and middle class women want Zara copies and “Katrina blouses”. I remember seeing Preity Zinta’s “Veer Zaara suits” at the local fabric stores and Mangaldas Market. And Vidya Balan’s saris are everywhere already.

As part of my experience working at a fashion brand, I’ve learnt that almost everything in fashion magazines is up for sale. All you got to do is the fill in the cheque with the right numbers. And if you read extensively on fashion, you’ll know how a writer “loves” this designer’s collection, and already has that brand’s dress on her “wishlist”. Shefalee calls for fashion writing to be part of mainstream journalism- backed by facts and investigative reporting rather than just gush pieces. After a famous Bollywood-cum-bridal designer’s fashion show, a journalist muttered, “That was ghastly!” But of course, that would never get reported, not even in the mildest form of real fashion criticism.

What should you do with Powder Room? Depends on who you are- if you’re part of the fashion industry or want to be, then read it. And if you’re not part of the industry and never want to be, you should read it. Fashion is, after all, a business like any other.

Powder Room by Shefalee Vasudev is available at leading booksellers and online stores.

In 2012, Bollywood Fashion, Fashion

Bollywood Fashion: Fashion in London Paris New York, Kahaani and Agent Vinod

Speaking ChicApril 5, 2012April 5, 2012Leave a comment

Most Bollywood releases over the past few weeks have been quite unexciting on the fashion front—there have been no “Wow!” fashion moments or interesting looks that get me hooked in the promo itself. Even so, there’s been something noteworthy in some of the movies, so here’s a quick look at the fashion in London Paris New York, Kahaani and Agent Vinod.

London Paris New York

Ali Zafar plays the typical rich brat-cum-stud while Aditi Rao Hydari is the pseudo-bohemian feminist. They meet in the cities in distinctly different looks—from clean shaven to French beard for the guy, and from dishevelled hair to chic bob for her.

Ali Zafar’s look: From funky tshirt to a more refined look with coordinated accessories—loved it!

Aditi Rao’s Hydari’s look: If you’ve seen the movie promo, you’ve seen it all. Interestingly, the makeup stays the same—the lips just morph into various shades of red (darkest in Paris).

What I liked: I absolutely loved Ali Zafar’s style statement in New York. Muffler, jacket and oh, that Hermes belt! Oooh, and I also loved his contrast collar shirt. Take a look:

What I didn’t like: There was much more scope to experiment with Aditi Rao Hydari’s look, besides the hair and makeup. Very ordinary clothes, but maybe that was the point of the character.

Chic Tip: Get Ali Zafar’s shirt at Zara!

Fashion rating: 3.5/5

Kahaani

In a movie like Kahaani, there isn’t much scope for awesome fashion and styling. The costumes are well thought-out and appropriate for Vidya Bagchi’s simplicity- from the night wear (tshirt and pyjamas) to the long cotton dresses that a pregnant NRI woman may wear.

What I liked: The clever yet effortless layering (like a lace slip peeping out under maxi dress), simple unobtrusive prints, and use of high street brands like GAP. Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s signature was all over Vidya Balan.

What I didn’t like: While the clothes in the movie aren’t glam or trendy, it’s because they are not supposed to be. The right costumes help in characterisation after all. So nope, nothing to dislike as such.

Fashion rating: 3.5/5

Agent Vinod

When a blue-blooded actor and his hot girlfriend star in a spy thriller shot across the world, you expect charm, mystique, charisma and dollops of style. Unfortunately didn’t get much of any of those things in Agent Vinod.

What I liked: Couple of Saif Ali Khan’s shirts (I believe some of them are from Arrow). Too bad he spent most of his time looking haggard. You see him at his stylish best(!) in the song Pyaar ki Pungi, which is not saying much at all. Kareena’s carrying some high fashion stuff like a Tod’s bag, and she looked the best in the auction wearing a very low-cut dress, covering up with piles of metallic gold necklaces.

What I didn’t like: While Kareena Kapoor looks great and clothes are quite alright, her wardrobe was inconsistent at best. She was completely unconvincing as a doctor, and her too-wide range of styles failed her character as well. And the bright pink sharara she wears in the mujra song Dil mera muft ka didn’t excite me at all. It was like been there, seen that! Manish Malhotra needs a break.

Fashion rating: 3/5

In 2011, Fashion, Issues

Eco Chic: Go beyond Earth Hour fashionably

Speaking ChicMarch 24, 2011Leave a comment

It’s almost time for Earth Hour! On March 26, millions of people across the world will switch off their lights for an hour at 8.30 pm to spread the message of a low-carbon lifestyle.

Earth Hour can be a great sign of solidarity, but it’s not enough—we need to go beyond the hour, and not just save electricity, but also look at ways of living a more eco friendly life. Here are our tips for going beyond earth hour—the fashionable way.

Tip 1: Shop local.

That’s easier said than done, of course. And we all want the Made in China/ Turkey/ Morocco Zara tops and Mango dresses. Even the Made in India labelled garments at international brand stores will probably have travelled around the world and come back. But we can look for chic alternatives that are locally-made and don’t have such a long travel tale to tell. Why just clothes? You can buy Indian skin care products as well.

Tip 2: Wear eco chic.

If Colin Firth and his wife Livia Firth can wear eco-friendly red carpet outfits, why can’t we? If we look hard enough, there are eco chic clothes out there. Lots of designers are using organic materials that support local communities, so there’s a smaller carbon footprint as well. Try Ela’s dresses (available at Bombay Electric (Mumbai), Verandah (Bangalore) and Anonym (Hyderabad)).

Tip 3: Shop sensibly.

Think twice, how many yellow blouses do you really, really need? Each garment you buy later becomes wastage or throwaway once the season or trend is over. So don’t go wild at the mall; instead, think carefully before buying and invest in some seasonless classics (like LBDs). This will also save you a bunch of money and wardrobe space.

Tip 4: Recycle.

Some beauty brands love recycling, like The Body Shop and MAC. You can give back used bottles, containers, tubes and jars to them for recycling, and maybe get some freebies in return. What could be better than that?

Tip 5: Shop at one go.

Make a list of things you want to buy and keep aside enough time to finish all your shopping in one visit. Avoid making several trips to the mall, shopping centre or street market, you’ll pollute less!

Stay chic!

In Fashion, News, WIFW AW 2011

Fashion News: Sabyasachi is Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week finale designer

Speaking ChicFebruary 24, 20111 Comment

Sabyasachi Mukherjee will be the grand finale designer at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) Autumn/Winter 2011. WIFW kicks off on April 6, 2011 and the grand finale will be held late night April 10.

Arguably Bollywood’s favourite designer (Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan are his diehard fans), Sabyasachi will also create an exclusive line for Wills Lifestyle that will be available at the brand’s stores across India.

Our request to Sabyasachi: We know you’re a design genius, but please please please, could you shock and awe us this season? We’ve got sore eyes from seeing your same ol’ designs at every wedding, sangeet and Bollywood event. Thanks already.

FYI, Tarun Tahiliani was the finale designer at the previous season of WIFW, with Shilpa Shetty as the showstopper. Here’s a peek to refresh your memory:

In 2011, Bollywood Fashion, Fashion

Bollywood Fashion: Vidya Balan wears Sabyasachi… yawn

Speaking ChicJanuary 11, 20114 Comments

Vidya Balan’s penchant for Sabyasachi Mukherjee is well-known, but is the actor restricting her wardrobe too much? After all, she’s young, and has a real woman’s body which will be able to carry off a variety of styles.

We spotted Vidya Balan at a car awards ceremony over the weekend, and one glance at the sleeves, bodice and contrasting dupatta was enough to hint that the creator of her floor-length kurta and churidar was Sabyasachi. Take a look:

To confirm my inkling, I managed to ask her as she was leaving, “Who are you wearing? Sabya?” She looked pleasantly surprised, then smiled (a sweet one!) and said, “Yes, I’m wearing Sabya.”

We’re tired of seeing Vidya Balan in similar outfits again and again and again. Could someone please introduce the No One Killed Jessica star to other talented designers who also do great Indian wear?

In Bollywood Fashion, Fashion

No One Killed Jessica: Bollywood fashion at its ordinary best

Speaking ChicJanuary 6, 20113 Comments

We love the promos of No One Killed Jessica. The concept, the music, Rani Mukherjee as a foul-mouthed journalist, it all makes us sit up and take notice.

And then there are the clothes. They are barely noticeable. They are not designed to catch the the viewer’s attention, or elicit “Wows!” And that’s exactly they get a nod of approval from us. Costume designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee has has done something extraordinary: he’s given the wardrobes of the lead actors (Vidya Balan and Rani Mukherjee) a very approachable and “ordinary” flavour.

Rani Mukherji as Meera Gaity

When you see Rani Mukherji mouthing beeped words, looking angry and indignant, she’s wearing a crisp formal shirt, fitted trousers, a belt and minimal accessories, just what a young and smart journalist climbing up the corporate ladder would wear. In one scene, she’s seen wearing a black blazer, hair tightly combed back, ready to face the TV camera. She doesn’t wear Dior or carry LVs or wear outrageous mini skirts like Priyanka Chopra wore in Krrish, but clothes probably resembling the ones you’re wearing right now at your office desk.

Vidya Balan as Sabrina

Meanwhile, Vidya Balan goes geeky with boring spectacles, basic tees, shirts and jeans. There are no “cool” prints, bejewelled embellishments or chic blouses. Walking on the street, Vidya Balan (as Sabrina) wouldn’t make heads turn, and that’s the point of the character—an ordinary woman determined to get justice for her sister. This probably makes Vidya Balan different from almost every other actor dressed by Sabyasachi.

Sabyasachi gives Bollywood fashion a twist

Sabyasachi Mukherjee is known for his traditional yet extravagant and rich approach to clothes, fashion and his collections, with a strong penchant for earthy tones. And Bollywood loves OTT, skimpy and uncharacteristic outfits. But with director Raj Kumar Gupta (of Aamir fame), Sabyasachi seems to have got into the skin of the characters, and has got their looks straight from ordinary Delhi homes. It takes courage and out-of-the-box thinking to step outside your comfort zone, and get do the opposite of what most Bollywood designers do.

So while Guzaarish fashion seemed out-of-character to us, the No One Killed Jessica wardrobe gets our stamp of approval.

Interesting side-note: both Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan are fans of Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and are often seen in his saris at awards and red-carpet events.

Looking forward to the movie and the fashion gone ordinary.

In Celebs, sari

Celebs: The Sari’s State

Speaking ChicMarch 2, 2010Leave a comment

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Indian women love the sari, and we love it even more when a famous international celebrity dons the traditional drape at a fancy party. But the shocking appearance of Liz Hurley in a sari sans blouse (aka choli) didn’t go down too well with quite a few women (such as my mom and your mom and most other moms).

But our homegrown Bollywood beauties came to the rescue, and showed us how graceful and non-bosom baring the sari can be. Kajol, Sridevi, Rekha and even Urmila Matondkar rocked the sari at the recent Filmfare awards ceremony. But the lady who can carry off the sari the best is Vidya Balan. Dressed in her favourite Sabyasachi (we would like to see her experiment with designers), the young lady seemed to be saying: “So what if I’ve lost oodles of weight? I like the sari and I’m gonna wear it, gowns be damned.”

filmfare-awards-2010 balan

While we like the sari, what doesn’t seem to go too well are the oversized rosary-type beads that Ms Balan might have taken from a sadhu at the Pushkar mela. And why tie back your lovely hair? Maybe she was just having a bad hair day, who knows?

Image courtesy: Santabanta.com

In 2009, Bollywood Fashion, Sushmita Sen, Vidya Balan

2009: Bollywood round up

Speaking ChicDecember 23, 2009Leave a comment

Best on-screen wardrobe

It wasn’t Kareena nor Katrina, but Sushmita Sen’s outfits in Do Knot Disturb that were tres chic! She donned the right clothes for the role of a rich woman being cheated on by her husband — high-fashion and luxe.

The movie was a real drag, but Sush’s clothes made me look forward to her next screen appearance. The final scene in which she wore a white dress, statement chain-link necklace and hat? Fantastic end to an otherwise boring movie.

Weirdest on-screen wardrobe

Kareena Kapoor’s outfits in Kurbaan gets a thumbs down from us. In Delhi, she tried the Indo-Bohemian look, with a fitted V-neck tee, shawl draped round her neck, flowing ghagra skirt, AND a churidar. How’s that for too much? Sorry, but it just doesn’t work. When she shifted to NY, she apparently forgot her clothes in India, and stuck to body-hugging tees with tight jeans and leggings. Great body, girl, but excite us, we’ve seen enough of bodycon!

Most disappointing wardrobe

Skirts are a girl’s new best friend, agreed. But did we have to see Katrina Kaif in skirts and sleeveless tops and dresses in almost every frame of Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani? Ranbir Kapoor’s thin long ties and crazy prints were more exciting than Katrina’s bare arms, frankly.

Wardrobe revival

You can never go wrong with Sabyasachi saris, so that was a safe bet. But Vidya Balan going boho-chic in Paa flashbacks definitely wasn’t. The talented actor brightened the silver screen with a) the saris and b) earthy colours and long skirts, complemented by messed up and crimped long hair.

Both looks totally worked for Ms Balan, and methinks it’s partly due to with the newfound confidence thanks to her weight loss. Well done!

Saddest beauty trend

Yes, size zero is always troublesome, but that’s so 2008. The last month of the year threw a new bouncer at us: two lovely dusky women in TV commercials looking completely whitewashed! We mean Kajol and Deepika Padukone endorsing Olay and Neutrogena respectively. There was good money for sure, but why did they appear so pale? God help us!

Great expectations of 2010

A sneak peek into the sets of Aisha has Sonam Kapoor looking casual, well-dressed and fresh, while Abhay Deol is just as dapper.

Based on Jane Austen’s Emma, it’s the movie to watch out for in 2010.

Showing all posts tagged Vidya Balan

Throwback Thursday: Gaurang’s gorgeous dupattas