26th Sept 2012
How amazzzziiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg are these Bombay Electric’s mash up of Elle India’s Covers. Ash’s is my favourite because its such a flip on the original! The covers were done to celebrate the store’s six birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOMBAY ELECTRIC, you guys rock!
25th Sept 2012
I’ve been off the blog radar this last week as I’ve had two family weddings in Sept (one is continuing this week/weekend). I needed a couple of days just to sort all my saris, outfits, jewellery & bangles. I don’t exactly know when it happened but it’s become the norm for guests to change throughout the day and this has meant for one cousin’s wedding events I actually need(ed) SEVEN outfits/saris. All you Indian readers are like pah! Seven changes that’s nothing! Well it sent me into a mini-panic, I had to get the notebook out (yep did consider doing an excel spreadsheet) to list what’s being worn when and with what. Then I needed a day at the beauticians getting eyebrows and mani/pedi done. I’m telling you boys have it sooooo easy! I know I sound like I’m moaning but I do love all the pre-prep, its all part of the wedding fun and I certainly had a lot of that over the weekend. I have two days off (the events continue from Thurs) and I can’t be bothered to do anything! So I’m sat looking through the photos on my camera and I came across my pics from the Savoy and thought its time I share them! It was a yummy affair in a stunning environment- a perfect Mother and Daughters outing. I could do with a slice of that Victoria Sponge right now (and a glass of champagne wouldn’t hurt either!)
I’d rate the Afternoon Tea at the Savoy as one of the best in London (def better than Fortnum & Mason)
16th Sept 2012
I’m soooo late posting my trend report for Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012. I had started a while ago but it’s taken me ages to pick out five key trends. I blame it on the fact that overall (even though there were flashes of originality- Debarun Mukherjee’s and Yogesh Chaudhary’s are perfect examples.) I found this season’s shows a little flat and lacking in newness. Nonetheless I have picked out my favourite trends for the new season.
By way of Istanbul
Several designers looked to the Middle East for inspiration, playing with traditional Moorish tile prints and a rich palette of Cobalt, Azure Blue, and spicy Saffrons. Anita Dongre’s and Debarun Mukherjee’s collections were especially dreamy.
Top L-R Debarun Mukherjee, Anita Dongre, Priyadarshini Rao
Bottom L-R Anita Dongre, Tanya Sharma, Debarun Mukherjee
Traditional Weaves
Surface Embellishment took a back seat this season as designers worked with traditional weaves. Beautiful examples of Ikat, Benares and Kanjeevaram were present and showed evening wear doesn’t need heavy embellishment to look rich.
Top L-R Neeta Lulla, Khushboo & Prem, Gaurang Shah
Bottom L-R Gaurang Shah, Anita Dongre, Payal Kapoor
Tutti Fruitti
Yep, I really did name a trend Tutti Frutti! The mixing of fuchsia, yellow, cyan and orange just works and is fabulously Indian. So be bold this season and work this striking rainbow of colour.
Top L-R Payal Singhal, Mayank Annand Shraddha, Neeta Lulla
Bottom L-R Wendell Rodricks, Swati Vijaivagie Jain, Deepika Govind
Sheer/Layering
Layering was a key trend and the looks that were built up with sheer overlays were more successful and flattering than the heavier layers seen at Nandita & Anurahdha
Top L-R Payal Singhal, Nandita & Anurahdha, Vaishali Shadangule
Bottom L-R Roma Narsinghani, Nishka Lulla, Ruchika Sachdeva
Head to Toe Prints
Head to Toe prints were a huge S/s 12 trend over at the big four’s fashion weeks and they’ve filtered over to LFW. Napur Kanoi’s and Yogesh Chaudhaury’s take were bold and beautiful.
Top L-R Kallol Dutta, Yogesh Chaudhary, Napur Kanoi,
Bottom L-R Napur Kanoi, Pia Pauro, Yogesh Chaudhary
Key Shapes to watch out for include: Structured jackets, 7/8th Trousers, Jumpsuits, Maxi dresses & Shirtdresses and a micro trend which will filter through is fringing which was seen at Jatin Varma, Pia Pauro, Pankaj & Nidhi
11th September 2012
So you might be thinking ANOTHER post about India Fantastique! Well indulge me, its not everyday I’m in the same room as B-Town royalty (hell, that prob was my once in a lifetime moment of seeing Mr. B!!!) Last Weds I attended the event as a photographer for BollySpice and here are some pics from the amazing event! For the full article on Bollyspice click here.
Stiltwalkers in a dramatic Abu & Sandeep gown
Photographer Ram Shergill working the camera!
Dame Judi Dench looked absolutely stunning in a beautifully regal red & gold outfit by the designers.
Lovely mother and daughter I got talking to, the mother has been a fan of the designers for years and she whispered that she bought the coat years ago- timeless I say!
Abu’s cousin looking resplendent in a classic Abu & Sandeep Chikankari embroidered piece
One of the designer’s lovely team looking a picture in an elegant ivory sari with a stunning embellished blouse.
7th Sept 2012
I’ve only just got round to checking out the FDCI Couture Fashion Week 2012 and yes there were many dreamy collections on show but there was only one collection that made my heart skip a beat- as always it was by the one and only Mr Mukherjee. The New Moon collection showcased the beauty and diversity of Indian artisans. The stunning block prints, Parsi thread work, Kashmiri embroidery and sublime zardozi work were further enhanced by mixing them with the ohh so British printed chintz that alongside the long skirts and styling evoked Kolkata at the time of the British Raj. This collection is full of strong separates that can be styled in a multitude of ways that will appeal to women around the world. An awe inspiring collection Mr. Mukherjee!
Actress Sri Devi walks the ramp.
4th September 2012
I swooned all over Saloni’s A/w 12 collection back in Feb and this video shot by Ellen Von Unwerth in Jodhpur has me swooning all over again. Just beautiful!
3rd September 2012
This morning I attended the press call for Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla’s launch of ‘India Fantastique’- a stunning coffee table book that celebrates their illustrious 25 years in the industry.
“Abu and I thought long and hard about how we wanted to celebrate our milestone, and also about how we would use this celebration to set the vision for our creativity and ourselves in the next twenty five years. It soon becomes clear that a book, or rather two as it turned out to be, was the ideal vehicle.” Sandeep Khosla
The book is a visual treat full of their delicious couture pieces and stunning interiors all beautifully shot by the amazing Ram Shergrill. The uber talented duo are known for their skilful cutting, intricate zardozi + chikan embroidery and the sheer drama of their pieces. They were amongst the first Indian designers to gain global recognition with Harrods, Harvey Nicks & Neiman Marcus stocking their pieces.
Sandeep explained that this was one of their first and most copied designs. It caught the eye of costume designer Lindy Hemming who dressed Sophie Marceau in the jacket for ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ from the Bond franchise.
My favourite image- showing the delicate beauty and intricacy of chikan work.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore this beauty at Cannes this year.
Abu & Sandeep’s signature style of re-inventing the traditional has garnered a worldwide celebrity following including Dame Judi Dench, Amitabh Bachchan, and Victoria Beckham (to name a few!) They have also designed costumes for many a film who can forget Madhuri Dixit stunning outfits in Devdas.
Victoria Beckham Vogue India Nov 2008
Madhuri Dixit in Devdas
This stunning Bridal piece took two and a half months to hand embroider!
Loved this patchwork piece with gorgeous back detail.
Abu & Sandeep have also turned their hand to interiors, taking on one commission at a time- most of which take approx eighteen months as they get involved through the whole process down to every last detail.
‘It’s never about the furniture alone. We want to create a home. So every single thing counts. The Art, the carpets, the silver, even the ashtrays’ Sandeep Khosla
(Abu & Sandeep’s assistant hinted that a homewares line might be a possibility)
Pic of Meera Sharma and I with the designers next to one of their latest creations.
The exhibition gives a wonderful opportunity to see Indian Couture at its finest and is on 3-5th September at Sotheby’s. Do not miss it; my photos really don’t do the pieces justice.
The book is available to buy right now from Amazon
Many thanks to Sotheby’s and Abu & Sandeep for the quotes and further information.
Behind the scenes: ‘Barfi’ UK film launch
My friend Tony@Canvas got in touch to ask if I was free to help out at the ‘Barfi’ film launch last week. Hmmm the chance to be around Priyanka and Ranbir? HELL YES! I’ve been to many a fashion pr day but a film launch- never. There were two days of jam packed press interviews and a CRAZY meet and greet with the fans at Cineworld Feltham.
At the Press Day entrance- Ranbir was doing the promos alone on the first day.
In the evening we headed to Feltham where the fans went crazy for Ranbir! I’ve never seen anything like it! After signing autographs and taking pics with fans he judged a dance competition where some fans did their best Panchee dance and Ranbir sweetly joined in with them.
On the second day the Ohhh sooo gorgeous Priyanka Chopra joined Ranbir for the promos. She was promoting the film as well as answering questions on her eagerly awaited new single ‘In My City’ ft Will.i.am which is out Sept 13th.
Interview with B4U
PC looked super hot and mega love for the gorgeous Pop Att Shubh Labh necklace (Hindi for Good Luck)
The film itself is a sweet romantic comedy with Ranbir as Murphy a hearing and speech impaired guy who sees the lightness and joy in life. He’s joined by Priyanka Chopra as Jhilmil an autistic girl and I’leana D’Cruz who makes her Bollywood debut in the film. Enjoy the trailer and the film is out Sept 14th.
And thanks Tony for inviting me along!
the asian fashion journal 