26th April 2013
I love a good look book and this one’s a stunner. All the elements- the beauty that is Indira Das Gupta, the Frida Kahlo styling, the colourful sets and Anupamaa’s designs are harmoniously brought together by an awesome photogropher- Tarun Vishwa. Enjoy.
Image Credit- Bombay Electric Facebook (also available from them now)
19th April 2013
After a loooooonnnnng two year absence, the one and only VV Brown performed an intimate gig in Shoreditch last week. Billed as a secret gig we were two of the lucky hundred that got a chance to enjoy VV perform some new material in an intimate setting. Her new sound is more mature and defined- the indie pop girl (who we loved) has evolved into a darker, electronic mistress (who we still love) VV looked super hot rocking the crop tee and white on white trend and as soon as she came on stage the atmosphere was electric- the lighting, the band, the dj, her voice, her presence, the crowd all melting together.
Image Credit: VV Brown Instagram
Image Credit: VV Brown Instagram
The rehearsal- Image Credit: VV Brown Instagram
The crowd- yep it really was an intimate gig!
She ended the set with the single All About She- ft. VV Brown- Bullet which I think is out now…
and her first single ‘Samson’ from her new album – will be out in July.
Images: My own unless otherwise stated
22nd April 2013
My Indian timing has struck again and even though the fabulous So Dior experience has been causing a buzz in Harrods for the last month- I only managed to make it down on the penultimate day! and i’m so glad I didn’t miss it. The So Dior really was an experience with Dior yuminess around the department store which included a pop up store, an exhibition, yummy treats at a chic tea room and dreamy windows. There’s just something about London’s fashion exhibitions of late- I cooed at the Hermes and the Valentino exhibition (I’m yet to get down to the Bowie exhibition) and the So Dior made me coo all over again with the clever installations and exhibits that added that extra sense of drama. I loved the faux red carpet which had several Dior gowns worn by celebs that flashed with cameras mimicking the Paparazzi,the pretty doll’s house and the iconic London telephone box that got the Dior make-over.
Enjoy the pics! and I can’t wait to see what Harrods does next….!
The Doll’s House with J’adore bottles of perfume inside the rooms.
The impeccable toiles by Christian Dior, John Galliano and Raf Simons.
Princess Margaret chose to wear Dior at her 21st Birthday and worked with the Princess to host two fashion shows in order to raise money for The Red Cross.
A ‘theatre’ of Dior, miniatures of the houses gowns over the years.
This stunning embellished dress was worn by Audrey Hepburn in 1961 for Harper’s Bazaar.
The chic pop up tea room
Dior cupcakes!
Images: Harrods Facebook and my own images.
19th April 2013
A last minute shout out to all you budding fashion designers- the Vogue India Fashion Fund’s April 30th deadline is fast approaching so make sure you get your application in! You can do that by visiting the Vogue Fashion Fund site and following the instructions.
The Vogue Fashion Fund is a global initiative that has helped to shape the careers of some of the industry’s brightest talents. Past alumni include Joseph Altuzarra, Alexander Wang, Erdem, Proenza Schouler and of course Pero by Aneeth Arora- the first winner of the Vogue India Fashion Fund last year.
“For a country that boasts such a stunning array of embroideries, textiles and craftsmanship, it’s no surprise that we consistently produce exceptional design talent. With the Vogue Fashion Fund, our endeavour is to strengthen the foundation for Indian designers and help marry their creativity with commercial success.”Priya Tanna, Editor, Vogue India
Vogue India shot a short film last year explaining the Fashion Fund’s purpose and the behind the scenes process of how and who will be judging the finalists.
and here’s winner Pero by Aneeth Arora’s show at WIFW 13
and here’s what the winner of the Vogue Fashion Fund in colloboration with FDCI will win….
• Fashion shoot in Vogue India
• Year-long business/creative/marketing mentorship with an industry professional
• Cash prize money
• Access to prominent fashion platforms in the industry
• Mentorship from Vogue
• Public relations support and media coverage
Image & Video Credit: Vogue India
18th April 2014
When this beauty of an invitation dropped into my inbox I couldn’t help an ohhhh and a ahhhhh.
A Most Curious Wedding Fair brings together over 50 dreamy independent suppliers that can help bring that unique, creative touch to your special day. The three day event at the Truman Brewery is on from Fri 19th-21st & will feature..
“Hand crafted, bespoke, vintage, new designers, the dress, the groom, accessories, jewellery, floristry, Photographers, videographers, music, stationary, cakes, food and more…” A Most Curious Wedding
So if you’re looking for wedding inspiration make sure you visit over the weekend. Tickets are £4 on the door or £3 via their website A Most Curious Wedding
Images: A Most Curious Wedding Fair
7th April 2013
Another fashion week and another crop of emerging designers make their mark. Previously I’ve shone my spotlight on the print-tastic Karishma Shahani and Retarded Velvet and this time it shines on Huemn. Huemn by Pranav Mishra & Shyma Shetty’s paired down aesthetic, androgynous cuts and interesting details (esp. love the sheer paneling) are fresh and exciting. Here’s their S/s 13 lookbook which I’ve got to add is a beauty. So many Indian brands over complicate their lookbooks and forget the whole purpose of the images- to show off the clothes! I hope they’ll all be taking some notes from Huemn.
Image Credit: Huemn Facebook
4th April 2013
Acne sucks! I know because I’ve been there. My teenage years passed by spot free but at the grand old age of 23 I developed Adult Acne on my face. The emotional and physical (yep I said physical- I found the lumps and bumps painful!) trauma can be devastating.
Even celebs can’t escape the dreaded spots. Cameron Diaz, Victoria Beckham, Katy Perry and AnnaLynne-McCord are just some of the sufferers. And how brave & inspiring is AnnaLynne to tweet her make up free skin?!
Get Help
The first thing to do is get professional help. Go to your GP and see what they can prescribe. My doctor gave me a topical lotion which reduced the inflammation but didn’t clear my skin. I was then referred to a Dermatologist who was in a word USELESS. I’m sure many of you will have come across many unhelpful GPs/Dermatologists but I’d advise you to persevere. I did and ended up seeing the fantastic Prof. Chu a dermatologist that specialises in treating acne. The treatment plan he tailored for me cleared up my acne in weeks.
Simple skincare range just signed Alison Williams of Girls.
Get Healthy
Eat well and exercise regularly. Try to maintain a diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables and hit the gym or go for a walk. Exercise releases serotonin the happy hormone and can help combat stress which can be a major cause of acne. Also make sure you ditch the fizzy drinks for water instead- keeping you’re body hydrated will help to boost energy levels and can help clear the skin.
Bare Minerals make up ‘so pure you can sleep in it’
Get the right skincare routine
Keep your skin clean by using a mild cleanser and moisturiser morning and night (I’d recommend the Simple & Johnson & Johnson ranges) and try not to touch or pick at skin! All you’ll be doing is spreading germs and disturbing the skin unnecessarily. As for wearing make up while you have acne opt for a mineral make up range that won’t clog your pores. The colours for darker skin have got a lot better over the years and I’d recommend the Bare Minerals range. Make sure you wash your make up brushes/sponges regularly.
Next week I’ll share the treatments I have had to reduce acne scarring as well as a list of the skincare products I use.
Image credit: Twitter, Raman Media Network and Bare Minerals
It’s just around the corner people! Yep, the Alchemy festival, Southbank’s celebration of music, dance, literature, design and debate from India, the UK and South Asia starts on 10th April through to 29th April. Here’s what the Southbank have to say about the festival
“There are dazzling events for everyone including the mighty Susheela Raman, Hariharan, Anoushka Shankar and circus and aerial performance from the Daksha Sheth Dance Company. See rising stars Harshdeep Kaur and Ash King, and Martin Simpson collaborates with Arieb Azhar. As well as the finest music, enjoy fashion, design, talks, film screenings, markets and incredible food from India”
Anoushka Shankar’s Traveller 13th April
Talvin Singh presents Bombay Talkies 14th April
I did my usual last minute.com timing (a.k.a Indian timing) and missed out on tickets for Anoushka Shankar’s performance : ( booooo! I did manage to get tickets for Mum, Sis & I to see Harshdeep Kaur & Ash King get there Bollywood Schollywood on! which I’m excited about. There’s a whole lot more besides music- I’m sure we will be making the most of the food market and Roti Chai’s ‘Chaat Shack & Chai Bar’ and I will def be going to the fashion show on 12th April presented by RIWAYAT showcasing some of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s top designers.
Roti Chai pop up is open throughout the festival
The Alchemy Fashion show 12th April
What is Kathak? 11th April
The calender is choc-a-block with fab events and there really is something for everyone- so make sure you visit!
Nearest underground stations:
Waterloo (Bakerloo, Northern, Jubilee and Waterloo and City underground lines) step-free access
Waterloo East step-free access
Embankment (Circle and District underground lines)
Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo underground lines)
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX
the asian fashion journal 