Category Archives: Bridal

Friday Fives: Manish Arora for Amrapali Jewels

29th Feb 2013

From one talented Manish to another, today’s Friday Fives puts the spotlight on Manish Arora’s stunning collection for Amrapali Jewels. The luxury jewellery brand is known for their exquisite jewels and fine craftsmanship and this new collaboration sees Manish put his spin on the traditional with enamelling in unexpected pastel shades as well as striking animal motifs. Love it all!

mEnamel Ring with mirror in the centre.

maTassel Bijou Earrings.

manRoyal Bengal Cuff

manish a 2Gazelle Enamel Ring

manish aroraGazelle Hand Harness. The coolest Hathphool ever!

Available from Pernia’s Pop Up Shop

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

Tagged , , , , ,

Band Baajaa Bride Season 3

20th Feb 2013

Last week Band Baajaa Bride season 3 kicked off in India. It’s a wedding reality show where a couple’s wedding is put together with the support of an amazing dream team led by Ambika Anand, Bharat Arora and design guru Sabyasachi. A staggering 8000 brides applied to be one of the lucky 13. The first of the season’s bride’s pics are up and I had to share them (I’m thinking I may end up sharing a few more bride’s pics as the season goes on!) Congrats to the happy couple!

Band Baajaa BridePretty mehndi!

Band Baaja Bride 2Bride Deesha Sanghvi

Band Baajaa Bride 3The man making these brides dreams come true- Sabyasachi!

Band Baajaa Bride 4The big reveal

Band Baajaa Bride 5The groom’s looking pretty good too

Band Baajaa Bride 6Aaawww the wedding! (I couldn’t find a better pic of the couple together, will add if I do)

And here’s this season’s trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf9PuQPPLOs

Over here in the U.K the big reality wedding programme is BBC3’s Don’t Tell The Bride. I’ve recently been contacted by the producer of the show- who wanted a mention on the blog as they are currently casting for the new season. The selected couple are given £12,000 to spend on their wedding and the catch? The groom and his best man arrange the whole wedding. Yep, the bride gets NO input! (Kinda poles apart from Band Baajaa Bride!) If there’s a few brave brides out there contact Naomi Channell at this e-mail add dttb@applyfortheshow.com

Images from Sabyasachi’s facebook page

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Avari Couture

16th Feb 2013

I am super duper excited to introduce Avari Couture- my FAV new place to buy costume jewellery. I stumbled across this pretty boutique last year when I was searching for last minute sets to match outfits for my cousins wedding. I’ve never been a fan of the typical sets you find in Wembley/Southall and as owners Dee & Jay realised- there’s many women like me that are looking for something fresh and beyond the norm. I looovvvveee the statement Swarovski pieces and the stunning Rajasthani inspired sets. Enjoy the pics and the interview with Jay.

avari
Owner Jay with a Bridal set. (This image is courtesy of BritAsia)

avari couture 1 Image courtesy of Avari Couture

avari couture 2 Image courtesy of Avari Couture

Describe Avari Couture in one sentence?

Fusion, exclusive and unique jewellery offering pieces of distinction

avari couture 3 Selection of shoes that are found in sister store Kalpana London. Image courtesy of Avari Couture

avari couture 4 L-R Egyptian necklace £210, earrings £40, bracelet £135. Pearl & Kundan set £155

.
What’s the story behind the label?

It all started when we couldn’t find exclusive fusion/bridal shoes & handbags. Dee got inspired to open a retail outlet offering this (formerly known as Kalpana London on Ealing Road), he quickly found a niche market specialising in bridal and a Swarovksi crystal range. We figured if we couldn’t find it ourselves, there must be other people wanting and looking for this same thing. Now with over 10 years experience with Swarovski crystal, catwalk inspired designs and creations, and a multi-national audience, it was time to re-brand and Avari was born.

Avari came about once we realised that the exact same fusion look was required in jewellery. Using our knowledge of fusion designs and Swarovski crystal we created a jewellery collection which can appeal to all types of people for any occasion. Avari now encompasses and offers an end to end accessory collection, which can finish off any outfit!

avari couture 5 Long necklace £210 purse £125
avari couture 6 Bridal set £275
avari couture 7 Gorgeous earrings

Where do you source the jewellery and do you design any of the styles in house?

We design many collections in house and source from around the world to bring unique pieces to match for any occasion, specialising in bridal jewellery. Inspired by eastern and western catwalk looks we aim to bring a true fusion collection for our customers. Also offering Swarovski crystal jewellery, which is hand made in England also means we can develop designs with our customers to provide customised pieces.
avari couture 8 Bangles
avari couture 9 Jay posing for me! L-R Blue Polki £20 Kundan £35, Pear £45 Oval £50 (I want the Oval!!!)

The boutique has only been open a few months, what sort of response are you getting and which are the most popular styles?

We have had a phenomenal and extremely positive response from the public. We have had a lot of comments like:
“Breath of fresh air and just what was needed in the area”
“Pleasantly surprised with quality fusion designs and price points offered”
“Good to see another jewellery store offering customised Swarovski pieces which are hand-made in England”
The most popular styles currently are bridal Mughul/ Rajasthani style jewellery, the American diamond collection and the statement Swarovski pieces.
avari couture 10 Small Vogue £295
avari couture 11 Large Vogue £2000 (this piece was featured in Vogue Germany)

Will you be launching an e-store?

Yes we hope to in the very near future. This will definitely help to expand and grow our business in the right way and reach out to a wider audience. It will also enable us to keep our customers updated with new collections and special offers.

Images mine unless otherwise stated

Avari Couture, 149 Ealing Rd, Wembley, Middx, HA0 4BY. Tel: 0203 632 4303 Email: info@avaricouture.com

Website: www.avaricouture.com

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

Tagged , , , , ,

Manish Malhotra’s exclusive London show in support of Angel! Foundation

15th Feb 2013

India’s leading fashion designer Manish Malhotra will be making his UK catwalk debut at a Gala Fundraiser in aid of The Angeli Foundation, a charity that works to empower the Girl Child in India, at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Saturday 23rd February 2013, in association with Rivaage Boutique.

23 feb 1

The multi-award winning designer who has been leading the way with his stunning collections for the past 18 years has a client list that reads like the Who’s Who of the Indian film industry and includes the Prince of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan as well as former Miss World’s Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen.

23 feb

His reputation extends beyond the subcontinent, with his creativity and stunningly opulent creations having been seen on some of the most famous bodies from Hollywood including Demi Moore, Kylie Minogue, Reese Witherspoon, Karolina Kurkova, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

Malhotra shot to fame in 1995 as stylist and costume designer for Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDlJ) – one of India’s most successful films, and having created the costumes and styled over 50 films, he is widely acknowledged as the man to have changed the face of Asian fashion in Bollywood films.

23 feb 2

Malhotra selected The Angeli Foundation as the charity of choice for his UK launch after the horrific rape of Jyoti Singh Pandey in Delhi highlighted the shocking inequality and attitudes towards women in India. The Angeli Foundation works to ‘Save the Girl Child’ and redress the balance for women who are treated as second-class citizens throughout their lives. From female foeticide to limiting healthcare and education in favour of male siblings, to bride burnings, unreported rapes and acid attacks, inequality in India exists from womb to woman.

23 feb 3

He said of his support for The Angeli Foundation:

“I work in an industry where women are revered and respected. I have had the privilege of dressing some of the most beautiful and powerful women in the world, but when I step out of the door and into the stark reality of India, I see the injustice and inequality all around me. The Angeli Foundation is providing an invaluable service to these girls and women. The charity helps them raise their self-esteem, confidence and ultimately value themselves enough to get a voice. Without women, I wouldn’t be where I am today and so I want to give what I can back to an organisation like Angeli that celebrates womanhood.”

Proceeds from ticket sales and an exclusive live auction will go to two specific projects run by The Angeli Foundation:
* The Gayatri Education Programme which provides girl students with the skills they need to succeed
* Mobile Medical Clinics to visit girl’s schools and provide heath checks on a regular basis
Ratika Puri Kapur, chair of the UK Chapter of The Angeli Foundation said of Manish Malhotra’s support:

“The Angeli Foundation was established in India eight years ago, but is in its infancy in the UK. The support of India’s most successful stylist and designer will help increase awareness of our work amongst the communities here and help us raise funds for these critical projects in India.”

The Manish Malhotra Fashion Extravaganza in aid of The Angeli Foundation and in association with Rivaage Boutique will be attended by a host of special celebrity guests from the worlds of international film, fashion and entertainment, with some very exciting surprise stars appearing on the catwalk!

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

For the latest news, as it happens, follow us on:

Twitter: @AngeliFdn

Facebook: AngeliFdn

Press Release by Media Moguls.

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Bridal inspiration: The white gown

15th Jan 2013

We’re only two weeks into the New Year and we already have a hot trend alert! White/nude gowns have been spotted all over recent award ceremonies- the Golden Globes, Zee Cinema Awards, People’s Choice Awards and the Colour’s Screen Awards. Definite bridalwear inspiration me thinks!

esha gupta dior

Esha Gupta in Dior. Love this gown and her up do and red lips work so well.

taylor swift

Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren. This is one simple yet beautiful look.

Chitrangada Singh Roberto Cavalli

Chitrangada Singh in Roberto Cavalli

deepika nk

Deepika Padukone in Naeem Khan. I love the metallic embellishment.

Aditi Rao Hydari Gauri & Nainika

Aditi Rao Hydari in Gauri & Nainika. I like the fact the full skirt is in a sheer fabric which I personally thinks better than the full skirts in silk that look too meringue-like!

hayden panettiere

Hayden Panettiere in Roberto Cavalli. Jessica Biel opted for pink for her wedding dress and this pretty gown is the faintest hue of pink. Would you go pink? – it also looks like the fishtail is making a come back.

jlo golden globes

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad. This is by far my favourite look! she looks stunnnninnng and its her curves that make the dress!

Which is your fav style?

Images from celebsmackblog, makeupforlife, tribune.pk.com, vogue india

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spotlight: Falguni & Shane Peacock

13/02/2012

I am a huge fan of Falguni and Shane Peacock’s work and their recent show at India Resort Fashion Week prompted me to take another look at their S/s 13 collection. (Although lets be honest-IRFW brings NOTHING new to the fashion calendar, there were plenty of collections that shouldn’t have made the cut and the established labels weren’t showing new collections but just added a few resort friendly pieces to collections they’ve already shown this year.) Ok enough of my ranting and back to Falguni & Shane! I LOVED their S/s 13 show where their high octane mix of distinctive prints, placement embellishment and clever cut outs rocked N.Y fashion week. My fav designs were the printed bodysuits with lace inserts, the stunning sheer gowns with ombre beading at the hem and the printed knee length dresses with Perspex cut outs.

falguni and shane 1

falguni and shane 2

The creativity and imagination that these guys bring to the party are just insane and one thing is for sure their A-List following which includes Jessie J , Fergie & Cheryl Cole will be fighting over the styles come awards season.

falguni and shane 2.5

All above pics from S/s 13

falguni and shane 3

Above pics from IRFW where they added a few kaftan/swimwear pieces to their S/s 13 collection

My only criticism of the duo is their bridal collection which is in a word BLAH and a world away from the signature style on their mainline. Hmmm can you imagine the stunning studded blouses and galactic print saris that these guys could be bringing out? Many other designers are able to keep there style flowing through traditional and non traditional pieces- think Masaba Gupta’s camera prints on tailored jackets & kurtis and Shivan & Narresh distinctive cut outs and colour block on swimwear and saris. So Falguni & Shane if you ever read this please ditch the naff lace and roses and inject your rocking style to traditional wear!

falguni and shane 4

Images from Falguni & Shane Peacock, Purple Window, MTV.

Follow me on Twitter,
Facebook
& Pinterest

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Shehla Khan’s latest campaign ft. Sonam Kapoor

26th Nov 2012

Festivities are over as is the amazing week ‘the boy’ (yep still can’t say fiancée-sounds too grown up!) and I had in Barbados. After my hol, I’m very much back and raring to go. I have lots of new ideas and exciting blog posts coming up so keep checking in! For now I have to share the pretty as a picture bridal campaign by Shehla Khan ft. of course bestie Sonam Kapoor. I’m a big fan of Khan’s elegant signature style of soft pastel shades, feminine cuts and vintage lace & embroideries.

The image above is my favourite; the blouse detail is just gorgeoussssss!

And if you’d like to know how to get bright coral lips like the shade Ms Kapoor regularly rocks, then check out the video I made with make-up supermo Dipali Damji. Click here!

Images from IndianWeddingSite.com

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Label Lust: Eina Ahluwalia

2nd October 2012

I’ve been spotting Ms Ahluwalia’s pretty pieces all over the place- looking ohhhh so hot on many a Bollywood beauty and more recently in a gorgeous shoot for CR. ( Carine Roitfield’s mag ) Eina’s pieces are delicate and intricate and she utilises the traditional craft skill of Jali (hand made fretwork) in her jewellery…and anyone who regularly reads my blog knows I love designers that keep Indian craftsmanship alive!

3 Finger Haathphool featured in CR, story by Amanda Harlech & photographer Anthony Maule

Eina’s stockists include

www.bottica.com

www.strandofsilk.com

All images www.einaahluwalia.com

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2012: Top 5 Trends

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

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dehli Couture Week 2012: Sabyasachi

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.

All images FDCI

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,