Events | the asian fashion journal

Apr 18 2013

A Most Curious Wedding Fair

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

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Tagged A most curious wedding fair, centrepieces, favours, flowers, truman brewery, vintage, wedding

Apr 02 2013

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Events, Fashion

Southbank celebrates India @ Alchemy festival

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

Tagged 2013, Alchemy festival, anoushka shankar, asian fashion, fab india, india, riwayat, roti chai, south asia, Southbank, talvin singh

Mar 23 2013

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Events, Fashion

WIFW A/W 13: Shantanu & Nikhil

23rd March 2013

Shantanu & Nikhil’s A/w collection was all about the menswear (although there were some stunning womenswear laser cut leather pieces too) For me Menswear is all about strong well cut separates, attention to detail and chic styling and this collection ticks all those boxes. I especially love the ethnic touches from the drop crotch pants, folk weave jackets, nehru collars and the fabbest of fab takes on a modern jersey draped kurta type shape.

There were some hot menswear holdall/clutch shapes- well with slim cut jackets and pants boys they need a bag, right?

This is what I mean about the attention to detail and fab styling!

Love, love, love this jersey draped kurta!

The dapper duo take a bow

Images: Vogue India

Tagged a/w 13, Fashion, indian, kurta, men's, menswear, shantanu and nikhil, styling, WIFW

Mar 16 2013

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Events, Fashion

Step Right up! Selfridges: Shoe Carnival

16th March 2013

Love for Fashion blogger Meera Sharma and I popped into Selfridges this week and stumbled across Selfridges’ latest theme- Shoe Carnival. I wasn’t a fan of the whole No Noise theme they hosted previously but am loving the Shoe carnival. The windows are fabulously fun and the in-store events and exhibitions are fab.

The windows are awesome!

There are many exclusives at the Shoe festival. Nicholas Kirkwood has created a beautiful four piece collection exclusively for the event inspired by Disney’s Oz: The Great and Powerful and there are other treats from Rupert Sanderson, Charlotte Olympia and Katie Grand x Hogan.

It’s not all about the ladies though, the men’s event are equally fab and I’m sure Oliver Sweeney’s ‘Tattoo Your Shoe’ will be the most popular. A tattoo artist will be in-store to literally tattoo your Sweeney’s.

oliver sweeney

The event runs from 1st March- 21st April and for details of events click here.

Images: Windows- The Asian Fashion Journal, The Rest: Selfridges & Oliver Sweeeney

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Tagged katir grand x hogan, nicholas kirkwood, oliver sweeney, oz, Selfridges, shoe carnival, shop windows, tattoo your shoe

Mar 02 2013

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Events

Russian Tea Party at Mari Vanna

2nd March 2013

It’s the beginning of March and what better way to welcome spring and the upcoming festival of Maslenitsa then a fabulous Russian Tea party. Maslenitsa, the Russian Sun Festival has been celebrated in London for the last few years and this year’s programme of events looks very exciting. There’s an exhibition ‘Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars’ at the V&A, a special pancake menu (the festival is also known as Pancake Week) at Russian restaurant Mari Vanna, a literary evening at Waterstones, a special performance by Theatre Praktika and of course the annual street festival celebrations at Trafalgar Square 16th March. For full details of the weeks events go to www.maslenitsa.co.uk

Here’s a few pics of the yummy decor and treats served at Mari Vanna.

The festival is supported by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and the festival’s official charity partner is the Naked Heart Foundation, founded by Natalia Vodianova

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Tagged 16 March 2013, london, mari vanna, maslenitsa, naked heart foundation, pancake week, russia, theatre praktika

Feb 27 2013

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Events, Fashion

The Angeli Foundation’s Manish Malhotra London Fashion Gala

27th Feb 2013

Grab a cuppa, this is going to be one looooonnng post! On Saturday night I went to the amazing Manish Malhotra gala show in aid of the Angeli Foundation. The fab event was held at the plush Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane. Guests were treated to a sensational catwalk of over fifty looks by the infamous Bollywood designer with special guests Urmila Matondkar and Pareenti Chopra. Even though most of the collection shown was first seen in India at Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week over a year ago it was still amazing to see the designs in person. I’m keeping my intro short because it’s all about the pics! Enjoy! (My write up on the event for Grazia India is live too)

Angeli Foundation UK Chair- Ratika Puri Kapoor

Rohini Gehani, owner of Rivaage (a chain of designer boutiques across UAE) and one of the sponsors of the event.

Yep, managed to get a pic with Manish!

There was an auction at the beginning of the event and this beauty went for £5000

Here’s the show pics!

My personal highlights were the dreamy dip-dyes, delicate Chikankari work (which Manish has developed with NGO Mijwan Welfare Society), beautiful flowing full volume skirts and gorgeous sheer back detailing which included pintucks and placement embroideries.

Menswear silhouettes were structured and well defined with slim fit cut pants that looked oh soo dapper.

The colour palette worked through whites, greys, pinks, corals, reds, lime green, cobalt blues and blacks. All of which were brought together with metallic touches.

These sweet treats from Cakes4U were delicious- I had a chocolate brownie and a cookie dough choc chip type cake- yum

Nope, we weren’t special guests- the media tables were full so we joined this table!

Me and my AWKWARD posing (there’s a reason this will never be a style diary type of blog!)

Sweet treats from Sugar Mill Desserts

The night was finished off with the Punjabi Hit Squad boys working their magic on the decks! That kept people dancing till late. A fab event for a fab cause.

Image credit Angeli Foundation and ace photographer Pathman Ruthirapathy

And to all Manish Malhotra fans in the U.K. there is only one official stockists here – London’s Aashni & Co. The lovely team have a gorgeous range of the hottest Indian designer labels so head down to their pretty Notting Hill boutique!

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Tagged Angeli Foundation, asian bridal, asian fashion, cakes4u, london, manish malhotra, pareenti chopra, Rivaage, sugarmilldesserts, urmila matondakor, wedding fashion

Feb 26 2013

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Beauty, Events

Leighton Denny: Mine’s A Rose

26th Feb 2013

Over London Fashion Week, Love For Fashion blogger Meera Sharma and I popped into Fashion Monitor’s Style Lounge. Not only did they treat journo’s and bloggers with a chill out space at The Mayfair Hotel, they also offered a range of treats from getting hair done, a Bourjois make over, a massage or a manicure. I opted for the mani and went for the Mine’s A Rose from Leighton Denny’s S/s 13- The Riviera Collection. I think it’s the perfect nude shade for Indian skin. I usually find nude shades either too close to my skin colour or a little too pinky this one really is perfect.

Ignore the nail smudges that’s my fault for being too impatient and not letting the polish dry properly!

Images: Leighton Denny and Love For Fashion

Tagged fashion monitor, leighton denny, london fashion week, mayfair hotel, mine's a rose, s/s 13

Feb 19 2013

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Events

Vietnam Part One: Hanoi

19th Feb 2013

If any you follow me on twitter, you might have spotted a tweet or two while I was on holiday- yep, it was a lot of the ‘Gooddd morning Vietnam’ variety! Not quite original I know! It was a -Mum, Sis and me hol- which has become a yearly thing. With our family dynamic already changing since I moved in with the boy, it has become our way to keep close. Last year we went on a Holy Land cruise (I never got round to posting the pics!) and this year we went to Vietnam.

Hanoi, the capital was our first stop in Vietnam and my one word to describe the city is – bleak.

Room with a view

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Inside Ho Chi Minh Residence- take a look at the pics hanging up.

What we saw: We booked a private guide through our hotel and saw Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Residence & the Temple of Literature with her. We went to see St Joseph’s Cathedral, Opera House, West Lake and shops in the Old Quarter by ourselves.

Tapestry like needlework

Bicycle display at the Museum of Ethnology.

Some traditional ethnic costumes at the Museum (loving the Pom poms!)

Shrine by the West Lake

Where we stayed: Hanoi Elegance Diamond Hotel. This boutique hotel is a real gem, fantastic location (its five minute walk from the West Lake) great room and exceptional service.

Some of the decorations for the Tet festival (New Year)

Pavements in Hanoi are for street food stalls not for pedestrians! image credit Vietnam Travel Online

Colourful Basket/Masks

Where we ate: Koto restaurant by the Temple of Literature. Sofitel in the French quarter & Da Paolo Italian restaurant. All of the above were great places to eat. The street food culture in Vietnam is very big but my Mum’s a vegetarian (A fussy one too!) so it wasn’t an option for us. And I have to add a place to avoid- the Green Tangerine -well I’d recommend going for a drink in the courtyard because it’s a pretty place but don’t eat there. The food is terrible!

Pretty paper cut postcards/cards

Vietnamese Lacquer work

Some vintage propaganda posters

Although I wasn’t a big fan of Hanoi, it’s an important stop in travelling around Vietnam. Many visitors travel to Sapa, Mekong Delta and Halong Bay from Hanoi (all are a few hours away) we didn’t though- out next stop was Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon)

Part two is coming up soon….

Tagged hanoi, ho chi minh, koto, masouleum, residences, street food, vietnam, west lake

Feb 15 2013

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Bridal, Events, Fashion

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Angel! foundation, Angeli Foundation, asian bridal fashion, asian fashion, bollywood, charity fashion show, manish malhotra, Media Moguls, Rathika Puri Kapur, Rivaage Boutique

Jan 22 2013

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Events, Fashion

Pernia’s Pop Up: Menswear launch

22nd Jan 2013

This week sees the exciting launch of a Menswear section on Pernia’s Pop up. I’m always blabbing on about this cool as e-tailer, their accesibly priced edit of the hottest Womenwear labels and big designer name diffusion lines (think Manish Mahlotra & Sabyasachi at a fraction of their usual retail price) is sooooo on it for the young modern Indian woman. I’m sure the Menswear section will prove just as popular and with the likes of Atsu’s bold prints, Raghavendra Rathore’s sharp take on the traditional and Nimish Shah’s perfect basics there’s something for all tastes.