Category Archives: Fashion

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.

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 , , , , , , , , ,

Tarun Tahiliani New Store

14th Feb 2013

I spotted these fab images of Tarun Tahiliani’s new Defence Colony store and his S/s 13 diffusion line on Vogue India. It’s exciting to see another couture designer launch a more accessible and versatile line. My favourites are the lunghi-style skirts and the pretty embroidered blouses.

tarun t 1

tarun t 2

tarun t 3

tarun t 4

tarun t 5

tarun t 6

Images Vogue India

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

Tagged , , , ,

Label Lust: Morphe by Shenali Sema

12th Feb 2012

Central St. Martin’s graduate Shenali Sema had some big shoes to fill after replacing design genius Amit Aggarwal at Morphe. It’s good to see that Creative Impex’s new collaboration is a new direction for the brand rather than bringing in someone that would just try and emulate Aggarwal’s distinct style.

I’m loving the Morphe by Shenali Sema’s S/s 13 collection it is just soooo pretty! Here’s a quote I found on Not Just A Label from her describing the collection.

“..the SS’13 collection looked at stained glass art, window frames, and structures for inspiration. The artwork, hand drawn, has been interpreted onto surfaces using machine and hand embroidery, and print. The inspiration has been taken forward as the basis of pattern making and draping, and in particular in the use of rectangular frames of fabric.”

morphe 1

morphe 2

morphe 3

morphe 4

morphe 5

morphe 6

morphe 7

morphe 8

morphe 9

morphe 11

morphe 12

The delicate layering, the whispers of nude pinks, lemons and cornflower blues and the intricate beading is just all so YUM. Hope you enjoyed the lookbook pics!

Images Bombay Electric and Not Just A Label

Tagged , , , , , ,

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.

1 21 Jan 1 rohit gandhi & rahul khanna

2 21 Jan 2 Raghavendra Rathore and Atsu

3 21 Jan 3

4 21 Jan 4 nimish shah

5 21 Jan 5 pant Karan Johar, Varun Bahl shirt Atsu Sekhose

Images Pernia’s Pop Up, Vogue India.

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Sabyasachi Blogger-in-chief at Vogue India

16th Jan 2013

I’ve been loving the new look Vogue India website- especially the behind the scenes videos. January feature’s a film on their Space Odyssey fashion shoot and a short interview with this month’s cover girl Vidya Balan. Vidya looks gorgeous although if the mag was really pushing the shape issue it would have been good to see a full shot of Vidya on the cover- showing off those curves!

Well back to the reason for the post- Vogue India.Com latest fash offering made me ohhh and ahhh- Sabyasachi has been named Blogger-in-Chief for the month and has kicked off with the designer interviewing himself! It’s a fabulous spotlight and the illustrations that accompany the interview are just beautiful! I had to share them with you. Read the interview here
.

Sab 1

sab

sab 5

sab 4

sab 3

sab 2

Images Vogue India.Com

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Surendi by Yogesh Chaudhary Ms Pac Fashion Film

13th Jan 2013

I’ve been talking about Surendi by Yogesh Chaudhary’s Pac-man collection for months but for some reason I totally missed this kick ass film! and I know we are firmly in S/s 13 territory but hey it’s too cool not to share!!!

and hearing Goldfrapp’s Oh la la made me whack on their earlier Black Cherry album.

Tagged , , , , ,

Wear me 3 ways : Crystal Evolution

10th Jan 2013

I’m introducing another blog post topic for 2013- Wear me 3 ways. I love all those articles in the glossies that show you how to restyle items in your wardrobe and thought I’d give it a go too! I know this would prob work better if I did a post of me wearing the outfits but what can I say- I’m a little camera shy! I’m ok having my pic taken if I’m with other people (that’s why you’ll find a couple of pics of me at events on facebook or here) but posing on my own for a photo just makes me feel AWKWARD!

For my first post I’ve chosen this dreamy ACNE Silverbright necklace by Crystal Evolution to style three ways. The brand is only being introduced to U.K stockists now and is already huge in the U.S where fans include Taylor Swift, Kim Kardasian and Scarlett Johansson.

Look One: Neon vs Snakeskin (both are big S/s 13 trends)

10 jan 1

MSGM Neon Top- Matches £215, Snakeskin Print Trousers £39.99- Zara, Sergio Rossi Wedges- Matches £890, Acne White Patent Leather Clutch £290

Look Two : Sports Luxe

10 jan 2

IRO deven leather trim jacket £665, Day Birger et Mikkelsen washed satin trousers £130 – Net a Porter, Gisele £60- Topshop

Look 3: Perfect Pilotto (Can’t get enough of Pilotto Prints at the mo!)

10 jan 3

Peter Pilotto print skirt £591- Net a Porter, Franka body suit with sheer sleeves £89- Reiss, The Row, Black clutch £4195 Net a Porter, Anja Black cut out courts £160- Kurt Geiger.

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