18th April 2012
Isharya was founded in 2004 by Radhika Tandon and sis-in-law Gauri. They describe their yum pieces as Bollywood glamour meets California cool- a perfect description for this stunning costume jewellery line. I love the S/s 12 collection so much that I had to narrow it down to my favourite earrings only (otherwise the post would have had 50 odd pics!) Celeb fans include stuning Eva Longaria, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz.
Prices start at £50
17th April 2012
A few weeks ago I posted ‘Mumbai street adventure with Manou : Guardian’ a short film sharing an insight into the fashion scene by Wearabout blogger Manou. Since viewing the film I’ve poured over the delicious posts in Manou’s blog. Why? Because Manou’s streetstyle blog is diverse and democratic, its not just the young pretty things at fashion week that make it into his blog it could just as easily be a street hawker.
I was lucky enough to get a 5 min interview with the man.
Above a pic of Mr.Wearabout and the following images are from my favourite blog post of his – Tashes and Turbans in Jodhpur.
What does the term Indian Fashion mean to you?
Never really thought about it. Fascinating maybe?
Above and below are pics from the Cobra ad.
Which designers do you think are at the forefront of Indian design (doesn’t have to be just fashion) and why
There are many. Abraham & Thakore Paromita Banerjee. Good aesthetics. Attention to details. Streets and working class people inspired.
What are you’re top three favourite pics posted on your blog and why?
I really have no favourites.
Outside of your blog, I know you work on select collaborations. I really love the Cobra ‘Train’ adverts and the series of short vts you were involved in. The ad recently aired in the U.K and show India in a very different way. How did the collaboration come about? and what was your involvement?
I got an email one day from a London based producer talking about the project and asking if I’d be interested in collaborating with them. They were going to make a film on 3 collborators(music/fashion/food) from India for The Guardian featuring their work. Later I got involved in the TVC. I did street casting for the TVC and bit of general consulting.
Finally, what projects are you working on at the moment?
I’m sorting out images for an exhibition I’m a part of Design India Now at V&A, London. At present, I’m taking a break from all things online. I’ve been writing offline. Have not really taken any projects. Have not even blogged for 25 days. But I’ll be getting back to it soon.
Thanks Manou!
(I’ll be posting info of the upcoming Design India Now at V&A shortly)
And for anyone that’s missed it Cobra’s train. (and no I haven’t been paid to promote it I just like the ad!)
14th April 2012
Super Stylist Pernia Qureshi launches e-pop-up shop. www.perniaspopupshop.com The online shop boasts a selection of the hottest Indian talent with many designers specially creating pieces for the site. (designers include Masaba Gupta, Anamika Khanna, Rita Kumar, Shehla Khan and celebrated jeweller Mahesh Bharany) Pernia is credited with transforming Sonam Kapoor’s style and the stunning styling of the film Aisha (the film might have been a dud but the styling was amazing!) so here’s the place to get a piece of her effortlessly chic style.
Pernia has also dipped her toe into design and the pieces are as expected romantic yet classic in a N.Y less is more kinda way. She models her designs above with her sister.
The prices were a surprise- dresses, blouses and trousers were more in line with Reiss pricing rather than designer prices you’d expect. Only the sari’s and anarkali’s headed north of £200.
Here’s my top three pieces from the site. Yep, I’m having a monochrome moment! They’re ohhh soooo pretty!!! From L-R Ritu Kumar, Varun Bahl, Anamika Khanna
13th April 2012
I was browsing away on the Phulkari site and came across the delicious new Sana Safinaz Lawn collection. How dreamy is this collection?
Available at pulkari now!
9th April 2012
9th April 2012
A little late in posting the pics, Harvey Nick’s A/w 12 press day took place last Weds and I’d sum up the event as ‘Brilliantly British’ The rails were as the team described ‘an edit of the most enchanting and covetable labels around’ and many of those labels were indeed British. (the visuals from the press day book show the designer mix)
My favourites included the relaxed, chic pieces from Lula & Co and Isabel Marant and the yummy prints at Peter Pilotto (LOVED the beadwork over the prints) and Mary Katrantzou. Over on accessories highlights for me were the beaded collars at Dannijo and Sophie Hulme’s handbags.
Over at Menswear texture was key, how amazing are the studded Louboutin’s?
04/04/2012
I went to the Harvey Nick’s Press Day earlier (as I’ve been picking up a little freelance work for a mag yep another bit of info that needs to go into my about us!) Before I post about the press day itself, I’ve got to dedicate a post to the YUM windows. I probably lingered outside for as long as I did at the event! SO much FUN! and just a reminder of how much impact visual displays can have.
In between the pics I’ve posted the snippets from their press release.
“We wanted our Jubilee windows to have vintage 1950’s feel about them to pay tribute to the era of the Queen’s coronation, while also referencing the best in this season’s fashion”
“The inspiration for the shop fronts came directly from the trends seen on the S/s 12 catwalks – sugary pastels for the sweet shop, florals for the florist, fruit and vegetable prints for the greengrocer and fish- like sequins & lace detailing for the fishmonger”
“This window scheme has been one of the most fun to conceptualise – it’s a striking contrast to the contemporary approach we normally take with our instillations, but retains our distinctly tongue- in –cheek sense of humour!” Janet Wardley (Head of Visual Display at Harvey Nichols
02/04/2012
I just read a wonderful write-up about Oxfam’s big bra hunt in The Sunday Times Magazine. British second-hand bras are in demand in Africa as they are deemed to be the most well made (there is no local underwear manufacturing). Journalist Charlotte Eager followed the trail of her donated bright La Senza bra.
It travelled from her local Oxfam to the sorting depot in Huddersfield then onwards to Senegal.
Her bra landed at Bourguiba, the HQ of Frip Ethique (which means ‘ethical second-hand clothes’) where it was compressed into a 450 kg bale and then was sold at the wholesale market and finally made it onto local market trader Ndeye’s stall. The bra was bought by a 22 yr old factory worker for 62p.
Each step of the process provides regular employment to local Senegalese people, from the clothes sorter to the market trader and has proved a financial success with 2011 turnover at £1.5m with profits returned back into Oxfam’s purse. A simple yet effective initiative and all we have to do to help is donate our old bras. So get the charity bag out and start filling!
All images The Sunday Times Magazine and Oxfam
28th March 2012
Wondering where I’ve been hiding last week? Well, I was in London running around ticking off as many wedding- esqe musts as poss! The ‘boy’ and I visited six wedding venues, two engagement venues, met up with some event planners and after all that I still some how managed to squeeze in a visit to BIBI LONDON.
BIBI LONDON is the ooohhh so stunning new Eastern fashion boutique in Essex offering a carefully edited selection of the very best in contemporary Indian and Pakistani fashion. They stock in-season collections by Bollywood favourites Neeta Lulla, Shymal and Bhumika, Tarun Tahiliani and my fav Payal Singhal in a fabulously chic interior with a personalised service (the boutique is appointment)
Neeta Lulla
Payal Singhal
(For the eagle -eyed this is current season and resort summer 2012 will be landing in store in the next couple of weeks)
BIBI LONDON also stocks U.K wedding couture designer Mira Taylor. I met Mira a couple of years ago at a mutual friend’s wedding, not only did I love the gorgeously romantic outfits she designed for the bride I loved the sari’s she wore at the events. (she was working pretty florals even back then!)
For more info and to book an appointment www.bibilondon.com
23rd March 2012
The last few years have been an incredibly exciting time for Asian Fashion. The fashion scene is constantly evolving and Bollywood-esque designers are joined by a new wave of designers that are redefining and breaking boundaries on what Indian Fashion is. I’m talking about designers like Little Shilpa, Manish Arora & Jatin Varma.
NorBlack NorWhite is one such brand and integral to the brands ethos is to look back at India’s rich history in textiles and art. Their collections celebrate techniques that have been used for hundreds and hundreds of years and use these skills in an exciting fresh way. They travel to and explore a different area of India each season working with local artisans in creating their ohhh so fab collections. By doing this they are not only creating yumilious collections but are supporting local artisans and keeping these unique skills alive.
There S/s 12 collection was all about exploring Ikat and they travelled to Hyderabad to work with local weavers. How STUNNING is their look book too! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
and how amazing is the vt they shot showing all the skill, love and history that goes into their collections!
Check out their website for stockist info and their latest news!
20th March 2012
I’m more used to pulling together trend reports on London, N.Y, Paris & Milan (I’m a freelance high street designer-again more details that should go into the about section!) but this time I looked over to Lakme Fashion Week to pull out their top summer trends. I didn’t include the Bridal collections seeing as I’ve already been a bit ‘Bridal happy’ in my previous posts!
So, here’s my favourite Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2012: Top 5 Trends
1) COLOUR BLOCK
Colour block has been a recurring trend over the seasons but this season’s take still looks fresh. I’m loving the strong colour blocking going on at Anita Dogre and the twist on traditional wear at Abishek Dutta
2) MONOCHROME
Surprisingly for a high summer collection Monochrome made an appearance all over the catwalks. My favourite take was Pranav & Shyma’s monochrome tribal esque embroidery and the statement pieces at Little Shilpa (this girl can do no wrong!)
3) BOHO-LUXE
If there’s one trend Indian designers can do with their eyes closed- it’s Boho Luxe. Beautiful traditional Indian techniques from dip-dye, tie dye, embroidery and embellishments were utilised in simple silhouettes. I loved the use of colour, embellishment and weaving over at Pia Pauro and the beautifully simple tie dye dresses at James Ferreira.
4) CHECKS
Checks in all their forms were seen during the week, from traditional checks at Deepika Govind to the stunning contemporary geometrics at Napur Kanoi. This micro trend will definitely be filtering into your wardrobes this summer.
5) QUIRKY PRINTS
Over at Milan Prada’s had Cadillac prints, Paris had Chanel’s seahorses and in Mumbai there were Mickey Mouse prints at Nitin Bal Chauhan and camera prints at Masaba Gupta. My favourite print collection was over at the talented Theresa James & Roger Prince-stunning digital prints mixed with statement patterns- a truly beautiful collection
All pictures from http://www.lakmefashionweek.co.in
the asian fashion journal 