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
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
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
27th March 2013
Ok I haven’t even finished with posting my favourite collections from WIFW and here I am adding a Lakme Fashion Week post…oh well! what can I say I just had to share these gorgeous look book pics. Payal’s S/s 13 collection like many of the collections that have been shown in the last two weeks have been devoid of heavy embellishment and its pretty jacquards in cottons, silks and gttes that are adding richness and opulence to the collection. The silhouettes have also been simplified and there’s a relaxed flow to the garments that translate into a understated luxe vibe.
This S/s 13 Taj collection has been inspired by Ancient Islamic architecture and the traditional patterns of floral, jaali and filgree work is seen in the fabrics and minimal embellishment.
Love the refined colour palette of ochre, navy, ivory, earthy reds and matt golds/silver
It’s a beautiful collection with a quiet elegance which seems like the new mood in Indian fashion right now.
Images: Miss Malini
14th March 2013
The much anticipated Masaba Gupta for Satya Paul opened Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week A/w 13 yesterday. And what a show?! AMAZINGGGG! Masaba injected her fun, quirky and youthful style to the brand. The stunning prints revolved around pop art style telephone boxes and lipstick motifs as well as a Jackson Pollock-esque splatter print. The base colours were whites, blacks and greys with bursts of neon lime, pink and orange and silhouettes included saris, simple shifts, kaftans and a great range of accessories. This super commercial collection will fly out of stores and bring a younger audience to the great brand which is exactly what they hoped for by appointing Masaba as creative director.
Pretty show invite
Sonam Kapoor steps out in a lipstick sari a few days before the show
Gorgeous lipstick print
Love the embellishment at the hem.
Images: Purple Window, Satya Paul Facebook, Yahoo India
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.
Owner Jay with a Bridal set. (This image is courtesy of BritAsia)
Image courtesy of Avari Couture
Image courtesy of Avari Couture
Describe Avari Couture in one sentence?
Fusion, exclusive and unique jewellery offering pieces of distinction
Selection of shoes that are found in sister store Kalpana London. Image courtesy of Avari Couture
L-R Egyptian necklace £210, earrings £40, bracelet £135. Pearl & Kundan set £155
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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!
Long necklace £210 purse £125
Bridal set £275
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.
Bangles
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.
Small Vogue £295
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
1st Jan 2013
It’s review time! Here’s my Fashion, Trend and Style report for 2012
MY TOP THREE INDIAN FASHION SHOWS
It was an exciting year for Indian fashion in 2012 and here’s my fav three catwalk shows of the year.
1st PLACE: SABYASACHI
I adore Sabya’s work and the collection he showed at Delhi Couture Week simply took my breath away. To read more click here.
2nd PLACE: NAMRATA JOSHIPURA
I love the understated luxe that Namrata brings to her collections, her show at WIFW includes some of the hottest trends for S/s 13. To read more click here.
3rd PLACE: RETARDED VELVET
Both WIFW and Lakme Fashion Week have really championed new talent this year and Retarded Velvet are one of my fav new ‘ones to watch’ there print ROCK. To read more click here.
MY TOP THREE TRENDS
There were many trends in 2012 and I’ve struggled narrowing the selection down to my fav three. What do you think of my choice? would you have opted for something else?
1st PLACE: PEPLUMS
Everyone went peplum mad in 2012 (including me!) the super flattering style was worn by many celebs and these three looks are gorg.
L-R Neha Dupia in Victoria Beckham, Esha Gupta in H&M & Sonam Kapoor in a Jelin George skirt.
2nd PLACE: LONG GOWNS
Ohh there were soooo many red carpet events this year and these stunning gowns really made a mark!
L-R Anushka Sharma in Roberto Cavalli, Deepika Padukone in Gaurav Gupta & Frieda Pinto in Alexander McQueen.
3rd PLACE: POP ART PRINT SARI
The sari got a big injection of fun this year with these fun pop art prints which celebs went mad for.
L-R Hazel Keech in Aarti Vijay Gupta, Soha Ali Khan in Masaba Gupta, Sonam Kapoor in Surendi by Yogesh Chaudhary.
MY TOP THREE STYLISH INDIANS
1st PLACE: SONAM KAPOOR
Sonam has been wowing us with her stylish looks for the last few years and her 2012 choices have been amaaziiingg! Not only has this gorg lady been flying the flag for fashion at home but outside of India too. How amazing did she look at the Elie Saab show in a Deepti Pruthi sari? I also love the Anamika Khanna draped sari pant look she’s been championing recently, this girl knows how to start a trend!
L-R Anamika Khanna, Unknown, Deepti Pruthi, Cavalli
2nd PLACE: SAMEERA REDDY
Sonam had better watch out because Ms Reddy is hot on her heels! Her fashion choices before 2012 were suspect and I’m guessing there’s a rather talented stylist behind her fashion transformation but regardless of the reason- one things for sure she looked HOT in 2012. I LOVE the fact she’s supported Indian fashion labels this year from Shivan & Narresh, Kallol Datta, Nishka Lulla and newbies Huemn.
L-R Shivan & Narresh, unknown, AM:PM, Shivan & Narresh
3rd PLACE: DEEPIKA PADUKONE
Deepika always looks good but this year it just seems like she’s stepped it up a gear. Her off duty style of oversize tees, skinnies and chunky jewellery always works and her red carpet choices have been YUM. The red Gaurav Gupta gown, the green Gauri & Nainika gown and the stunning Dolce & Gabbana gold skirt all get an A* from me.
L-R Sabyasachi, Gauri & Nainika, Abu & Sandeep & Dolce & Gabbana
Images – High Heel Confidential, Strut 120, iDiva, Miss Malini, Fashion Cirqle, Vogue India
20th Dec 2012
A couple of months ago I received an email from the uber talented Sita from Vogue India.Com (the AMAZING revamped website is down to her!!!) She’d read and liked my post ‘Retarded Velvet: Diary of a collection S/s 12’ and invited me to pitch any ideas/stories for the website. Ok, so my first reaction was OMG my blog was just read by VOGUE INDIA!!!!! And then it turned to OMG what am I going to pitch???!!!! Well here’s how I got on- my first two articles went live this week!- a write up of the Valentino exhibition and an interview with Aashni & Co.
This interview is a re-blog of the post on Vogue India. Com
PANKAJ & NIDHI, AMIT AGGARWAL NOW IN LONDON
Aashni Shah’s eponymous new store introduces the new faces of Indian design to this global fashion capital
London’s Notting Hill just got a big injection of desi love in the form of fashion boutique Aashni & Co. Owner Aashni Shah is doing her bit to revamp the concept of Indian fashion in the global fashion capital by filling her store with eclectic labels such as Bodice by Ruchika Sachdev, Surendri by Yogesh Chaudhary and Pankaj & Nidhi.
Along with these labels that are making their debut in the English capital, the boutique hasn’t missed out on the classics: lehengas, anarkalis and saris from Rohit Bal, Sabyasachi & Manish Malhotra. In conversation with The Asian Fashion Journal, Shah talks about her love for Indian fashion and why she’s convinced its time to go international has come.
Aashni Shah next to a mannequin dressed in Bodice by Ruchika Sachdev.
What’s the story behind Aashni & Co?
International designers have been travelling to India for inspiration for years, but Indian fashion has never been celebrated in the same way as collections from France, or Italy, or Japan. It’s time for Indian designers to take centre-stage, and have a platform in London to showcase their talent. Our boutique is a selection of the finest that India has to offer while making it more convenient for people here. We plan to start our online portal in two months.
Ethnic wear by Sabyasachi.
Who is the Aashni & Co customer and how are they responding to the labels stocked?
Our Indian customers are delighted that their favourite brands are now accessible in the UK. We’re visited by international tourists and British customers who’re astounded by the talent that’s remained hidden from their knowledge and wardrobes. And, since we’re enthusiastic about colour, something many British brands shy away from, vibrant pieces made from luxurious fabrics have struck a chord with all our customers.
A bright Nida Mahmood jacket.
This gorgeous embroidered Pankaj & Nidhi jacket is center-piece worthy.
An array of bright colours and patterns by Pankaj & Nidhi
There’re so many exciting Indian labels out there, how did you decide which designers to stock?
India is thriving with design talent and the variety of choice makes it almost impossible to choose from. But I was determined for the store to have a clear story that still managed to cater to a wide demographic. I wanted to create a balance between well- established Indian labels, experimental collections and new talent. My vision is to incorporate a selection that is accessible to both Asian and non-Asian clients. We currently stock Rohit Bal, Sabyasachi, Gaurav Gupta, Shivan & Narresh, Nida Mahmood, Pankaj and Nidhi, Gauri & Nainika, Bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva and Surendri by Yogesh Choudhary. This month, we’ve added Manish Malhotra, Varun Bahl and Amit Aggarwal.
Eina Ahluwalia jewellery ethnic jewellery.
Indian accessories in eye-catching reds, blues and golds.
Modern Indian fashion in all its graphic glory.
Images courtesy Aashni & Co & Nina Patel
Aashni & Co is located at 47 Ledbury Road, London W11 AA; www.aashniandco.com
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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.
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.
All above pics from S/s 13
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!
Images from Falguni & Shane Peacock, Purple Window, MTV.
6th Dec 2012
This week it was announced that Masaba Gupta (yep- the one that does the super cool pop art type prints Sonam Kapoor always rocks) has been appointed the new creative director of Satya Paul. The Satya Paul brand was established over twenty five years ago and is known for its striking prints. It will be fab to see what spin Masaba brings to the brand.
L-R Sonam Kapoor, Masaba Gupta & Mandira Bedi, Kareena Kapoor
Satya Paul Ad Campaign
Satya Paul
Another reason that I’m excited about this announcement is that it’s another cornerstone turned in the evolution of the Indian fashion industry. Established brands in the West have long been recruiting up and coming names to inject freshness, youth and a contemporary edge. Think Christopher Kane at Versus and Alexander Wang at Balenciaga. And likewise these young designers gain greater exposure and learn how to work on a larger scale within a bigger organisation, all skills that are vital in growing their own labels. Because who can forget it’s never just about the creativity- it is at the heart a business. I’m sure we will see this structure continue in the future hmmm I wonder who will be collaborating next. Kallol Datta and ?
Images from Satya Paul and Vogue India
the asian fashion journal 