payal singhal | the asian fashion journal

Sep 16 2013

Spotlight: Payal Singhal Lakme Fashion Week Winter /Festive 2013

16th Sept 2013

Yep, I’m a few weeks late with this but ohh Well! It’s a collection that’s still worth sharing!

Payal Singhal’s Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive collection was a collection of two parts. The first part was an exciting mash up of traditional shapes which were given a further edge with graphic prints in a palette of blush tones and inky blacks. The second part was more in keeping with the pretty Indo-Western aesthetic she’s known for and will keep fans happy but as you can tell it was the first part that wowed me- so here I am sharing those images!

And as for inspiration- the collection was inspired by the symmetry and the relationship between nature and architecture found in ‘Char Bagh’ which translates as four gardens and refers to the Persian style of garden where the space is divided into four equal parts by either a walkway or water channels. The most famous example is the Taj Mahal.

I think this outfit is just so chic.

The ultimate mash-up!

Shibani Dandekar looks fab in this graphic crop and high waist pant

And if the Style Queen herself Sonam Kapoor’s loving it you know it rocks!

Images: Payal Singhal Facebook

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Tagged Char Bagh, Dandekar, half lengha, indian fashion, Lakme Fashion Week, payal singhal, sari, shibani, sonam kapoor, winter festive 2013

Aug 28 2013

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Bridal, Fashion

WEDDING WEDS: BIBI LONDON’S NEW BRIDAL LOUNGE

28th August 2013

BIBI LONDON– that gem of a store I raved about last year has just expanded and now has an exclusive Bridal Lounge. Gorgeous Rohit Verma, Tarun Tahiliani and Shyamal & Bhumika pieces fill the Bridal Lounge in an explosion of regal reds, creams, blues and golds in rich velvets, silks, jacquards and georgette. Yep, it really is Bride heaven. I visited the boutique recently and took a few pics to share with you. A must visit boutique for any Brides-to-be!

Pastel Gowns in the main room

Sabyasachi Anarkali and Lenghas

Hare by Rohit Verma- There’s no mistaking the bride in this piece!

Love the yellow flash in the Shyamal & Bhumika outfit.

beauty back detailing.

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Tagged anarkali, Anushree Reddy, Asifa & Nabeel, Bibi, Bibi London, choli, Designer, ESSEX, Fashion, Hare, indian, lengha, london, Mansi Malhotra, Mira Taylor, payal singhal, Rabani and Rakhi, Rohit Verma, sabyasachi, sari, sherwani, Shyamal & Bhumika, tarun tahiliani

Mar 27 2013

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Bridal, Fashion

Payal Singhal Lakme Fashion Week S/s 13

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

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Tagged indian bridal, indian fashion, jaquard, Lakme Fashion Week, payal singhal

Sep 16 2012

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 anita dongre, asian bridal, asian fashion, beanares, by way of istanbul, debaurn mukherjee, Deepika Govind, Fashion trends, gaurang shah, head to toe print, khusboo & prem, Lakme Fashion Week, lakme fashion week trends, layering, Neeta Lulla, nishka lulla, payal kapoor, payal singhal, Priyadarshini Rao, sheer, Swati Vijaivagie Jain, tanya sharma, traditional weaves, Trends, tutti fruitti, Wendell Rodricks, winter festive 2012, yogesh chaudhary

Aug 04 2012

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Bridal, Fashion

Payal Singhal: LFW Winter/Festive 2012

4th August 2012

Ohhhh such prettiness from Ms Singhal on day one of LFW. The collection ‘India in Colour’ was a heady mix of colour and embroidery from all over India. The colour palette veered from the vibrant pinks of Rajasthan to the more subdued tones of the East with stunning Abhla and Mukaish work added to the mix. Beautiful Ms Singhal, just beautiful!

All image Lakme Fashion Week

Tagged abhla work, asian bridal, asian fashion, indian fashion, kutch, Lakme Fashion Week, lakme fashion week winter/festive 2012, orissa, payal singhal, rajahstan

Mar 28 2012

2 Comments

Bridal, Fashion

BIBI LONDON

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

Tagged asian boutiques, asian bridal, Bibi, Bibi London, bridal fashion, Mira Taylor, Neeta Lulla, payal singhal

Mar 10 2012

Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2012: Payal Singhal

10th March 2012

I LOVED Payal Singhal’s last collection and as gorgeous as this collection is, it just for me isn’t as WOW as her last. I love all the new embroidery techniques she’s used- the mix of heavy encrusted stone work mixed with delicate filgree work. The colour palette is refined as ever as is her mixing of jaquards, silks and embroidery. The reason I don’t think its as Wow as her last is down to her silhouettes, she looked to a Midsummer Night’s Dream for inspiration and some of the empire line, dropped waist styles and full bottoms are just not that flattering to the figure. I say this (I’m probably being uber-critical) but she still is one of the best bridal designers and there are a few pieces that will be making their way into my wardrobe!