rohit bal | the asian fashion journal

Aug 30 2013

My Fave Trends at PCJ Delhi Couture Week and India Bridal Fashion Week

30th August 2013

All these back to back fashion weeks are making my head spin! So, I’ve decided to in the words of John Legend- ‘to take it slooowwww’ that’s why I’m here posting a trend report on PCJ Couture Fashion Week and India Bridal Fashion Week when everyone else is already in the thick of blogging about Lakme Fashion Week. Ohhh Well! And yep I’ve put together both fashion weeks in the report because no matter how many times the organisers say there’s a huge difference between both I’ll disagree.

SEXY BACK
It was all about the sexy back at both Fashion Weeks. The prettiest examples were from Manish Malhotra with demure front necklines with open or low backs which just looked sooo yum.

WHITE & GOLD

White and Gold was trending all over the catwalks and I love these bold White and Gold looks. Who says you need colour to make a statement?

L-R Rohit Bal, Shantanu & Nikhil.

Anamika Khanna and Suneet Varma’s softer White and Gold looks

JERSEY SARI

Jersey Sari’s have been around for a while but these super hot incarnations needed to be shared. Seriously how super sexy is the master of drape- Guarav Gupta’s sari? I just can’t get enough of this trend and yep I’m still pining over the Sonaakshi Raaj sari Deepika Padukone wore recently!

JACKETS/CAPES

Layering in general was a big trend at both fashion weeks. There were cute bolero shapes at Rohit Bal and JJ Valaya and longer jackets over saris, pants and gowns at JJ Valaya, Raghavendra Rathore and Meera & Muzaffar ALi. Capes were also all over the place with the most directional at Anamika Khanna and pretty sheer capes at Masaba Gupta @ Satya Paul

L-R Masaba Gupta for Satya Paul, Anamika Khanna & Raghavendra Rathore.

THE ETHNIC MASH UP

I can’t think of a better name for this trend than- The Ethnic Mash Up. We’ve already become accustomed to the humble sari getting an injection of youth with pop art prints via the likes of Masaba Gupta and Aarti Vijay Gupta and then of course the jersey sari via the likes of Guarav Gupta and Sonaakshi Raaj. This reworking of the traditional continues with some exciting mash ups.

Anamika Khanna’s beauties- Is it a sari? is it a gown? is it a suit?

Masapa Gupta @ Satya Paul and Gaurav Gupta- Is it a gown? Is a Sari?

Images: PCJ Fashion Week Facebook, India Bridal Fashion Week Facebook and Barcode 91

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Tagged 2013, A/w, anamika khanna, Asian, Bride, capes, deepika padukone, Fashion, Guarav Gupta, India Bridal Fashion Week, indian, JAckets, jj valaya, Jyostna Tiwari, masaba gupta, Monisha Jaising, PCJ Delhi Couture Fashion Week, Raghavendra Rathore, rohit bal, satya paul, Sexy Back, Shantanu & Nikhil, sonam kapoor, Suneet Verma, Top 5 trends, trend, wedding

Aug 01 2013

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Bridal, Events, Fashion

India Bridal Fashion Week 2013: Part 2: Falguni & Shane Peacock, Raghavendra Rathore & Rohit Bahl

1st August

Day 3: Falguni & Shane Peacock and Raghavendra Rathore

Falguni & Shane Peacock

I’ve already been pretty vocal about my opinion on Falguni & Shane Peacock’s work here and their latest offering hasn’t made me change my mind. They are two of India’s greatest design talents and their talents lie in non-ethnic wear. Their ethnic wear is just soooo bland in comparison and so different to their mainline style! I’m grudgingly posting a few pics from the show!

Raghavendra Rathore

Overall, I have to say I wasn’t keen on Raghavendra Rathore’s collection. Although the antique gold embellishment was beautiful the fact that it was pretty much the only type of embroidery in the show made it become a little monotonous. I did like some of the more Middle-Eastern silhouettes- the Kaftans and Abayas not sure if they were really Bridal wear though. And the menswear- hmmm, I like the fact it was different but whether it was good different I’m not sure. What do you make of the collection?

Day 4: Rohit Bahl

Rohit Bal’s show was OMG, WOW, WOW, WOW! Now this is what you call a Bridal collection. Beautiful Victoriana influences met with regal Indian colours, embroideries and silhouettes that just screamed LUXURY. Enough of my babbling enjoy the pictures!

Love the sheer high neck detail on the blouse on the left and the dreamy tone on tone tie dye.

Rich Velvets and Ivory Muslin

Longer lines for Menswear

Image: Vogue India and India Bridal Fashion Week Facebook

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Tagged anil kapoor, Bridal, falguni & shane peacock, IBFW, India Bridal Fashion Week, jj valaya, lengha, mughal, neha dupia, Raghavendra Rathore, reception, rohit bal, royal, saree, sari, Shantanu & Nikhil, sonam kapoor, wedding

Dec 20 2012

2 Comments

Events, Fashion

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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Tagged aashni & co, Amit Aggarwal., Asian fashion blog, blogger of the month, Bodice by Ruchika Sachdev, bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva, gaurav gupta, Gauri & Nainika, indian bridal, indian fashion, indian fashion blog, manish mahlotra, manish malhotra, nida mahmood, pankaj & nidhi, Pankaj and Nidhi, rohit bal, sabyasachi, Shivan & Narresh, Surendri by Yogesh Choudhary, This month, Varun Bahl, vogue india

Nov 06 2012

Priyanka Gill hosts event at Aashni & Co

6th Nov 2012

Last week I attended the fabulous Pre-Diwali event at Aashni & Co. (the stunning new boutique in Notting Hill selling the hottest Indian labels!) The special event was hosted by renowned journalist & blogger Priyanka Gill in association with Pratham UK. Pratham is the largest non- governmental charity in India and provides quality education to underprivileged urban and rural children. Over the last three years Gill has helped raise a phenomenal three million pounds for Pratham and five per cent of all sales at last weeks event was donated to the charity.

Left- Aashni in Rohit Bal and Right- Priyanka in D&G

Yep, that’s right you can get Surendi by Yougesh Chaudhary fun pac-man prints in London!!!

Nida Mahmood yumminess.

Stunning jacket by Pankaj & Nidhi

It could only be Sabyasachi

Downstairs is home to traditional wear and accessories.

An interview with Aashni Shah the boutique’s owner is coming soon!

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Tagged aashni & co, asian fashion, curzon pr, diwali, estylista, indian fashion, ledbury rd, nida mahmood, notting hill, pankaj & nidhi, pratham uk, priyanka gill, rohit bal, sabyasachi

Jul 10 2012

4 Comments

Events, Fashion

With Love from Taj by Pravin Talan

10th July 2012

How breath taking are these images by Pravin Talan? Each shot is dreamy, romantic, nostalgic and simply stunning. Pravin was commisioned by U.P Tourism to create a campaign to show another dimension to the Taj and to celebrate the rich history of arts, crafts and culture in Agra. Leading Indian designers from Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi, Anand Kabra, Anamika Khanna, Falguni & Shane Peacock and Rohit Bal were invited to create piece inspired by the Taj Mahal.