Monday, January 31, 2011
Ikat
I’m so accustomed to rolling my eyes at the use of Ikat in home décor because I’ve seen so much of it since I was little and it didn’t seem like a fun print! So it comes as no surprise that I never bothered to appreciate the effect or beauty of the print! All that changed until quite recently I spotted a pastel Ikat skirt. Before I knew it, like weeds (the pretty ones) the print started popping its head up on ballerina flats to clutches and of course more stylized bed linen (this time, I like this variety). Even inspiring the likes of Proenza Schouler and March Jacobs!
I always thought that Ikat originated in India, since it’s available in abundance here, but apparently its origins trace back to South-East Asia, especially Indonesia. It’s also been commonly used in South America, Central Asia and loads of other countries. Depending on the country it’s being used in, the weave differs.
I’m now changing my stance on how I feel about Ikat and think the print is perfect for a breezy summery feel!
Friday, January 28, 2011
About a Shoe
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Bold Shoulder
In the 2009 runway shows,Balmian can be credited with moving the focus away from the ubiquitous neck and back details on garments to the not so touched upon statement shoulder. So 2010 "shouldered" the look! I absolutely love the statement shoulder and can’t get enough of….be it shirred, padded or embellished!
Probably styled on the shoulder padded jackets and dresses of yester-years… the padded shoulder apparently began it's journey forward in the 1930's. The new take on the shoulder though can actually rev your look. Wide-shouldered outfits worn with fitted belts gives an illusion of a smaller waist (what’s not to love about that)!!
Other than that…shoulder embellishment can actually tide your look over sans the usual over-accessorizing!
The style’s not hard to find….it’s everywhere from T-shirts to dresses, so I don't even have to say look for it!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wang it
If you have been keeping tabs on Hollywood’s stylish brigade, you may have noticed the crop of ‘Wangetes’ sporting contemporary designer Alexander Wang’s label.
Very recently, the fashionable ladies of Bollywood, Malaika Arora Khan, Sonali Bendre and more recently Rani Mukherjee on Koffee with Karan, decided to adopt his style as well!
I’m more of a jeans/shorts and Tee kinda person and after catching Alexander Wang’s Spring 2009 show, when he launched his line of pre-weathered cotton tees, tanks, and T-shirt dresses, I became a fan. He does casual so chicly, but still giving it a rolled out of bed grunge feel. His label is supposed to embody a casual, cool downtown style brushed with a nineties feel. His style sensibility appeal, to me, lies in way he keeps it ‘Jeans and tee’ kinda casual.
He launched his first full women’s collection in 2007 and in 2008, he won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, an honor accompanied by a $20,000 award to expand one’s business.
His Spring 2011 RTW line was predominantly White and a few odd pastels toeing the line with his sense of deviant fashion sensibility. He seems to be climbing the fashion ladder and how!! On the same day that he picked up the CFDA Swarovski Accessories Designer of the Year award, he picked up a $2 million condo in Tribeca, NYC. Why is it that it’s the drop-outs who get to rake in all the dough!!! (He dropped out of Parsons) Let’s hope he keeps climbing that fashionable ladder!
Friday, January 21, 2011
011 so far - Playlist
Calliko- All I Hear
Rock City- Please Don't Go
Iyaz- rule the world
Pitbull ft Akon- Mr Right Now
Chris Brown- Beautiful people
Britney Spears ft Florida- Hold it against me (remix)
Bei Major- Like Woah
Diddy feat Ludacris-Tomorrow Tonite
Alesha Dixon feat Jay Sean - Every Little Part Of Me
Timbaland feat Missy Elliott - Take Your Clothes Off
Nelly feat Kelly Rowland - Gone
Tinchy Stryder feat Melanie Fiona - Let It Rain
Kesha- blow
David Guetta feat Miguel - Raise Your Hands
Chris Brown feat Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes - Look At Me Now
Chris Brown feat Pitbull - Where Do We Go From Here
Diddy-Dirty Money feat Trey Songz - Your Love
Here's a look at Alesha Dixon's video with Jay Sean for Every Little Part of Me
Enjoy the weekend!!
The Kids Are Not Alright
After a winter hiatus, Gossip Girl returns with its twelfth episode of season 4 titled ‘The Kids are not alright’. The promos from the new episode promises scandal, drama, some new additions to the cast and a lot of scheming peppered with Blair’s classic, scathing dialogues.
Being the ultimate examples of Upper East Side sytlistas, last season saw some fashion highs with Blair Waldorf in Moschino, Marc Jacobs, the staple Loubs, Oscar De La Renta, I heart Ronson, Gucci and many more. Serena was not to be outdone with her plunging necklines and backs wearing Carolina Herrera, Diane von Furstenberg, Pierre Hardy and the unforgettable grey lace Zuhair Murad dress.
Upping their celeb quotient, Blake Lively (Serena) is now the new face of Chanel and Leighton Meester (Blair) is the face of Missoni. Like things weren't already going so good for them!!!
Kate Cassidy who plays the now infamous Juliet had a pretty good run as well, though her color palette was mostly greys and muted pastels. The detailing and texturing on her dresses was subtle but effective.
Lily of course is always impeccably dressed and her statement jewelry through all the seasons are to-die-for.
For the men, I can’t say much about Dan and the plaid-shirted Nate, but Chuck Bass’s looks, whether they are pink shirts or striped three piece suits, they can be pulled off only by Chuck Bass!
The episode airs on Jan 24th on the CW network in the States and I can’t wait to catch it on the internet.
Here’s a look at the promo, the images are of Serena’s and Blair’s ensembles from the fourth season.Also included are some of Blair’s famous dialogues… can’t wait to watch the new episode!!
Some of my favorite Blair GG dialogues from the season:
Blair: Clearly she's drugged Serena again! Dan, write a list of everything Damien said that he sold to Juliet. [to Nate] And you. Look at the list and tell us which one of those drugs causes you to repeatedly trust psychopaths.
Blair: [to Serena] Do you forget what happens to you on vacation? There's a reason you never get a tan line.
Blair: Okay, it's just sex, and a one-time thing at that! Or, maybe a five-time thing. Or, let's be honest, I've lost count how many times.
Blair: What have we here? Bed: unslept in. Hair in... missionary disarray. And yesterday's dress with today's shame all over it.
Blair: Once men have tasted caviar, it baffles me how they can settle for catfish.
I couldn’t help but throw in one dialogue between Eric and Damien…
Eric: What's he doing here? Trying to recruit another virgin to use as your drug mule?
Damien: I'd ask 'are you available' but I have to run.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wing it Victoria Secret style
When I hear “Victoria Secret fashion show” it conjures up images of plumes extrodinaire, sexy, crystal encrusted lingerie and Amazonian women. Every year, Victoria Secret orchestrates a fashion show filled with high-drama, exaggerated wings and super-hot models. One of the most anticipated and hottest fashion shows of the year, I don’t think it disappoints!
I was always curious about the conceptualization of the wings and the genius behind the design and actual construction of these massive accessories.
Juliette Meurisse is one of the geniuses behind these now-famous wings which are synonymous with the VS fashion shows. Meurisse is a French crafts person who formerly worked with Sonia Rykiel and for the 2010 show she designed four sets of wings for the five themes of the show, which were: ‘Tough Love’, ‘Wild Things’, ‘Heavenly Bodies’, ‘Game On’, ‘Pink’ and ‘Country Girls’. From the sewing of the crystals to the dyeing of the feathers…the embellishment on the wings are all done by hand. The little miniature mannequins that they do the mock wings on are so adorable!!
So the show took place in November 2010 and to celebrate it VS had an exhibit of a collection of wings from the 2006-2009 shows which were displayed outside some of the Victoria’s Secret stores in NYC for passersby to take pictures with them or just plain gawk at them!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Come September
A couple of years ago, on one of those days of mindless channel surfing I happened to catch a Rock Hudson movie on television and I couldn’t get over his personification of classic movie star looks and his dapper gentlemanly style. It was a Rock Hudson tribute month, so the following week when his movie, Come September, with the sultry Italian star Gina Lollobrigida was on TV, I made sure I stayed home to watch it.
The movie is hilarious and I absolutely love it, but what had me truly intrigued were Gina’s outfits in the movie. They were classically cut, tailored to perfection and styled beautifully.
The movie though shot in the 60’s features some of the recent trends ….. like the colors of the outfits, the flouncy skirts which were seen in abundance at the LV fall 2010 collection. The patterns on the shirts and skirts, statement jewellery…
The movie opens to Gina trying on a gorgeous sheer wedding gown with such intricate and perfect detailing.
I also love the neckline on the navy blue dress and the pop of color that comes through with the unusual red hat.
In this video, Gina wears a fitted bodice, structured, shimmer knee-length dress in a pale nude hue. The dress's plunging backline and unobtrusive accessories give the entire ensemble an elegant yet sexy feel and I think can be pulled off only by Ms. Lollobrigida. Notice the little chain-like hair accessory below her top-knot and the perfection of the dresses of the onlooking women.
The movie has tons of great ensembles, worn by not only the main star cast but all the supporting cast as well… it’s a must watch, if not for anything, for the dapper men of the 60’s and the fabulous clothes!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Silence and Noise on a moody Monday
A little bit of research and I found that they’re based in Singapore! According to their bio “Silence&Noise is about how static electricity meets peaceful undercurrents. The merge of everyday casual wear which represents silence and eclectic statement pieces which signify noise. “
Their collection debuted in 2009 and I love their photoshoot for it…it’s pretty cool.
Unfortunately they stock in India yet...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Reigning Supreme
It comes as no surprise that Emmanuelle Alt, French Vogue's, tres chic, now former Fashion Director would be the natural choice to fill Carine Roitefeld's uber-chic shoes as Editor in Chief.
Both Roitfeld and Alt breathed into Vogue Paris a fresh insfusion of edgy style and fabulous editorials when they joined the magazine in 2001.
Alt began her career in 1990 at Elle - becoming fashion director at 20 - before undertaking the same role at Mixte, where she worked until 2000. Then she worked as a fashion director for French Vogue under Roitfeld for the duration of her editorship.
The "former' Balmian stylist's (apparently she is not going to styling for Balmian anymore)appealing androgynous style is exactly what Balmain's SS 11 show was all about..... edgy biker jackets coupled with skinny jeans...I love Alt's personal style which translates into pretty much the same...statement shoulder jackets,skinny jeans and no make up. She adds a scarf here, a statement shoe there and towers high up on style icon status...Here's to Alt's reign as Editor-in-chief..
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Trending: Obi Belt
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Pink's glamorous step-sister - Honeysuckle
The color Honeysuckle, which is more commonly know as Pink, is what you get when you mix a shade of pink and red in a paint box.
Some of the other colors that are slated to be pre-dominant this year are :
Orange - I’m thinking the color of juicy iced-lollies and shades of coral.
Yellow - Shades of yellow ranging from pale buttery shades to shades of mustard.
Blue - From navy to midnight, aqua to cobalt.. stay blue.
White- Nothing looks cooler and fresher in summer than a crisp, white outfit…so White is a definite must-have.
Earthy hues- ranging from sand to deep, burnt rusty reds.
Friday, January 7, 2011
The winner takes all...
Scott Schuman- The Sartorialist
Sometime last year, as I was doing my rounds of the usual fashion blogs on the internet I chanced upon this blog…. The Sartorialist…since then it has become my bible.
Once I was through with the first page…I think I went through the entire archives in a span of five days…
Scott Schuman, who is the Sartorialist, captures streetwear in its essence! The really refreshing quality about this blog is that he doesn’t focus on subjects who are attired in the ‘of the moment’ trend. It’s the way an outfit is put together. It could be a small detail on the clothing or the entire outfit itself…whatever catches his eye.
The site is a visual delight and through his lens you can catch what people in New York, Milan, Paris and other cities are wearing. I love the way he captures the grand old, stylish men of Milan. It’s comforting to know that in an era of low slung baggy jeans, finely suited gentlemen are still around!
The Sartorialist was selected as one of Time Magazine’s top 100 design influences.
In 2009, the book, The Sartorialist was released. I’ve ordered my copy from Flipkart.com and can’t wait for its arrival. I was going to wait for someone to bring it down from the States for me… but with online shopping….life is so much easier! The book is supposed to be a collection of Schuman’s favorite shots of people who’ve inspired him. This is one book I’m going to treasure to be handed down…
Very recently, Intel’s visual life series featured Scott Schuman. This short film is so beautifully shot and directed. Schuman talks about his methodology and it shows a series of recent shots from his blog…like the man in the silver duct-tape boots!! I was always curious about how he approaches his subjects and this video answers that question.
What truly is inspiring is when he talk about his lack of formal education in this field and he says in this video that it is his lack of knowledge in the beginning that helped refine what he knows…
Thank you, Sartorialist for doing what you do… you are an inspiration and you’ve changed my perception of how I view fashion for life!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5NgG5koPZU
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
C'mon Mr. Prydz...
I was having lunch at Shiro's the other day and the DJ mixed this track with another house track that was really popular a couple of years ago and I was pretty certain that it was a regular Spin (read: the club that used to be on Residency Road) anthem.
For those who are familiar with my insomniac habits... you'd know that having a tune playing in your head...not going to let you fall asleep!! Well, after much mental replay, I was put out of my agony when this possibility popped in my head...Eric Prydz-Switch.
So, I quickly checked it in you tube.. and was I relieved.. the track was Switch- A bit patchy (Eric Prydz mix) released in 2006.
'Call on me' was my introduction to the world of Eric Prydz's music. With one listen I was hooked...I remember telling all my friends to listen to this incredible track!! I was super excited when the track made its debut in the clubs and sure enough, people couldn't get enough of it. I still think that this was one of his best compilations ever and none of his tracks after have come close. Even Pjanoo, I think is a close second!!
'Call on me' released in 2004 is a remixed cover of Steve Winwood's Valerie. I think this is the track that catapulted Eric Prydz to chart topping fame. In December 2009, Chris Brown and Eva Simmons collaborated on a 'Call on me' cover called 'Pass out'. Quite a catchy tune, but I don't think it really saw a release.
Eric Prydz also goes by the alias Pryda and there are a few releases under Pryda, notably F12 and Waves.
In 2006, Prydz's remix cover of Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall' titled 'Proper Education' reinstated him on the top of the charts. 2006 also saw 'Shadows', which didn't really cause quite a stir. In 2007, he released Sweet Genesis as Pryda..again not very chart worthy, it's a cover of 'Sweet Dreams'.
In 2008, his summer single 'Pjanoo' was a such a huge success, I think it started bordering on overplayed. But with this single, we also saw the last of signature Prydz hits.
2011’s offering Niton (The reason) is worth a listen...but again is nowhere close to Prydz’s previous dance anthems.
So, waiting Mr. Prydz for another signature tune!!
Apparently, the man has a fear of flying and had to cancel some international tours a couple of years ago because of panic attacks...so I guess the only way to see him live in concert is to fly to Europe. *sigh*
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wrap that ankle
I’ve ordered ankle wraps, peep toed pumps and peep-toed booties.
The thing to keep in mind while wearing an ankle-wrap is the hemline. The shorter the hemline, the longer and slimmer your legs appear, so it’s great to pair with shorts, dresses and skirts.
The ideal hemline should graze the end of you finger tips when you stand.
Visually, I don’t think this style particularly flatters knee-length and below the knee hemlines, so for these styles I think peep-toes, pumps or sandals are more appealing.
The versatility of the ankle-wrap is also in how you can dress up/dress down your jeans/leggings. Depending on whether you decide to tuck the hem into the wrap, leave it ruched above the ankle strap (in the case of skinnies) or play it safe and wear it like a regular sandal, it can truly add that little bit of zing to your outfit!
What I’m listening to today…..
It’s back to Rnb… I can’t give it up for too long..I get withdrawal symptoms..
So it’s T.I’s latest offering where he collaborates with Christina Aguilera on Castle Walls.
Nelly feat Keri Hilson – Liv Tonight
Llyod Banks feat Eminem- Where I’m at