Trending: Obi Belt

It's amazing how fashion can take a piece from a traditional attire and magic-wand it into a chic and stylish trend.... like the Obi belt.

'Obi' which translates into 'sash' is used in traditional Japanese martial art attire and the more commonly known kimonos. The concept of the 'obi' has been around for centuries and comes in various shapes, sizes and colors, depending on the wearer.

The trendier version or rather the version that's made it's way to fashion stores is not a novel discovery and was actually spotted in abundance at the LV S/S 09 show... the recent DKNY S/S 11 show had the models sporting modified versions of the belt. That being said..haven't spotted it much around here. I think I'm going to get me an Obi belt...a tan one!!

Pink's glamorous step-sister - Honeysuckle

The color wheel is spinning and looks like 2011 is going be a vibrant year! According to the Pantone Color Institute, the research branch of Pantone, which sets the trends and color standards for fashion and home décor, 2011 is all about 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.

The winner takes all...

Well, the winner does take all, because at the 2011 People's Choice awards not only did Kirsten Stewart win the People's Choice Award for favorite actress, she also got to wear this gorgeous Reem Acra pearlized sequin dress from the Spring 2011 ready-to-wear collection. She did away with the black belt and opted for a brown one instead and paired the outfit with Jimmy Choos.

I love the dress!! ♥♥♥

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

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*

Wrap that ankle

So after a long wait, my shoes have finally arrived!!! Ordered them in…hmmmm..let’s see, October. After two failed attempts of making their way from Boston to Bangalore, they started their journey last week, only to be stuck in Paris for the holiday season!!
I’ve ordered ankle wraps, peep toed pumps and peep-toed booties.

The last couple of months, I’ve been all about the ankle wraps. They add a certain edgy feel to an outfit. That being said, ankle-wraps can be tricky, the style of the footwear is such that it kind of cuts off the length of your silhouette at the ankles and visually it can make your legs appear stockier. This is only an illusion, so don’t worry!
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

2010...a year of the fashionistas

I think 2010 was definitely a year of the fashionista...these are the originals...no styling required. The front row rulers of every fashion week, they are every street-style photographer's dream and they never fail to deliver. From Emmanuelle Alt, the supremo of casual chic to the outrageously fashionable Anna Dello Russo, these women are the true style icons. Style.com does a re-cap of 2010’s Best Dressed list and the images capture this well-heeled lot in the essence of their individual style. http://www.style.com/trendsshopping/stylenotes/122010_Best_Of_2010_Tommy_Ton/ I for one thought that the fabulously chic Natalia Alaverdian, Fashion editor, Harper's Bazaar, Russia should've made the list... well, she makes mine atleast! Here are some images..