Don't Shoe Me

DSM Interview on Guest of a Guest.com: Press

2012-01-26T14:47:00.001-05:00

Was recently interviewed by Barbara of Guestofaguest.com after being listed as one of the 11 fashionable bloggers of NYC by them in November, 2011.

Click Here to read the entire interview. Yipeee!! :)

Thank you so much lovely Barbara!!

Arm Candy : Vogue.in

2012-01-25T16:30:00.001-05:00

Here is a link to a recent post I did for Vogue India on dressing up for wrists. Check it out.

http://www.vogue.in/content/trend-report-arm-candy#0

Dolce My Gabbana: Street Fashion

2012-01-24T00:34:00.001-05:00

Images by Prutha Raithatha

Pants: D&G, Shoes: Steve Madden; Everything else : Forever21

I totally spaced out this incredible woman I spotted last season at NYFW. Loved her style from head to toe. I cannot get over the renaissance print on those D&G pants!! And what a cool way to mix the print with colored shoes and clutch plus the black lipstick for the punk-rock look. Utter love!!

May the Gods Be With You. Period.

2012-01-17T01:41:00.004-05:00

Disclaimer: This post is more of an art project than a fashion project and my apologies for the length of it too. Did not feel like editing more, as it felt important to include all of this to make a point.

Photographer: Alison Wynn

Editing by: Prutha Raithatha

First I have to say that I didn't want to write anything at all for this post and have you guys make your own interpretations. But I feel so strongly about this topic that I decided to spell it out just incase some people missed the point. So here goes.

There is a large part of the world culture that treats women like untouchables when they have their menstrual cycle. Hindus especially. A woman is not allowed to take part in any kind of religious ceremonies for the first four days of her menstrual cycle. She can’t go to temple, do poojas, touch any idols of God or even a picture of any God and some take it as far as disallowing the woman from entering the kitchen. In a nutshell, she is ostracized. So much so that she is made to feel like a sinner if she goes against such beliefs. It is sad that even in today’s much more educated and highly technologically advanced age, this superstition just won’t die. People as liberal as my own mother will not understand that this is a ridiculous superstition to follow even after her daughters have tried time and again to explain the (ill) logic behind it.

In the olden days it had become an unspoken norm amongst society because the basic rural lifestyle required more physical strain than today as women did physical work like fetching water from the wells, cleaning the house, cooking, helping in the fields, etc. And with no painkillers or sanitary pads / tampons, this practice made perfect sense, both from the point of view of allowing the women some down time to rest, as well as from a hygiene point of view. But now times have changed and we have no reason to keep following this ritual. Yet we do. I know a huge population of people my own age and younger who blindly follow this and believe and promote it. It embarrasses me to know how many people I grew up with back home will not use their brains to stop following such superstitions of the fear of having to battle their moms and aunts, or they believe that God will punish them if they do.

The trick is to just ignore. You don’t have to announce that you have your period to the world and just do your thing. If you’re reluctant about inviting God’s wrath if you don’t follow this superstition, I can attest to you in full guarantee that I have broken this rule all my life and my life has turned out to be A-OK!! God did not punish me. People’s homes were not any more polluted than they were before I went to their places for poojas [prayer services] during my menstrual cycle and when asked if I did have my period on such occasions, yes I have lied through my teeth and felt no fucking remorse for doing so. Infact I always felt myself laughing at them in my mind. Anyway the point is that my life turned out to be just fine, infact spectacular!

So please, can we really stop this stupidity now! It just seems too fucking ridiculous to accept that this still exists. I know how strong the pressures of Indian society are and I know it’s not easy, I swear I do. But for God’s sake try. And if you don’t have the balls to stand up against this just make a pledge right now to not ever pass it on to your daughters. This goes to all the men too!! You guys are equal party to this nonsense by never standing up for your wives against your moms. Atleast try to protect the women around you from the world that will give them the evil eye for not following such blind faith, but if you can’t, just your approval will be enough for them to know that they are not doing anything wrong. I am sure once they understand that their spouse/ father has their back, they will fight their own battles and win easily.

Notes: Thank you Alison soo soo much for taking such fantastic pictures for my project. Thanks Wayne for the incredible abandoned elementary school location! And thank you all, whoever reads my blog. I don’t want to live a life of non-existence. I want to make a difference in the world even if it is in some small form. This I am hoping is a small form. Each image here speaks volumes to me. It has immense capacity for dialogue. I hope you enjoy the experience.

Strapped In: Street Fashion

2012-01-11T00:42:00.001-05:00

Images by Prutha Raithatha

I have been contemplating for over a year now to get myself a Zana Bayne leather harness but just haven't had the money to go get one. But this lady's harness is soo much cooler in its shape and form and how it almost looks like part of the dress. This entire outfit is something I wanted to snatch off of this lady [who btw was the sweetest thing on this planet!!!] ofcourse red pony hair bag included. I ADORE this entire look!!

StyleBlazer.com: Press

2012-01-10T11:11:00.001-05:00

Guess who got spotted right out of bed on the street ;-)

StyleBlazer.com

Stay Away From Me You CAT: Personal Fashion

2012-01-09T00:11:00.001-05:00

Images by Alison Wynn

Dress: Factory; Shoes: Sam Edelman

I have been itching to do a more creative and artsy shoot but for the past couple of weekends it's been a bit crazy. This weekend I fell sick because of my cat allergies again and couldn't execute a more elaborate/ artsy project. But I did get this dress in the mail just yesterday and was excited to shoot it. Also I had completely forgotten about my Sam Edelman boots this winter so it was nice to bring them out finally. This is what happens when I try to separate my winter shoes from the summer, I forget to open the stashed away shoe boxes when the season finally arrives.

Hope everyone had a fab weekend!!

PS: Thanks Alison for the fab images! xo

Green With Envy: Street Fashion

2012-01-03T23:50:00.001-05:00

Images by Prutha Raithatha

Dress: Vintage Alberta Ferretti; Bag: Vinatge; Shoes: Office London

All I wanted to ask Liz when I saw her was where she got that body!!! How hot is hot!! And for someone with her body, I thought she did a fantastic job at coming up with an outfit that was comfortable yet utterly sexy without being cliched and boring. There is a cool edgy to her outfit which is unexpected and you can tell it is not factory mass produced. It is special and one of a kind. I dig her entire look.

DSM Favorites: Personal Fashion

2012-01-03T00:10:00.002-05:00

I realized that I have never done a post reflecting back on the blog’s progress over the years. The blog, from the time it started till now, is literally worlds apart. It has grown from a pretty blog to a highly experimental blog in just 2 years and there is no saying what to expect from DSM in the future. All I know is that I am trying a lot harder to push myself every post, to step a little more outside of my comfort zone, to worry a little less about what the world thinks, to create more art than fashion, to be more editorial and original and to surround myself with people more creative than me.

It’s been 2 years since DSM has been around and I am putting together some of my favorite Personal Fashion posts up until now. Starting from the latest to the oldest. And with this entire journey in retrospect I did love to hear your inputs on my work. And yes, please oh please do not hesitate to be critical. I don’t need patronizing. I just want to try to be better and there are things I am sure I don’t see and you do.

Thank you again everyone for all your love and support throughout these years. And a humongous thank you to all my photographers who have ever worked on any part of DSM. I could not have been able to express myself with out you!! I genuinely love you guys. And on that happy note, let’s all get drunk!! Lol… j/k …but yes, we can lift a glass and cheers!! Life is fantastic!

PS: Click on the links below the pics to see the entire post.

2011

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/11/take-these-broken-wings.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/10/in-sea-of-too-many-strings-attached.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/09/am-secret-carnival-worker.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/08/pigments.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/08/bionic-woman.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/07/rain-drops-and-trash-cans.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/05/contaminated-since-day-i-was-born.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/04/i-want-to-be-perfect.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/04/thank-you-for-your-patience.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/03/have-we-been-hypnotized-to-expect-less.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/01/neon-sensicle.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2011/01/its-year-to-create-and-be-omnipresent.html

2010

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/12/chor-bazaar-part-1.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/10/goldie-horn.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/08/getting-wiggy-with-it.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/07/sari-yaar.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/06/all-saints-personal-fashion.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/04/living-on-edge-personal-fashion.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/04/my-bed-my-bed.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/03/la-maison-francaise-personal-fashion.html

http://www.dontshoeme.com/2010/02/bellow-willow-personal-fashion.html

Wewechu: Personal Fashion

2011-12-27T23:43:00.002-05:00

Images by Anna Morgowicz

Lace Pants: Rodarte for Opening Ceremony; Blue Leggings: AA; Jumper: All Saints; Shoes: Moonspoon Salon

Wewechu a merry cheechmuch,

and a Happy Nu Ear!!

Clearly I am still hungover from X'mas. Love you guys.

xoxo

AllyDiz: Street Fashion

2011-12-22T00:34:00.001-05:00

Images by Prutha Raithatha

Bumped into these rad girls on the street and it was coolness with twice the attitude. Allysia [short hair] and Rydiz [long hair] are friends and business partners. The embellishment on their jackets is done by them and they sell these for a sweet deal. There is definitely never a lack of talent in NYC. You go girls!!

I Don't: Personal Fashion

2011-12-19T02:10:00.002-05:00

Images by Shraddha Borawake

Outfit: Thrifted; Shoes: Moonspoon Salon; Nose Ring: Ms. Fitz; Jewelry: Assorted

I do believe in magic. I know it will happen. I just hope that I never stoop to the levels of those fake relationships around me that try to justify their settling for someone less than perfect out of the fear of being alone for the rest of their lives. It’s pitiful. But then again, maybe they have done nothing in their lives to be proud of. They settled for a mediocre job, a mediocre marriage and hence a mediocre life. And they are happy with their overall mediocrity. Hey to each their own I say. Whatever floats their boat. But incase your wondering, pushing yourself to the limits, believing in yourself and actually trying to be all you ever wanted to be feels pretty darn good. Good enough to know that you can’t expect any less from your relationship either. Because just like your life, it has to be the best it can be or else it wouldn’t be worth it at all.

I had to write that down, so I don’t forget. Hence the tattoos on both my arms, one saying, “I do” and the other, “I don’t”. Have to remember that both these are equally powerful statements. They both can make and break the person I choose to be.

PS: This is a fake wedding. I didn’t really get hitched people. It’s only a photo shoot.

PPS: Have to thank Ramsey for posing with me as a groom in this blistering cold!! Trust me when I say it was the hardest shoot I’ve ever done because of the cold and he was such a sport!!

PPPS: Everything above is my personal “current” opinion and in no ways supposed to be a prophecy of any kind. I say what I think is right for me for the moment. May not be right for you and you should consult with your doctor/shrink before using ;-)

W.i.P Gallery Opening: Event

2011-12-15T12:48:00.001-05:00

Images by Prutha Raithatha

Mid November I was invited to the opening of W.i.P art gallery. W.I.P is a fully functioning art gallery space, outfitted with unique and multifunctional elements that seamlessly blend the nightlife experience with a visually stunning art space. The entrance to the gallery [which was in the basement] was covered in psychedelic art/ graffiti and I have to say I quite enjoyed the experience, hence sharing some pictures from the day. The gallery itself has a cool DJ desk and a fully functional bar, so it's basically like a night club where your are surrounded by real art for sale around you.The pic with the artist working on his painting is him actually painting on a huge canvas at the gallery in public.

Met some interested people at the opening. Like Marco Santaniello [the guy with Panda Eyes and Jeremy Scott Panda shoes] who is an amazing Pop artist and Matthew Anderson [in the cool Black Glasses] who is a stylist for BCBG Max Azria and Fashion Contributor to 360 Magazine.

I had a fun time and I think I want to use this space for a shoot someday ;-)

xoxo

Pin Up Girls: For Vogue India

2011-12-13T11:14:00.001-05:00

This is my latest post for Vogue India

I am obsessed with anything unconventional used as a raw material to create fashion. We have seen some variations of safety pins being used as a way to embellish an outfit or a jacket like Moschino did about 2-3 years ago. But I recently spotted two very interesting and amazing ways in which safety pins were used to jazz up a chunky necklace. And jazz it utterly did. The first necklace is no brand no name piece from Korea, which cost under $50, and the second one is a Tom Binn necklace, which probably costs around $1000. Either ways, I think it’s a super cool way to give your pretty diamond/ beaded necklace a punk rock edge. Rather rebellious a stunt I must way.

I spotted this girl at 2 different times with the same necklace worn with different outfits and it looked fantastic both the times.

As worn by Sarah Easley.

Images by Prutha Raithatha

Bondage Anyone?: Street Fashion

2011-12-07T00:14:00.001-05:00

Image by Prutha Raithatha

I cannot get over the hotness of this girl's leather pants. Slightly S&M, I know, but who the hell cares. She made them herself [is a designer] and I took her card so I could get myself a pair and then ofcourse the most responsible thing happened, I lost her card. She styled it perfectly too, with her semi-girly yet utterly masculine shirt. Someone please find me a pair of these pants!!

BTW, I have been posting a lot of dirt and juice to my twitter and facebook pages if you guys would like to know. BTW, did you guys check out the Pre-Fall Chanel show influenced by Bombay. It's BEYOND!!

The Dog Days are Over: Personal Fashion

2011-12-05T01:50:00.001-05:00

Images by Jackie Russo

Shorts: Alexander Wang; Striped Tee: Club Monaco; Blue tee: Versace for H&M; Shoes: Irregular Choices

This weekend has been one of those where you didn't expect anything to happen, but a lot ends up happening and after it's done you think to yourself, "Damn, I did not see that coming". hehe.. In a good way.

I love these A.Wang shorts. Wear them everywhere. And my striped hole-ly tee is proving to be my favorite layer in the winter. The tee is one of my grabs from the Versace for H&M collections. Although from the men's section. I liked it better.

Watched a movie called "House of Pleasure" today. Pretty intense I have to say. Has me wondering about the vulnerability of the human heart that will never stop wanting to fall in love and the horror that some psychotic minds can inflict on themselves and others. Either ways anything that gets me thinking is worth it I say.

Hope you had a great weekend too lovers.

Bells Are Ringing

2011-11-30T23:55:00.001-05:00

Top Image by Prutha Raithatha

Bottom Image from style.com

When I go through almost 4000 images I took during fashion week, and find one outfit on the runway that caught my eye, you know it is special. This Vivienne Tam dress, although pretty and simple had the longest sleeves ever. I thought the whole flowy silhouette of the dress and the 2 almost-touching-the-ground sleeves were utter genius and a must add to my closet.

Armor On: Street Fashion

2011-11-29T23:35:00.001-05:00

Image by Prutha Raithatha

This guy blew me away with his eye and finger armor. What a cool, fun and original way to accessorize I say. And his attire with the shirt, bow tie and jacket on harem pants were perfect constrained whimsy backdrop for these accessories. Innovate away people!! It makes me love you..... XO

Pink Friday: Personal Fashion

2011-11-27T23:41:00.001-05:00

Images by Surfaraz Maner

Coat: All Saints; Tunic: got it Tailored in India some 10 yrs ago; Shoes: Ashish for TopShop

Life is fantastic. Ask why? Because the holiday season is here!! Thanksgiving 4 day break was so fulfilling, I can't tell you. It mostly involved eating, sleeping, going out with friends, art, eating more, sleeping more. This is life!!

I finally bought a winter jacket after probably 3-4 yrs of wearing the old ones. Even my friends were getting fed-up of them. But I just didn't like anything for so long. I finally found this quirky winter jacket with HUGE pockets designed to fit an iPad! I don't have an iPad yet [coz I spent the ipad money on this jacket] but maybe these big pockets can act like my stockings this year and my santa can fill them up ;) [why am I winking when I HAVE NO SANTA!!!]

Bumped into Ben on the street again. I love this guy. And the guy on the bike just joined in cause he wanted to. BTW he had no upper teeth and I have a pic of him showing it off here.

DSM on COVER Magazine Denmark's Blog: Press

2011-11-26T21:06:00.003-05:00

Special thanks to Maria Barford for this. Thanks honey!! xo

Here is the link to it.

http://www.cover.dk/blog/still-turning-heads

Taking the Chill out of Winter: for Vogue India

2011-11-23T13:36:00.001-05:00

Here is my latest post for Vogue.In on cool non-black winter jackets I am lusting over right now.

Happy Holidays People!!! I have 4 days off from work...yipee!!!

http://www.vogue.in/content/taking-chill-out-winter

Take These Broken Wings: Personal Fashion

2011-11-21T02:16:00.002-05:00

Images by Ben Taylor

Leather Leggings: BCBG; Top: Complex Geometry; Leather Jacket: Versace for H&M; Shoes: Moonspoon Salon; Necklace: Bosquejo

I saw this location on one of my friend's facebook page and had to instantly ask what it was. She explained that it was an interactive art space created in an abandoned lot in manhattan to promote community building and education. The project is called Project for Empty Space. Project For Empty Space, is a non-profit organization, founded by Meenakshi Thirukode and Jasmine Wahi and is a seriously cool space to experience. Go check it out at 181 Stanton St, NYC.

My leather leggings and the Complex Geometry top are like my uniform in the winter. Seriously, my top has faded to a grey by now with the constant laundering. I can't get enough of my Moonspoons and honestly they get some serious attention on the street. SERIOUS!!

While we were shooting, a family found a parking spot right in front of the space and out of the car came these two 4-5 yr old boys. "Hey look. Dark Angel. Whow, Are you dark angel? What are you doing there? Is that your cage? Can you come out of there? Why are you locked in? Why are you a dark angel? Are for real?" I had to calm the boys down by saying that I was not for real and not going to hurt them and that I was just playing Halloween with my friend to take some pictures for a school project. LOL... I hope they can sleep tonight!

Every time we shoot, some comic experience like this always happens. Just what makes the whole project so much more interesting. Reactions of people around you is such a spontaneous unexpected element.

What did everyone do over the weekend?

Wild Child: Street Fashion

2011-11-17T00:30:00.001-05:00

Image by Prutha Raithatha

Big hair and wild print, you know I am sold. I do have to also say that I like her bra, the little that is peeping from her top. But ultimately, I would do anything to have hair like her's for life!!

Spotted: Street Fashion

2011-11-16T00:14:00.002-05:00

Images by Prutha Raithatha

These are some Street fashion images I took for Vogue India during NYFW.

Don't Let The Darkness Eat You Up: Personal Fashion

2011-11-14T01:36:00.003-05:00

Photography by Jackie Russo

Images 1,3,4,9,13 edited by Prutha Raithatha

Dress: Thrifted; Shoes: Moonspoon Salon; Sweater: Vintage [borrowed from flat-mate]; Necklace: TopMan

While walking around the park looking for a location, we walked into a space and saw this girl in snowny white-pink with this beautiful face paint makeup and I just gravitated towards her physically but unconsciously. She saw me and the reaction was the same. She couldn't get over my shoes and I couldn't get over her makeup and while we both were still in the middle of our sentences admiring each others' looks, we just started hugging.

Jackie asked me later, "Do you know her?"

Me, "No. But I know her type"

Cosmic connections through art and expression of self is such a satisfying and strong force, it baffles me everytime I feel it.