Shotcouture

Lakme Fashion Week - Winter Festive 2012 - Color Trends - Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:27:00 +0000

Blue seems to be all prevalent in the coming season, if the recent shows are any indication. Many collections at the Lakme Fashion Week featured numerous different shades of the color, from sky to teal to indigo, blue was making its presence felt in most of the runway shows. Whether used with other colors, as the pre-dominent color, or as a trimming, blue is just making a comeback, and it seems likely that the color will be seen in many highly visible autumn wardrobes. Aniket Satam, the talented GenNext designer used cobalt and ink, splashed on sensuous viscose georgette, cotton jersey, raw silk and velvet, in his collection "Aarambh" (Beginning).

Anita Dongre's glamourous "Urban Goddess" collection had some stunning outfits in the preferred color of the season, while Debarun chose the colour blue as a constant for his creations as well as added beige and black for the base, to give depth to his creativity.

I am personally a big fan of Blue, and I do feel that the color works well in Indian designs and silhouettes. So while the Mumbai skies stay stubbornly grey, there is, after all, some cheerful blue to drive away the seasonal blues...

Winter Festive Color Trends - Yellow on the runway

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:14:00 +0000

Color always spells joy for me, whether it's in interiors, or fashion. I actively seek bright colors, and unabashedly use them as mood-lifters on Mondays and other days when things are not going too well. One of my all time, all seasons go-to color is Yellow. I love all shades of it, and I am fortunate to have a brown skin-tone that actually goes well with this color. So, it was surely a delight to see a more than generous sprinkling of yellow in the recently concluded Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2012. This bright and playful hue will be a big scorcher this season. Full of warm vitality, yellow made an appearance in just about every other show at the fashion week. Bold and brave in edgy outfits, finding a perfect companion in black, or lending an audacious streak to an otherwise subdued outfit, yellow spoke out loud on every day of the Fashion Week. From pale yellow to bright lemon – yellow is the color for those who don't feel particularly mellow this season. Among the designers who made some fabulous use of one of my favorite colors is Deepika Govind who sent some spirited interpretations of the color down the runway.

Ken Fernandes adorned his yellows with Rorschach inkblot test-like patterns, giving them a dark and elegant twist.

Prashant Chauhan and Tanya Sharma blended two of the season's prominent trends - yellow and sheer to create some glamour-infused high fashion designs.

Mayank Anand, Pia Pauro, Payal Khandwala, and Sailex make just a few names in the list of designers who played with yellow in the upcoming season's collections.

It's such a delight that this sunny hue is getting its due, and how! And with yellow around, Orange too promises to stick around a little more. Orange and yellow usually make an appearance together. For more trend updates and fashion week collection reviews, please join my facebook page www.facebook.com/shotcouture.

Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2012 Preview - Rohan Arora

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Okay, so let me get the bad news out of the way first. between my last post on his collection, and this preview, the super cute designer, Rohan Arora, got married! Considering his female fan following, and the immensely prolific designer's well-acknowledged talent, there must have been quite a few hearts broken. But there is good news yet, ladies. The man seems to have found his Muse, because he floors us yet again with a quirky, fascinating take on fashion footwear. And this time, he is irreverent, as usual, but with an unusual take that will have to laughing all the way from a bad hair day to a fabulous shoes day! Yup, you heard me. I have always believed that drop-dead awesome shoes are a perfect foil to a bad hair day. And Rohan's upcoming collection at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2012, inspired by Indian Cinema's "Item Girls" and "Item Boys" promises to have people looking at your feet, all day long! "Item Songs" in Indian cinema are song and dance numbers introduced in a movie, to up the entertainment quotient of a film, and bring in more audience. these glamourous, high energy dances often become the highlight of the film, with the dancers even stealing the limelight from the actual leads of the story! And Rohan's shoes might be conspiring to do just that. I love the way this man thinks! I mean, everyone talks rhetoric when it comes to collection inspirations. Rohan gets funny and well, quite off the mark, in a very very nice way. He belongs to that new league of designer, who thankfully never had a decent one-on-one conversation with the mundane and the conventional. The "Item Collection", by Rohan Arora plays with exotic colours, intricate traditional embroidery and unconventional silhouettes, and includes a mix of varied materials like brocade,pure satin, sheep skin, pure silk and handwoven khadi. Unusual shoes from an unconventional designer, that surprisingly, hold well with a wedding trousseau as well as casual pair of shirt and denims. I can't stop gawking since I found these images in my inbox! Drool with me. Can't wait to see these at the show!

Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2012 - Preview - Atithi Gupta

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:26:00 +0000

You wouldn’t believe the weather in Mumbai. The Sun, it seems, has gone on a vacation. It’s grey and Monsoon clouds are looming, but little to no rain. Mumbai, my friends, could do with some festive cheer. And we are now just a week away from an ample dose of just what the doctor ordered, the Lakme Fashion Week Winter festive 2012, is almost here! The line-up and the schedule is up on the website, and I am all geared up for the shows. Here, in Shotcouture, like ever season, I am doing a set of previews from the collections of the designers showing at Lakme, some new, some old favorites. And one name that has found iself on the pages of Shotcouture, season after season, is the versatile Atithi Gupta. Having made her debut as a Gen-next designer at the Lakme Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2009, Atithi has returned to the Lakme Fashion Week several times, everytime showcasing a collection that inspires and amazes. Her upcoming collection, titled ‘Azul’ a Spanish word, which means "blue" , concentrates more on feminine, minimalistic, wearable wear in a colour palette of strong blues, pastel powdery purples to greys and blacks. Atithi returns to the Lakme Runway with a collection that plays with georgettes, wrinkled crepe, chiffons and cotton silks, fabrics that create movement for strong woman. Every outfit is adorned with details of fine pleats, with tops, jumpsuits, and dresses suitable for both day and night wear. The collection is designed to adorn and follow the movements of the body, communicating through both form and feeling. I find Atithi’s designs very contemporary, with a subtle underlining of modern day romance. Even in this dull Mumbai weather, they evoke memories of moonlit nights and sunshine filled mornings. For now, I am leaving you to grab a quick cup of late afternoon coffee, but not before posting a couple of pictures from Atithi’s upcoming collection.

Lakme fashion Week Winter Festive 2012 Preview - Vaishali Shadangule

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 18:24:00 +0000

If her previous collections are anything to go by, it’s anybody’s guess that Vaishali Shadangule’s young fashion label is a power house of talent and creativity. Her contemporary designs crafted from Indian hand woven textiles have brought her into the style file of the discerning Indian Fashionistas. Her clothing line is a delightful and contemporary mix of traditional Indian wear, Indo-western and western wear. For her collection at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week, Vaishali finds her muse in Colors of Indian Festivals! Her collection, titled “Reverb” is an all out celebration of the Colors of Indian Festivals. It encapsulates the joy that is an integral part of the Indian cultural fabric, weaving together the many diversities found in the country’s many regions. Going beyond creating designs that fuse many influences, Vaishali is creating silhouettes that play with the form, while retaining the authenticity of their origin through conventional drapes and cuts of traditional garments. Using Indian textiles like silk, chanderi, organza, brocade, and khand with colours like blue, red, white and gold, she seeks to capture the true spirit of life’s most vivid celebrations. All these fabrics have a very strong and deep association with celebrations and festivals and set the correct look for the collection. The garments are embellished with red, blue and gold flowers to give a feeling of celebration. Vaishali hopes that the progression and variation of layers and contrast featured in her collection will grow on its audience.

Weekends filled with Love and Life

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:48:00 +0000

So how is your weekend going? Is it bring spent with family, friends or at work (ugh!)? I hope you are having a fabulous time, though, and not working. Husband came home after about ten days of work related traveling, so I am really excited about spending quality time with him. Also, that means I can cook and cook and cook, and have someone to share those meals with. Weekend cooking is among the most relaxing activities for me. And so is shopping! The weather in Mumbai continues to be wet and humid, so all my Cold Tea Arsenal is out most evenings. Nothing beats the persistent Monsoon Blues better than a tall, cold glass of fruit infusion or green tea! Catching up with the husband, there is so much to talk about! He travelled across three very different cities, and has so many stories to tell. Speaking of stories, this post is about a weekend "Yummy Yatra" (Journey for Taste)that I went on in the first week of July, along with some fellow foodies from Mumbai. This was an event sponsored by Zomato.com, one of the fastest growing restaurant review sites in the country. The group of foodies, who call themselves Pet Pujaris (Stomach worshipers)are the most fun people I have met in some time. I always believe that foodies might not be best of friends with the weighing scales, but have ample friends to boast of otherwise. The same goes for Pet Pujaris. Not a sad, forlorn soul there! You can check out their Facebook page HERE.

So with Pet Pujaris I traveled to Pune, sampling food at six different places in just two days! Believe me, there was a lot of eating involved. Sharing with you some of the foods we foodies shared over that weekend!

Here is wishing you a great week ahead. Am busy designing more and more accessories for the collection. Will be posting those soon. Between designing, cooking, writing and traveling, my days are kind of full. And that's just the way I want them to be. Please share with me your weekend trysts with life and love.

Hugs, Prati All Food Photographs, courtesy Pet Pujaris on Facebook.

Back to Bandagi

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:34:00 +0000

One more week gone, and boy, I had a hectic weekend! I slept for just about 3-4 hours over the last three days. I started work on the next collection of Bandagi, my own accessories line. Bandagi means Worship! I have made some pretty headbands and hair pins, and am now moving on to some more accessories. It has been exhilarating and exhausting. Sunday was for friends, at the Saltwater Cafe in Mumbai. Excellent food. Great company. My breakfast project is going strong. Please check the link above for details and recipes can be found on my other blog : www.lifein2suitcases.com How is your week going? I am gearing up for the Lakme Fashion Week, scheduled for August. This will be a busy month. But I'd rather wear out than rust out. What do you do to relax when life is on a fast track?

Lakme Fashion Week - Winter/Festive 2012 - Gen Next Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:43:00 +0000

The Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2012 is back! Scheduled from 3rd August to 7th August, the fashion extravaganza is definitely a first ranker on every fashion high flyer’s To-Do List for the year. One key aspect of this Fashion Week is the consistent focus on scouting for and promoting fresh and upcoming talent. This year too, Winter/ Festive 2012 will see 7 Gen Next, 15 Emerging and 3 Accessory designers showcasing their collections.

And the budding designers who will be exhibiting theIr collections at the much awaited extravaganza have their task cut out for them. For in the past, the Gen Next Collection has thrown up some massive talent. Quirky sensibilities have flirted with practical aesthetics in collections and designs that have made the critics sit up and take notice of the young designers who have given this opportunity their very best shot. It’s no mean guess then, that the entire lot of Gen Next Designers for this season are currently busy getting ready for their Big Day. Two of the uber-talented designers, Tanya Sharma and Prashant Chauhan took a quick, brief breather from their back-breaking schedule to give Shotcouture a quick update on their upcoming collections. Tanya’s collection for GaGa, her own fashion label, will be a unique streetwear interpretation of the classic achkan and the tuxedo. Her silhouettes are a mix of menswear, clubbed with the traditional Indian wear. Designs like the tuxedo sari, the achkan kaftan seek to redefine the conservative achkan and tuxedo look into a transcendental space more reminiscent of contemporary aesthetics. She has highlighted the Indian aspect of her designs through the use of Indian fabrics and embroideries like silk ikat, net chikankari embroidery, georgette with vintage kasab and sequins embroidery. The colors palette for this very intense and modern collection includes mustard, royal blue, peach and a generous streak of fluorescent pink. Prashant’s collection takes its inspirations from the verdant and picturesque Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, India. His inspiration comes from a celebration of the air of silent mystery that surrounds the valley. He seeks to capture the essence of Nature through details, prints and decorations inspired by the Valley’s stunning fauna. Upbeat, modern signature pieces celebrate a woman, who like the valley, embodies a formidable Force Of Nature. Prashant’s collection uses the vast canvas of valley’s flowers for color inspiration. He has experimented with bold, vibrant and playful combinations that enhance the glamorous appeal of the designs, and at the same time infuse them with an untouched innocence. The collection uses natural fibres like hemp, soya, ramie and flex, and seeks to turn these natural fibres into timeless pieces of art.

If these two young designers are anything to go by, this season too, the Gen Next Show promises to be an event to look forward too. It is always a treat and a delight to see a new generation of designers reinterpret the existing trends and give them new dimensions.

For The Love Of Food And Mankind

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:20:00 +0000

This weekend was an extra special one. I went on a Food Sojourn unlike any other. Within one weekend, I travelled along with a group of Mumbai's avid foodies "Pet Pujaris" (Food worshipers) to Pune, on a trip to sample different cuisines. We ate at six different places, and came back both tired and delighted. I met some very interesting people, and made some new friends. From Spanish Fritattas, to creamy Strawberry Mousse, it was one awesome journey for the taste buds! The lovely rain drenched roads, and green hillsides welcomed us on our way back to Mumbai. Monday is almost over, and I am still living with the food hangover. Fun, food, friends... What more can one ask for on a weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 14:04:00 +0000

What a fabulous weekend! Rains, hot cups of tea, good food, great music, and peaceful quality time with husband. Saw a wonderful movie, "Gangs Of Wasseypur" on Friday. My brother-in-law has a key role in the film, so it was bonus happiness for the family that it's promising to be a huge hit, and is massively critically acclaimed. Can't believe it's Sunday evening already. How was your weekend?

Check out the trailer here. Warning: It's a gritty, grimy story about the real Gangs of Wasseypur in India. Will post a review soon.

Monsoon Secrets...

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 07:32:00 +0000

Monsoons are hitting Mumbai shores and I can relate to the woes of many Mumbai Shoe addicts who are forced to reduce the usage of their beautiful towering heels in order to protect them from the weather. I myself cannot wear high heels any more because of a permanent knee injury, but that does not stop me from giving in to a cute pair every now and then. Though the only place I can truly wear them Is my home. Well, to each their guilty little secret!

Speaking of secrets… I am, these days, addicted to a delightful sin… reading other people’s confessions on the super fun Facebook App, by Steve Madden India. It’s not enough that Steve Madden is finally available to India's Shoe crazy women, the App is bringing out the yummy secrets of women bursting to let out a secret or two. If your secret is particularly dark, you have the option of making an ‘Anonymous” confession. Trust me, it’s super fun reading through what some of our fellow women have been up to. You can check out the confessions at www.redshoesoiree.com

Some of my favorites are a combination of passion, secrets and a bit of tongue in cheek humor.

“I think I'm a little Shoesbian.”

“I have made out with both my best friends and they both don't know about it! And coincidentally they both are my fashion stylists! Most of what footwear i own, has been selected by them!”

My only grouse is that the posted secrets stay on the page for only a short while. So you have to keep going back to read the new ones. Not that I am complaining though. Apart from my daily visit to the Soiree Lounge, I am indulging in some great Me-Time with my breakfast project taking off and doing rather well. In fact, it was featured in Hindustan Times this Sunday!

Guest Post - Rachel of Capturing Italy- Season Trends

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:29:00 +0000

Rachel is no stranger to most of the bloggers. Lithe and beautiful, this lissom model and designer has been an inspiration to so many of us. After having quit her day job, Rachel travelled to Rome, and made the city her home while she learned how to make custom clothing. Now, having returned to San Diego, CA, Rachel is now adding a dash to beauty with her line of bespoke clothing. She continues to travel and explore new places, making friends and touching lives. In the following Guest post, she has been kind enough to share some of her favourite trends from this season and this year. Neon - I'm actually surprised that I ended up loving the neon trend so much. My first inclination was more toward pastels, but the "fierceness" of the bold colors overtook me! I love how it is borderline edgy to wear happy colors due to the bright hue of neon. I think my favorite way however to wear neon, is in tiny pops of accent on a more muted or neutral outfit. You can see examples of this in both outfits here, both coincidentally photos at the beach. (http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/04/neon-by-beach.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/03/surfers-wear-neon.html)

Stripes - Stripes are a year-round staple in my mind, and are probably my favorite print to mix with and be a bit fun and crazy with. I like how they can be preppy or edge depending on how the outfit is styled. (http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/03/yellow-pink.html andhttp://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/04/candy-stripes.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2011/12/ladylike.html andhttp://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/01/stripes-spikes-and-chevron.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/05/florals-stripes-on-dock.html

Black and White - I've always been a fan of this combination, so naturally I'm happy to see it is a trend. It will always have a classic vibe. (http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/04/chicago-trip-1.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/03/pleats-stripes.htmland http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2011/12/downtown-seattle-day-2.html)

Bra Tops, Bustiers, and Crochet - I figure while I'm still young enough to pull it off, why not go for the midriff-exposing trends? Certainly I firmly believe that some major judgement of location needs to be assessed before exposing skin in this way, but you will notice I live in Southern California near the beach, therefore that is where I'm usually wearing it. I don't see myself going to a black-tie dinner or church in it... so wise judgement in location is advised! (http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/03/pastels-for-clouds.html, http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/04/neon-by-beach.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2011/12/white-wonderland.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/01/cashmere-crochet-featured.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2011/06/pink-posh-on-boardwalk.html - actually posted last spring!)

Platforms and Wooden Wedge - I've been in love with these Steve Madden wedges since I purchased them months ago. Can I just say, they are the hardest thing to walk in ever?! Since they are so flat on the bottom with the wood, there is no give. So one bump in the road or any rock and I'm toast! I've tripped in them probably 400 times....but of course I keep wearing them. They truly are comfortable, since they are so flat, it feels like I'm just standing on level ground. Not 5 inches from the ground. (http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2011/06/pink-posh-on-boardwalk.html - actually posted last spring!)

Floral - I think floral tends to come around every spring, doesn't it? I love it each and every year. (http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2011/02/la-dolce-vita.html - over a year ago and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2011/07/creme-nude-scalloped-platforms.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/03/pastels-for-clouds.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2011/03/primavera.html - in Rome and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/05/florals-stripes-on-dock.html

Gingham - This is a favorite Springtime classic trend of mine. I love the vintage country chic feel to gingham. http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/02/marionette.html

Wearing Fruit - I think this is a fun alternative to florals! http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/05/wearing-fruit-for-spring.html

Tail Hem Trend - This is a new one for me... wasn't sure I was going to give it a go, but I loved the elegance of this dress. http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/05/mint-at-beach.html

Mint & Seafoam - These are two of my favorite colors, regardless of any trends. So naturally I'm all about this one! http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/05/mint-at-beach.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/03/melancholy-blues.html and http://capturingitaly.blogspot.com/2012/02/goodnight-macaroon.html

Twin Pleasures...

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:15:00 +0000

Twin Pleasures... by pratishtha featuring sleeved dresses

22nd May is my birthday. May born people are special fun, even though I say so myself. The sign of Gemini is a perfect reflection of my own personality. I can be two people at the same time, I can be serious and flirty, artistic and practical, loving and aloof... My style is all things summer. It's all about breezy silhouettes, bright colors, floppy hats and tall cool drinks. For my Birthday this year, I am not really planning a party. I do, however, intend to check myself into a spa, and indulge. How do you like to spend your birthday?

A bit like my mother...

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:11:00 +0000

My mother was truly stylish. Here was one woman who never knew the names of any big designers, wore flowers in her hair, and made them into earrings. Her skin glistened with freshness and innocence, even when she became a mother of two. The first colored lipstick she bought for herself was when my brother got married. But the saris she wore! Beautiful silks, chiffons, georgettes, and of course, cotton sari. She was so delicate and feminine and embodied elegance. I so wanted to be like her when I grew up. When my wedding was coming closer, like every bride, my biggest worry was, “What will I wear?”. Ours was a civil wedding, followed by two wedding receptions, almost a week apart, so I knew I could wear something fancy and elaborate to the wedding receptions. To the civil wedding, I wanted to wear something special. If you have been a reader of this blog for a while, you would have read about how my mother has been a major influence in my life, and obviously, I missed her presence more and more as my big day came closer. I had to have her with me, somehow. So I decided to wear one of Ma’s saris to the wedding day. My initial choice was a bottle green and dull gold sari that she had worn for her own wedding. But that sari is too delicate and very worn out from use for over 40 years, so I settled upon this gorgeous georgette sari that Ma liked a lot. Also, I wanted to wear no make-up or any noticeable accessories, as that’s how my mother dressed up all her life. I chose a very simple set of pearl earrings, and just a touch of kohl completed my look. There was no base, no foundation, and no lipstick. And that’s how I wanted to look as a bride. My brother was pleasantly surprised when he saw me wear our mother’s sari on the D-Day. We lost both our parents not so long ago, and it was an emotional moment for both of us. That sari just made all the difference. As I drove to the court with my family; my brother, his wife, and my niece, I felt so much at peace. I look at these pictures from that day and feel so good. Wedding clothes need not be about designers and drop-dead stunning accessories. Sometimes, as in my case, wedding clothes are all about emotions, tradition. I could have gone for a heavily embroidered designer sari, but this lovely georgette made my wedding’s memories even more special.

Into the worlds beyond!

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Thu, 03 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Into the worlds beyond! by pratishtha featuring beaded sandals

Bohemia has the ability to transcend worlds and create looks that are so ethereal. I believe that Bohemian fashion brings out a woman's femininity at its natural best. there is an underlying rawness to bohemian fashion which ensures that it is timeless. This Calypso Maxi skirt with the Owlita inspired earrings are perfect for a summer day. The thong pattern Milanoo sandals are just what the summers need! What is your favorite, timeless style!

A job you love...

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:21:00 +0000

Some days, you just love what you do. In my case, I make it a point to mostly do what I love. While researching French cuisine for a magazine article, the husband and I went food tasting across various restaurants offering French cuisine in Mumbai. Did I mention I am a food-lover through and through? So off we went to "Chez Moi" for dinner. The cozy, France inspired interiors at once put us in the mood for some good food and long conversations. I ordered a spinach and walnut soup, and we ordered a grilled lamb starter. I wanted a traditional French Fish recipe for dinner, but that wasn't available, so I ordered a chicken in black bean sauce, which really was just about okay, apart from the fact that there is nothing French about it. Husband ordered a chicken in caramelized sauce, which was miles ahead of my main course in terms of taste, even though the two dishes looked like long lost twins. The high point of the evening was a honey and ginger tea that came in a tall glass, served hot! On Sunday then, I went to my favorite pastry shop, in the name of "research" to dig into Le15 Patisserie's divine macarons and cupcakes. You have to experience this lovely pastry shop's delectable treats to know what they can do to waistlines like mine. Let's just say that diet wise this weekend was a major failure, though I fed my soul. The relaxed and happy state of mind my food journey got me into, left me with an urge to cook, cook and cook some more. So I came home and made some pizzas from scratch. I am not thinking about the weighing scales yet. That bit of worry and regret is for some other day. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Ink Me Up, Scottie- An Interview with artist Manvee Singh

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 07:45:00 +0000

Doing a post after a really long time. I wanted to break the hiatus with a special blog post. In fact, having decided to steer this blog into a meaningful direction, I wanted to do a post about someone who is stylish, inspiring and interesting. And when I did find my subject, I could not wait to write about her!
She rides a bike, owns a rescued dog, is a tattoo artist, and loves to paint. The girl is as cool as they come. Manvee Singh, Delhi based artist is fun, vivacious, and expresses herself with stunning paintings, rich in details and color. From inking people, to painting canvas, Manvee finds that art gives her wings into world unexplored, and thoughts unspoken. In an interview with Shotcouture, the young, talented artist shares with us what keeps her ticking and makes her work so vibrant and interesting.

Describe yourself in one word.
Fun

Tell me three things that make the world beautiful for you.
Shucks! Just three? Ummm… I guess, colours for sure… What would the world be without color?
Emotions... Raw emotion is beautiful… and I love to capture that...
Animals, because nowhere else do you see such purity of emotions. Basically nature. Plants, fishes, animals... nature never fails in inspiring me.

What got you started? Did you ever consider conventional careers?
I can never stick to one thing. I was appearing for medicals when just for fun, I sat for the NIFT (National Institute Of Fashion Technology) entrance test and got through. So I am a fashion designer by education, but a tattoo artist and interior decorator by profession. I started painting about a year back when somebody challenged me to but I had always loved sketching.

Who inspires you? What inspires you? Where does your muse lie?
Eyes...that’s what inspired me to start sketching... I love capturing different expressions reflected in eyes. To me, eyes speak volumes! Apart from that, my art is a mix of ideas, observations, and experiences. The world is my muse.

Tell me your favorite music, your favorite colors... all the stuff that makes you tick.
I have no particular choice of music but love songs are always a hit for me. I am hopelessly romantic at heart. Red is my favourite colour, but colours in general can brighten up my mood any day.

Do you dance?
I dance occasionally at parties and nothing can stop me from dancing in rains! Rains, dance and paintings are an awesome mix for me!

Have you been in love? Do you believe in love? Does love reflect in your art?
You bet! I am always in love! What else can make you feel so good about yourself! It’s the most beautiful feeling ever and of course it’s prominent in my work. I love painting couples... sometimes sensual and sometime just sweet gentle love. Besides couples, I see love everywhere and like to portray it in my art.

What makes you interesting and fun, and inspiring?
I don’t know if I am all that. I am just a curious girl who loves to learn and experiment with new things. I get bored of routine, but unlike most people, I have this inbuilt need to challenge myself and I guess that qualifies as interesting.

You can find Manvee's work showcased on her website www.manveesingh.com

You can also find her on facebook HERE

Here comes the bride...

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:54:00 +0000

A quick post on what I wore for our post wedding reception. The very beautiful saree that I wore is a gift from my friend Ritika Mittal, Founder and Designer of MORA, a brand that has redefined femininity and creativity for me and many proud MORA owners across the world. Ritika styled me for the wedding, and the accessories are hers. The look was a hit with friends and family alike, who are used to conventional Indian brides with tons of makeup and jewellery. I wanted a slightly more contemporary look, and chose to go without makeup. With just kohl lined eyes, and a smile, the saree worked its magic. Hope you like what the bride wore.

I Do...

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:04:00 +0000

I have been missing for a while. Been busy with the wedding preparations. My fiancé, now my husband, and I had decided to go in for a Registered Civil wedding, followed by two wedding receptions; one for friends and one for the family. The Civil wedding took place on the 10th February. We left late for the Court, and panic ensued as we kept getting caught in traffic. But finally, everything went off well, and my decision to wear my mother’s sari to my own wedding was well-received by everyone.

I accessorized the Sari with just a pair of pearl earrings, and chose not to wear any make-up. My beautiful friend Ritika, Founder and Designer for MORA, took some memorable pictures of the ceremony. My brother Prashant, Mushfiq’s siter, Shahana, and one of his best buds, Jayesh, were witnesses. Post the Civil wedding, we took our friends out for a quick lunch at a Thali Restaurant. Mushfiq wore a simple cotton kurta with jeans, while my sister-in-law, Mala wore a silk sari and looked lovely as ever. I will do an elaborate post with the wedding pictures later. For now, I am leaving you with a handful of pictures from the Civil ceremony. I am currently busy with adjusting to a new life, in a new home. I have shifted to my husband’s home, and it’s a wonderful feeling, starting my life afresh.

I have been missing blogging and all you lovely ladies and your blogs. Please give me time to catch up with all of you. This is a busy time in my life.

Such a wonderful day...

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:22:00 +0000

I have been blogging for a while now, and boy how it has changed! Professional bloggers, celebrity bloggers, newbies... it's a whole new world out there. For me, blogging has been an extension of my desire to write and connect, and in that I have had much success. I started Shotcouture a few years back with a focus on street style, and over the years, it has become a part of who I am. My visual voice has changed. My style of writing has changed. The blog itself has had a makeover.

But nothing has changed more than my life. In just a few years, I became a writer, a blogger, a divorcee, a designer, an aspiring chef, a lover, a wanderer, an orphan, a lonely crusader for sanity and happiness, and now, I am soon going to add one more description to my name. I am going to marry the love of my life.

This is perhaps, one of the most exciting times of my life. Though the wedding, scheduled for February, is an extremely low key affair, I am thrilled about starting the rest of my life with someone who has helped me heal, and has helped me become the woman I always thought I could be.

These past few months have been hectic, and I have not been able to post as often as possible. The content on Shotcouture is undergoing change. I have been working on Bandagi, my own line of accessories. I have a lot going on. But blogging keeps me sane. It helps me stay on track, and not lose sight of my dreams, my aspirations.

The next few posts will be about the very rushed, very tight-scheduled wedding preparations. From the "Girls' Nite Out", to the post-wedding dinner, my not so fat Indian wedding will be the focus of this blog's posts. This weekend, I shop for my post-wedding dinner dress.

For now, I am leaving you with one of my favorite recent looks. The skirt is from Goa, made my these really talented, quirky ex-hippies, who happen to be my favorite designers. More on the wedding soon.

Hello Twenty Twelve - Keep thy promise!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 06:39:00 +0000

I know I have started this year a bit late. But a lot has been happening, and a few announcements are in order. First of all, Bandagi- Bling Worship, my own line of accessories did very well in its first exhibition. Thank you all for your beautiful and kind words of encouragement. Secondly, I am poised for one of my life's biggest events. Will let you know more soon. Very soon!

2011 was a year of mixed blessings. It began badly enough with me losing my dad on 15th January, 2011. I cannot believe that it's almost a year now. On a positive note, I finally started finding my little spot of sunshine on the planet. As a blogger and as a designer, I learned a lot and have the blogosphere to thank for the inspiration I found here. Each one of you, a reader and a commenter on this blog, you are really really special to me. You give me a reason to look beyond my day job, and do something different, all for myself. You are beautiful, inspiring and special to me. Thank you for being in my life.

I hope that 2012 will be a year full of happiness and blessings for all of us. I promise to be more regular with posts and make the content of shotcouture engaging and worth your time.

I am posting some pictures of the Bandagi Collection here. Am now working on the next collection for the Brand - Mon Tresor! It will all be about, Love, Hope and life's irreplaceable treasures. Hope it will be a huge success too.

We shot the above pictures at my Office's Christmas celebration. I am wearing one of my own hairbands. It was such a fun party, with Christmas Carols, plum cake and wine!

And now for the winner of the beautiful Art Meets Fashion bag!!! The lovely hand painted bag made by the young and talented designer Aarti Verma goes to the lovely Cecile!

Congrats Cecile!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. Will see you on the other side of this beautiful Sunday.

Bandagi Launch and a New Year Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:22:00 +0000

This Saturday was one of the most significant days in my life. I launched my own line of accessories. The brand is called BANDAGI – Bling Worship. Bandagi means Worship, and I see the brand as a bit of a rebel, a free-spirit out to explore and discover. My first collection was only hair accessories, as I feel the Hair can transform a woman. Also, we have an extremely emotional association with our hair. So I had a small launch event this weekend which did very well. What had started out as a personal passion is reaching out to many women and I cannot even begin to describe this feeling!

To celebrate the successful Launch of Bandagi, I wanted to have a Giveaway. This also gave me an opportunity to get to know one extremely talented lady, Aarti Verma, of ART MEETS FASHION. Art meets fashion is an independent label which deals with Handpainted and Handcrafted Fashion and Home decor Accessories. Every Product is a unique piece of art. Its founder and designer Aarti has done an Art Teacher Diploma from Sir JJ School Of Arts, and then pursued a crash course in fashion Designing. After teaching as an Arts Teacher for a year, she sought to do something more concrete with her inclination to blend art and fashion, and that was how her label was born.
Aarti believes that Art and Fashion have been the twin passions of her life, and every day she grows as a designer, absorbing new inspirations, rendering them into her colorful designs.

She launched Art Meets Fashion just about a year back with just a few handpainted totes, and already the label does tunics, sling clutches, and ceramic jewellery pieces. But Aarti does not want to get into mass production, and likes to keep her designs unique and rare.

For her designs, Aarti is drawn to Tribal Elements, and prefers doing human figures, very bold, Indian yet contemporary. She loves to fuse two opposite elements, whether in the colors, form or even fabric. While she loves color in general, her preferred colors are earthy tones, with brown and black being her favorites. She is also drawn to reds and greens, depending on her mood.

Aarti’s online presence poses the biggest challenge faced by all independent designers: Plagiarism. She continually tries to refresh and renew her designs in order to combat that, but laments the lack of control over theft of her designs.

While Aarti redefines the style platform for others, her own style is pretty eclectic. She loves to mix trends and isn’t afraid to experiment. In her closet, one would find chunky silver jewellery, skirts of all lengths, and a lovely little black dress! When not working, the young designer loves to travel, take pictures of her world, and gorge on Chinese food.

Currently, Art Meets Fashion is available at the unique multidesigner store, Bliss in Mumbai and Pune. The designs can also be ordered at stainedcanvas@gmail.com

Aarti has given a beautiful, hand-painted bag as a Giveaway gift just for the Shotcouture readers.

To win this lovely Art Meets Fashion bag, you have to…
1. Be a follower of Shotcouture on GFC.
2. LIKE Art Meets Fashion Page On facebook

Once you have done that, just leave a message on this post with your name and valid email id. The Giveaway is open to international readers and will end on Friday, 6http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifth January, 2012!

I can relate to Aarti on so many levels. Having just started my own line of accessories, my constant fears and challenges follow the same progression as her. I will be posting more about my label and accessories on my Facebook Bandagi Page. You can see the key pieces from the collection HERE.

Also, a special mention of my Design Da Paura, inspired by the lovely Rachel, of Capturingitaly. The design is crafted from a delicate fabric flower, and is available in two colors, black and purple.

I am so excited about the launch and keeping my fingers crossed that it would do well. Christmas this year has been memorable. I do hope to hear from lots of you on your plans for the New Year. And yes, don’t forget to take part in the Art Meets Fashion Giveaway! The beautiful, hand-painted bag could be yours!

So much! So much!

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:19:00 +0000

This is going to a picture heavy, long post. There is so much happening. My own accessories line, to start with. I launch in less than two weeks, and nothing seems to be in place! I am falling behind on my posts, as the day job is in full swing. Not that I am complaining. Love my job, love my people. And I absolutely love the fact that there is never a dull moment.

Spent this weekend with a dining group, "Pet Pujaris", literally translates into stomach- worshipers. We had a long, happy lunch at the newly launched restaurant "All Day 5", at the Apollo Hotel in Colaba, Mumbai. This colorful, young eating space, with an energetic, young chef is a must visit if you happen to be in Mumbai and are looking for a cozy, casual dining option. The drinks, the starters, the main course, and the dessert were absolutely delightful. Which perhaps explains why the lunch extended till about 5 in the evening. I had a Sangria to drink, and called for a Vermicelli crusted Basa, which was superbly done and perfectly flavored. Anyways, here are some pictures from the lunch.

Of course, with my first accessories collection just around the corner, there is lots to do. So Saturday was spent working and reworking the designs, and things seem to be falling into place now. For those who think blogging is easy and frivolous, well, blah! It has changed the course of people's lives. Mine, for sure. I am excited and a bit scared. I can only hope that my designs will be liked and the accessories will be bought. Right now, I am working on branding and Packaging, and it seems like nothing will get done on time. But that's the fun bit!

So yes, I used denim to beat the Monday morning blues, and as usual, took some pictures. How was your weekend? What special things are happening in your life?

Giveaway Winner, a pretty cake, some colorful socks and new shoes...

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:45:00 +0000

Thank you all for taking part in the Shotcouture Mish Mash Giveaway! And the winner of the hand-painted bag is - Jenny Benny of Jenniferfabulous!
I had a lovely weekend. Was working on Sunday, but that too was a lot of fun as we had all met for a brain-storming session for an upcoming project. On Saturday, I managed to pick up a couple of pairs of new shoes from Tresmode, and also met my brother who had gone to our home town Agra, and brought back an amazing pair of green boots for me. Also, I happen to love colorful socks, and have quite a few pairs. So can't wait to sport some new footwear.

Last week has been a busy week. Work is progressing well on my hair accessories collection, and it gives me so much satisfaction to see things take shape. After a difficult phase, my life is getting back on track. Soon, I will be able to share my collection with you all.

Today is a friend's birthday, and we brought it in with a lovely cake that a co-worker's wife had made. She has just started making these fabulous cakes, and I just loved her work, and decided to buy one. How was your weekend? Did you do anything special?

My co-worker, Noopur, and I were sitting on the office terrace and clicked some pictures fooling around with the camera.

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Mish Mash Design Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Pratishtha Durga) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:51:00 +0000

Sorry for being missing for so long. Lots of work, and some really great news. I have started work on my own line of accessories, and will share them with you really soon.
Also, I did not want to have a run of the mill Giveaway for Shotcouture, so that took time. And I am glad to share with you, the Mish Mash design Giveaway, along with an interview with the brand's talented designer - Abhilasha Jain.

I first discovered Mish Mash Design on Facebook, when the young designer, Abhilasha, initially started promoting her hand painted bags and cushion covers through the social networking platform. I bought my first Mish Mash cushion cover from Abhilasha’s stall at a popular store’s flea market. The lovely colors on the cushion cover placed in my living room promptly started getting me compliments. More and more friends and acquaintances wanted to know where they could get one. Meanwhile, Abhilasha was introducing one fabulous design after another, giving Mish Mash Design a unique identity, increasing her buyer’s base, and generally bringing a spot of happiness in many lives. After a few months of chasing, I not only managed to tag the super-busy, shy designer for an interview, she even offered an amazing Mish Mash Bag just for the readers of Shotcouture!

Here is the interview with Abhilasha...

Q 1.When did you first discover your passion? How did you start?
A. I was always interested in Art, in particular art on Indian culture,tribal based themes & vibrancy in bold colors always attracted & inspired me. My mom is a very good artist and has been the key in. However the passion actually turned in to a profession quite accidentally. I had been working in the Jewellery industry for the last 8 years. A few years back as a hobby,I used to hand paint bags and cushion covers for my friends & family. Appreciation from friends and the thought of doing something I loved led me to start Mish Mash Design. On all practical grounds , it was a crazy decision to leave a well set position in the Jewellery industry and build something from nothing.However for me this is exactly what I wanted to do.

Q2. What are the challenges you face as an artist?
A. For a creative person, you may be good at your skill but it takes time to understand the market, how it works & approach the right clientele. On an operational level, the hardest part which I have faced so far has been to find skilled labor to do the production as per my designs, imaginations & requirement.

Q3. How do you think your Art has changed over the years?
A. Honestly, these are still the initial years for Mish Mash, so I don't think I really can answer that. But I could say most of my work illustrates simple subjects like life, human beings and nature and here I aim to blend colors to bring about a lively mood. Like in any other field, as an artist you keep learning and evolving, so the focus is to constantly take inspirations from life and try to create something that can bring cheer to the end user.

Q4. What are some of your favorite designs?
A. Altough I love all my designs but my all time favorite designs are: Jodha akbar cushions, Tribal beauties bag, Rangeela Rajsthan Silk Bags,Boho Chic hand bag series & Fashionista bag series.

Q5.How well do you think Social Networking sites like facebook work for Independent Artists?
A. I feel nowadays social networking sites like facebook can be an amazing platform for independent artists.The biggest advantage is its ability to help artists engage and build their own audience across the globe. The artist gets immediate & direct feedback from his/her audience which helps artists understands their customer’s needs.

Q6. Where do you see yourself in a few years from now? What future plans do you have as an artist?
A. Right now I am going with the flow and totally enjoying this phase :).I currently have a small studio at my house where I create and paint stories. I am Retailing at a few stores in India and London and also available on some online stores.
In the long run, I do wish to create a niche for myself in the market by creating unique hand painted home decor products and fashion accessories accessible to as many locations across the globe!

Check out some of the Mish Mash Design products. It's hard to pick a favorite. You can check out more of Abhilasha'a work on HER BLOG.

Love her work already!

Great! Because like I mentioned, Abhilasha very sweetly offered one of her fabulous bags as a gift, for one lucky Shotcouture reader! The contest is open to readers across the world.

To win this fabulous bag, you have to
LIKE the Mish Mash Design page on Facebook.
AND
Follow Shotcouture through Google Friend Connect

For additional entries, LIKE the Shotcouture Page on Facebook

Once you have done this, just leave a comment on the blog, stating you have followed the required steps.

This Giveaway Ends 2nd December, 2011.

And yeah! Started posting on Lookbook. Check out my profile.