Designer Purushu - Indian Fashion Blogger

Milan Fashion Week –Menswear Fall Winter 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:46:00 +0000

Author: Sylefluid Trendz

Milan Fashion Week for Fall Winter 2012 Menswear was definitely a trend setter in many ways. Milan was a revival of classic, military and luxurious fashion with a strong essence of Edwardian era in the world of men’s fashion . In a way or other, Milan Fashion Week sent a strong message to all the boys that Fall Winter 2012 is all about celebrating the gentlemen in you.Here is a pick on some of my favourites from the week.

1. Dolce & Gabbana – The collection was just the right example of luxury. One could see a strong influence of traditional East European & Matador style embroidery on coats and jackets.The sleek lines and classic masculine tailoring with gold embellishments on the sleeves and lapels were dramatic, stylish and truly classic.

2. Bottega Veneta – Tomas Maier opted for geometry in his silhouettes for Fall Winter 2012 collection.The clothes are a fine example of contrast and compliments male body to the fullest.Some of the key pieces of the collection were short jackets that can make any men look taller, skinny trousers that extends the legs,sports jackets and leather coats.The collection in innovative fabrics also played around with color blocking. Indeed a ultraluxurious collection .

3. Burberry Prorsum – With its entourage of fitted suits,heritage trench,mustard-tipped trenches, two and three button wool suits,sleek double breasted jackets, quilted army green flight jacket, black polka-dotted tie, with herringbone patterned tweed cap, Burberry Signature Navajo-inspired patterns, owl and cat-face bundle-necked knitwear and with fabrics ranging from corduroy to velvet, the collection was an amazing fusion of heritage and contemporary British fashion. The show was rightly named as “The Gentlemen”

4. Roberto Cavalli – Go bold go adventerous and bring out the animal instinct – Yes that is the Style Mantra from Roberto Cavalli for Fall Winter 2012 Menswear.The collection had animal prints from spot to tiger-stripe,bright colors for winter,bold prints, leather moto jackets, stark-white contrast piping, velvet smoking blazer with croc pattern,snake skin belts and shawl collared suit. Indeed a very smart collection which brings out the modern and timeless elegance of men’s fashion.

5. Prada – The military-inspred collection was presented by real A listed actors, which was dramatic,powerful, eccentric , mysterious with a strong element of old-school masculine feel to it. The collection featured long,black overcoat,double breasted red overcoat with a black velvet collar and fur trimmed lapel,high stiff collar on white shirt and wire trimmed sunglasses.All in all the collection featured strong masculine silhouettes and hardlines.

6. Ermenegildo Zegna – Zegna went classic for Fall Winter 2012 with good amount of layering. The collection featured houndstooth ,Glen plaid,Fair Isle suits which were worn under layers of loosely cut capes and jackets. The colors of the collection were in midnight blue,camel and brown with lot of texture.One could also see cotton turtlenecks, plaid-lined denims which were worn with suits and silky tuxedos.The other key items of the collection were carry-ons clad in plaid,large, flat leather messenger bags , duffels and textured gloves.

7. Canali - The collection had a strong feel of The Swinging Sixties.With its sharp Italian tailoring the prints on suits,shirts,pants were inspired from William Morris house of design. The key pieces of the collection were - floral-print shirting, Chesterfield coats, double-breasted houndstooth and Bengal striped pieces with a color palette of browns,tans and rusts.

8. Salvatore Ferragamo – The collection from the House of Salvatore Ferragamo was in neutral tones and the clothes had its own unique sober personality. Massimiliano Giornetti’s collection for Salvatore Ferragamo Men's Fall 2012 was all about elegance. The key pieces of the collection were suits and coats which had sharp tailoring , double breasted blazer, fine mauve and purple striped sweater ,royal blue shirt, polished two-tone dress shoes with equestrian details, double-breasted suit with peak lapels and a burgundy bomber jacket with an oversize knit collar. The fabric varied from velvet,wool,tweeds in salt and pepper to watery silk.The dominant colors of the collection were royal blue,charcoal asphalt, rusts, burgundy, purple, gray and berry tones.The collection is perfect for all you stylish city slicker.

9. Diesel Black Gold - A rocker chic collection. The key pieces of the collection were slick motorcycle jackets, suede bomber jackets,bold red velvet double-breasted suit,zipped suede vests,leather pants,pea-coats,coated knit intarsia,fur coat,thick cable knit jerseys, bravura jacket and knitted sweater in two tone.The collection was dominated by black with surprising dash of colors like deep blue,indigo,grey,burnt orange,navy,denim blue and purple.Orange leather jacket created the ultimate rocking look.

10. DSquared2 – A rebellious collection. I loved the fitted skinny jeans, short leather jackets, ultra sharp coats ,knotted neck scarf ,cropped jackets, Alpine Winter sweaters , gray tuxedos, sweater vests, schoolboy brooches on tweed jackets and oversized sequined sleeve parka. It is always good to keep the rebel in us alive.

11. Gucci - Frida Giannini’s collection for Gucci Menswear Fall 2012 had a strong 60’s feel to it. The collection was romantic, contemporary , elegant and just outstandingly handsome.The main features of the collection were flower prints,jacquards,velvets ,overcoats,trousers which were loose at the hips but goes skinny down the leg and to the ankle,chunky sweater .One can’t miss out on the briefcases with the horn handles,carpetbags ,sunglasses and shoes. Gucci boy for Fall 2012 is ultra chic and creative.

12. Calvin Klein –For me the collection by Italo Zucchelli was a redefination of perfect masculine sportswear. With a color palete of grey,black,navy and camel the collection was a perfect fusion of sportswear,luxury and classic fashion.The sleek collection’s key features were contrast paneling,color blocking, croc print pants,jumpers and jackets. Croc Print Pants – Yes,that is one must have key item for all you stylish men.

Milan Fashion Week for Fall Winter 2012 was a mirror to what a modern man should be. The collections was a reinterpration of classic fashion with a twist of contemporary touch to it.Inspite of the global economic lull, the Fall Winter 2012 collection was a celebration of positivity in life,celebration of luxury and elegance. Definitely a positive way to kick start the year,

IFB Links la Mode : Check out the best 20 fashion posts of the week!

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:06:00 +0000

Making a Connection

Edited by: Fajr Muhammad of Stylish Thought

Can you believe that it’s almost February. Fashion week is right around the corner and that means that the IFB Conference is right upon us. The IFB Conference has opened so many doors and channels for fashion bloggers to connect and expand their *ahem* influence. Fashion week is another great avenue to network and work with brands, the media and other bloggers. In our fast-paced digital (and fashion) worlds, connection is key.

Check out this week’s Link a la Mode and connect with our 20 selected bloggers. Read their post, comment and build relationships that will last past fashion week and beyond.

SPONSOR:
Shoes at Shopbop: Frye Shoes, Yosi Samra Flats, See by Chloe Shoes, Tapeet, Ash Sneakers, Sam Edelman Sandals, Steven, Wang Shoes, Pelle Moda, Vanessa Mooney, Loeffler Randall, Dolce Vita Shoes & Hunter Boots

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

A fashion designer's workshop : FACTS & FICTION

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:24:00 +0000

Try googling "Fashion deisgner workshop" and the images that you see is exactly how a fashion designer's workshop will NOT look like. The ambiance in the visuals are highly tampered with. They are arranged and customized for photographs.

A day in a fashion-design student's life:

1. The sound of sewing machine stitching fabric is more pleasant to hear than old faculty yelling at the front table.

2. The smell of muslin overpowers your new CK perfume.

3. You enjoy the heat that a steam iron produces, especially in winters.

4. For at least once in a day, a pin is bound to pierce your nail. You are so used to it that you simply wipe it off a muslin. First timers give TT injection a thought though!

5. A designer's workshop is more like a dustbin. You have fabric strips, pattern making papers, pencils, measuring tape and a lot more hazardous stuff including scissors and pins lying all around (Underage kids are strictly prohibited from entering a designer's workshop).

6. Body forms! They always tend to stand in your way. Some of you might also constantly punch and poke your body form (with pins) to take out your frustration.

7. "Hey! Can I borrow your scissor?" And mind you, you are never getting them back! As is the case with the endless pile of stationery you end up buying and eventually losing.

8. All your hand bags and mobile phones lie on the pattern making table. Heaven for Kleptomaniacs!

9. They style tape you put on the body form 2 months ago, still lies there... untouched.

10. The bulletin board is filled with patterns, inspirational visuals and out dated trend-boards.

11. Even if the world is about to end, all you do is religiously drape your garment.

12. Boys, you are a minority here, girls outnumber you. Go feminism!!

13. MUSIC. Head phones. A good playlist. You need it to survive all that is mentioned above.

SUPPORTING VISUALS:

TREND REPORT - SPRING/SUMMER 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:37:00 +0000

Summer 2012, A Season of Commitment

Faced with multiple "crises" of all types and of all times – social, economic, ecological. The human being has always had the formidable capacity of resisting, on one hand, and committing, on the other. Commitment is a marvelous force, rooted in the deepest part of the self, where conviction and our sense of responsibility draw upon the strengths and legitimacy of belonging to a group. Summer 2012 is a season under the sign of Commitment, as four themes illustrate this positive movement of individual and collective involvement.

STORY BOARD FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2012

	GENESIS - The Naturalist Visionaries The enormous focus on ecology is inciting designers of objects and garments alike to address the importance and richness of the organic world. A creative orientation that invites us to re-discover the foundations of Naturalism.

ITINERANCE - The Humanitarian Artisans Today’s economic crisis is generating an overall increase in the insecurity of humans, which in turn, engages designers to create innovative products taking into account the limited resources of peoples in difficulty. Itinerance explores humanitarian design as it strives to maximise the limited capacities for economic and stylistic adaptation inspired by nomadic lifestyles.

POLYCHROMY - The Colour Expressionists The public’s enthusiasm for cutting-edge developments in vision and perception (LED technology, 3-D imagery, heat-sensitive materials, etc.) is urging fashion and interior designers to develop new, increasingly high-impact visual principles.

	OXYGEN - The Emotional Purists The growing awareness of the world in light of the multiplication of health threats is stimulating the design of reassuring objects that may also contribute to improving the overall health of users. Oxygen explores the notions of purity and well-being that are giving rise to a trend for design that is simultaneously romantic and clinical.

COLOURS: PASTELS AND NATURALS

A spread of pastels associated with two, very soft naturals. A desire to accumulate and collect moments of innocence - like we might compose a wardrobe of wild and crazy layers in candid shades of colours. Baby blue and pink break free of their stereotypes!

FROM SS 2012 RUNWAY:

SURFACES:

The season that is being forwarded by naturalism has witnessed plenty of surface treatment in the forms of prints, laser cut work, applique, shine, shimmer and glitz.

PRINTS:
Key concept in prints were graphic, nature inspired animal, fruits and floral, paisley and graphic. While florals were seen at every third show this season, the ones seen at Christopher Kane, Giambattista Valli and Prada stood out in distinction. Animal prints were seen at Carolina Herrera and Manish Arora. Nature inspired paisley decorated the fabrics at Stella McCartney, Haider Ackermann, Jil Sander and JW Anderson. Mary Katrantzou's show was in fact a colourful riot of animal and aquatic inspired prints.

BELOW:
1. Parrots at Carolina Herrera
2. Florals at Chloe
3. Delicous fruits and vegetables at Dolce & Gabbana
4. Donna Karan's tribe
5. Graphic prints at Yves Saint Laurent
6. Paisley motifs seen at Haider Ackermann, Jil Sander, JW Anderson and Stella McCartney.

APPLIQUE WORK:
Fashion designers chose to deliciously decorate the surface using applique work. Applique surface details were seen in many shows this season including those of Christopher Kane, Dolce & Gabbana, Nicole Farhi, Prada and Valentino.

NEAT, CLEAN AND CUT!
Pristine white cottons were laser cut keeping everything minimalistic yet highly interesting.

SHINE, GLITZ & GLAMOUR:
The models at Chanel, Manish Arora, Chanel, Christopher Kane, Marc Jacobs, MaxMara and Reed Krakoff were adorned in shine and shimmer.

SILHOUETTES:

Spring/Summer 2012 has predominantly witnessed inspiration from various decades of the 20th century. Silhouettes from the 20s art-deco and 50s dominated the ramps. Dolce & Gabbana and Emilio Pucci pioneered in exposing the mid-riff like never before. Moving ahead from the lady-like dressing, sports inspired chic look has emerged as one of the biggest trends this season.

50S INSPIRED: Phoebe Philo's peplums and Dries Van Noten's sculptural silhouettes were clearly recalling the 1950s fashion era. 50s silhouettes were seen at likes of Gareth Pugh, Burberry, Carven, Donna Karan, Rick Owens and Meadham Kirchhkoff.

ART DECO: Electric form of elegant and stylish modernism flourished at Alberta Ferretti, Etro, Prada, Marchesa and Ralph Lauren.

FLASH THE ABS: Mid riffs exposed at Dolce & Gabbana, Emilio Pucci, Prada, Christopher Kane, Versace etc.

SPORTSTAR: Outerwear with a sporty spin!

IMAGE COURTESY:
Story board images: PROMOSTYL
Runway images: VOGUE.CO.UK

THE FOLLOWING POST IS ALSO A GUEST POST I HAD WRITTEN FOR INDIAN FASHION BLOGGERS COMMUNITY.

FASHION, Jackets, Corsets and Trousers

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:28:00 +0000

NOTE: Understanding 'Fashion' and 'Design' are two different things.

FACT: I study in a fashion college. The college teaches me everything a fashion designer needs to learn. Garment construction. Draping. Surface Design. Fashion Illustration. The college teaches it all. Some how, the college never teaches you "FASHION".

I was chatting with a fellow fashion blogger (Stylefluid Trendz: He is a facebook fashion blogger who regularly posts amazing visuals related to fashion) few minutes ago and he was explaining me how it was the worst decision in his life to not choose to study in a fashion college.

In my college, every year 30 students pass out from the fashion design department. They are expert pattern makers and have a flair for fashion illustrations. But very few students pass out with an understanding of fashion. Those who pass out with an understanding of fashion are the same people who entered the college with an understanding! I believe that fashion is something personal and you don't need a faculty/professor to dictate you fashion is about. The understanding comes from within. The the curiosity for trends, the love for brands, the thirst for being updated, the aesthetic sense... it comes from within. It's in your lifestyle. It's in the books that you read, the websites that you surf, the places you go, the blogs you read.

Most students in my batch are not really sure if brights are still in trend, but the blogger I chatted with (Stylefluid Trendz) knows what Dolce & Gabbana AW12 menswear show was about. The show was live only few hours ago! He tells me, "fashion has been always thr with me..even when i was growing up...it was just thr..and it still amazes me..how in the hell i knew about fashion houses,labels.designers..".

Most fashion design students across the globe have amazing sense of 'design'. There are many students who create jaw-droppingly creative designs. They know it all. They have master draping skills. They create amazing surfaces and yet are clueless when you ask them about the designers who used paisley motifs in their recent collection!

There is a reason why I discuss 'DESIGN' with my classmates but 'FASHION' with bloggers! Bloggers know it better =)) We share knowledge through our blogposts. I take the joy of being both a 'fashion design student' and a 'fashion blogger'!

I originally started writing this blogpost to recall the times that just flew away few months ago, before it got influenced by a chat conversation. Like I mentioned in my previous blogpost, I have passed semester five and I am now in semester 6!
In my very first Integrated Term Project, we made bodice & skirt, and a dress in the latter one. Take a look at what we created for the integrated term project this semester to get ourselves landed in a new semester...

.... JACKETS, CORSETS AND TROUSERS!

My Creation: The mustard jacket was inspired from impossible figures, with an interesting overlap buttons and a similar back. It is teamed with a trouser which has an apple peel pattern, i.e., a single seam line revolves its way down the hem!

FRONT

BACK

SAYANTI'S Jacket had an amazing shoulder detail; teamed with a black trouser.

BACK

Madhu and Vertika's ensemble.

Ashish's ensemble.

Jazz(Left) wearing Gaurav's creation.

BACK

>>FUN<<

Vertika's jacket and corset.

End-Season SALE at CK Jeans

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:12:00 +0000

CK Look Book (Open the images to enlarge)

Human Connection!

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:53:00 +0000

She finishes her peg even before we guys start with our third sip, hence nicknamed as "Australian Tanki" which literally refers to an Australian tank in Hindi. Six months ago she joined our college as an exchange student from Australia and here I am, writing this blogpost minutes after bidding her farewell.

Taiwanese-look-alike Sam Delgos from QUT, Queensland, Australia along with Jazz (more of a studious girl whom I'd remember rest of my life for her draping skills) approached me for help with a notch collar pattern a couple of days after they joined our Uni (must be the Australian or even the non-Indian way of referring to an university). From there on we went on to become friends and now close enough to wipe her tears and plant a gentle peck on her cheek while I bid her farewell back to Australia.

We would talk about films, music, tease and do a mockery of faculties, make patterns together and share head phone ear plugs while listening to music. Weekend parties at our den were usually filled with crazy incidents. I, my girl friend and my roomies were all comfortable with her irrespective of the different cultures we were brought up in. One of my roomie still finds it really hard to get rid of his "Indo-Australian" accent which he contracted from her.

During the end semester vacations, we traveled 2000Km down the South of India and nevertheless to say... Its the most adventurous trip I have ever had in my life. She would constantly sing Chai-Chillum-Chapati and couple of other Hindi, Punjabi and Telugu songs which she learn here after coming to India.

She came like a spring. She disappeared like one. She has left her blossoms behind. Sweet memories I meant.

"No matter where you were 10yrs ago or where you will be 10yrs down the line. I thank God for making us meet for a short span of time in this vast and retracting world. We had a good time. Great time actually. Love you!" were exactly the final words I uttered into her ears before I had to wipe her moist eyes.

The world is small Sammy! This ain't the final good-bye :)

The whole incident somehow got me really sentimental and I can now clearly see what thing would look like a year down the line. It's four years ago when I moved to New Delhi that I understood what the world works like. I lived alone, struggled, cried, made mistakes, made wrong choices, learnt from my mistakes, learnt to differentiate between good and bad and made strongest of human bonds. It's the human bonds that I made, which makes me the person I am today. It's scary to learn that at some point of time we need to bid good byes to each other and walk away with the course of life. May be that's how life is supposed to be. Every one is a loner at the end of the day!

The whole NIFT episode taught me much more than pattern making, draping or garment construction. NIFT as a college is fucked up big time. Thank god, that it is fucked up... For, I learnt to accept failures, handle stress, learnt to fight back and learnt that life is beyond academics and scores. It made me the person who I am today.

Hi, I'm Purushu. I don't have the best grades, the best clothes, the best personality, or the best car. But I'm relaxed, and happy with everything I've ever done. And that's really all that matters.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Chai-Chillum-Chapati::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Prabal Gurung Pre-Fall 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:35:00 +0000

This is 2012. Most fashion designers and other artists still interpret the stereotypical 'Maharaja', jungle and snake charmers when it comes to visually interpreting the diverse culture of India. When I first heard of Prabal Gurung's pre-fall 2012 collection having Indian inspiration, beads, embroidery and drapes were the first elements that I could imagine of. But Prabal Gurung actually astonished me by not taking inspiration from the 'obvious'.

Nope. The garments were did not carry dhoti cowls but more towards to cuts and structure. The surface was not of the typical zardozi or chikan embroidery but stunning kaleidoscopic prints.

Style.com quotes, "Accordingly, the glitz factor was near zero. He relied on a kaleidoscope print for his dresses and separates rather than the glitzy embroideries he's sometimes been known for. The palette was just as focused; in addition to black and white, he zeroed in on emerald green and a subtle, earthy pink. At the time of our appointment, a silk cocktail dress in the former was already in the possession of a famous red-carpet-bound actress the name of whom Gurung wouldn't reveal. Like we said, upswing."

It makes me feel really happy as well as proud for the fact that Prabal Gurung himself started off his journey as a fashion designer from the very same college I studied. He worked in the very same lab where I draft my patterns now and was taught by the same faculties who teach me now! Proud of you!

PRABAL GURUNG PRE-FALL 2012 CAMPAIGN

Images from the collection:

FCUK on SALE!

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:39:00 +0000

Page 10 of 366 has already been opened and the end-season sale continues at FCUK India. I recently walked into the FCUK store at DLF Promenade in New Delhi and the French Connection UK's autumn/winter collection looked highly edgy, high street and has an inborn flair for British sensibilities! Typically FCUK... isn't it?

The FCUK girl:

The wool coats were among the first to grab my attention. The Kristel wool coat is cool and sophisticated with a very interesting collar. Retro inspired faux fur collar in a lady like silhouette makes the Davina wool coat among my favourites.

The store had numerous dresses on display while each piece was looked more exciting than the previous. Dresses mostly in muted shades of blacks and grey with oodles of sequins were pristine crafted to bring out the glam and allure. While almost all the dresses on display enthralled me as a fashion design student, there are three dresses in particular which I would like to point out.

The checked Charlie shirt dress looks highly sophisticated, offers various styling options and is dirt cheap! You'll have to pick one.

Aztek jersy dress is effortlessly subtle and which is the very reason it is special. The middle-east-ish details at the neckline perfectly compliments the simple silhouette in a subtle tone.

The style lines, cap sleeves, geometric elements and the metallic surface makes the Dani crepe bandage dress a perfect cocktail ensemble.

Among the menswear garments, the printed t-shirts were undoubtedly my favourite pieces. Apart from the traditional printed t-shirts, the showroom had some cool and relaxed polo t-shirts and denims on display!

More snaps from the showroom:

Dresses on display

Wool blended coat

Bead work!

This particular shirt had a very interesting collar.

Shimmer and dazzle :)

New year.. New hopes... New dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:44:00 +0000

We have already flipped through 10 of the total 366 chapters in this yet another new year and this blog post is coming up too late considering 10 days have already passed by like yet another 10 minutes. 2012 has opened up with many promising offers.

I have officially landed myself in semester six. I'll be dealing with more surface design techniques and Indian wear this semester in college.

I would be writing the fashion show reviews once again for the official FDCI Designer Node magazine at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.

I have signed up with an upcoming retail label and would be soon blogging from their side. A project I am really excited about and eagerly looking forward.

I would be soon starting up with an e-fashion magazine where I aim to showcase the best of fashion blog posts across the web. It is an ambitious project. Working on the design and infrastructure of the website and would launch it sometime in February-March.

And...

I’ll be turning 21 in 2012. 21. The magical number! HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS!

Cheers,

PURUSHU

Cooler Weather Brings Haute Fashion: That's How The Saying Goes Right?

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:18:00 +0000

Edited by: Jessie Thorpe of Denimology

Cooler weather has made it's way in and it leaves me feeling a definitive need to dress up lavishly. Some girls have been frocked fancifully for the entire month of Dressember. I think it's important to make the effort to look extra stylish in the Winter months. I've been decorating myself glamorously in festive jewel tones: emerald, crystal, ruby with gold making and appearance every now and again also. My wardrobe has definitely become darker as I use lots of navy and black basics letting my accessories do the talking.

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: DECEMBER 15TH

Absolutely Fuzzy: DIY studded denim jacket

Crashing Red: Balenciaga: Return of Jedi!

Denimology: Pay It Forward With A Molly Bear

Fashionistyle: Edie Sedgwick: The Girl with the Black Tights

Flounces and Slashes: Dangerous chic bling. DIY Crystal Knuckle Duster

House of Guise: The Dreaded B-Word: The Basics of Accessories

Lady O’ Fashion: DIY Making Leather Look Aged

Miss Viki: To photoshop or not to photoshop?

Piewacket: Dolly Parton cover shoot for Rue Holiday issue

Pretty Quirky Pants: DIY Multi-Chain Necklace

Purple Bananas and Fudgeballs: DIY Miu Miu Glitter Sneakers Tutorial

Purushu: Renaissance in Runway. Inspiration from the past.

Simply Frabulous: The man who sees the world in denim

Stephanie M. Style: Preppy in Blue!

Sugar and Spice: How to have a frugal, yet stylish, Christmas:

Tha Darlinh: DIY: How to make fancy silver shoes out of 5€ leftover ones.

That Girl Kip: DIY Gold leaf jewelery

The Quirky Poet: Getting comfortable taking blog photos in public

Wardrobe of a Secret Millionaire: Are High-Low Designer Collabs a great idea?

Yellow Cup Cake: Holiday Guide for Gifts Under $100

Wonders that embroidery does...

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:25:00 +0000

One of my faculty in college told me some time ago that unlike west who focus more on silhouettes, Indian fashion industry is all about surface treatment. According to Times of India, when Bryanboy attended Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, he was totally mesmerized with the fabrics on and off the ramp!

Excerpts from TOI's interview with Bryanboy:

"I have seen some great designs here that have really inspired me. For me, what is important in a garment is the selection of material. It is all about the fabric. There are so many options here when it comes to fabrics," the 24-year-old said in an interview.
"Then you can really see the labour put behind in every garment with sequins, beads, embroidery, etc. This is only in India, you don't see this anywhere else. It's only in India that you see people wearing these clothes that are well-made and hours and hours have gone behind those clothes to make them what they are. So I'm very inspired by the labour that people put here in making the clothes and the fabrics," he added.

No wonder... that we budding fashion designers are made to work religiously with needles and threads. We have been learning embroidery techniques such as Kasuti, Phulkari, Chikankari, Kutch which has its roots from across the diversely cultured nation we live in. After months of struggle, we had our final jury display few weeks ago.

Here are some jaw-droppingly-intricate and seeexxyyy stuff that our classmates put on display.

Handbag designed by Goonjan with Kutch embroidery on woven surface.

Smridhi's display and clutch with embroidery details on lace.

Tarveen's contemporary take on zardozi!

Madhumala's kutch embroidery swatch.

Madhumala's kasuti embroidery.

Kriti's amazing phulkari swatch.

Kriti's kutch embroidery swatch.

Yet another highly intricate kasuti work by Kriti.

Meenakshi's chikankari embroidery design. Smart and simple!

Bodice created by Jessica with kasuti work.

Jessica's kasuti swatch.

My personal favo! Clock which is completely embroidered but for the frame! Hats off to Priyanka Maharana to come up with this brilliant idea.

Prakriti's contemporary take on kantha stitch.

Embroidery swatch by Himansha Yadav.

Kantha embroidery by Aparna.

Aparna's chikankari swatch.

Upasana's Kashida embroidery swatch.

Chikankari swatch by Upasana Nidhi.

One of my favourite Kantha work, by Upasana.

Anu's embroidery display!

HOPE YOU LIKED THE IMAGES. WILL BE BACK TO BLOGGING AFTER MY FINAL EXAMS END. WISH ME LUCK :)

Renaissance - 1500-1600 in fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:33:00 +0000

This is a quick blog post coming up while am almost caught up in an extremely unstable and bumpy roller coaster ride, exams I mean...

Almost a week ago, as a part of History of Fashion and Design subject, I had prepared a presentation on Renaissance costume and how it influenced the modern day fashion.

Renaissance fashion and costumes mirrored the advancing culture, as increasing trade made more clothing materials available. Nobility dressed themselves in elaborate and brightly colored robes, gowns and other vestments. The upper class reserved silk for themselves, and in some areas, peasants were forbidden to possess it. Embroidery of gold and silver thread would be sewn to form fanciful designs depicting scences from legends, nature or religion. Those living during the Renaissance would adorn themselves in jewelry, furs, and elaborate belts. Wigs crafted from peasant's hair was also very popular.

I simply loved this period for the flamboyant layers, opulence, surface treatment and the exaggerations in sleeves and hips!

Slides from the PPT I made.

The sleeve exaggeration can be dated back to Renaissance period!!

efforts by,

Purushu

Raga by Payal Jain

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:34:00 +0000

When you are a design student, there are a lot of things you want to do on a Friday night. And if a fashion show is on the cards, nothing like it. So there I found myself, in Payal Jain’s fashion show hosted At Hyatt Regency.

The show was strategically held in the poolside lawns of Hayatt Regency, New Delhi and the ramp was constructed around the pool, a million little lamps serenading the area. The entire set, music and the garments showcased in the show had a very earthy yet contemporary feel to it, thus the title Raga.

A lot of common faces were amidst the crowd. Vinod Nair, from HT City, as charming and enthusiastic as ever, Abraham, from the designer duo Abraham and Thakore, Manish Arora, Nikhil Mehra from Shantanu and Nikhil, Ambika Pillai, Sunil Sethi among the others.

The show featured a lot of contemporary evening gowns, flowy and subtle yet dramatic, making an impact. Some of the garments had very elegant slits and slashes, which added to the impact. A lot of surfaces were used, mostly tone on tone. There was a convincing colour story, blacks, reds and whites being cynosures of attention.

The music was soft and soothing, yet upbeat to keep the show rolling. A lot of prominent faces walked the ramp like Carol Gracias, Indrani Dasgupta, Nayanika Chatterjee with their elegance and immense ramp attitude. The choreography was commendable with properly spaced out garments, giving the viewer enough time to let each garment sink in. Overall, it was a good experience and definitely a very high end closing to a long week.

*However, the question still remains, that rarely do Indian designers experiment with silhouettes. Surfaces continue to remain a constant focal point.*

Snapshots from the event:

Pool side ramp beautifully decorated with candle lights.

Ace designer Manish Arora was spotted chilling with friends at the fashion show by Payal Jain.

Birthday lady, Ambika Pillai flashes her trademark smile.

The floor length dresses in black, red and whites looked extremely elegant.

Carol in a white ensemble designed by Payal Jain.

Models strike a head ramp pose.

Payal Jain takes a bow.

Payal Jain and David Abraham smile for the camera.

Purushu with fashion designer Nikhil Mehra

FDCI Prez Mr. Sunil Sethi

Leena with Payal Jain

Purushu with the charming Vinod Nair.

She made this and that

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:24:00 +0000

With around 20+ blog posts crying for some immediate upliftment and attention in my blogger draft, I still don’t have an idea why exactly I am starting off with yet another brand new post.
Of late, life is turning out to be eventful and I’ve been kept occupied with college, assignments, friends and other constructive events. I had spent the entire day in college figuring out and constructing a winter jacket for my final exams. It’s the same old story. The work, assignments and the pressure... never seems to end, but only pile up with time. They make you feel exhausted or even ‘consumed’! Life doesn’t seem to hold anything but the smell of muslin and poplin. Life is definitely beyond this manual and mental labour. There is no point when you achieve all the success that you have dreamt of and yet forced to walk back to a deserted home. What if you don’t even have anyone to smile back at? What is the whole point if you can't spend timewith the loved ones? What are we without the people around us? SCARY!

She seems to manage it all well. She drapes this amazing dress in college...

And when back home, she finds time to post this on my FB wall! Cuteee!

Life's good!

A silent disco, fashion and futurism

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:35:00 +0000

The Absolut mode edition launch saw the brand collaborating with fashion designer Nida Mahmood and artist Raul Chandra in hosting a one of a kind 'silent disco' at an under construction venue at Hotel Claridges in New Delhi. It was totally a unique experience as Vivek and I were baffled at the entrance as electrifying were laser lights were at play illuminating the room with raw walls which were barely finished.

Midst the laser lights, LCD projections and the raw construction venue, Nida Mahmood and Raul Chandra created a fashion and art installation in the shape of the ABSOLUT MODE bottle - it was all about the unspoken; seeking fashoin nirvana. A couple of garments from Nida's collection were at display. The two ensembles spoke of a colourful narrative of futuristic fashion on Indian Kitsch. The garments were meticulously crafted with over 1000 LED lights on each. No wonder, Lady Gaga picked one of these on her recent visit to India!!

Some snapshots from the night.

The ABSOLUT Mode party venue. Electrifying laser lights, Neon and Futurism at play!

Installation created by Nida Mahmood and Raul Chandra.

Fashion Designer Nida Mahmood and Artist Raul Chandra with the Installation.

The two LED lights studded garments at display in the event.

Designer Nikhil Mehra with his wife.

Saloli Kumar with a friend.

Day 2 at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:04:00 +0000

This is a hideously delayed blog post which remained in draft for more than around four weeks now! It's kind of getting really hard to catch up between college, friends, girl friend and blog. Hopefully, I'll continue to blog more frequently and publish the other three blog posts on Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week spring/summer 2012.

The action from day 1 at WIFW was carried over to day 2 with a range of traditional Indian collection presented by likes of Manoj Dubey, Dhruv and Pallavi while Surbhi Chawla gave the break with a modern collection in peppy cocktail tones. It’s ironical that the smocking patterns in the collection bore uncanny resemblance to that of Prabal Gurung SS 2011. Garments were revolting in colours and prints in Preeti S Kapoor’s show while Urvashi Kaur showcased subtle ombre dip-dyed fluid outfits. AM:PM by Ankur and Priyanka Modi had a variety of bright and bold outfits in midnight blue and red as Kavita Bhartia’s ramp had a strong Indo-Bohemian flavour. My undisputable favourite of day 2 were Manish Gupta, Morphe by Amit Aggarwal and Samant Chauhan.

Manish Gupta:

Manish Gupta's garments were beautifully crafted out of beads and buttons. The colour palette mostly comprised of ivory dresses with hints of vibrant raspberry, lilac, oranges and pinks. The garments were finished with extreme perfection and the surfaces had beautiful embroidery and embellishments all over. It was all about the surfaces. What makes his collection uniuque is the rhythm that the surface creates making the whole garment very flowy while the silhouette still made the outfits structured and contemporary. The collection is probably one among those extremely wearable collections one can see on the ramp.

A closer look of embroidery and beadwork at his show.

Morphe by Amit Aggarwal:
Amit Aggarwal spring/summer 2012 show had the same air that would have probably been at Comme de Garcons or Thierry Mugler! The collection saw a metamorphosis of bold and tough metallic space-age inspired stuctures slowly transforming into more passive, soft, sheer and foam like. Every other ensemble kept the audience guessing. I've never seen such 3-D stuff come out of a delicate sheer fabric! Hats off to his incredible construction skills.

FDCI president Mr. Sunil Sethi at Amit Aggarwal spring/summer 2012 show.

Bold structural garments with metallic details that opened Amit's show.

The garments later looks more softer and subtle without wandering away from the theme.

Samant Chauhan:
Samant Chauhan's is few of those Indian fashion designers who are well ahead of the lot. He has mastered the art of Indo-Western fusion giving it a new contemporary make over. Intricate hand done zardozi was embellished on delicate sheer fabrics which neatly cut and tailored in Victorian silhouettes. Apart from the incredibly beautiful garments, the designer also ensured that the show was high on drama as he recited a Rajput wedding tale on the ramp. What enthralled me the most about this collection was the muted colour palette in tones of beige, brown and whites - A clear shift from the usual bright hues used in Indo-western fusion. Samant's garments looked unique, rich and sexy!

Closer look into Samant Chauhan's garments:

Here are the show reviews I wrote for the official FDCI Designer Node magazine. Open the images to view in high resolution.

More Photographs from Day 2:

Surbhi Chawla's smocking patterns somewhat reminded me of the Prabal Gurung spring/summer 2011 collection at New York Fashion Week.

Dhruv and Pallavi sent a range of traditional Indian silhouettes in monochromatic shades of green!

Loved this top sighted at Preeti S Kapoor spring/summer 2012 show.

More colours at Preeti S Kapoor spring/summer 2012

Models at Sanchita walked with these really really HEAVY headgears!

Some of the press releases I carried back home.

a princess toy we guys are least interested about

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:31:00 +0000

Fashion illustration classes in our college unwraps a bags of scope for some of those perverted jokes. She looked into one of my fashion illustration’s long stylized legs and joked that I am a ‘leg guy’. The conversation changed from legs to Bipasha Basu and later we went on to make a hottest-women-list!

While I had known her for last three years, we both bonded together a year later when we moved into the fashion design department in our second year of college. She was quite popular, beautiful, bold, outspoken and was at times known to be rude. I knew the truth that she’s the most genuine person I’ve ever met who’d tell it on the face with nothing to hide.

I would discuss Angelina Jolie’s hot lips and even the other girls I liked in my college just to know her opinion only to later disagree with! She never liked what I liked. She makes fun of my dry and stubborn hair while I made fun of her ‘Dove’ conditioner as a “a-princess-toy-we-guys-are-least-interested-about”. We kept having silly fights in facebook while she was always the first person I would talk to when I was in crisis. Our choices were never identical while we still made the best understanding of our differences which is the very reason why we were best buddies. We were inseparable in college which even made some of my roommates think that we were dating!

Months down the line, we were stitching garments at the eve of our final exam at a senior’s room. It’s one of those cruel winter nights in New Delhi when we were struggling hard to keep ourselves warm in the only small blanket available in the room. We both were fighting (wrestling actually) with each other to squeeze our way inside the tiny blanket while her soft flowing hair constantly brushed my face. I cursed her and the entire universe for conferring her that beautiful hair which smelled good and constantly makes me jealous. Playfully I pulled her hair and asked what hairspray she uses? She snapped at me saying, “It’s no hairspray. It’s just a-princess-toy-you-guys-are-least-interested-about”. It has been almost a year now since we have been happily dating each other and yes... I started using Dove shampoo and conditioner too!

P.S :- I am not sure if I am the same ‘leg’ guy anymore, but it’s certainly the hair that fancies to me. It’s the beautiful hair that brought out my hidden emotions which even I wasn’t aware. May be... I am a ‘hair’ guy after all!

P.P.S :- A F(h)airy tale since I was L(d)ove struck! Hair later went on to become one of my main focus in fashion illustrations. Stylized hair redefines the illustration with flair and grace. Scans from my illustration copy.

P.P.P.S :- I no longer look down hair care as a girl-only affair. Earlier my hair was so stubborn that I had to listen to it. Thing have changed and now my hair listens to me! It's smooth and much softer while I can style it the way I want.

A photograph comparing my hair before and after usage of Dove shampoo and conditioner.

P.P.P.P.S :- I bet you would love to check out the new Dove hair nourishing range since love is a two way street: Love your hair and it loves you back! The following blogpost is also up for the contest in Indiblogger. Do visit the link and vote.

P.P.P.P.P.S :- The illustrations in the blogpost are my original work. Neither the illustrations nor the photographs can be reproduced or published without my prior permission.

Rihanna to endorse fairness cream brands in India

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:40:00 +0000

The following is a FICASHION blog post. Ficashion as the name says fiction in fashion, are fictitious blog posts/news with no reliable source. Ficashion blog posts are pure work of fiction involving real persons, places and events. Its some sheer fake stuff simply to attract your attention! Ficashion blog posts are not intended to spread rumours, bring disrepute or hurt anyone's sentiment and should be overlooked as a work of fiction.

The pop star who looked several tones fairer compared to her natural brown skin in the Vogue UK November 2011 cover is presently enjoying a demi-god status in India, a nation which is addicted to fairness creams. India has a huge market for fairness creams with several top Bollywood celebrities endorsing skin-whitening-creams as the next big thing after Viagra.

An Indian youth had reported ficashion that he wasn’t quite satisfied with his present fairness cream brand’s performance which he could measure with the fairness meter that is available for free with the product. The youth also went on to admit that he was astonished by the way Rihanna has improved her skin tone in a short span of time and looks up to her for inspiration.

Rihanna has reported ficashion saying, “All credit goes to Vogue UK, for making the impossible possible. My fair skin makes me feel very confident and I am really looking forward to endorse fairness cream brands and make a connection with Indian people.” The dashing pop star admitted that she’ll have a tough competition with local Bollyood celebrities and is also taking spoken-hindi lessons to cope up with.

Blonde hair has gone on to become the next big trend in India after the cover shoot with Vogue UK. A market analysis reports that sales of blonde wigs has sky rocketed like never before.

Looks like the secretly racist nation has found its next big thing in this ‘rude boy’ singer.

Diwali Wishlist!

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:56:00 +0000

Diwali is probably the only such festival which brings the entire nation together to celebrate the triumph of good over bad. Light over dark. It's my favourite festival for more than one reasons. One among the several reasons are shopping! We have high discounted sales offered everywhere and what else can be the best time of the year to spend what we have saved?

Discounts are usually available on mass and premium brands while it's relatively hard to find designer garments or high end connoisseur lines at slashed prices without compromising on quality of goods. While I was still looking for a place to make a purchase from a high end brand did I stumble upon this online shopping website QVENDO though an e-mail.The website offers ensembles from brands like Valentino, Armani, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein etc at a jaw dropping discounts up-to around 70-80%

I am all set to buy this serene white Valentino shirt which has an impeccable tailoring priced at Rs. 3600 while the actual retail price of the shirt is Rs. 9700! Quite a bargain... Isn't it??

The collection is very casual aimed at a trendy fashion conscious segment who would break the conventional dressing norms.

The mens colour palette has a range of muted and subtle beige, whites and blacks. Peppy tones of pink, mint and purple add to the cheerfulness of the collection aimed at the young market segment.

What I loved the most about the womenswear collection was the prints! Digital prints are one of the biggest trend of this season which are seen in bright shades of red, mustard, pink, purple and green.

My Diwali wishlist consists of a pink checked shirt from Huberman priced at Rs. 3700 compared to a Rs. 7140 retail price! The shirt looks highly comfortable and relaxed.

The pink tone is very subtle yet peppy bringing life into the ensemble. I would team the pink checked shirt with a pristine white cotton denim from Bogner available at Rs. 2900 only. The white trouser would take the back seat and bring the emphasis on the beautiful pink shirt.

On second thoughts, I would also taper the trouser and fold it till my ankles. I would love to accessorize this ensemble with a Hugo Boss black sunglasses, Black hamlet slip-in shoes, and a Calvin Klein black leather belt.

Here is a fashion illustration that I sketched out for the same ensemble.

Let me know what you think about my Diwali wishlist. You can also make your wishlist by simply signing up for free at QVENDO. Let me know what you liked the most from the collection.

Happy Diwali,
Purushu

Friday Dressing!

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:57:00 +0000

I am 20. My style is mostly inspired from the sports that I watch and the music that I listen to. I never followed the traditional 'rules' or the conventional dressing style, which has always kept me a little away from making a purchase from those grey-whites-dominant menswear brands. I confine myself to looking and admiring at them.

Allen Solly is probably one of those very few brands which has earned a unique reputation in my mindspace for keeping all those conventional rules at bay and break free from those conventional dressing norms. There are vibrant dashes of colour, lines and silhouettes to its collection style which appeals not just the experimentative young professionals but also students like me. It is one such brand that would get you out of that old, dull and business-stuck-up-professional world. Its young, happy, chirpy and creates a sense of freedom and happiness around you.

I loved this photoshoot in particular which I stumbled upon in their facebook link.

See-through generation!

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:56:00 +0000

My followers must be quite aware of the fact that it's been quite a while since I have updated my blog. There are numerous blog posts on Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and other spring/summer 2012 shows that I am dying to write about.

For all those who aren't aware, I am spending my next ten days in Chennai. We have got a short autumn/diwali break for around 15 days. I reached home yesterday after a long 24 hour train journey and damn… I am already missing my friends back there in New Delhi. That doesn’t mean home is not exciting or fun. I got to eat home-made-food! A hostel-dweller would know what I mean. HOME-MADE-FOOD! It’s fun to spend time with your family, friends and places with whom you grew up.

I have also been jotting down ideas for my next integrated term project. I am supposed to make a corset dress with jacket or a corset top, trouser and a jacket. I am planning to combine a corset top/trouser with sheet shirt and a jacket! I haven’t really thought much about the trouser or the corset top. I really want to make a sheer shirt and team it with much rough and aggressive overcoat/jacket.

Charlize Theron was sporting this Christian Dior see through dress. I really love the fabric as it's exactly what I want my shirt to look like. Delicate and gentle like those floral motifs.

I would probably like to recreate and play with the style lines of those jackets from Comme de Garcons spring/summer 2010 collection!

HT City has been talking about me!

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:14:00 +0000

One of my classmate alerted me earlier this day that my name has appeared in Hindustan Times City, New Delhi edition on 12th October 2011. The news paper clipping had talked about a tweet that I posted two days ago on Shantanu Goenka's spring/summer 2012 collection which he showcased in the recently concluded Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. The press release of the designer quoted that he had drawn inspiration from French queen Marie Antoinette who remained his central character while a single line in the paragraph stated that he was inspired from the late fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen too. On contrary to this press note, I would say that the entire collection was totally 'INSPIRED' (or COPIED?) from Alexander McQueen autumn/winter 2011 who remained his central character throughout the collection.

Looks like the designer is a little too inspired from Alexander McQueen. I wonder why the red colour scheme didn't impress him! Some one please remind him that the blue colour scheme doesn't really make it look very original or 'just inspired'!

The garment that Bollywood actor Kangna Ranaut (showstopper for Shantanu) wore is exactly the same as the one featured in the right except for the collar detailing. The hem line embroidery was reused by Shantanu though he couldn't really recreate the exact mermaid tail that MccQueen's garment features.

The Hindustan Times city article talking about my tweet suggesting that the designer had 'already' mentioned that he was INSPIRED from McQueen. This is not the first time that such similarities has occurred in runway. Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna's AW 2011collection looked highly inspired from Celine. This inspiration streak is not just confined to Indian runways, but is also seen in many fashion shows abroad like the Prabal Gurung spring/summer 2012 at New York fashion week which has striking resembelence to Stella McCartney clothing line. Victoria Becham's spring/summer 2012 collection looked inspired from both Celine AND Stella!!

Only thing that I want to say is that isn't there a difference between 'GETTING INSPIRED' and 'COPYING'?????????????

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week - Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:09:00 +0000

Probably the biggest fashion event in India, Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week spring/summer 2012 commenced on 8th october at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Gauri and Nainika opened the event, presenting a 40s inspired collection emphasizing monochromatic look followed by Nandita Basu and Malini Ramani who created wonders in the ramp. Mumbai based fashion designer Nachiket Barve presented his collection here at New Delhi which left the audience visually hungry! Rimzim Dadu combined paper mache and acrylic with fabric while Rahul Reddy explored the style lines in a school uniform with belts at hemline! Aneeth Arora, Rina Dhaka, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Rohit Bal (Nope. He didn't show his collection but he walked for Rajesh Pratap Singh along with model turned actor Rahul Dev and Rakesh Thakore of Abraham and Thakore duo) were the other names who made news on the first day of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week spring/summer 2012.

My favourite picks from the day were the opening three shows of Gauri & Nainika, Nandita Basu and Malini Ramani, Rimzim Dadu, Rahul Reddy and Nachiket Barve. The following images are photographs of the official show reviews I had written for the official FDCI magazine on day 1 of the event. You can grab a free copy for yourself at the event venue. Open the images in a new window for full detailed view.

Gauri & Nainika:

Gauri and Nainika's spring/summer 2012 show began with an audio visual tipping off that the fashion designer duo had drawn inspiration from the 40s. The designers focused on monochromatic look with occasional colour blocking in peppy tones of mauve, red, mustard, teal, faint pink, coral, black and white. All the garments were styled with narrow waist belts matching with the colour of the garment. There were abundance of ruffles as the show progressed. Ruffles added movement and rhythm to the garments creating the romantic allure. Only thing that I was skeptical about was the fact that there was too much of ruffles. Ruffles even at the back-hip!!

Gauri and Nainika Spring/Summer 2012

Nandita Basu:

Nandita Basu Spring/Summer 2012

The Bengali fashion designer presented seven garments with each garments reciting its own new story in subtle tones of beige, mustard and white. Kantha stitch of Bengal was predominantly seen in all garments at neck line, hemline and in the form of stripes. Models were styled with Rajasthani white arm rings and nose rings. A couple of dhoti inspired cowls were seen in wrap-over skirts. What I love the most about the show was sensuous usage of traditional techniques on modern silhouettes making the entire look ethnic and enchanting.

Malini Ramani:

Malini Ramani left the jam-packed audience stunned with a range of multi-coloured eye-soothing outfits. The show started off with a couple of 'leharia' tie-and-dye garments before the astonishing mirror work snatched the limelight and attention which were my personal favourites too. Mirror work looked stunning as it was combined with vibrant embroidery work. One particular garment had a deep side slit as the model put her best foot forward. There was a little drama in between the show as a ballet dancer dressed in fringed dress hopped and bounced her way down the ramp. The show soon concluded with a line of draped maxi dresses and jumpsuits which were colour blocked in joyous sugar candy tones of fresh greens, red and yellows.

Malini Ramani Spring/Summer 2012

My Village by Rimzim Dadu:

The first look at Rimzim Dadu spring/summer 2012 tipped us on paper and applique work. Paper mache was fused along with fabric to create interesting surface texture while the emphasis later moved on the cut work with textures remaining in the background. The space-age craze started as the cut work was carried forward in acrylic. There is a particular garment where abstract cuts steadily transform into birds and butterflies at the hem. A jumpsuit had oodles of dragon flies revolting in neon blue and pink. Rimzim Dadu's colour palette had washed pastels in faint tones of ivory, powder blue, mint and hot pink while eye-popping tones of bottle green and blue were seen later in the geometric cut acrylic overcoats with notched collar. The show was all about textures, pot-pourri and space-age while paper and acrylic was judiciously fused with fabric. Loved the material exploration and surfaces!!

My Village by Rimzim Dadu Spring/Summer 2012

A closer look at Rimzim's surfaces:

Nachiket Barve:

This particular show made me visually hungry and created a craving for sugar candies or anything that's edible and pink (or close to pink)! Beautiful applique details was combined with tie-and-dye and hints of sequins. I loved this show for the brilliant surfaces which remained the forte of the designer. Nachiket Brave's garments were all in pink, faint pink, dark pink with traces of orange and sea-green-blue. The collection is simply DELICIOUS!

Nachiket Barve Spring/Summer 2012

Close-up shots:

Rahul Reddy:
What I loved the most about Rahul Reddy was his ability to explore the style lines in a school pinafore in a colour palette restricted to beige, chamoisee, greys and navy. Below the knee length dresses in muted tones were styled with footwear in funky shades of blue, yellow, orange, red and green. Belts were seen not just in waist but at hem line, below the hip level and shoulders - a masterstroke by Rahul!!

Rahul Reddy Spring/Summer 2012

A closer look of a pleated garment at Rahul Reddy Spring/Summer 2012

Pero by Aneeth Arora:

Aneeth Arora's show witnessed some interesting layering. The show saw a revolt of checks and prints creating a 'hippie-chic' look. Checks of all forms including Madras checks, Scottish tartans and ginghams were coordinated with ditzy floral prints in red blue and yellow. Models were well styled with gypsy head gears, sun glasses and cute vegetable basket!!!

Pero by Aneeth Arora Spring/Summer 2012

Rajesh Pratap Singh:

Unfortunately I had to miss out the Rajesh Pratap Singh show on day1 but reports suggests that he created a range of beautiful garments in warm tones of red, vermilion and pink. The epic moment was when Rohit Bal, model turned actor Rahul Dev and Rakesh Thakore of Abraham and Thakore duo walked the ramp for Rajesh Pratap Singh.

Rohit Bal with Rajesh Pratap Singh Spring/Summer 2012

Wandering Around at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

noreply@blogger.com (Purushu Arie) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:11:00 +0000

My twitter and facebook followers are already aware of the fact that I am writing the official show reviews for the FDCI official magazine at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week spring/summer 2012. Basically, all that I have to do is watch the shows (unfortunately ALL the shows that is being showcased), scrap out notes and write a complete review along with Mohit of Inventdisfashion. The job is pretty exciting as I get to watch almost all the shows, yet is exhausting because I need to sit and watch almost all the shows!! I don't really get much time to roam around and click photos since I am pretty much occupied with shows and reviews, I keep taking photographs when ever time permits. Here is a collection of some people wandering around at the venue on day 1 at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.

Marie Claire's Nikhil D

Edward of Vogue India

An interesting comparison of both the fashion editors' hairstyles!! Whom do you like??

Ace fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani at the front row.

People gathered around the main show area waiting for the entry.

One of the best thing about the show is the healthy amount of buyers. There are plenty of international buyers who have traveled to New Delhi! Great news for fashion :)

Tarun Tahiliani spotted at Rimzim Dadu's 'My Village'. I bet he's all amused by the beautiful dress in acrylic cuts where abstract shapes transform into birds and butterflies as it reaches the hemline!

Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin walked the ramp for Rina Dhaka in metallic gown.

Kalki was all in smiles at the ramp.

Kalki was followed by Prateik Babbar.

Cute Kalki and a charming Prateik having a light moment in the ramp.

Rakesh Thakore of Abraham and Thakore duo, model turned actor Rahul Dev and Rohit Bal walked the ramp for Rajesh Pratap Singh!

Fellow NIFTians at the event.

Our team at the media room.

That's Mohit :)

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She made this and that

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Day 2 at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012

a princess toy we guys are least interested about

Rihanna to endorse fairness cream brands in India

Diwali Wishlist!

Friday Dressing!

See-through generation!

HT City has been talking about me!

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week - Day 1

Wandering Around at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week