Bag Review - Prada Cahier Bag

For reasons that are unknown to me, I have never been a fan of Prada handbags. Clothes and shoes, yes yes yes. Purses, not so much. Since they came out with their limited edition Fairy bag all the way back in 2008, I never came across another bag from the fashion label that stopped me dead in my tracks and made me faint with desire. That was until I saw their Cahier bag on the FW 16 runway show. I am back to counting pennies in my bank account and thinking of how to move my money around so I can get my hands on it. No. I am not a money launderer. Just a desperate bag hag.

What's so special about this bag? Honestly, if you have to even ask me that question, it means you don't deserve it! Reminiscent of antique, gilded hardcover books, (hence it's name, which translates to notebook in French), the Cahier is a structured purse and comes with the most exquisite detailing which really make it stand out despite it's overall simplicity. Featuring lots of bronze hardware, especially the design on the bottom of the front flap and at the rear of the bag and the embellishment on the shoulder strap, this baby is definitely going to be the IT bag of the Fall. What I find really cool is if you flip the bag, where the top part is now on your left, the bag looks like an actual book with ornate corners. And where the flap that goes inside the buckle, it reminds you of those old school diaries with a flap closure. Such interesting details right?

The double gussets make it roomy and it comes with two internal pockets. Its boxy shape is in line with the current box bags trend and the size makes it versatile enough for you to carry it from day to night. Finally, it comes in leather and velvet versions giving you more choice. Click here to see more details on availability, price, etc.

Honestly, this isn't the only bag from their FW16 collection that I have been going crazy over. Even their Pionniere bag is just beautiful. You have to check it out on their website. I'm so glad Prada has finally upped their handbag game. I'm so bored of seeing those classic Prada purses everywhere. Even their flower tote from a few seasons ago didn't hit the spot. It could really do them some good by adding more shapes to their collection. I have big expectations from the label after seeing the two new launches.

Now, back to counting pennies it is.

Dhoti & A White Jacket

My love affair with a dhoti began in 2013, when my mother picked up a pair of malmal dhotis from Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla for Eid. The tailoring was exceptional and I loved how the fabric had a little stiffness so it didn't have a fall in it. I've seen a lot flowy dhotis but was never a fan of those. And after we bought that pair, I never found one remotely similar to it until I came across these black ones from Sue Mue. One thing about this garment is despite how traditional it is, it's extremely versatile and can be paired with almost anything. I wore my old pair with a nehru jacket,  a tank top, a denim jacket, a formal shirt; the possibilities are endless! For this particular shoot, I paired it with a long, ivory coloured silk jacket with some embroidery on the side and buttons featuring Rajasthani mirror work on them. . I am a huge fan of Sue Mue's cuts and the jacket fit like a glove. Again, the silhouette of the jacket is such that it can worn formally, or casually with jeans or a pair of tights or even a mini skirt thereby adding a bit of a contemporary touch to an Indian look.

In terms of accessories, in my previous post, I talked about a jewellery label, Vaitaanika that I have recently discovered. I've been so obsessed with their jewels that I have shot four looks wearing Vaitaanika! Such fun suff with gorgeous craftsmanship. I urge you to check out the boutique in Shapurjat.

Jacket, Dhoti & Choker - Sue Mue
Earrings & Ring - Vaitaanika by Ageerika Hari
Location - Dusit Devrana

Power Pantsuit

Pantsuits are back and they're big. And what's even better is that they're not restricted to the boardroom anymore. Cara Delevigne wore hers with sneakers to the Burberry SS 15 show, Priyanka Chopra wore one to the TIME 100 Gala this year and some celebrities have even worn them on the red carpet. There are so many ways to style the pantsuit. If you want to be casual, pair the jacket with a cool, printed tee (Disney characters are my favourite). To add a bit of sex appeal, wear nothing but a contrasting coloured bra underneath or try a cropped top. Even with the bottoms, no one says you have to wear simple straight pants anymore. Slouchy, skinny or flared pants and even culottes can look stunning as part of a suit. Blazers too come in a variety of styles to suit your mood; oversized, fitted and double breasted.

For my look, I chose to go all white. Anyone who knows me, knows I have an unhealthy obsession with white. Come see my house to believe it. Plus, it's really a great colour option for the summer. I chose this lovely fitted white blazer and flowy culottes that I bought on a recent shopping spree at Zara and paired with a black tank. I wanted to do the whole monochromatic look, so I thought some black and white accessories would look really cool. But I also added a slightly blingy brooch to glam it up a bit. I wanted it to be a powerful look, so I stuck to pointy toe pumps. If you want to turn it down a notch, wear espadrille wedges instead. This gorgeous caramel coloured Givenchy Antigona clutch completed my look.

But the best part about shooting this look was the location. Olive Bar & Kitchen has been one of my favourite restaurants for as long as I can remember. The husband an I almost always come here for date nights and I even celebrated my daughter's first birthday there. The cool, calming ambience and the beautiful décor make it such an ideal location for a fashion shoot. Oh, and of course their food, which has always been exceptional and innovative. If you happen to go there soon, check out their new summer menu. There's some major yumminess in there.

Jacket & Culottes - Zara
Clutch - Givenchy
Earrings, Ring & Brooch - Outhouse Jewellery
Shoes - Yves Saint Laurent
Sunglasses - Dior
Photography - Surbhi Sethi
Location Courtesy - Olive Bar & Kitchen

A Summery Off Shoulder Dress

Rania has been going through a bit of a phase lately. She's become extremely clingy and if I so much as turn around, she screams bloody murder. I'm not sure if it's teething or just separation anxiety that's sprung up from nowhere, but what I do know is that it makes working extra tough! Mommy guilt almost never leaves me and if I leave the house for a shoot whilst she's howling, it makes it even tougher. On that particular day, Rania was having one of her 'mommy don't go' tantrums. So I decided to dress her up, and take her to the park with me for a shoot. Not only did we end up having a blast, but I was able to shoot a look without all the guilt.

Trying to maintain a career and motherhood isn't easy. One has to put in a great effort in striking a balance to be able to work and spend time with your children. If I feel I've been a little too busy and haven't been able to spend time with Rania, I let go of a few activities. Sometimes, I skip the gym during the day so I get to spend those two extra hours with my baby. I cancel any social gathering that isn't of immediate importance too. Every now and then I tell my nanny to take the afternoon off or the husband and I will take Rania out on a family date so we can get some alone time with her. At the end of the day, it all comes down to prioritising. But if you have been going through the mommy guilt, just remember as long as you make it a point to be there for your kids whenever you have some free time, you're already an amazing mom. Don't beat yourself up about it because that wont get you anywhere.

Anyways, for this look, I chose this super summery, and super short, off shoulder dress with blue and white stripes. The minute I saw this online, I was in love with it. It was so pretty and the floral embroidery added just the right touch. It felt so flirty and fun when I put it on. I love how there are endless ways to accessorise the dress. You can wear an oversized straw hat and layer thin necklaces, or you can wear one big chunky neck piece and tie your hair back. Pair it with knee high gladiator sandals, espadrille wedges or even androgynous brogues. For my purse, I chose the Gucci GG Marmont Leather shoulder bag that I bought a couple of months ago. You can read about it here. I felt the deep red would add a nice contrast to the blue and white. Plus, it's been my favourite purse and I haven't stopped using since I got it!


Dress - Mitali Wadhwa
Rania's Dress - Ralph Lauren
Handbag - Gucci
Earrings - Pankaj & Nidhi
Rania's Stuffed Toys - Good Earth

Desi Snob X Rock'n'Shop

 

 

 

Just about two weeks ago, I collaborated with the fabulous e-commerce platform Rock'n'Shop for an amazing shoot where I talk about how to take care of your Celine purses. Naturally, I was all glammed up by their lovely stylist Puja who had created a bunch of looks for me. And because I loved my outfit (especially the first one) so much, I thought I should talk about it on the blog.

The first look she curated for me, a monochrome outfit from Bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva, couldn't have been more apt for the summer. I had been wanting to wear Ruchika Sachdeva's clothes for a while so I jumped in excitment when Puja sent me my list of looks. A beautiful cotton silk shirt with an uneven pleated hem paired with black denim culottes was not only very chic, but extremely comfortable and easy to move around in. In my previous post, I have talked about why a few pairs of culottes are a must have for the summer and this one in particular tops my list. The shirt was the kinds you slip on and had a loose silhouette so it wasn't sticking to my skin which was great. I also adored how flirty the hem was. It made the outfit slightly less formal and added a playful touch to it. When wearing neutral coloured clothes, it's important to add a pop of colour through accessories, so this bi-colour Cabas tote from Celine which has been a favourite for a while was an obvious choice. This look can easily transition from day to night by further accessorising making it an important investment for your closet. Shop the look below.

Culottes - Bodice (Click here to purchase)
Top - Bodice (Click here to purchase)
Handbag- Celine (Click here to purchase)
Shoes - Dune
Images via Rock'n'Shop

Gucci X Net-A-Porter

For a while now, I had been getting push notifications on my phone from the net-a-porter app about a special, 20 piece capsule collection Gucci was doing for the popular online shopping portal. Today, I sat down and finally checked it out. Albeit a little late in the day (it went live on the 12th of May) as most of the stuff is sold out especially the bags,  I still got a glimpse of what this special collection was all about. And it is exquisite. Alessandro Michele played around with floral motifs inspired from vintage tapestries, and released some fresh reinterpretations of the Dionysus bag, Ace sneakers along with some super fun ready to wear. If you have been converted into a Gucci girl in the last one year like I have, then a piece of this collection is a must have for your closet. Here are some of my favourites.

1. Floral Appliqued Wool Blend Skirt - Ever since I saw Kangana Ranaut wearing one of their pleated mini skirts, I was instantly a fan. Very kilt like in appearance, with flirty pleats, this blue piece is too pretty not to have. The little embroidered flower and the striped waist band add the perfect finishing touch. Click here to purchase.

2. Adonis Floral Print Silk Twill Scarf - If your savings account is on the lower side and you still want a piece of the action, then this scarf is exactly what you need. Featuring beautiful romantic florals and the signature stripes on the border, the scarf will be the focal point of any outfit. Pair it with a simple silhouette so it can stand out. Click here to purchase.

3. Horsebit Detailed Floral Print Canvas Slippers - The Princetown slippers have been quite the rage since they were launched. Especially in the fur variation. Comfortable, stylish and easy to slip on, at least one pair of these are an important addition to your closet for those days where heels aren't your friends. However, more than the fur ones, I like this pair the most! The vintage tapestry inspired roses, the horsebit and the quirky mouth printed on the inside of the shoe all make this a serious MUST HAVE! Click here to purchase.

4. Embellished Wool Sweater - There's nothing better than a well fitted, statement sweater that can be paired with virtually anything. Click here to be added to the wish list.

 

Minimalist Handbags You Need Right Now

There's something about minimalist handbags that never goes out of style. Clean cut and simple designs, paired with classic shapes and masterful craftsmanship make these purses eye catching without screaming 'look at me' in an obvious way. Here are my current favourites.


1. Mansur Gavriel Circle Leather Tote - Rachel and Floriana are always ahead of the minimalist game. Their design aesthetic has been highly successful resulting in sold out bags since they started their brand. Currently, I am absolutely in love with this circular bag. This piece is so contemporary but also takes you back in time reminding you of those hat boxes ladies would travel with. I remember, growing up I was crazy about the Louis Vuitton hat boxes and always wondered how I could carry one as a purse! Click here to purchase.

2. Victoria Beckham Half Moon Bag - First seen in a giant version on her SS16 runway, this baby is chic as hell. Be gone with you teeny tiny bags that can only hold my credit card and keys! Just kidding, there's a time and place for every purse. Moving on, the name itself makes me want to click 'purchase now' because it sounds so mystical. Virtually hardware free, this baby is nice and light to carry and also comes with a detachable suede pouch (BONUS!!). The best part is its shape which means you can carry it for a long time to come. Click here to purchase.

3. Celine Trotteur Bag In Calfskin - Ah, can one ever go wrong with a Celine? I was just about to start saving for a Mini Belt, but since I've discovered this, looks like my priorities might change. Sleek, slightly structured and lightweight, this timeless bag can transition easily from day to night. It comes with a unique, geometrically shaped clasp that stands out beautifully. And being a sucker for grained leather, it's texture really gets my heart racing. A zipper on the back of the bag make it easy to organise your immediate essentials. Click here to purchase.

4. Vitasta Mini Backpack In Tan - I've never featured an Indian handbag designer on my blog, but after seeing Aditi Dhar's designs, I have every reason to! This backpack really caught my attention due to its super slick design and the detailing. Both the geometrical flaps exude a futuristic vibe whereas the braided drawstring and woven grommets add a warm touch. Entirely handmade, this back is what understated luxury really is all about. Click here to purchase.

Bag Review - Gucci Dionysus Top Handle Bag

Named as one of Fall 2015's hottest bags, the Dionysus took the fashion flock by a storm. In various versions like full suede, suede and canvas or heavily embellished, this has been one of the most coveted bags since its release. For the coming season, the Dionysus has been given an update making it even cooler. The new version comes with the iconic bamboo top handle which was a brilliant way to incorporate more of the house's codes into the purse. It adds a very classic touch.

Instead of chain shoulder straps, this variation comes with two interchangeable straps; one in leather and one in nylon featuring the signature Gucci stripes. Both have two stars on them adding a bit of an edge. I like this option. If you feel like it's a classic and formal kind of day, put on the leather one, if you're in a fun mood, change it to the nylon one. Wear it cross body, sling on the shoulder or take of the straps off and hold it by the top handle. So many ways to carry it make it a very versatile piece.

The Dionysus top handle comes in two variations: In black with red and green stripes or full red. My heart beats faster with the striped one though. It's just so fresh and playful. P.S. Beyoncé has this one too. In terms of space, the bag is in a large size (W34 x H23.5 x D12) so it's pretty spacious. Other features like the hand-stitching, hand painted edges and the push lock closure remain the same.

I have a feeling this year is going to be all about Gucci for me. I haven't seen one bag that I didn't like since Alessandro Michele took over.

 

Bag Review - Dior Diorver Tote

The beginning of a new season in the fashion calendar is always my favourite time of the year. It not only brings in new clothes but lots of new purses for me to play around with and review. This time, I have finally got my hands on the highly coveted and absolute must have for the season (and forever if I may say so), the Diorever bag.

Expertly crafted from bullcalf leather, the bag is lightweight and easy to carry. It boasts a minimalist design with a classic yet modern and structured shape which means you can use it for years to come. The most defining feature is that there are two ways to carry the bag. The reversible magnetic flap closure can be worn over the top handles or you can sort of fold it over to the back (where there are two more magnetic buttons) for a more relaxed look. An internal closure ensures that your belongings are safe however you choose to style it. The double gussets come with side buttons which you can snap shut for a more compact feel if you don't mind reducing the space size.

What I really like is how easily the purse can be opened and closed. I've had a lot of experience with luxury bags that are just not that comfortable to get in and out of. This inside is just as clean cut as the outside and comes with two main compartments and some internal pockets. My only issue was that the top handles don't attach to the sides but at the back. So when I used the bag, it was kind of leaning forward. But honestly, this is a small price to pay for such a beautiful purse. Oh, and the colours it comes in are equally delicious especially the crinkled metallic lambskin and the one in bright pink bullcalf.

I've been a huge fan of Dior handbags for as long as I can remember (those saddle bags from over a decade ago are still fresh in my memory) and from the looks of it, will continue to do so. Very few brands have the ability always keep it fresh and classic at the same time and Dior has done it season after season. J'adore.

 

Shantanu & Nikhil AIFW AW16 Review

Shantanu & Nikhil returned to Delhi fashion week after almost a two year break with their collection named The Last Walk. Their show focussed primarily on occasion wear with a predominantly muted colour palette of dove grey, ivory and beige with a few reds in between. The duo showcased some unusual and interesting draping styles for this collection. Case in point: A fitted, ankle length net dress with jersey fabric sown to form a U across the body. Sculptural, (I say sculptural because the draping reminds me of the ancient columns we see in history books) Greco Roman style dresses dominated the runway and are sure to be red carpet hits. Some came with sort of a high-low hemline, paired with tight pants. No Shantanu & Nikhil collection is complete without leather and so there were second skin style leather pants worn under cape dresses that were cinched at the waist. Lots of net and tulle came in the form of opulent, layered gowns. However, my ultimate favourite: An ivory, oversized, handwoven Bhagalpur wool jacket.

This was an overall beautiful evening wear collection filled with luxurious fabrics and sexy silhouettes. However, I do wish there were separates that could be easily incorporated into a daytime wardrobe too.



Image via vogue.in

Where is Karlito?

If you've been obsessed with Fendi's Karlito bag charm, Fendi is launching an insane capsule collection with Karlito on clothes and accessories to further fuel your obsession. The icon is seen on sweatshirts, jeans and shoes in embroidery and fur appliques, complete with a Karl Loves Fendi signature or in nappa leather and fox fur iPhone covers or even on a hat, shopper and backpacks. This capsule collection is going to be sold out before you know it. Trust Karl to create yet another frenzy amongst the fashion flock.

To launch the line, the label released five super fun videos with models Joan Smalls, Nadja Bender, Lily Donaldson, Doutzen Kroes and Kendall Jenner wearing the limited edition goodies and looking for Karlito who basically is everywhere! Check out the Nadja Bender video above. And click here to be directed to the European Fendi website if you want to shop the stuff NOW! Or simply wait for it to hit the boutiques at some point this month. 

Karlito Jeans & Sneakers

Karlito Fleece

 

Brands To Know - Mansur Gavriel

I've been wanting to talk about this super cool brand for a few months now, but somehow it just kept getting side lined with the reviews and the travelling and the god knows what! Anyways, Mansur Gavriel is a hip, new, New York city based label founded by two friends, Rachel Mansur & Floriana Gavriel who design handbags that are currently the biggest rage amongst the fashion flock. Everyone from Karlie Kloss to Sussie Bubble to Eva Chen have been spotted with a Mansur Gavriel.

The bags come in three main shapes - tote, bucket and backpack and are pretty much sold out everywhere especially the bucket bags. The silhouettes are relatively simple and minimalist with a teeny tiny logo in gold. The black models come with the contrast coloured interiors and are so just so beautiful to look at. What I also love is the price factor. It's very rare to find a bag made from superior quality Italian leather and made in Italy that too to have such an affordable price tag. No, it doesn't have to set you back over one lac rupees. Try a range of 40,000 - 80,000 INR depending on the model. 

Bags that are made in Italy, highly coveted and affordable; it's a no brainer why these babies are sold out! Oh by the way, there's a stunning white bucket bag still available on net-a-porter. That was just an FYI :) I've put myself on the wishlist for the red one and am really keeping my fingers crossed!