Designer buys under INR 5K or USD 90

A weekend that was off for me, I spent most of it catching up on some much needed sleep and spent my waking hours watching DVDs one after another. I am already dreading Monday thus to cheer myself up, I eagerly wait for several out of the following things to arrive in my mailbox! And none of them would make a dent in your wallet, trust me.

 

1. Silver gold-plated 3-stone statement ring by Amrapali at INR 1,050 or USD 19. While you are at it, you may want to check out the Manish Arora for Amrapali collection that is also priced afford-ably.
2. Zebra print canvas wedge sandals from Michael by Michael Kors at INR 4,726 or USD 84. There are other styles on offer in the same price range under the sales section at Saks.
3. Summery jelly flip flops with bow by RED Valentino at INR 4,081 or USD 72. I fell in love with this pair which is also available in a yellow option.
4. Contrast clip-on drop earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane at INR 2,148 or USD 38. KJL, at a fraction of prices -- I need not say more.
5. Leather box clutch with feather print from Love to Bag at INR 4,500 or USD 79.

6. Hair on leather mixed media clutch by Sanaya V Jain at INR 4,200 or USD 74.
7. 'What Recession' pouch by Rebecca Minkoff at INR 2,363 or USD 42.
8. Clear plastic checkmate pouch from Marc by Marc Jacobs at INR 2,921 or USD 52. Also under the sale section are many other Jacob numbers such as laptop sleeves, bathroom pouches, phone covers and iPad bags -- all at ounce prices.

9.  Bullet and tassel bracelet from Valliyan by Nitya at INR 3,500 or USD 62.
10. Sparkly feather earrings from ABS by Allen Schwartz Jewellery at INR 3,222 or USD 57.
11. Metallic leather thong sandals by Rachel Zoe at INR 3,222 or USD 57.
12. Hardcase for iPhone 5 by Diane Von Furstenberg at INR 1,718 or USD 30. I have also seen DVF clutches priced between 7K to 9K that are absolutely stunning seen frequently on celebs.
13. Bow thong sandals by Kate Spade New York at INR 3,351 or USD 59.

Special mention: The Gucci Katina rubber thong sandals that are making such a rage, that Saks had to put a ban on ordering more than three pairs in a span of thirty days! Priced at INR 11,048 or USD 195, you can order your colours here.

Gucci Katina rubber thongs

Monologue from the dapper dude’s diary

Pointy shoes, big buckles, and a lack of attention to the power of fine tailoring -- sartorial elegance in the Delhi brigade of men leaves much to be desired. Here I try and throw light on some basics in the art of fine dressing, the kind of basics that the modern man needs to build on, holding true to his individual sense of style.

   
Knowing your fit -- comfort and aesthetic -- is a cardinal building block for your wardrobe.

Like aforementioned, there is a neglect towards fine tailoring in men’s clothing. It’s a concept that holds value only to an esoteric set of men out there, the set that consciously takes on the task to get all the inches right.

# A pair of well tailored pants defines a man’s taste and personality. Be it the classic straight fit, a contemporary tapered fit or the vintage high-waisted loose fit, a well defined hem is fundamental to the pant silhouette. The domain encompasses casual day trousers to your fancy night out pants and determines the potential of the fit suitability.

# Moving on to the shirt; the good old staple white shirt. This timeless classic is no stranger to men but what separates fine from a mere necessity is a Crisp white shirt. When I say crisp I mean again- tailored sharp and precise with a flattering fit and attention to detail. From the cuff, collar and placket to the choice of cut that deems fit to your body type. Its most essential for every man to know what is the apposite shirt make for him; regular, custom, slim or even a super slim fit.

#  A man’s love for shorts will never die. So wear them but wear them right. Shorts in pops or pastels are the key. You may go as far as making a statement, with the short suits, paired with a linen coat or a crisp white shirt. But at all costs let go off the dowdy Bermudas. The new shorts are not overtly casual or fancy; rather it’s cleverly tweaked to give a better fit.  Step into these nicely tailored alternatives, so that your woman doesn't cringe the next time you choose to carelessly appear in your shorts.

#  It’s time men gave socks their due credit. Underrated but extremely essential, socks have untapped potential when it comes to making a fashion statement.  In the wake of cropped pants becoming a fashion staple, socks are no longer veiled, but an accessory which may very well pop out and add a tinge. Fear not from putting on a bright colour or quirky graphic, playfully hinting from the side of your trouser hems. And why just playful, nautical stripes & vintage patterns cut for a subtle yet dapper image.

In the age of Instagram and Twitter access and awareness have no bounds. Men in other parts of the world have been catching up and it’s definitely time for the Indian crop to mark their style grounds and come into their own. 

“But this burgeoning interest amongst men in the finer details of style and fashion is not limited to Japan. In a transnational tailoring trend that we have observed in cities as diverse as London, New York and Mumbai, we met with bespoke tailors serving a new generation of men, who are interested in sharp suits that fit into their urban lifestyles and have younger, cooler silhouettes.”

--Imran Amed for Business of Fashion

So stick to the periphery of your sartorial ease but always fine tune and refine it around the edges. 

Summer Sale Wish List!!

So it’s June and it’s officially SALE time, which is when I feel extremely ambivalent. I know that sounds retarded, but okay so what I get ecstatic about is all those gorgeous clothes and shoes marked down and what makes me sad is either I order impulsively and they never see the light of day again as they stay in my closet (I’ve got a pair of Brian Atwoods that I've never worn and a stunning silk Halston Heritage top which I wore only once amongst my impulsive online buys) or I like way too many things and can’t buy all of them. You see the dilemma?

It’s bad enough the in store sales have also started here in Dubai and I walked into Gucci hoping to spend some more money on another pair of flat sandals, except the damn place had nothing nice left (I heard there was a 2 hour long queue the day the sale started) so I guess the gods had showered the husband with lots of luck. Not to mention I leave for London in 10 days and apparently the day I reach is the day the Harrods sale starts!! I even told my friend to take me there right after she picks me from the airport (I land in the afternoon so I’m all set), except she thought I was behaving like a spoilt cow. Again the gods have showered the husband with all the luck. She says we should wait and on go on a Monday so there will be less people, but what the hell will I shop two days into the sale when everything is GONE? Whatever! I don’t understand why the husband has to have all the good luck.

I’ve been bombarded with emails from Saks Fifth Avenue, Matches Fashion (I'm a big online shopper since I get more variety to choose from) and so on about x percentage of discounts and bla bla. I’m doing everything in my power to stop myself. I already ordered and received a Giles by Giles Deacon illustrated canvas tote, however, I don't know exactly why I ordered it since I almost NEVER buy bags on sale. Oh, now i remember why I! Because it was free shipping, also, it was really cheap, I mean it was 82 pounds on sale and the free shipping saved me another 20 pounds!

Saks Fifth Avenue is on Sale!! Yaay!

Pardon my horrid photo shop skills!!

Anyways, so it’s the usual dilemma about what I really need and don’t need so this time, I thought I’d keep it real, you know, stick to the classics (if sale items can ever be called that). I saw these gorgeous Alice + Olivia pumps and the Saint Laurent Paris Tribute pumps on sale and my advice is to pick them up ASAP since the black and white trend is carrying forward to fall/winter too.  If you’re not in the mood to experiment and want to stick to the basics, then these blue satin Manolo Blahnik shoes are perfect as they have a classic silhouette and will last a few seasons.

I think the best time to buy jackets and blazers is on sale, at least you save some money there. What do you think of this J Brand X Christopher Kane denim biker jacket (that too at 50% off!)? I think it’s really cool to wear on a holiday and once Delhi has slightly cooler weather come October.

Okay, I’m squealing as I say this but my favourite Oscar De La Renta earrings are on sale and I’m giddy with excitement! Sadly I can’t order them to India directly from their website, but thank god for friends in the States. I’ve been watching these damn earrings since they came out in the spring.

I know I mentioned something about rarely buying bags on sale; however, an Alexander McQueen box clutch on sale is good enough to break all the rules! These babies are usually pricey, so if you get one on sale, GRAB IT!

I’ve also got a scarf obsession going on and am perpetually on the hunt for some edgy scarves so when I saw this one from Giles by Giles Deacon (just perfect to match my new tote) I figured, why not! Its on sale with a 41% discount ((don’t ask me why it’s 41, that’s just weird) and a good scarf is a always a must have.

With that being said, Happy Sale Shopping my lovelies! 

Pre-Fall 2013: Favourite Picks

About time to start showcasing pre-fall accessories, this is the first in a series of reviews I shall be doing selecting the good and not so good.

Oscar de la Renta: ODLR kept it simple and classy for the season transition. Out of the covetable classy styles, my most favourite pick has to be the polygon minaudiere. It is refreshing to see a new shape with simple tones that are pleasing on the eye. Did I ever mention that I am a "sequin overload" kinda girl? The blush and navy case had to come next thus! And those powder blue heels -- the colour is love at first sight.

 

Chanel: Okay I have to admit, I would never ever get tired of Chanel. Even the most critiqued collections call out to me. The other day, I had a meeting with the Marielou Phillips for a work assignment, and trust me, us ladies spent half the time gushing on Lagerfeld's genius. Ushering in pre-fall with a very avant-garde style were these accessories out of which I absolutely love the camelia take on the boots -- a symbol that has become synonymous with the house. Secondly, there's nothing not to love about the cuff shown which is accentuated by feathers, and finally, fashionistas can kick it back in style with these olive high-tops with tassel-ended lace-ups.

Jimmy Choo: I am not a huge fan of the label, but I loved the colours incorporated into the pre-fall collection. Brights always bring a breath of life when the weather gives way for worse days. Two styles of slinky sandals and a simple neon clutch rocked my boat to some extent.

Nicholas Kirkwood: Over the years, we have really seen Kirkwood's collections tone down -- which I hate! I mean come on, bring back the footsy crazies. Yet, after saying this, I was delighted to see again, a delicious wonderment of heavenly powder blue! I loved these three pairs -- the delicate lace in the first paired with golden pencils are perfect to play the "something blue" part at a wedding. Then being a sucker for pink, any of it is most welcome -- the platform sandal and the booties are next on my wanted list.

3.1 Phillip Lim: Lovely animal textures incorporated into shades of cerulean and noir, Lim's collection is a fantastic merger of form and function adapted to no-fuss collectibles. Daddy, if you are reading this, I am meant to be carrying the blue leather tote to work. All in all, the line is primal yet in a very sophisticated avatar.

Versace: The gods of bling, house Versace presented their signature take on accessories with regal gold insignia adding tad shine, tad overtness and ample flare. I can totally see a lot of Delhi fashionistas working these and how! What caught my eye is the minute gold piping detail in both these pairs of shoes brought out with such impeccable perfection. On the other hand, I would agree that there's nothing special about the medusa necklace but then again, it is Versace; it is a necessity to show the ever evolving form of their most iconic brand mark.

Saint Laurent Paris: Hedi Slimane also stuck to the traditional simplistic take on everything YSL with a muted collection -- but I still think there's something more to be desired, especially with the shoes. Agreed, such designs become literal "heirlooms" passed on from mother to daughter, I would really like to see something outstanding. It need not be exaggerated fashion -- minimalistic can too be impressive.

My Favorite CFDA Nominees

With the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards just a day away, I thought I should take some time out and talk about my two of my favorite nominees.

So were any of you surprised when Alexander Wang was nominated and that too for two categories (women's wear designer of the year and accessory designer of the year)? I sure as hell wasn’t. Considering his career graph has been on a constant rise, especially since he was hired to replace Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, the nomination was just a matter of time.

Alexander Wang

That was one hell of a promotion (obviously not in the literal sense), I mean at 29, holding the position of creative director at one of the most legendary fashion houses; that’s some phenomenal achievement. With Anna Wintour as an ardent supporter and Diane Von Furstenberg as a mentor, it’s a no brainer that Wang was bound to go places.

I absolutely love Alexander Wang. I think he’s really nailed the shabby chic look, not to mention he’s really given sportswear a fashionable twist. If it wasn’t for him, I would have continued to despise bucket bags and backpacks! Those who know his products well know what I’m talking about. That’s the thing about new designers; they really bring a fresh approach to designing with them. By the way, the minute I saw his Pelican bag, I was in love. I ordered the Pelican clutch in a matter of minutes, literally!

Charlize Theron with a black Pelican bag

Pelican Sling Crossbody

Nicky Hilton with the classic Diego bucket bag

Diego Bag

But you know what, when I saw his debut collection for Balenciaga, I have to say I wasn’t in awe. Raf Simons for example, now his first collection for Dior was jaw dropping and that too couture so you can imagine the pressure. Not to say I hated Wang for Balenciaga, but I was so used to the quirks and eccentricity of Ghesquiere’s designs, and for some reason I didn't feel the shock value.

The dress presented in look 17 was such a simple dress, so simple that I was shocked by its simplicity. Maybe I sound retarded and maybe one might think I don’t know fashion, but to me a fashion show is somewhat of a warped reality. You know the clothes presented on the runway are supposed to take you to a fantasy land, that dress was banal. I could be totally off, and perhaps I’m not taking into consideration the wearability factor, the fabrics, stitching etc. however, I can say for sure that the dress didn't entice me one bit.

Alexander Wang for Balenciaga look no. 17

My favorite look from the Alexander Wang for Balenciaga collection

But you know what, that might be just me being silly. I just realized I turned something so positive into negativity!!! Ok no seriously, I think Wang has so much potential and considering the pressure involved in joining one of the most important fashion houses in history, it is slightly unfair to expect the young designer to get it all right at the first go. With that being said, I wish Alexander Wang all the best and hope he continues to bring in those awards!

My next favorite was Tim Blanks who received the annual media award from the CFDA and needless to say he deserves it. You know as an aspiring fashion journalist, reading Tim’s reviews are crucial. His reviews are so tough to decipher and his writing skills are beyond brilliant (they put most of us so called writers to shame!). What truly inspires me about his writing is his ability to see beyond the clothes, it’s a lot more complex than that. The writing really takes you into the designer’s head and gives you a deeper understanding as to what inspired a certain collection. And what I admire even more is that in today’s world of massive advertising, he like Suzy Menkes is honest in his opinion.

Time Blanks in a Prada shirt

Whilst a lot of journalists are afraid of writing what they really think in the fear of being banned from the shows by the designers, Tim Blanks isn’t scared to critique a collection. If someone doesn’t critique it, how else will designers further challenge themselves or know what is expected of them each season? It’s easy to rant about how fab a collection is and how gorgeous the bags were, but can you really sit there and actually understand each silhouette, deconstruct it mentally and be able to point out what’s not right about it? Can you imagine the thorough understanding required to actually be able to critique it? Very few journalists have the ability and the audacity to do that.

My idols; Tim Blanks & Suzy Menkes

Just like Anna Wintour has the power to make a multi-billion dollar industry rise and fall at her whim, a review by Tim Blanks can make or break a collection presented during fashion weeks. “A good review from Tim is very important” said Raf Simons on a video for the journalist on Style.com. Congratulations on the award Tim, you inspire us budding journalists with every word you pen down. 

SS 13 Top Trends in Swim

Peak of the uber hot Indian summer has me looking for excuses to dive in -- anytime. Then Hanadi's been badgering me to write a post in midst of a bad writer's block; so I thought, how about interpreting Spring-Summer 2013's biggest trends in some drool-worthy swimwear. Yeah I know (laughing).

B/W: The eternal clash of the opposites have dominated runways this year. Roger Vivier, Proenza Schouler, Celine, Chanel, Buran Uyak, Givenchy, Alexander Wang, Lanvin, Valentino, Moschino and more have nailed stark -- almost absent palettes -- juxtaposing them with sexy silhouettes in this fabulous monotone revolution. Get your beach dose in this ruched and I must say, very classy one-shouldered number by Norma Kamali.

Floral: Blah florals went totally fab this season! I mean imagine, even Bottega Veneta did florals in their most original avatars. I am sure all of you must have feasted on the Prada black, white and red numbers, and the appliqued-on delights of Chanel. Marc Jacobs also stayed true to the quintessential flowery element by using a generous sprinkling of print. Be the flower girl in this two-piece ruffled bikini by Zimmermann.

Neon Pop: Alright, loud and quirky brash colours never did go out of style right? Would you guys agree? Neon was big as usual this year too. Besides just clothing, these delightful streaks of fun were seen on eyes, nails, and accessories. Louis Vuitton went yellow... Calvin Klein dived the red route... Tom Binns went full glorious rainbow-style... And Simone Rocha went Luxor highlighter green! Mix all of it up in this geometric cut-out swimsuit by Agent Provocateur.

Blue Splash: Cerulean, cobalt, aqua to indigo, fancy shades of blue were seen in creations by the houses of Burberry, Elie Saab, Cacharel, Michael Kors, Monique Lhuillier, Nicholas Kirkwood amongst others. Cool and soothing irrespective of metallic or mute undertones, this embellished bandeau-bikini by Tara Mathews has bling as an exciting add-on.  

Striped Vintage: More notably, a sixties revival was seen this year in the collections of Moschino, PPQ, Victoria Beckham, Jenny Packham and Giles. Another huge trend was stripes in a bold form seen in Acne, Balmain, Oscar de la Renta, Jonathan Saunders, MSGM, Vivenne Westwood, et cetera. Clubbing the two styles is this fabulous two-piece by Dolce & Gabbana in a juicy shade of mandarin.    

Other dominating trends were all-whites, metallics, sheers, all-blacks, and more. But that is a story for another lazy day! Much love! 

Haute News: Suzy Menkes wardrobe auction

The world of fashion journalism is cut-throat. A combination of right clout, networking, and an eye for success are a few of the essentials that go into moulding a fashion writer of iconic stature -- and not to forget, it all needs to be enveloped by a generous dosage of personal charisma translated into paper. One generally tends to associate a lot of glamour with the 'job'. And very few actually end up receiving global recognition for their work; we budding enthusiasts dream of being in that category some day in our lives.

However, one stereotype that is almost always associated with them is snobbishness. They are labelled as tough personalities who rein with an iron grip, who are extremely difficult to please, and who dictate and rule the trend scenario on their whim. I can bet a lot of names are popping into your heads that conform to the above said. I do not defy it though. It is a part of the job and toughness eliminates mediocrity, my dad always says. Then there's the second category of editors who have revolutionised fashion with their unorthodox approach, like Hanadi had elaborated on an earlier post here. Then there is the third genre; loved by all that have had an opportunity to work with them -- those who have an unparalleled sense of balance -- and to be more precise, the likes of Suzy Menkes.

Suzy Menkes

British born Menkes has served as head fashion editor and reporter for the International Herald Tribune since 1988. One of the most respected authorities on everything fashion till date, she is loved by all for her fairness and holistic strategy of working. Besides successfully launching many a careers in the industry with an impeccable eye for talent, having authored numerous books, and winning many hearts along the way with her spectacular impartiality, here is one woman who shatters the traditional take on the high-handedness of the fashion world.

Entering the fashion arena at a time when contemporary aesthetics were just in their initial stirrings, Menkes with her intuition and sense for nailing and encompassing everything at a global context lent her the reputation of a legend. She can make or break a career, yet coming from her, you would know that it was done with much thoughtfulness, sans outside influences and favouritism. One of the instigators of "not limited to famous mammoth fashion houses and names", Menkes indeed and much deservedly holds the Legion d'Honneur in France and a British OBE. Oh BTW, even though she's is an immortal figure in front rows of the world's most important showings, you can read about her tips on crashing fashion shows here.

Commemorating 20 years of Menkes' contribution to the fashion world with industry moguls in Paris last year

A homage to her in every appropriate way, fans of Menkes can now bid at an auction to be commenced by Christies starting July 11 until 22. A collection of around 80 very personal memorabilia in the form of fabulous Clarks, Puccis to Lacroixs, majority of the lot is expected to sell under GBP 1,000. The fraternity has already started speculating about a most covetable Saint Laurent jacket from his 1980 collection which would be a collector's dream come true at a fraction of private prices.

Menkes said in a statement, "I have never thrown anything out of my wardrobe since 1964. If I had a large open space in my home, I would dedicate it, like an art gallery, to my collection. But there is something sad about clothes laid in a tomb of trunks. They need to live again and this auction provides the opportunity for them to walk out in the sunshine, to dance the night away and to give someone else the joy that they gave to me."