In Search of The Little Black Dress

Every time I open my closet to decide what to wear on a night out, I notice the lack of one of the most important wardrobe staples, The Little Black Dress. I’ve got dresses in numerous colours, beige, brown, coral (LOTS of coral for some odd reason), pink, white, red and so on, but I just don’t have the LBD. Despite my eternal love for black, whenever I enter a boutique, corals and pinks somehow distract me and I end up with yet another non-black dress. My mission today is to find myself the perfect black dress. Here’s what I’m eyeing in three categories; feminine, funky and sporty.

The girly LBDs

The most important LBD has to be of a classic silhouette so it can be in your closet season after season without looking out of date. I chose these three very feminine ones and especially love a bit of frill.

1. Tibi Cotton-Blend Lace Dress - This particular dress is so me. I love the lacy look and the flared skirt. I have already created an entire look and I don't even have the dress yet. Click here to purchase.

2. Diane Von Furstenberg Prista Dress - Aaaah DVF, I can't stop stocking her clothes in my closet! This one is so pretty and the silhouette is so flirty. The crotchet sleeves, top and side panels are just so chic. This is definitely on my to buy list. Click here to purchase.

3. Atsu Dress With A Bejeweled Collar - Sexy, slick and a dash of bling, this dress needs no explanations! Click here to purchase.

The funky LBD's

When you've invested in the perfect classic LBD, its time to step things up with an funky LBD!

1. MCQ Alexander McQueen Leather Peplum Dress - There's the little black dress then there's the little black leather dress! The peplums add a bit of girliness into the dress whereas the leather exudes edginess. Click here to purchase.

2. Roksanda Ilinic Austen Contrasting Panel Midi Dress - WOW is all I can think of when I see this dress. Such a minimalistic dress yet makes such a statement. I love how it has such a futuristic look to it. Full skirted with a cracked laminated belt and peter pan collar this LBD is just to die for. Click here to purchase.

3. Versus Safety-Pin Embellished Stretch Jersey Dress - I loved the Versace safety pin dress on Elizabeth Hurley and I LOVE this Versus dress now. Simple with a dash of punk, this dress is extremely sexy and looks very comfortable too. Click here to purchase.

The sporty LBD's

Whoever said that LBD's can't be sporty?! Sometimes you just want to throw on the dress and pair it with patent leather gladiator sandals, brogues or biker boots instead of sky high heels all the time. 

1. T By Alexander Wang Jersey T-Shirt Dress - For the days you really don't want to go through any drama in choosing an LBD this super comfortable yet sexy t-shirt dress is just perfect. Click here to purchase.

2. Zara Stretch Dress - Pair with brogues or sky high heels, this dress can work with whatever mood you're in! For Rupees 3,490 I'd say its a steal. Check your local Zara store for availability. 

3. Rag & Bone RAE Dress - I love Rag & Bone dresses, they're so versatile and again can be paired with virtually anything. I love the A-line silhouette on this one and totally love the front zipper. Pair with biker boots for the ultimate biker girl look. Click here to purchase. 

India Bridal Fashion Week 2013: Day 5

Day five of the event commenced with Adarsh Gill's show wherein Esha Gupta walked the ramp as showstopper donning a vermillion lehenga-choli ensemble accentuated with beautiful dull-gold surface ornamentation. I think the choli is quite fabulous -- with it's weave-like all-over geometric texture -- so resplendent and I am a fan of novel uses of gota patti.

Esha Gupta for Adarsh Gill, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

The designer presented an array of suits with varying kurta lengths and pants styles including shararas, churidars, cigarette-cuts, and dreamy sheer palazzos.

Adarsh Gill suits, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

Rest of the silhouettes included jackets paired with saris and gowns, classic plain saris teamed with heavily embellished blouses and a some draped gown numbers -- which by the way I thought were totally unnecessary in an otherwise elegant and very classic collection.

Adarsh Gill ramp stills, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

The next show on day four was by Suneet Varma titled The Golden Bracelet. Inspired by the ancient city of Pompeii, the ensembles besides the regular dose of traditional Indian regalia were heavy on drapes and toga-like fits. Chitrangada Singh walked the ramp as showstopper, again in a lehenga shaded vermillion with a tulle underskirt for volume and a structured short choli.

Chitrangada Singh for Suneet Varma, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

The palette of the collection was dominated by pastels such as pista greens, lavenders, rose-golds and ever powder blue with a a few rustic shades added in for a very goddess-like vibe. Feminine and delicate, I think the models looked very dainty in some of the ensembles. Also, this time we saw a lot of European influences in the collections -- who do you think did it the best?

Suneet Varma, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

Take a look at the statement arm accessories. What do you think? That's a new high for the classic baju-band no?

Suneet Varma accessories on ramp, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

I was however not a fan of the ensembles shown below. The sari-like twist to a sculptured bodice, especially that moulded gold one did not seem very nice to me. And neither did the anarkali suits which seemed very passe and blah compared to the other outfits.

Suneet Varma ramp stills, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

India Bridal Fashion Week 2013: Day Four

Ashima-Leena's show kicked off the event on day four of the Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week. The collection called Delhi ki Dastaan was replete with Mughal influences of the historical city. Actor Nargis Fakhri walked the ramp as showstopper in a large-bordered gold lehenga skirt teamed with the very feminine take on the sherwani -- complete with metallic latkans and large embroidered motifs on the dupatta.

Nargis Fakhri for Ashima Leena, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

Keeping the silhouettes very fluid and non-experimental, the duo focused on creating impact with combining fabrics of different textures and sheen, while keeping embellishments to the bare minimum. Dull gold, dull reds, and browns had a good share as shown below:

Ashima Leena, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

I am sorry to say, but I did not like a single ensemble from the collection. They were all very reminiscent of the Bollywood movie Fashion to me -- I don't know why. And I also think the finish of the garments leave a lot to be desired. Also, I have been seeing ditto-style influences all over Delhi since years and years -- maybe it is because of this saturation point. What do you guys think?

Ashima Leena, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

The second chapter of the day had Rohit Bal presenting Mulmul Masquerade, an ode that brought together the grandeur of old-school India and Elizabethan eras -- in the realms of gorgeous lotus sets designed by Sumant Jayakrishnan. Sonam Kapoor walked the ramp in Gudda's signature ivory demeanor with understated gold texturing and statement vintage jewellery by Amrapali. The duo did a jig to old Hindi tunes of days gone by -- the spirit was infectious.

Rohit Bal and Sonam Kapoor, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

Now in the collection, nothing made the Elizabethan influence more evident than crisp muslin-high collars, a heavy usage of velvet, and trapeze drops from the empire lines -- all lovingly brought to life by Bal's signature Kashmiri Kasab embroidery. Other fabrics included chanderi silks, voiles, tulles, and mulmul of course.

Rohit Bal, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

Sari blouses took on the form of panned corsets, and yokes and jackets were richly embellished to the hilt with threadwork on floral motifs.

Details, Rohit Bal, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

This being Bal's first show for the bridal week series, I have to admit that the designer nailed it and how. From the plethora of European influences we have seen in collections this seasons, noone could get the harmony right within Indian aesthetics like he did -- a delicate balance that may tip towards the unsightly which I think he mastered so perfectly. Not a single element looked out of place in any of his creations, and this is it -- Rohit Bal will be of my choosing too when the time comes. 

The Eid Shopping Story...

Hi Everyone!

As you all may know, Eid is round the corner (tomorrow or day after depending on the moon) and it's my absolute favorite time of the year! Every year, I spend this special day with my mom's side of the family as she is one of 9 siblings and we all get together with my grandparents and celebrate. It usually ends up being about 30 of us under one big family home and oh what merry we make.

About 10 days before Eid, my mom starts running about like a headless chicken and freaks out about how we have to start the usual hunt for the festive clothes. Then start the endless trips to DLF Emporio and Crescent Mall to pay a visit to every designer there is in Delhi. This year's eid shopping includes two suits from Heritage in South Extention, a nehru jacket from Valaya, a dhoti to pair underneath it from Abu Sandeep and another suit from Valaya couture and another Valaya!. Sadly I only have pictures of the jacket and dhoti as everything else is still at the designer's for alteration. However I will post the pictures of the suit as soon as we get them back.

Nehru Jacket

Dhoti

My sis trying the outfit with jootis

Hmm, stilettos maybe?

In the meantime, just wanted to let you all know that I will be away for the next few days for Eid celebrations and will be back Monday. Till then, Eid Mubarak to you all!

India Bridal Fashion Week 2013: Day Three

I am an avid fan of the 'Peacocks'! Falguni and Shane's super eclectic touch to everything they create without ever going the weird route, and extreme femininity appeals to me to no ends. And just like their ensembles donned by international stars on red-carpets, their bridal wear also stands out. The versatility just about begins summing up the beauty of it all -- the quick switch from funky, feathered, geometric and futuristic numbers to a refined and traditional focus -- what flair does it show! A lot might not agree with me though, as I have heard it from quite some fashion writers about how they are over-hyped and OTT -- yet if I were to dress myself in bling OTT for 24 hours, my stop would be Falguni and Shane.

Day three began with the duo's show titled Garden of Eden. Florals, being one of the greatest trends on global runways these last few seasons found perfect homage in their creations that floored all with dainty fabric texture treatments. A palette ranging from deepest wines to rose gold and beige to a liberal dose of reds allowed the minimalistic silhouettes to do their work greatly. Neha Dhupia, played showstopper to the hilt -- and do I trace a beautiful goth influence in her gown? -- I did not go through the press release on this collection; I wanted to do a review completely on my own.

Falguni and Shane Peacock with showstopper Neha Dhupia at the India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

A lot of designers including Jyotsana Tiwari and Shantanu-Nikhil had peplum influences, and so did the Peacocks combining the contemporary element within an ethnic silhouette.

Creations by Falguni and Shane Peacock at the India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

Feathers and Swarovski crystals being signature trademarks of the house were seen in abundance on gowns, teamed signature shrugs, and on sari pallus. Fabric textures ranged from intricate laser-cuts to sheers, gota and silks.

Feather details, Falguni and Shane Peacock, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

Day three's next presentation was by Raghavendra Rathore who has totally worked the neo-minimalistic approach to Indian bridal wear in silhouettes that screamed delight to me me. A super comeback after almost four years, Rathore presented an array of styles -- anti-fit, draping with structure, dainty shrugs, and absolutely tasteful embellishments -- within a decor setup that accentuated his traditional Rajasthani roots.

Raghavendra Rathore, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

I loved the use of silk, and how he left this classic fabric to it's own devices of creating a magnificent impact. The pairing of jackets with gowns also seems like a trend that is here to stay - so cosy for those chilly Indian winter weddings in Delhi.

Details, Raghavendra Rathore, Indian Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

The very dapper Anil Kapoor walked the ramp for the designer looking casual-dashing in a black and white kurta-churidar ensemble with a signature-style vest.

Raghavendra Rathore and Anil Kapoor, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013, New Delhi

India Bridal Fashion Week 2013: Day Two

Meera and Muzaffar Ali played host to the first show on the second day of the bi-annual event. Themed Pearl of Orient, I totally loved how the ensembles brought about an air of understated elegance. Noir-golds, shades of off-white, and even pistachio against reds formed the palette of the Kotwara collection that was enveloped with beautiful influences of the crafts of Awadh.

Kotwara by Meera Muzaffar Ali, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013

Rina Dhaka's collection presented some very loud colours (I loved it!) brought to life by majestic phulkari work within styles that were titled Free Spirited Bride. Loads of jharokha embroidery and a fine play on textures. I especially loved the unusual patterns on the silhouettes; a very refreshing change. The real cherry on top to me was how light the clothes seemed despite being a bridal collection. It's so hard to wear such heavy clothes and having to mingle with people during your wedding days. Nothing tires a bride out than a 10 kg lehenga! I think Rina Dhaka is going to be the go to designer for the up coming wedding season for brides who really want to enjoy their wedding minus all the drama of super heavy clothes. Showstopper Sophie Choudry looked absolutely lovely in a colorful sharara paired with a strapless blouse with mirror work on it. The dupatta looked so chic yet light at the same time (a heavy dupatta can really give someone a headache). All in all, a fantastic and refreshing bridal collection.

Rina Dhaka, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013

Jyotsna Tiwari's collection on the other hand, I wouldn't say that I am head over heels in love with. I am not an Indo-Western fusion outfit fan so the dresses didn't strike me much. Of course I'm sure the embroidery on it was intricate and all that, but I think Indian designers have a long way to go before they perfect the art of dressmaking (and i mean dresses). Moving on to the Indian wear, the waist length choli with peplums was not particularly great and neither was the kaftan paired over the lehenga. The whole collection just seemed like the designer was trying too hard to look "different". The karigari on the clothes was very nice and is completely wasted on the silhouettes. In fact, Jacqueline Fernandez's outfit seems to be somewhat copied from Raf Simons debut couture collection for Christian Dior where ballgowns were paired with cigarette pants.

Jyotsna Tiwari, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013

India Bridal Fashion Week 2013: Day One

A dual-city annual grand soiree (Delhi and Mumbai), the July chapter just wrapped up in the capital city with a five-day spectacular showcase of what India does best -- ethnic couture @ The Grand, Vasant Kunj. With dewy-eyed plans of organising my own wedding hopefully sometime soon, I am ever fascinated by the level of fantasy, hours of hand-labour, and an abundance of daintiness Indian couture garments incorporate. Irrespective of whether any of it adheres to your personal sense of style or not, one cannot help but be mesmerised by the grandeur of it all, and the visual-sensory impact these ensembles invoke.

 Day one of the show had master craftsman JJ Valaya kicking off the event, within opulent sets designed by installation artist Sumant Jayakrishnan. The set brought to life indeed, what one might presume the aura of a royal court shall seem like, and the collection aptly titled The Maharaja of Madrid played muse to crafted cupolas, stunning arches, and even boats! Kabir Bedi and the very beautiful Kangana Ranaut walked the ramped as show-stoppers.

JJ Valaya, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013

Valaya with showstoppers Kabir Bedi and Kangana Ranaut

Asymmetric hemlines, an overload of chenille, stand-out 'bootas' and a leaning towards Pakistani silhouettes describe the ensembles, yet I am still wondering a little about the Spanish influences in the collection besides the obvious art-forms.

Day one's second serving was by duo Shantanu and Nikhil, presenting their flair for laces, luxe and everything lavish in the form of beautiful gowns, in a collection titled To Die For. Evident was the incorporation of heavy Baroque influences within styles that define the new-age contemporary bride. Loads of drapes, focused embellishments, and layering could be seen at play enthusing romantic vibes that capture feminine essence.

Shantanu & Nikhil, India Bridal Fashion Week 2013