Manish Arora Bridal @ PCJ Couture Week 2013: The Creative Details

Got my hands on some dainty-meets-uber funky wedding ensembles from Manish Arora's collection at the PCJ Couture Week 2013. Not much to say -- I would rather show!

Multi-layered applique in PVC and silk in large motifs on a lehenga:

Funky matt and shiny sequins and beading against silk:

Graphic patterns with pop colours, crystals and sequins:

Maang tikkas made out of PVC hearts, and laser-cute eye enhancers which I decided to club with a Dior AW 13 necklace and cuff:

The bib-style ornate collars that were metallic, laser cut and embellished, paired with plain monotone jersey cholis:

And the final result -- insanely quirky Indian bride:

Toodles, until tomorrow!

Zac Posen Spring-Summer 2014

A favourite of the desi brigade of fashion forward fashionistas, Zac Posen's collection was replete with his signature dose of sensuality and stark finesse. Soft pastel shades such as lavender, powder green and blue, and even hints of silver and wine were seen in the ensembles alongside ample attention to cut details.

We witnessed a series of twirly, full circular skirts and skirt bases that accentuated the waist a la Dior's new look. Then this being Posen, cascades and panels had ample presence.

In fact, ruffles and cascades played a very prominent part in this season's ensembles in variating hemlines that delved more on the couture scale than ready-to-wear.

A sucker for everything see-through and wispy, I am in love with these Flamenco-style numbers. Especially in the first one, I could not stop raving about the chiffon skirt that just has one word for it -- chic!

Flutter sleeves and bias-tailoring with a corset-like bodice set within wispy fabric accentuated the first look above, and the silver-black jacquard did a repeat in the second gown.

Here are some more looks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The collection is on pre-order for a limited time here.

Thom Browne Spring Summer 2014

Ensembles with a clinical vibe, rendered almost in an entirely snow-white palette best describes Thom Browne's SS 20014 collection. Browne also played the exaggerated shoulder to the hilt -- what I may declare as one of the biggest trends of the season. The styling of the models were reminiscent of embodying insanity, much like some of them reminded me of The Joker with their smeared red lips.

 Corsets, panelled skirts, and straight-jackets, with laced up shoes were cast against see-through textured materials. Victorian high collars were present too, alongside tousled and puffed graying wings. Ensembles shown below had graphic black peek-play. Don't you just love the socks?

I am also totally loving these backstage photos by Sonny Vandevelde!

 

And the whole time, I have the video Fighter playing in my head, Aguilera style. Do you think there is any resemblance? The models were also giving out 'medicines' -- white M&Ms -- to bring the asylum aura full circle. Talk about New York Fashion Week crazies! ;)

London Fashion Week SS 2014 - Trends We Love

As London Fashion Week came to an end on the 17th, it's time to take a closer look at the most prominent trends seen on the runway. If you all must know, it was a rainy rainy time during fashion week, I cant imagine how everyone lived through it! I was out shopping at Bond Street a few times during that week and I was so miserable. My bag was being rained on, my suede boots had been soiled by the puddles, my hair became all wavy after a fresh do. Oh dear, I can just go on and on, but I wont! Here are some of the most important trends.

1. Garden blooms. Florals are never too far behind when it comes to summer trends and hence were seen in abundance this year. This time though a lot of designers did three dimensional blooms which were embroidered onto the fabric .I have to say this touch definitely added a fresh twist to the usual floral prints. Of course that's not to say that there weren't any printed flowers. Printed over sized and micro blooms were also seen on many of the silhouettes. One of my favorites was a Burberry Prorsum trenchcoat made with floral lace (at least that's what it looks like). What a fabulous redo of one of their most iconic pieces.

L-R: Burberry Prorsum, Mary Katrantzou, Matthew Williamson, Temperley London, Holly Fulton

2. The bling factor. Paillettes, fractured mirror (in the case of Tom Ford), iridescent fabrics or glitzy embroidery; the presence of the bling factor is inevitable on the runways.

L-R: Christopher Kane, Julien Macdonald, L'Wren Scott, Tom Ford, Marques Almeida

3. Black. After seeing an abundance of bright colors on the runways, its refreshing to see designers do black silhouettes for next spring summer. Besides, whoever said that black was reserved for funerals and dark winter days?! Despite my very own colorful personality, I love nothing more than to dress head to toe in black, yes in the summer too. No, not because I want to expose my dark side or whatever, simply because I think black is the hottest color ever. Of course the fact that its slimming is an added bonus. A plethora of mullet dresses with ruffles, boxy tops, le smoking type pant suits, leather dresses all in black were seen on the runway implying that black is definitely one of the strongest colors for SS 14.

L-R: Erdem, Giles Decon, John Rocha, Simone Rocha, Tom Ford

4. Sheer. The sheer aesthetic is still going strong and will continue to do so next spring. Peek-a- boo or completely see through, this trend, albeit a bit risky, in my opinion is wildly feminine and seductive (with the entire opposite effect if not worn correctly!). So for next year, prepare to show some skin. Speaking of showing skin, I better get to the gym soon if I want to show any!

L-R: Christopher Kane, JW Anderson, Mulberry, Burberry Prorsum, L'Wren Scott

5. Boxy tops/shirts. This year, I've noticed an insane number of designers and high street brands retailing boxy style tops and shirts and it's going to be no different next year. Which is good for me as I have this adorable boxy top from Whistles (an impulsive buy) which I got on sale and later thought I might have to let it hang in my closet forever as it might be out of style next year, thankfully not the case. Hey, I even got a sexy pencil skirt to pair with it!

From Peter Pilotto to Mulberry and Roksanda Ilinic, everyone is doing these boxy/loose tops and shirts (they were pretty prevalent during New York fashion week). Hmmm, I wonder if silk blouses are still in or has this new sporty top taken over?

L-R: Roksanda Ilinic, Peter Pilotto, Mulberry, Emilia Wickstead, Eudon Choi

6. Minimalism. Season after season, we have seen more and more designers adopting the minimalist look in their silhouettes. Raf Simons did it for Dior, Alexander Wang did it for Balenciaga, Phoebe Philo is a genius in that area and the list goes on. Bold, clean cut, not to mention sleek and architectural silhouettes are recurringly dominating the runways. My favorite minimalist looks were the ones that incorporated the use of leather like Tom Ford, L'Wren Scott and David Koma. I love how this movement makes such a strong statement sans all the drama. After all the prints and embellishments we constantly see during fashion week, minimalism is almost like a breath of fresh air.

L-R: Tom Ford, Daks, David Koma, JW Anderson, L'Wren Scott, Tom Ford

Marc Jacobs SS 14 Handbags

Goth and Victorian influences, against a very 'dystopian' setting enveloped Marc Jacob's SS 14 collection. But what caught my eyes most were the arm-candies, that were so unlike what I have seen around this season -- not a hint of the sculptural trapeze or boxy graffiti.

The hobo bags had fringe details at the main seam, and the body was created out of knitted jacquard. Leather details and golden hardware finished off these very chic bags that are so so apt for stashing the never ending brigade of women's essentials this summer.

The first one out of the surfer bags shown above had appliqued leafs, the second one embroidered floral motifs -- both finished off with tassel details.

These surfer bags were crafted out of alligator leather and  mixed media, and I love how the juxtaposition of appliqued and sequinned floral patches work so well against the base of the bag. Marc's collection was inspired by The Burning Man and Paul McCarthy's White Snow.