Remembering Isabella Blow

I love reading about people in the fashion industry that inspire me and am constantly on the search for the next new book. One of the books that struck a chord inside be was the one on the legendary Isabella Blow (Blow By Blow - The Story Of Isabella Blow written by husband Detmar Blow). 

I’m not sure what about her really got me to be such a huge fan. Was it her penchant for over the top hats, was it the craziness in her personality paired with the darkness she was so often consumed with, was it that she discovered Lee McQueen and Philip Treacy and many more talents? Or was it simply because she herself was one of the most creatively dressed women I have read about? What was it? All I knew is that one glimpse of her picture and I was a die hard fan.  

A Bill Cunningham image from one of the fashion weeks

A little while ago, the late fashion queen's clothes and accessories were being sold off at a Christie's auction in England to settle some finances, when her good friend and heir to the Guinness empire, Daphne Guinness bought the entire collection. The Isabella Blow Foundation & Central Saint Martins then teamed up with Somerset House to present an exhibit of her wardrobe named Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore which is now open to public until 2nd March 2014. 

 Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

From her complicated, to say the least, aristocratic upbringing to her perpetually broke days before she committed suicide, Issy’s life was one hell of a roller coaster. She started her career under Anna Wintour and has worked with some of the best fashion publications in the world including the renowned Tatler, British Vogue and then The Sunday Times. The book left a lasting impression on my heart and in this short post I want to talk about some of my favorite anecdotes from the book. 

The first one being her discovery of Lee McQueen. Only Issy could have made a remarkable discovery like that. She liked outrageous fashion, fashion that was pretty much unwearable the first time she saw it, fashion that broke all the rules of the fashion rule book, fashion that had overwhelming shock value. She quoted once in an interview "I hate crap. I like craftsmanship with a little room for fantasy". I guess London was the best place for such discoveries. Issy was not one to enjoy the confinement of an office and go through look books et al to find new talent. She preferred to be scouting the streets of London for that. In June 1992, she attended the graduation show at Central Saint Martins and came home in awe of a particular collection she had just witnessed. That student was none other than Alexander McQueen. So in love with his collection she was, she ended up buying the whole thing (they say it costed 5000 pounds) and poor McQueen would come around the Vogue offices to collect the cash in installments with clothes in a bin liner! I cringe just at the thought of a simple McQueen top barely grazing a bin liner!! Despite the fact that his clothes were initially despised by the fashion fraternity especially his "Highland Rape" collection and another one which depicted slavery, she still had faith in the designer. Today, the brand is iconic to say the least.

Burning Down The House - Photographed by David LaChapelle

Another one of her greatest discovery was milliner Philip Treacy who she stumbled upon at the Tatler office (this was before she came across McQueen). Treacy was there to collect a hat that he created for a shoot and shortly after that Issy started ringing him to create exceptionally unusual head gear (it was to be medieval) for her wedding (her wedding dress is another story all together!). The final creation involved her head and neck be bandaged in pale pink chiffon, whilst the real head gear was kind of like a gold crown with intricately cut gold lace filigree on the sides. Talk about a crazy wedding hat! She paid all of 60 pounds for it. 

The wedding day - Wearing a Philip Treacy hat

In a Philip Treacy "Arrows Of Love" hat

An eternal friendship

Moving on to her wedding dress. No white, no tulle no pearls. Dark violet velvet with an embroidered necklace with faux stones on it inspired by Moghul India was what she wore instead. It was created by Nadia La Valle.

The unusual wedding gown

One of the most recurring names you read in the book is Hilles, the stately home in Gloucestershire owned by Detmar's mum. She had fallen in love with or rather was obsessed with the estate and spent a lot of her own money to restore it and breathed new life into it. It came with William Morris carpets and spectacular 17th century Mortlake tapestries on the wall depicting scenes from the bible. This undying love for Hilles has a lot to do with her own family closing up their ancestral home, Doddington Hall which had a huge impact on her mentally as one discovers in the book. I guess it served as some sort of a replacement. Overtime, this became a party hub for the who's who of the fashion and society circuit such as Malcom McLaren, Sophie Dahl (one of the models she discovered and who she claimed was "a blow up doll with brains), Stella Tennant and so on.

An aerial view of Hilles

One of the saddest parts I read about was her manic depression which manifested itself throughout the years. It lead her to 7 failed suicide attempts and one that eventually took her life. She had this great love for life and adventure which would get crushed as she came face to face with numerous heart breaks. Losing her baby brother, her own mother abandoning her with just a cold goodbye, her wealthy father barely leaving her any money upon his death were some of the events that took a toll on her.Once McQueen was famous, she felt that he had no use for her anymore. After he moved on to Givenchy, she was hoping he might get her a job but there was nothing. Only a free dress here and there. Her fragile relationship with Lee, impacted her drastically. She felt everyone was moving on and forgetting her.

She exchanged her Manolo's for flats after a suicide attempt that lead to broken ankles

This exhibition is to celebrate the style icon's exceptional wardrobe. It's to celebrate that she will NEVER be forgotten. It's to celebrate her discoveries. To celebrate her love for craftsmanship. To celebrate one of the most influential and original women in the fashion industry. Her clothes comprised of some of the most avant-garde creations and she always topped her outfits with a flamboyant Philip Treacy hat which became her signature. I wish I could be in London during the period of the exhibit. It would have been a dream come true for me to see her clothes and hats up close. Thank you Daphne Guinness for reminding the world again of the unforgettable element of grandeur that Isabella Blow brought into the fashion industry.

 Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

 Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

 Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

 Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

 Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

 Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

Philip Treacy & Detmar Blow wearing his wedding sherwani

Stella Tennant, another one of Issy's discoveries

The amazing Daphne Guinness

Accessories Trends SS 2014: Season's Funkiest Clutches

Our readers would know all about our clutch and bag obsession. And hence I wanted to present these two micro-trends from SS 14. One's whimsical and rather refreshing, whereas the other simply epitomises words such as chic, glam, et al.

1. Strong on summer themes, clutches of SS 2014 embrace graphic glory!

How about some cool graffiti upon your hand-candy? SS 2014 had signature clutch-specialists adding more bold illustrations to their designs. Urania Gazelli's handmade plexiglass collection is inspired by playing card motifs. That's a king in your spring -- with customisable monograms. Edie Parker did a beach inspired collection. Limited to his signature shapes, and enhanced by seaside graffiti, fruit patterns, and stripes, these are surely to become a collector's hottest finds from the designer. I was also happy to see very limited glitter, unlike his previous collections. Brazil's darling, Serpui Marie had ample numbers inspired by animal designs -- owl, giraffe, zebra, and this macaw clutch that I totally love.

2. Blinging just about right, metallic fervour descends season after season!

Metallic is one trend that pops in and out every season in a variety of forms-- from trims, to accents, to even full-fledged coverage. And out of the repertoire of metallic clutches this season, I feel these stood out. Louboutin's oval clutch has signature studs and a bullet clasp. Nina Ricci's minaudier was accentuated with a mirror mosaic. Anya Hindmarch's shape is the factor that caught my attention. Valentino's golden clutch has golden gryphons caressing it on either side.

Little Black Glove

For the past few days, I've been going through this leather glove phase. I'm not talking gloves used to keep your hands warm. I'm talking Karl Lagerfeld-esque accessorizing kinda gloves. So yesterday as I got dressed up to go to a friend's house party, I decided I wanted to be all black (think Karl's signature outfit). I paired black skinny pants with black suede knee high boots, a black blazer, a white shirt and a cherry red 2.55 reissue bag. My ensemble was relatively simple. To spruce it up a bit, I added a pair of cool cut out gloves from Zara which I bought because there's no way I could order and receive the Karl Lagerfeld ones by late evening, so I had to make do with what I could get my hands on. Speaking of making do with what I have, I could have done with a cooler black jacket but we're talking compromise here.

Anyways, I have decided that a pair of sexed up leather gloves are a must have in a girl's closet. May I remind you again that these would be to accessorize only and not for warmth. An even cooler pair would the the fingerless leather ones. It's amazing how these little things can transform a look completely and are versatile enough to be worn with jeans, black dresses, etc. My next look that I am going to try with this newly discovered accessory is a red silk shirt tucked into a black leather pencil skirt, black stilettos or knee high boots and of course the gloves. What do you think?

I'm currently crushing on two of Karl Lagerfeld fingerless gloves (scroll down to see images). Click here to purchase the pair with embellishments on them and here  for the cut out gloves with studs on them.

Karl Lagerfeld  Attens crystal-embellished leather fingerless gloves

Karl Lagerfeld studded leather gloves

My cool new cut out gloves

Me from the previous night

The LEGEND ... Karl Lagerfeld

Kitsch Launches Eina Ahluwalia Jewelry & Engages In A Philanthropic Collaboration With Tahir Sultan

On the 12th November I had the pleasure of attending the ever so fabulous Kitsch boutique for the launch of Eina Ahluwalia's jewelry and also see Charu &Priya Sachdev's philanthropic side as their joined hands with designer Tahir Sultan.

Kitsch has always been one of my favorite boutiques in Delhi and I can't tell you how many times I have harassed Manasvani (their super sweet sales girl) to find out prices of one designer bag or the other (Celine & Saint Laurent Paris to be more specific). The boutique stocks all my favorite brands and it's always a pleasure to step into the very chicly decorated store to browse through the DVF and Victoria Beckham dresses.

I first came across Eina Ahuluwalia's jewlery whilst browsing Perina's Pop Up Shop when one particular pair of earrings caught my eye (Respect Protect earrings) and i recall thinking, hey this is some interesting stuff and eventually browsed through the designer's entire collection. When I saw the collection personally two days ago, I had to somehow stop myself from buying the "LOVE, RESPECT, PROTECT" brooch that Eina herself was wearing and being a baroque lover, I once again did everything I could to NOT take out my credit card to purchase this gorgeous baroque-esque cuff (I'm going through a frugal phase as I'm saving money for two more Kenzo sweatshirts and a Chanel Boy bag). If you haven't visited the boutique yet, I suggest you make a trip soon. More so if you're keen on purchasing the sailboat earrings Deepika Padukone was seen wearing (P.S they're super pretty ).

Aside from showcasing the gorgeous jewelry, the Sachdev sisters have also teamed up with Kuwaiti-Indian designer Tahir Sultan to give back a little to the society. Tahir & Manvendra Singh Shekhawat's not for profit organisation, I Love Jaisalmer employs female artisans who create beautifully embroidered cushions and home accessories. Whilst protecting the city's heritage, the foundation also creates sustainable employment for women which renders them independent and enables them to earn a living. The extremely colorful and pretty cushions and bed covers are now available at Kitsch. Isn't this the perfect way to decorate your home and give back to the society at the same time?

Please scroll down to enjoy the photographs from the event.

L-R: Pia Pauro, Anita Bajaj, Ad Singh (P.S I have that Vogue hardcover book you see in the background)

Charu Sachdev with Sanjay Sharma

Designer Eina Ahluwalia assisting a guest who is wearing the sailboat earrings 

L-R: Priya Sachdev, Rohit Bal & Kalyani Chawla (my FAV!)

Prerna Subha & Edward Lalrempuia (notice the pretty cushions in the background)

L-R: Eina Ahluwalia, Charu Sachdev, Prerna Subha

Eina Ahluwalia wearing the LOVE, RESPECT, PROTECT brooch

L-R: Vikram Baidyanath, Tahir Sultan, Priya Sachdev (Aren't the cushions pretty)

Kitsch New Delhi - 011 46098212

Image Courtesy: The Sachdev Group

Dior X Harper's Bazaar India - A High Tea Affair

As you all may have seen by now, the highly celebrated November issue of Harper's Bazaar India is now on the news stands with a very FABULOUS Chitrangada Singh in head to toe Dior on the cover. This very special issue included a stunning photo shoot in Paris featuring a Dior clad Chitrangada. 

For the launch of the November issue, the House of Dior hosted a high tea at their press office in Vasant Vihar and of course the who's who of Delhi were attendees. The decor was done by the couture house itself and was extremely elegant and chic especially the floral arrangements. I also loved the 3-tiered trays with macaroons and other bite sized desserts. Nom Nom Nom! 

Moving on to the fashion bit of the event, Kalyani Chawla looked lovely in the all black silhouette paired with the Mise En Dior pearl jewels. Being a handbag lover, I was obviously checking out the bags more than anything else. It was great how a few of the ladies stayed true to the theme with their Lady Diors and even cooler when Niamat Bakshi was carrying her limited edition Andy Warhol clutch. 

Please scroll down to enjoy the photographs from the launch.

The lovely Kalyani Chawla & Chitrangada Singh

How gorgeous is her Dior ensemble

L-R: Prerna Subha , Tanisha Mohan and Chitrangda Singh (Aren't the Andy Warhol shoe prints exquisite?)

L-R: Akanksha Aggarwal , Kalyani Chawla , Chitrangda Singh and Priya Sachdev

Anisha Sabnai with Niamat Bakshi (notice her Andy Warhol Clutch)

Ayesha Thapar

L-R: Bindya Judge, Kalyani Chawla, Preah Narang

Loved the floral arrangement by Dior

Lisa Lal

Niamat Bakshi & The Cover Girl

L-R: Nishat Fatima, Chitrangada Singh, Samara Gupta

Priya Kapur

L-R:  Priya Sachdev, Ayesha Thapar, Niamat Bakshi

Image Courtesy: Christian Dior

Must Have Handbags!!!

Hello everyone, my name is Hanadi and I'm a bagaholic...

It's true guys, if there's one thing I truly obsess over, it's handbags and I'm sure you all must have figured that out by now. I spend hours and hours online just looking at handbags, finding that perfect bag to spend all my savings on (sadly there are too many perfect bags out there which means I'm perpetually going broke!).

Here are my latest must have bags.. Happy Shopping!!

Totes

1. Victoria Beckham Liberty Leather Tote - I'm a huge Victoria Beckham fan. I just love her design aesthetic. So chic, understated and fuss free. Which is why I have been digging this leather tote for a while. Beautifully crafted, its roomy enough for most of your stuff and it also comes in some delicious colors including bright yellow. Click here to purchase or check with Kitsch in Defence Colony on 011 46098212.

2. Balenciaga Classic Suede City Bag - You know my bag posts will never be complete without featuring a classic beauty and so here it is, in a deep indigo-blue and scrumptious suede. This bag has been around for a while but never gets old making it the perfect investment handbag. Click here to purchase.

3. Manish Arora Large Leather Bag - Every time I see Manish's stuff on the runways and on international e-commerce websites, I swell up with so much pride. It's so amazing to see Indian designers go global and even better when you see international celebrities wear their clothes. I came accross this fun leather tote on the corner and thought I had to feature it. Prints are really big these days so his eccentric print is bang on with the trend and it's roomie enough for all your essentials. Click here to purchase.

4. Kenzo Eye Embellished Leather Tote - My love for the Kenzo goodies is now moving on to their "eye" catching accessories. I love the scarves, the caps and of course this super fun tote. The blue color is so nice and the embroidery makes such a statement. Pair with a simple silhouette for maximum impact. Click here to purchase.

Cross-Bodys

1. Ralph Lauren Equestrian Vachetta Saddle Bag - As you all know I'm married into an equestrian obsessed family, so the husband, his siblings and his dad love all things horsey. From horse shoes, to tent pegging sticks I have all sorts of horse paraphernalia used to decorate the house not to mention a million riding boots that eat up the entire store room. Naturally this has rubbed on to me, so no surprises there that this bag swept me away. The sleek minimalist design in superior leather (made in Italy by the way) and a simple silver-toned stirrup; this bag is perfect for all those who love horses. Sadly I can't order it to India but I do have a friend coming in ten days from the US, so YAAY for me. Click here to purchase.

2. Alexander Wang Lia- Cross-Body - Bag - This simple yet chic bag with a stingray embossed front flap and Wang's signature studded base make this cross-body a must have. Click here to purchase.

Shoulder Bags

1. Marni Small Leather Bag - How adorable is this mustard yellow shoulder bag? It's perfect to add that pop of color to brighten up a simple outfit and its one of those cool get set go kind of bags. I adore it! Click here to purchase.

2. Stella McCartney Beckett Faux Leather Shoulder Bag - Ladies, this bag is actually super super super cool. It has this funky shape which can actually be folded flat to be worn as a clutch and you can open it out into a funky triangular shape to wear as a shoulder bag! Isn't that so FAB? Oh and by the way, this is a runway bag and has been a celebrities' sweetheart aka, the latest IT bag. We LOVE. Click here to purchase or check with Kitsch in Defence Colony on 011 46098212.

Salma Hayek using it as a clutch

Miranda Kerr

On the runway

The bag folded flat

3. Valentino Va Va Voom Leather Shoulder Bag - I've realized, off late, every one of my product page has a Valentino in it. Can you blame me? The rockstuds on their stuff has created another unhealthy obsession. This one is simple yet edgy and can be worked during the day or the night. I also love this bag in blue. Click here to purchase.

Clutches

1. Alexander McQueen Embellished Box Clutch (or should I say WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION) - Heavily laden with Swarovski, gold beads and other embellishments, it's a no-brainer that this is one beautifully crafted clutch. The best part is that it still doesn't look OTT, well not to me at least. The skull looks like it's got a bit of a crazy Mohawk and I LOVE it. Click here to purchase or check with Kitsch in Defence Colony on 011 46098212.

2. Lanvin Love Beaded Satin Clutch (more like pouch though) - I like pouches, they're softer and can expand when you're running a little low on space and they're still fabulous. This one is extra special because it has LOVE embellished on it. Alber Elbaz always creates knock out accessories every season. I'm still saving up for the LOVE necklace I saw on the runway of the FW 13 show. Click here to purchase.

3. Olympia Le Tan Peter & Gretchen Embroidered Book Clutch - Who needs to read an entire book when you've got an OLT signature book clutch! This clutch's cover is embroidered with a 1930's children's tale on it and has a pretty liberty print lining. Oh and it's also limited edition. Click here to purchase.

Dior X Andy Warhol Bags

When I saw the Christian Dior FW 13 show a few months ago, I was enamored by the surrealist and pop art inspired collection. I remember looking at the bags especially and thinking, I have never seen a prettier Lady Dior bag -- what with the Andy Warhol shoe sketches on them! That’s just plain genius delivered by Raf: I mean reinterpreting something as iconic, and I daresay common into such gorgeous accessories.

LARGE LADY DIOR BAG IN GRIS POUDRE SMOOTH CALF SKIN WITH SILK SCREEN AND GOLD AND SILVER LEAF TECHNIQUE

CLUTCH IN BLACK SMOOTH CALF SKIN WITH SILK SCREEN AND GOLD AND SILVER LEAF TECHNIQUE

Now the legend that Andy Warhol already is, inspiring numerous forms of fashion and art the world across, I believe that nothing ever inspired by his sense of aesthetics and personal touch can ever be clichéd. He came into limelight in the 1950’s with his playful shoe illustrations that are now one of most famous sketches during his career. His Marilyn Monroe numbers, and the ever-green muse-artist affair with Edie Sedgwick ring fancy with all that love popular culture. And perhaps, one would even find deep meanings within the wildly famous Campbell’s Soup can lithographs -- mundane as they might seem. And here is precisely why this adage -- the Dior collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation -- results in some of the most coveted accessories of the season.

I love the way Raf Simons always revisits the Dior house’s past for inspiration. Christian Dior owned a little art gallery where he sold artwork including that of Pablo Picasso. Raf Simons himself is an art lover leaning more towards mid-century art, so the connection in terms of their love for art is evident.  Pertaining to the collaboration with the Andy Warhol foundation, Simons says “For me Warhol made so much sense. I was interested in the delicacy and sensitivity in the early work he did, I was drawn to that graphic style naturally in this collection. It was that notion of hand work and personal signature that fitted throughout.”  And indeed he was right to think it made sense.  I have never seen a more beautiful artistic union.

 LADY DIOR BAG IN LATTE SMOOTH CALF SKIN WITH SILK SCREEN AND GOLD AND SILVER TECHNIQUE

As I was planning my finances for my new bag, (I usually have an annual bag fund), I was contemplating between a Lady Dior with the shoe sketch on it or the Chanel boy bag. I ring up Dior to find out about the prices et al, only to discover that it is strictly limited edition and that the entire collection is sold out worldwide. YES WORLDWIDE! GREAT, just my luck. If I wasn't already struggling to sort out my bag fund, I go on to find out that the bag is not available; this only makes me want it more! Why god WHY?! Being an Andy Warhol fan myself, you can imagine my current plight. I even missed his auction on Christie's. Life can be cruel at times. 

CLUTCH IN SMOOTH CALF SKIN WITH SILKSCREEN AND OXIDIZED GOLD LEAF TECHNIQUE

LADY DIOR BAG IN SMOOTH CALF SKIN WITH SILK SCREEN AND BLUE SILICONE FINISHING

CLUTCH IN CELESTE SMOOTH CALFSKIN WITH SILK SCREEN AND BLACK INLAID PATENT

The classic silhouettes of the bags (Lady Dior & Lady Dior Clutch) in this collection, combined with the playfulness of the legendary illustrations give these accessories the much deserved IT bag status. Now, how to get my hands on one is the big question. The bags are priced at INR 400,000 and upwards. I suggest you start sweet talking a Dior sales person right about NOW.

Chitrangadha Singh in Dior in the Harper's Bazaar India November issue  

Chitrangadha Singh in Dior in the Harper's Bazaar India November issue 

Store Locations: DLF Emporio, New Delhi - +91 11 46005900  & Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai - +91 22 67499091

Image Courtesy: Christian Dior