All Things Red & Pink For My Valentine's Day Gift Guide!!!

Valentine's day gets me all excited every year. Its a day when the entire world is celebrating love (agreed, there's no need for one particular day to do so, but no party poopers allowed here); whether its love for themselves, a partner, a BFF or a family member. Every year, I wake up on V-day with the anticipation of gorgeous flowers and perhaps a gift (the husband will be COERCED into reading this post) to celebrate on this day.

In case you haven't started dropping hints to your loved one, its about time you do so! Here is my very special and very luxurious red and pink valentine's day gift guide for all you fabulous ladies.




Jewellery

1. Aurelie Bidermann Pink Gold Swan Feather Earrings - How beautiful are these earrings from the designer's signature organic collection? Meticulously hand crafted in Paris, these pink enamel earrings are made from genuine swan feathers dipped into 18 Karat gold. Click here to purchase from Le Mill's e-commerce site.

2. Hermes Ano Bracelet In Poppy & Amaranth Red Lacquered Wood - What I love most about the Ano bracelet is its simplicity. Hermes does understated so well. Don't be fooled though, it's still made in France out of beautiful lacquered wood and the colours on this one are just perfect for Valentine's day. You can wear it on its own or stack it with your other Hermes bracelets. Check with the Hermes boutique in Delhi on 011-43607780 for availability.

3. Mise En Dior Necklace - Okay, I'll be honest with you, when I saw this necklace I kind of died and went to heaven .I love all the other goodies I've featured today but this one truly is the loveliest. First up, I love statement necklaces and pretty much only have such pieces in my closet. Secondly, the cluster of pink ,soft touch lacquered pearls entwined in gold metal is just stunning! So feminine. The husband better be reading this. Check with Dior on 011-46005900 for availability.





Hair Accessories

You know I thought it would be fun to feature some hair accessories for V-day this time. Whilst jewellery, bags and lingerie make the ideal gifts, its fun to add an element of quirk every now and then.

1. Karl Lagerfeld Wool-Felt Fedora - Who says a girl doesn't like a good pink-ish fedora as a V-day gift? Not every girl likes handbags you know. There's something so sexy about a woman who can pull off a fedora. This one is so cute with the grosgrain ribbon on it. Click here to purchase.

2. Piers Atkinson Love Headband - I love milliner Piers Atkins' creations, they're always so fun and eccentric, especially the iconic cherries and even an aubergine for this season. But since it's the day of love, I suggest this LOVE headband! Imagine walking into a party wearing this. What a style statement it will make and lets not forget the envious once overs. Click here to purchase.

3. Valentino Rockstud Leather Headband - Okay please don't kill me for featuring the rockstud over and over again! I can't help it, I'm obsessed! Bags, shoes, mobile phone covers and now the headband, I LOVE them all. Click here to purchase.




Clutches

1. Gucci Heart Beat Print Clutch - I HEART Gucci. Sigh, this adorable clutch makes me want to flutter my eyelashes (think Minnie Mouse style). With its blue patent leather, hand painted edges, leather lining and hearts in different sizes all over the bag, this clutch says I LOVE YOU Gucci style! They also have pouches in the heart beat series. Check with Gucci on 011-46471111 for availability.

2. Stella McCartney Falabella Crystal Embellished Faux Leather Clutch - The designer's signature Falabella design comes in the form a clutch with a girl's favourite things embellished on it; lips, hearts, matchsticks and earrings. Kind of reminds me of the elements that comprise of a wild, girl's night out. A little surrealist, a little edgy, this is the ideal gift to yourself. Click here to purchase.




Lingerie

Whether you wear it for yourself or for a romp in the sack with your partner, a valentine's day is incomplete without sexy lingerie!

1. La Perla Noche De Viento Silk-Crepe Chemise & Thong - I swear by La Perla for fancy lingerie. I bought some of their stuff for my wedding and its just so amazing. I love the way fabric feels on my skin. And their designs, so delicate. Their Noche De Viento collection is inspired by Spanish flamenco dancers and features the most exquisite details. On the traje de flamenco, you'll often see polka dots which comes in the form of tulle on this chemise. There are also appliqued fans on the baby doll inspired by those used by the dancers. I feel like a sexy dancer already! Click here to purchase.

2. Agent Provocateur Novah Neon Lace-Trimmed Stretch-Silk Satin Robe - AP is another one of my favourite luxury lingerie brands. Their robes just fall on your body so sensually (I speak from experience). This robe in particular had me sold with the yellow appliqued lace detailing on it. Pair it with a seductive bra and underwear set (leave it open or tie it to give a glimpse of cleavage) or the matching chemise. Click here to purchase.

 

Kitsch Launches Marchesa!! Wooohooooo

Marchesa, a Hollywood red carpet favourite, has finally entered Indian territory and we have Priya & Charu Sachdev to thank for that. Last Friday, I went for the fabulous launch of this great new venture by the sisters and it was a fashionable one. My favourite club, Blue Bar at Taj Palace, had pretty floral archways in the patio that served as a runway where models, including the ever so gorgeous Lisa Hayden strutted in these beautiful gowns.

 

Marchesa presented during New York fashion week

Marchesa  presented during New York fashion week

The clothes designed by Georgina and Keren are as close to couture as it can get. The gowns and cocktail dresses always have the most exquisite detailing on them; be it embroidery, embellishments or feathers and are made out of the finest fabrics."Marchesa collections fuse exquisite detailing with supreme femininity and we are excited to bring this beautiful brand experience into Kitsch's offering" says Charu.

Over the last two years, the trends at Indian weddings have been changing. During a youngster's or even a wedding sangeet, more and more Indian brides chose to wear a gown as opposed to Indian wear. Most of them opt for Indian designers to create their gowns, but I think it's great that we have Marchesa dresses in our country too now as it gives the Indian market more variety to chose from. Not to mention these dresses are just so unique and their cuts are just a class apart.

But it's not just in bridal wear that this trend is changing. I have attended a lot of fancy farmhouse parties (Diwalis, birthdays, etc) where women are seen in gowns and cocktail dresses.  

Spending power has increased in our country and our style mavens are always on the look out for something that stands out. That is exactly what Marchesa is. Something different, something exquisite and something fabulous.

 

The Lightness Of Modern Day Haute Couture

Haute couture has long been associated with flamboyance and Cinderella style ball gowns that are filled with never ending layers of tulle and are extremely uncomfortable to wear. However, the SS 14 couture collections presented last week gave us a new meaning to couture. Most of the designers featured garments that were extremely wearable despite thousands of hours of craftsmanship involved in creating them. 

Let’s start with the Valentino collection. A very light and breezy gown opened the show with musical notes that took 1600 hours of embroidery. But from far, it actually looked like the notes were printed, so you can only imagine how light the gown must have felt when Katy Perry wore it to the Grammy's.  Next, were these ethereal ballerina tutu style dresses in which one of them had a snake made out of feathers that slithered from the shoulder, wrapped itself around the waist thrice and made its way towards the thigh. I wonder how many hours that must have taken?!

 

Moving on to Dior, as I mentioned in my previous post, this was yet another collection that looked light as air, but at the same time was one of the most labour intensive ones produced by the couture house. The minimalist aesthetic was a strong one here, but there was intricate hand embroidery done in almost every garment you saw on the runway. We also saw the new couture jumpsuit and jumpsuits have always been so casual. But, in this new era of couture, women are no longer required to be uncomfortable in their clothes. Women today don't spend their day playing dress up. Time is of the essence. Even an haute couture client who may be hosting a benefit has to walk around and mingle with her guests. If she wears a dress that weighs heavier than her, how on earth can she walk around?

At Chanel, the sportswear movement was prevalent throughout. There were sporty skirts and boxy crop tops with fitted corsets underneath. Not the kind of corsets that leave you gasping for air, but the kind that you actually run around in. Then there were cycling shorts that had sequins and little motifs embroidered on them just like the flirty, dropped waist, lightweight dresses. Silhouettes with feather seemed light as air as did the wedding dress that closed the show. We Indians are so used to wearing lehengas that weigh ten kilos, its refreshing to see minimalism enter bridal wear.

The collection plays tricks with your eyes! As someone who sees the shows on style.com all I see is light garments that shimmer as the model moves and sometimes when I zoom in I get to see a little bit of the detailing. Its only when I researched further, did I find out the iridescent effect of every garment came from the hundreds of tiny sequins that were stitched on to the fabric. That was what mesmerised me the most, that some of the work was so subtle, you only realise it when you close up images.

Another much talked about collection was that of Viktor & Rolf for using latex to create the garments. The nude coloured dresses were almost like second skin and sometimes it was hard to differentiate! A dress that was made from folds of latex had a hand painted bird that looked like it was holding the folds. The entire collection was extremely light, and the hand painted birds, ruffles and bows that were used for the detailing were my favourite. Even though this seemed more of a promotional activity for their new perfume, the clothes definitely were in sync with the era of modernised haute couture.

While most of Alexandre Vauthier's collection was quite sensual with the braided leather skirts and chokers with spikes, however, there was an element of lightness in some silhouettes. In particular, a shirt dress, that was reinterpreted in satin by dropping the hemline all the way to the ankle and a slit that was thigh high. Perfect for a girl who lives by the 'I don't give a shit' mantra but loves her couture too.

Footwear too played an important role in these shows. At Schiaparelli, there were flats with crocodile leather straps and plumes used to decorate them. Viktor & Rolf used ballerina shoes. Dior and Chanel had the couture sneakers. The flat shoes symbolise liberation. Enough of the six inch high heel drama. Make way for flats people!



Dior sneakers



Chanel sneakers that can cost up to 3,000 Euros



Schiaparelli flats

The clothes and footwear in last week's shows send a strong message. No longer do women have to be uncomfortable to be fashionable. Not in footwear and not in couture. It is truly a new era of high fashion.

Christian Dior SS 14 Haute Couture - Entering A New Era Of Couture

Light and airy… those were my first words to my fabulous friends at Dior PR when I emailed them as I was watching the show. Raf Simons has set the bar for what modern day couture should look like. It was all about understanding today’s woman and the fast paced life she lives.

At a glance you might think, oh well that didn’t look like a collection that would take hours of craftsmanship due to the minimalist aesthetic. That is far from the truth. Cut work detailing was key to this collection. Almost every look  had small cut outs playing peek-a-boo with either skin, more delicate cut outs or intricate embroidery behind the layer. There were small three dimensional flowers or stems stitched on to the dresses that were jutting out which was a fine play of textures.

An ink blue skater skirt with a matching silk top in particular caught my eye. There were a million leaves (at least that’s what it looked like to me) that were sewn on to form flowers around a print of a woman standing on a rock. And if you pay close attention, some of the blue leaves were even painted white on the edge to add extra detailing….poetic. A strapless gown (I’m hoping to see it at the Oscar’s or perhaps even a big fat Indian wedding sangeet) with an overlay of cut out fabric resembling a honeycomb had another white layer attached on to the waist with white punched holes that shimmered as the model walked. Shimmered, because every bit of the fabric was covered in embroidery that only the finest hands in Paris can do. A white strapless mini dress with exaggerated peplums where the holes gave way to many tiny colourful flowers. There were even jumpsuits in this new era of couture!

Moving on to jewellery, Raf used merely a single chain with a pretty bow that grazed the collarbone evoking sensuality. Its not always about the bling or dripping in diamonds. It’s all about elegance and that can come with a simple chain too, just depends on the attitude.

I’m saving the best part for the last, which were (I’m sure you’re thinking when is she going to talk about THAT!) the sneakers. Yes sneakers at Dior Haute Couture for the first time ever. Only proving that Raf understands today’s woman so intimately. Imagine a girl at her cotillion who has just danced with her blue blooded partner and has an after party to attend. What does she do? She puts on her dancing shoes… her couture trainers.

Raf is always ahead of the game. Making couture more comfortable, wearable and effortless despite being one of the most labour intensive collections produced by the couture house; GENIUS.

Please enjoy some photos from the collection below or click here to see the entire show.

Image Courtesy: Christian Dior



Favourite Look



Favourite Look - Notice the sneakers

Favourite Look

Le Mill Is Coming To Delhi - More Reasons To Rejoice

Okay all my fabulous Dilliwallas! I've got good news for all of you. I have just been informed that Le Mill is having a pop up shop in our very own city! Between the 23rd and 25th January, head over to 125/126 Meherchand Market, 1st Floor to check out the merchandise. The FW 13 stuff is going to be at 50 per cent off and older merchandise is at 70 per cent off.

Oh man, I've been dying to buy a Peter Pilotto skirt and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get my hands on one this week. I also feel the sudden need to buy another Alexander Wang bag. Don't ask me why. I just bought the Victoria Beckham clutch I featured in a previous post and trust me I should NOT be shopping. But when such temptations are within the realms of your own home, I guess I should just give in and do what the voices in my head say.. they eerily whisper .."go shopping Hanadi, you NEED new stuff". Apart from the bag obsession that I have, I'm thinking of focussing on ready to wear items when I visit their pop up shop. I have, off late developed a strong liking for Mary Katarantzou dresses. Plus there was this SS 13 blazer from Joseph that I had seen in London and was stupid enough not to buy it so I'm like really really hoping I find that in their older merchandise. Can you think of a better way to end a bitterly cold January?

Okay enough of what I plan on buying? What will you have your eyes on at the sale? DON'T forget, 23rd to 25th January. Happy shopping people!

XoXo
Me