The Pregnant (And Very Sleepy) Fashion Blogger

Sigh, where do I begin after a long leave of absence from my beloved blog? Well the truth is, this was a totally unwanted leave! Apart from heading to London for a lovely getaway with my mother and later the husband. The deal is that I am 12 weeks pregnant. And with the first trimester comes extreme exhaustion making me a total sleepy head. It's almost like my brain just stopped functioning. To be honest I don't even know how I managed to cover couture week. Between the nausea and the sleepiness it was a miracle I managed to attend. As soon as I got back to Dubai (and Delhi now) the only thing I managed to get done successfully was lay on the couch in the family room from the minute I woke up to well, pretty much most of the day!

Now that I am almost done with the first trimester, I am looking forward to more productive days filled with relatively more energy and hopefully be less of a sleepyhead. There have been so many things I wanted to write about. First was the long overdue haute couture week that happened in Paris, followed by India Couture week and then some bag reviews. I am quite excited about two really cool bags I am going to talk about in the coming few days. I'm just waiting for the bag samples to be sent to me. These are some pretty new and HOT bags so currently they're in the middle of shoots with a lot of high fashion magazines. Once they're back, they'll be sent to me where I will photograph and review them.

Now that you know why I've been MIA, here's cheering me entering my second trimester and some fun upcoming blog posts!

XoXo

The pregnant blogger (who is in dire need of new clothes that FIT!)

India Couture Week 2014 - Dissecting What I Wore

It's very rare for me to post photos of what I wear to events or even out and about because generally I am not a very experimental person. I have standard style which I define as classic chic and stick to the basics which I have now become very bored with. I am starting to get a little sick of the usual silk shirts and skinny jeans that I hoard season after season. For this couture week, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and experiment a bit! Here's the dissection.

Day 1 was Sabyasachi, so naturally I HAD to wear one of his outfits. I decided to attack my sister's closet for her Sabyasachi couture outfit she wore for the day of my nikkah. It was this beautiful oxblood colored choga with the most exquisite embroidery in dull gold and was unlike anything the designer ever created. Of course I wasn't going to wear the choga, (velvet in 40 degrees centigrade, I am not that bad a fashion victim). I was going to wear the palazzo pants that was to be worn under the choga.

Mind you, I've never worn big, flared pants ever before. The pants were in a dark wine colour and had a block print all over with a big embroidered border at the end. So basically when you wear the whole ensemble together, only the border of the pants can be seen. I tried those on with a black shirt and a pair of heels and it looked pretty fun, so I settled on that. On the day of the show, I paired the outfit with polki earrings and a maroon Chanel 2.55 bag to complete the look. Any thoughts?

The pants under the choga

3.5 years later, pairing the pants with a shirt!

For day 2, I had already decided I was going to wear my oversized SS 14 Acne Studios poplin shirt dress (click on the link if you want to buy it). The fabric of the dress was just beautiful and perfect for a hot summer night. I cinched the dress at the waist with a very old Ferragamo belt that I had lying somewhere in my closet. For my accessories, it was my cool new Moschino bracelet, Saint Laurent Paris Chyc clutch in a yellow and SS 14 Prada wedges (click on the link to purchase). For the finishing touch, I added a red insect brooch on the lapel of my dress.

The third day was a bit of a dilemma. I had absolutely no clue what to wear and I was determined to do another fun indo-western combination. Finally, I decided on wearing a pair of Forever 21 skinny jeans, a crisp ZARA white shirt with my beautifully embroidered Anamika Khanna sleeveless jacket (remember the Anamika anarkali I talked about a little white ago in one of my currently trending posts that came with a jacket as part of the ensemble). For the accessories it was a blue Saint Laurent Paris Chyc clutch, antique blue and green chatri earrings and once again for the finishing touch I added these eagle collar pins I picked up from Primark last year. Et voila!

Tip: When buying Indian clothes, try and invest in pieces that have separates that can be worn individually as well. This way you get more use out of your Indian wear because most our expensive Indian clothes end up being worn twice at the most and then just sit at the back of our closets! So for example, my wedding sangeet outfit was a JJ Valaya couture jacket worn over this stunning Spanish style skirt with round metal rings inside it. I have worn the jacket with the skirt and with skinny jeans. The skirt also can be worn separately white shirt that has an oversized collar. Same goes for the clothes I described above. So always keep an eye out for ensembles that you can pair with western clothes as well. Just more value for money. Not to mention, if worn correctly, it can look absolutely fabulous.

Now for my final day of India couture week ( I didn't attend the last two days), I was kind of tired and decided to keep it fairly simple. A pink Diane Von Furstenberg silk shirt worn over a denim Zara pencil skirt. For the accessories it was a camel Givenchy Antigona clutch, Gucci suede high heeled loafers  with horsebits and a statement Swarovski necklace. I was so blah that day, sadly I didn't really take a picture of myself at the venue!

And that's all folks! Reviews to be posted shortly.

Fashion Week Etiquettes - DON'T Push Unless There's An EarthQuake

Fashion week is always an exciting time. For people who get personal invites from the designer and for us media people. It's a time when you put on your best and perhaps the quirkiest clothes, witness some great fashion by some of our country's best designers and of course a fun time to socialise with people.

I have only become a fashion week regular this year as I applied for the media accreditation to cover shows for my blog. Previously I would attend shows as the PR would send us invites for being regular customers. Between then and now, I don't know why I continue to get shocked at people's behaviour during the shows. Take the Sabyasachi couture show that kick started India Couture Week the other day. First and foremost, it was a bit frustrating that there was no separate media entry as there usually is during Ready To Wear fashion weeks. But that isn't the worst part. I am okay with standing in line with everyone else attending to enter the show area.

What I am not okay with is the stampede that takes place to get in. You see I have always been one of those who will stand in a queue, never breaks a line and patiently wait for my turn. Because it is something I have been taught in school and by my parents. But what I witnessed for that show was women, head to toe in designer wear (like I was too), dripping in diamonds, ELBOWING their way through to get in! Elbowing I would say is an understatement. I am talking pushing with full force, pulling hard at their friends who may be a bit far behind to get them to come join them at the front so they can get in faster. What I don't get is that if the seats are all numbered, what difference does it make how fast you get in? Like they say, there are some things money just can't buy - and that's class!

There I was getting squished with my friend and fellow blogger Rasna, and then there was poor Sunil Sethi screaming at the bouncers for not stopping more people from entering. The entry into the Sabyasachi show was just plain disgusting. Even if lets say the organisers may have botched it up a bit, but we are civilised humans right? We do have an education. Most people attending fashion week are educated. Be it photographers, journalists, buyers, clients, whoever! I don't see the need to push your way through. Between all the pushing and pulling, I was honestly scared that I might fall down one of the stairs!

The point of this post was to try and send a message to fashion week regulars. Please don't keep up this behaviour. After all we aren't animals! Unless you get front row seats, you still can't see the collection properly so save all your pushing and pulling for an emergency like an earthquake! Hell you can't see the clothes properly from the third row which is where we bloggers usually sit. Anyways, the next time you attend a top notch designer's show, try and maintain some level of dignity. And this goes for everyone including journalists, not just the socialites.

 

Dior FW 14 Haute Couture - Looking To The Past For The Future

Hello everyone! I am finally back from the dead. Okay not the dead but from my very lovely summer holiday in case you were wondering where I had disappeared off to. Anyways, its back to work now which means catching up on the Fall/Winter haute couture shows starting with Dior.

I thought after following Raf Simons for Dior so closely for the last few years, that I might have had him all figured out. You know, his minimalist aesthetic, his love for architecture and bright colours, etc. After I saw the FW 14 Haute Couture show, turns out, I hadn't had him all figured out.

The show theme was kind of like a quick presentation on fashion history. “I was interested in the process of finding something extremely modern, through something very historical; particularly through a juxtaposition of different themes,” explains Raf Simons in the press note. Divided into eight parts, the show started with Marie Antoinette style dresses, except they looked like what she may have worn in present day times. Most of them were worn with panniers, like Marie Antoinette's court dresses but these were modernised with pockets and tulle that was light and breathable.

Flight suit inspired silhouettes came next. Who would have thought that outfits worn by space goers would make their way into couture! The juxtaposition of feminine embroidery on silk against industrial-esque zippers on jumpsuits inspired by astronauts was a fine touch.  The silk dresses with zippers all the way down the front had a pretty clear message; that haute couture dresses need not take forever to wear. The Edwardian coats paired with contrasting trousers that followed were just breath-taking despite their simplicity. However, nothing could steal the limelight from the 18th century court jackets with the most exquisite embroidery on them paired with simple turtle necks and trousers. There was also a new, super cool version of the Bar jacket. This time collars were exaggerated and looked almost architectural with my favourite being the rounded collar as seen on Malaika Firth. The show closed with feminine, pleated silk dresses bringing technology and tradition together.

Historical references in ready to wear and haute couture are nothing new. But the way Raf re-interpreted it is very new. Whenever we think of 18th century inspirations, it is almost a reflex to assume the clothes will be big ball gowns filled with layers of tulle and heavy embroidery. However, not anymore. He has managed to make the past a lot less dramatic and a lot more suited to everyday life. “It was an idea of confronting what people now think is an aesthetic that is modern – it felt more modern to go to the far past, not the ‘modernised ‘look of the last decade. The challenge was to bring the attitude of contemporary reality to something very historical; bringing easiness to something that could be perceived as theatrical. It is the attitude that matters.” explains Raf in the press note. Once again, a fantastic delivery from one of the most important men in the fashion industry.

Click here to watch a video on the highlights of the show or click here to see the entire image gallery. In the meantime scroll down to enjoy some photos of my favourite looks along with a short video featuring the magnificent set.

Image Courtesy: Christian Dior

Dior Fusion Sneakers - It's All About The Sneaker!

Currently, as I walk around the streets of London, I can't help but notice the large number of women pairing sneakers with their silhouettes. Such a contrast from what I saw last summer. This time around, trainers are being paired with mini skirts, flowy pleated skirts, skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans and dresses. I mean hey, if they can be paired with glamorous haute couture clothes, there's little else left that sneakers can't be worn with!  Being an avid flat shoes collector, it comes as a desperate sigh of relief to see super trendy women walking comfortably in training shoes. Who has the time these days to be uncomfortable? And if feet can be comfortable in Dior shoes, even better.

Obviously I'm not talking about the haute couture trainers we saw for the SS 14 show (unless we want to sell our house or car). These ones are for the coming Fall. It was just very unfortunate I didn't have a chance to play with the sample size they have at the office (I'm a size 36.5 and the sample size was a 39) and photograph them personally. I did however, fiddle with them at Harrods yesterday to make up for my distress and boy are they divine. Never before has high fashion mixed with street wear looked better. It's an interesting combination that once would have resulted in an expression that would have you running for cover. Whilst many brands have their own rendition of the fashion sneaker, my personal favourite is Raf's.

The colour of the bouncy sole, resembling that of a cushiony running shoe contrasts the colour of the mesh. From baby pink, to yellow, to baby blue; I don't think rubber has ever looked better! The mesh, usually in black or white has very feminine, very intricate motifs consisting of beads and tiny sequins hand embroidered on them. Feminine, comfortable and super fabulous; the Dior trainers embody every characteristic that a modern woman needs to suit her busy life.

The making as always fascinates me more than anything, which is why I'm posting the video to share with you the process.

The shoes are currently available at Dover Street Market & Harrods in London.  I will post an update about their availability in India as soon as Dior confirms that to me.

Image Courtesy: Christian Dior

I Heart Summer Sales

As you all know by now, I'm a pretty regular online shopper and have shopped from pretty much every well known e-commerce portal there is. Anyways, as always, the summer sales have started and I have started my hunt for something fabulous. My current already ordered items include this gorgeous Alexander McQueen Small Padlock Tote in snakeskin (what a fabulous deal I got on that one from the McQueen website), a pair of Kenneth Jay Lane earrings and a Moschino bracelet. I'm still not done looking for some great discounts online. Here are my top picks in handbags (as always)from the current sales.

Everyday Bags

If you've been looking for an everyday bag that won't hurt your budget too much but is stylish, durable and luxurious at the same time, then these three bags are just right for you.

1. Rochas East West Bi-Colour Tote - For a few seasons now, I have seen various colours of this Rochas tote and am still wondering why I haven't bought it yet. I love the simplicity of this model and the colour blocking. The attached leather pouch, the beige leather lining and the fact that it's made in Italy make this bag very luxurious. The best part is, the price. At 37,540 Rupees, I don't think you'll find a better investment. Click here to purchase.

2. Alexander Wang Rocco Leather Bag - Another one of my favourite bags (and a celebrity darling too) is this Alexander Wang bag especially in this minty green colour. How perfect for the summer right?! The best part about this bag is the very cool studded base. However, for a bag made in China I never felt like paying full retail for it. But if it's on sale for under 50,000 Rupees, I think it's worth every penny! The bag is repeated almost every season in various colours so it will last you a while. Click here to purchase.

3. Tod's D-Cube Small Soft Leather Tote - Tod's D-Cube series has been quite the rage this Spring. I love how the brand has totally revamped their style. I used to always think Tod's bags were quite the aunty type bags but with their Spring bags, they've completely changed my impression. This cute duffel bag is very functional and packs plenty despite its small size. It comes with minimal hardware which is perfect because the bag isn't too heavy and of course the optional shoulder strap. I've always had trouble finding the perfect bag when I'm on vacation because all my bags are so big. This one is just right. It will fit all my essentials without overwhelming me! A real must have. Click here to purchase.

Fun Clutches

Most of you know by now that I am quite the classics gal. Most of my bags and clutches are usually classic models. However, off late, I've started stepping out of my comfort zone and experimenting a little more with fun accessories. It's good to dedicate a part of your closet to accessories that are playful and eye-catching. Here are three clutches I'm currently crushing on.

1. Dolce & Gabbana Floral Brocade Cross-Body Bag - This Italian duo's prints just never tire us. Lemons, ancient pillars or the almond blossoms as seen on this clutch; I just love their prints every season. This particular round bag is just so cute. I love the luxurious brocade fabric and the gold metal chain. You can wear it with a casual outfit during the day or with your dancing shoes on at night and be hands free both times. And for 29,120 I couldn't think of a better deal! Click here to purchase.

2. Charlotte Olympia Juke Box Patent Leather Clutch - Queen of quirk Charlotte Olympia gets it right season after season. Her accessories are just so fun! I love this Archie comic inspired juke box clutch in patent leather. It's an instant conversation starter don't you think? Although it's a little flat so don't try and stuff too much inside it. Click here to purchase.

3. Burberry Polka Dot Leather & Canvas Clutch - I never thought a polka dotted clutch could have such a high impact until I saw this monochrome one from Burberry. Totally loving it. Click here to purchase.

Exotic Skin

I always feel that if you want to buy exotic skin bags, it's best to wait for the sales. Most of the bags end up going on discount unless of course they're the classic models like a Chanel 2.55, Hermes bags or the Celine amongst others. As mentioned above, I got a really good deal on my McQueen tote and there are some great discounts on various e-commerce portals. These two are the ones I really liked. Also, what I've noticed is that the best deals on exotic skin bags are from upcoming designers.

1. Sophie Hulme Spear Tab Python Cross-Body Bag - This Sophie Hulme bag features colourful python skin with 24 Carat gold plated hardware. Talk about luxury all over! The cool colours are definitely attention seeking and I'm really liking its super boxy shape. Plus the price for this exotic skinned baby is to die for. INR 40,410. Talk about fabulous. A word of caution, this bag may have shipping restrictions so either order it to a friend within the EU/UK or speak to someone online at MatchesFashion.com to assist you further.

2. Gucci Ostrich Cross-Body Satchel - Okay so I know this one isn't really a "budget" designer bag, but if you were to splurge once a year, I suggest it be on this Gucci. This beautiful ostrich skin bag in tan leather with gorgeous horsebit hardware is bound to be with you for many years to come because of the brand's impeccable craftsmanship and I speak from experience. If I hadn't already splurged, I would definitely be buying this bag right now. Click here to purchase.
 

Omega Baselworld 2014, and the Co-Axial Technology

Recently, Hanadi and I were invited by Omega for an experiential that provided an insight into movement details of their watches alongside a presentation of their star pieces -- including the Basel 2014 beauties. Before this, we haven't really written much about watches on the blog, and this seemed like an exciting start to do so. Although I do dabble in the technicalities of horology from time to time for my features at work, I have never really seen the inside of one firsthand. So off we went one Saturday afternoon to the Swatch Group service centre in Saket, all set to discover what exactly is involved in their co-axial technology.

Founded in mid 19th century, this Swiss watch brand introduced the co-axial technology in 1999, a landmark achievement in its history, and introduced the proprietary co-axial calibres in 2007. Below is a video showcasing the Omega escapement -- the delicate technical bit that gives life to a watch's movement.

At the workshop, we had to don lab coats and dust protectors on our shoes -- a sort of hospital scrub like preparation, and each of us were assigned our own watch movement to play with (albeit carefully). In the first picture below, I have placed some of the dismantled components from the co-axial against a coin for size comparison. These miniature parts are like a puzzle, that fit into one another and interact to provide oscillation that is friction-free to a great degree compared to other escapements, and provide greater timekeeping precision. It may sound highly technical, but once I myself worked on the movement, I started understanding that it is simply a matter of genius physics at work -- and each craftsman at Omega treats every movement service like a surgery. 

Here is another video that takes you step-by-step on the actual mechanics of the Omega Co-Axial calibre 9301:

Post this -- armed with fascinating insider's knowledge -- we headed for the watch showcase at Sheraton nearby. First up are these two his watches from the Speedmaster and Seamaster ranges. The Omega Speedmaster is one of their most legendary watch lines. Also called the 'Moonwatch', timekeepers from this collection have been worn by astronauts on many missions; it is also the first watch to be worn on the moon in 1969. Shown here is the 42 mm Steel on Steel model with a black dial covered by a hesalite crystal.

The Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial Chronometer shown here is a reinterpretation of their classic watch, introduced at Basel 2014. It is is equipped with the new Omega Master Co-Axial calibre 8400 and would be available for purchase in November.

Top: OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch 42 mm. Below: OMEGA Seamaster 300 Co-Axial Chronometer

Next are these dainty Seamaster trio for women with the calibre 8520 movement. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Master Co-Axial is available in 34, 38.5, and 41.5 mm dials with strap options of steel or dual-metal. The two 34 mm watches on left and right below feature steel and 18-k gold and rose gold on the bracelet, with the inside of mother-of-pearl on the dial which makes each watch one-of-a-kind. The indices feature 12 diamonds, and the bezel is completely set in diamonds. The watch in the centre is accentuated with a classic, simple bezel.

 The skeleton back of the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Master Co-Axial 34 mm rose gold version:

The other stars of Basel 2014 were the Constellation Pluma watches for him and her. The stylised dial of the ladies version has soft, wavy patterns reminiscent of a feather--on a base of  mother-of-pearl dials available in natural white, champagne, gold or blue. 

Add caption

Next are the gorgeous De Villes -- so exquisitely feminine. The Omega De Ville Prestige Butterfly is available in sizes of 27.4 and 32.7 mm. These young, delicate designs showcases the contemporary side of the brand perfectly. The dials are presented in white pearled, mother-of-pearl, silver or champagne. On top is the 32.7 mm version that has a calibre 4061 and diamonds on eight of the indexes. The timepiece also features scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment inside. The second watch features Omega calibre 2500, and is accentuated with diamonds on the bezel as well.

The look of the De Villes on your wrist -- leather and steel-yellow gold bracelet:

Me and Hanadi received a Seamaster and De ville to review personally. What would I pair the Seamaster with?

An evening soiree paired with vintage Givenchy disc earrings:

Against stylish sailor epaulettes on a black tailor-made jacket:

Along with a pair of silver, diamonds, and South Sea pearl drop earrings:

With the Chanel perfume iphone case:

Or with a beauty look featuring summer shades by Shiseido and Estee Lauder:

Or simply with a string of South Sea pearls:

Or a diamond tennis bracelet, and the stunning De Ville on the same wrist:

Watch courtesy: Omega