The Opening Of The New Fendi HQ In Rome

The New Fendi HQ

Today will go down as a very important day in the history of Fendi. As the brand gets ready to celebrate it's ninetieth anniversary, they are also relocating their headquarters to a stunning Roman palace, Palazzo Della Civilita Italiana. Commissioned by Facist dictator Benito Mussolini and designed by architects Giovanni Guerrini, Ernesto Bruno La Padula and Mario Romano, the monument opened in 1942 for an International Expo that was cancelled because of World War II.

Fendi is very devoted to it's beloved city of Rome and is committed to restorations of iconic monuments with the palazzo and Trevi Fountain being the most recent ones. After going through various renovations, the Palazzo is now ready for the big move. The label has signed a fifteen year lease and will be paying an annual rent of 2.6 million Euros. The building includes office space for 450 Fendi employees, fur ateliers, Fendi archives along with an exhibition space and a café.

This evening, the label will celebrate it's move the new HQ in a spectacular way with a never seen before light installation called Poem of Light by artist Mario Nanni. "A rising sun, characterized by a deep red, will appear from the stairs and, beating time, it will become white at midday.  The same night it will also unveiled the new permanent lighting of the Palazzo, conceived always by Mario Nanni: an architectural light with increasing shades and intensity will illuminate the columns of the building, creating a unique effect on the light perspective" quotes the press release. The best part: The entire event will be live streamed tonight at 7:45pm CET on www.fendi.com. For now, please enjoy a teaser video I'm posting below of the new Fendi headquarters.

#FendiHQ

 

Fendi Shearling Mania!

 

As if Karlito bag charms and the new micro bags weren't causing a frenzy amongst the fashion flock, Fendi has now gone a step further and released a whole bunch of Shearling goodies. Yes, you heard me. For the FW15  Fendi has used mainly shearling to revamp some of their icons like their Peekaboo bags, the micro peekaboo and baguettes and the 3Baguette chain. The range also includes ankle boots and some outerwear that is simply to die for. The brand has released a super fun video to celebrate this collection which I am posting below. Go ahead, join the #ShearlingMania

 

 

 

 

 

Dior SS 16

Set within a magnificent mountain like 43,000 square foot tent covered in 400,000 stalks of Delphinium flowers (courtesy Bureau Betak), the setting for the Dior SS16 show was nothing short of a spectacle. Inside, the feminine, floral décor was juxtaposed with a futuristic runway and seating of all white with four swivel arms covered in fifty projectors. And this juxtaposition was exactly what the clothes were all about. Masculine versus feminine, future versus the past.

The show opened with a cotton lingerie style top and shorts in all white, featuring scalloped hems. Worn under stiff organza dresses, sweaters and jackets, this look was recurrent throughout the collection. What I loved about the collection were contrasts seen. The masculine bar jackets came with flowy micro pleats at the hems. There were Raf's versions of parka jackets. He stripped them from their utilitarian and rugged status and instead made them soft, girly and desirable as hell. Who wouldn't want to wear a pleated silk parka? Scallop hemmed and cropped sculptural sweaters featuring oversized and rounded shoulders paired with feminine organdie shorts or a high low shirt dress further proved the designer's love for contrasts. Finally, a Dior show is never complete without exceptionally tailored suits. And so there were three piece pinstriped pantsuits (one worn with a funky leather top)and extremely trendy short suits.

Meanwhile, the accessories will end up being the season's most coveted. No surprises there. Scarf like chokers with dangling 1947 and the number 8 metal charms will be seen on every IT girl and replicated by every high street chain there is. New bag shapes were also seen, one being a tube shaped purse with the cannage detailing on the sides which is now on my wishlist.

In an era that is fuelled by fast fashion, Raf took the road less travelled. His focus was on garment construction and techniques. He wanted to create clothes that won't be replaced. "My heart goes very much to trying to concentrate on a wardrobe that you can evolve with," explains the designer on an interview posted on Dior Mag. And that is just what he delivered. 

J'adore.

Dior Seoul

From France to Tokyo to Seoul, Dior's voyage through Asia continues to grow. Seoul, South Korea is the couture house's latest destination. On the 20th June, Dior opened it's doors to their very first freestanding boutique in Seoul's Chungdam Dong district. And the reason I chose to blog about this is because this wasn't just any boutique opening. This was fashion, art, architecture and haute patisserie all in one magnificent building and is something to be talked about. Designed by architect Christian De Portzamparc, the six - storey building (also the largest store in Asia) is truly unique. The entire journey, from research to construction took four years and was far from easy. The curvy part of the building was inspired by the movement of fabric. "This white softness is like the couturier’s toile when he’s at work. It has a sense of movement that plays with light. This sculptural suppleness was my starting point" explains De Portzamparc in an interview for Dior Mag. What I found extremely interesting was the Dior Homme structure which was rectangular and boxy featuring the house's signature cannage pattern on the outside. I loved the whole curvy and geometric contrast.

The interior of the boutique is equally stunning and was designed by Peter Marino. Upon entering, visitors are greeted with a suspended glass and aluminium sculpture by Korean artist Lee Bul. Various materials like leather, lacquer and woods come together to create an exquisite shopping space. The boutique also houses an art gallery showcasing the works of contemporary artists.

Finally, the cherry on top is the Pierre Herme café on the top floor. I'm a huge fan of his macarons and really love the way he experiments with the wildest flavours churning hits after hits. For Dior by Pierre Herme, the patissier created a special menu comprising of ice creams, drinks and some surprise items. Everything served in this chic café is created out of the highest quality ingredients with utmost attention to detail and creativity. I'm already salivating.

I don't think there could have been a better way to acknowledge the booming luxury market in South Korea than by launching this artistic new boutique and the Esprit Dior exhibition that followed two days later. J'adore.

Sue Mue

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure to attend the launch, or re-launch rather of a lovely boutique tucked away inside Green Park market. Sue Mue (pronounced as sueee, the Indian term for needle), a label started in 1968 by the current owner Mohita Gujral's parents is a must visit. 

The first thing I noticed when I entered the store was their lovely pret-a-porter line. Simple, yet beautiful Pakistani style suits with pyjamas, embroidered pastel coloured kurtas, flowy kaftan style dresses, all crafted from pure fabrics were meticulously stitched and not a seam was out of place. If the karigars and masters have been with the brand for over 40 years, one can't expect anything less than perfection. Their pret garments are priced at INR 4000 (for linen shirts) and upwards. 

I was curious to know why the label was being re-launched so I got to digging deeper. "Sue Mue has been re-inventing itself for the past 47 years to stay abreast with new retail trends and to fulfil growing customer needs. The newly furnished store boasts a dedicated floor for our bespoke couture line and a separate section for traditional handwoven Banarsi weaves" explains Mohita. 

I made my way up the staircase to explore the couture floor. There, amongst gilded Louis XV style furniture were racks of skilfully crafted ,colourful couture garments displaying intricate hand embroidery like zardozi, aari and shadow work on luxurious fabrics. The brand has an in-house team of designers who look after Sue Mue's bespoke line.

If you're looking for new additions to your summer wardrobe or do some bridal shopping, Sue Mue should definitely be on your list of boutiques to check out. 

The Couture Floor

Ready To Wear

L-R: Mahima (in Sue Mue), Moi and Snigdha

L-R: Mohita Gujral and a friend, both wearing Sue Mue

Sue Mue Couture

 

Where is Karlito?

If you've been obsessed with Fendi's Karlito bag charm, Fendi is launching an insane capsule collection with Karlito on clothes and accessories to further fuel your obsession. The icon is seen on sweatshirts, jeans and shoes in embroidery and fur appliques, complete with a Karl Loves Fendi signature or in nappa leather and fox fur iPhone covers or even on a hat, shopper and backpacks. This capsule collection is going to be sold out before you know it. Trust Karl to create yet another frenzy amongst the fashion flock.

To launch the line, the label released five super fun videos with models Joan Smalls, Nadja Bender, Lily Donaldson, Doutzen Kroes and Kendall Jenner wearing the limited edition goodies and looking for Karlito who basically is everywhere! Check out the Nadja Bender video above. And click here to be directed to the European Fendi website if you want to shop the stuff NOW! Or simply wait for it to hit the boutiques at some point this month. 

Karlito Jeans & Sneakers

Karlito Fleece

 

A Not So Traditional Look For An Indian Wedding Reception

It's not very often I blog about my looks since I'm not much of a style blogger. But once in a while, I come up with a cool look and love dissecting it on the blog. Recently, I was to attend a wedding and I wanted to look fabulous. Not for anyone else but more so for myself. I am still holding on to some baby weight due to which I'm not always feeling so pretty.

The major question was what to wear. Nothing fit me and whatever did was kind of outdated so it was a bit of a task. I don't wear very traditional suits or saris so it was a bit tough to decide my outfit. The Nehru jacket and dhoti look had been over and done with, the heavily embroidered vest that came as a part of my Anamika Khanna was worn a few times (not to mention super tight now too), I wasn't in the mood to wear my JJ Valaya couture anarkali and neither was I in a Sabyasachi mood. Initially I thought I'll just put on a simple sequinned with suit but I wasn't loving it. Finally, it struck me. My Valaya couture skirt that was part of my wedding sangeet outfit from over four years ago! A beautiful, dark blue piece, with metal rings inside to give it a structure and layered frills to add a bit of grace; this skirt was perfect. I've always wanted to channel the whole Carolina Herrera look (signature white blouse and a ball gown skirt), so I wore a white, high collared Zara shirt over it. Although this wasn't really a traditional Indian wedding reception look, I didn't really care. It was working for me and I loved myself in it. I didn't bother getting my hair done. For some reason I just hate looking so made up. So I just tied it up like I usually do and left a few loose strands to give it a slightly messy feel.

Next up, jewellery. I've always wondered why us desis find it imperative to wear gold, diamonds, or any sort of fine jewellery to wedding functions. Anytime I've considered junk jewellery or statement Swarovski necklaces, I seem to get a disapproving nod from either my friends or family. Quite frankly, I'm sick of seeing people at weddings dripping in diamonds. It's so boring and far from fun. Very clichéd don't you think? Nowadays, Indian clothes aren't so traditional anymore. All our designers are constantly evolving and giving us some fabulous indo western clothes. Shouldn't we be evolving as well? Why run to the bank locker before every wedding?

I had made up my mind. I wasn't going to be seen in a single diamond (minus my engagement and wedding rings). I chose to wear Dior jewellery. A stunning statement Mise En Dior necklace with Mise En Dior earrings.  I just wanted to do something fun. Finally, to complete my look, I carried a pastel pink, mini Be Dior purse. Everything came together really well. I couldn't get over how gorgeous the necklace looked. It's not always fine jewellery that steals the show!

What do you think of my look?

Mise En Dior Jewellery