French Riviera - Getting There & Some FYI

I had been wanting to come to the French Riviera with the husband for a while, however for some reason, in all the nearly six years we have been together, it never worked out. This time, somehow, everything fell into place and we were on our way.

The main airport in the South of France is Nice and there are very few direct international flights to Nice. The only option for us was to either take Emirates from Dubai or do what everyone else does, fly to a European destination first and then take a flight to Nice. Off late, I have been a little turned off with Emirates as their pricing just doesn't make any sense to me anymore. Their fare from Delhi to Nice and flying out from Paris back to Delhi was about 130,00 INR for Business class, which we weren't in the mood to pay for so we ruled out that option. We ended up getting a fantastic deal (INR 83,000 for business class per person) with Qatar airways to Paris with a very short layover in Doha and then bought separate Air France tickets for the inland travel for the same day.

Flying Qatar Airways was quite an experience. I always research the airline before flying to see if the price I'm paying is worth the money. We got the Dreamliner aircraft to Doha and an Airbus A-380 to Paris. After being used to the Emirates lounges at Dubai airport, I wasn't sure what to expect from the lounge in Doha. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised. It was just stunning. Located on level 3 of Hamad International Airport, the lounge boasts four different eating areas and even has its own map! Upon entering, a large decorative pool welcomes you which was pretty funky and right next to it is a staircase leading up to one of the restaurants. The decor is extremely contemporary which I can't complain about because I thought it looked cool. However, I do feel they could do with a bigger smoking area. The smoking room could get extremely claustrophobic if you're there for more than two minutes!

Soon after exploring the lounge, we boarded their A-380 aircraft to Paris which I have to add was phenomenal and even better than the Emirates one and so was their lounge on board.  To check out detailed information of your seats, check out www.seatguru.com. Furthermore, it won business class of the year award so naturally, the service was exceptional.

Moving on, a little FYI on packing. Always bear in mind, when flying between European cities, the tickets DON'T include a big suitcase. With a basic fare, you're entitled to a single carry on suitcase so before purchasing your tickets, make sure you pay in advance for a checked in suitcase. You get that option to buy luggage allowance before paying for your airfare. With Air France, you can pay for a single suitcase per ticket that weighs up to 23 kilos. This way you can pack sensibly too. I made sure both our suitcases were within the luggage allowance to avoid any hassles at the airport.

It ended up being a really exhausting journey but thankfully the full flat beds in Qatar airways made life a little easier. The husband suggested we spend a night at an airport hotel in Paris and fly out the next day but I thought it was better to suck it up and just get there so I could be fresh and ready to drive to Cannes the next day. By the time we checked in to the airport hotel in Nice, we had travelled for almost 24 hours! Anyways, after a good night's rest, everything was just fine. We stayed the night at the IBIS right next to the hotel. Although a budget hotel is far from what I'm normally used to, it didn't make any sense to stay at a five star just to spend the night. Plus, we had to pick up our car rental the next day from the airport which was walking distance from the IBIS, so it was just convenient.

Whilst you can take a bus or train to Cannes, the husband and I prefer driving around at our own pace. Furthermore, we had plans of exploring nearby villages which just makes it easier if you have your own mode of transport. Renting a car is pretty cheap in Europe and if you happen to have a manual driver's license, then you can get some great deals on luxury cars too. We rented an Audi A4 for just 60 Euros a day. Smaller cars are even cheaper. Which brings me to my next point, parking. Before you finalise a hotel, always check their parking fee. We stayed at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Martinez in Cannes, and never bothered checking what their charges were. At check out, we realised it was 40 Euros a day! Almost as much as the rental fee.

I hope this information will be of some help to you. In my other two posts, I will talk about two of the villages we visited and a little bit on how to get there, where to park, etc. 

Saint Laurent Paris SS17 Review

Anthony vacarello's debut collection for was splendid, albeit a little restrained. The show focussed on ultra sexy looks with plunging sweetheart necklines, sheer fabrics on the bust, and short dresses. Silhouettes were mainly in black and leather was plenty. The whole collection had a very vamp-ish appeal. And in a good way. Cleavage bearing tops in leather/velvet were worn over low slung boyfriend jeans and looked effortlessly cool. The mutton leg sleeves added a dramatic flair and were a constant through the show. In sparkling silver as an accent to a tank top, in leopard print or plain black as part of a dress or embellished as part of a fancy top; these sleeves were attention grabbing and fabulous. Jackets were part of the offering too. Grunge and biker style in leather, tapestry inspired in velvet, beautifully tailored tuxedo style or just a single good ol' denim number. Elsewhere gold lamé was draped into a mini skirt and a full sleeved mini dress cinched at the waist with fabric gathered on one side creating a bit of a waterfall effect. 

The show wouldn't be complete without Vaccarello's interpretations on the classic Le Smoking tuxedo where blazers were worn over see through, lingerie style blouses. What i felt was an unnecessary addition was the single boob bearing dress. It wasn't shocking (come on, do you really get shocked when you see a boob nowadays???), it isn't convenient and who apart from Rihanna or Lady Gaga is going to even consider wearing it? A bit pointless in my opinion. Finally, what really stole the show were some of the accessories. The ear cuff, the lapel pin and stiletto heels all bearing the old YSL logo were brilliant. Be prepared to be on the wait list to get your hands on those once they hit the market. Although, I'm stills scratching my head about why there weren't any bags on the runway. Considering they are the bread and butter for most labels, I expected to see some. Maybe some other time!

An overall fun debut collection delivered by Anthony Vaccarello. The designer played it safe and I don't blame him considering he's just replaced Hedi, who took the label to new heights. With a positive response for this show, I have a good feeling about his future collections. 

Victoria Beckham SS17 Review

At Victoria Beckham, it was all about casual elegance. “It’s effortless and everything is quite thrown on” quoted the designer of her collection. Beckham took a bit of a risk this time by creating silhouettes out of crushed velvet. There were skirts, some with a drawstring, some with knife pleats along with loose, deconstructed dresses in the most delicious colors. However, after you recover from absorbing the stunning colors, you’re left wondering how anyone can wear velvet in the summer. All I could think of was the heat and the clothes sticking to me. Some looks came with matching unstructured sling bags in the same fabric which I think the designer could have done without. For example, in the peppermint blue velvet dress look, the sling bag almost blends into the whole outfit making it slightly difficult to identify whether it is actually a bag or part of the dress.

However, the rest of the clothes were pretty damn good. There were slouchy satin pantsuits where jackets had flailing belt ties and were worn over structured bra tops. The gold one in particular was absolutely beautiful. The two oversized shirts she showcased were sure shot hits. Collarless and loosely cut, the beauty was in the lapel that was folded over to the other side. The linen slacks that the gold shirt was paired with were also equally beautiful.  Fun, kimono style, boxy leather tops with printed florals and matching skirts were playful and happy. Beckham injected some sexiness through fitted knit dresses. Some came with a cutaway fold on top revealing a contrast colored bra top. My eyes though were on a candy striped number, with swirls on the breasts.

Most of the looks were paired with summer riding boots that are bound to be the hit of the season. Apart from the fabric cross body and oversized shopper, Beckham introduced a single handled bag with a pouch like shape. Named “The Tissue Bag”, this unstructured purse looked fuss free and easy to carry.

Gucci Princetown Slides - Not Your Average Flats & A Solid Investment For Your Wardrobe

Most of you who know me, know that I am constantly on the hunt for the next fabulous purse. However, what most of you don't know, is that if I'm not looking for the handbag of my life (no pun intended), I'm on a search to find the perfect pair of flat shoes. Yes, I said it. FLAT shoes. Digest it and move on. With the sneaker trend still going strong, I've got quite a few stacked up. But what about those days when you're not in that sporty mood and feel like something a little different? Whilst my numerous Gucci flats that I have hoarded in the last seven years still continue to be a constant in my life, I needed something a little fresh. What do I do if I have almost every version of their GG thong sandals (sometimes in multiple colours of the same design)??? Be it the horse bit flats or the GG microguccisma thongs or even their super old Britt thong sandals; They're all chilling in my shoe closet. But like I said, I needed something new.

We all know that Alessandro Michele has been doing a killer job over at Gucci and has been giving us some insane accessories that are selling out at most places. When the Princetown slides first came out with their kangaroo fur lining, I wasn't sure what I felt. Living between Delhi and Dubai, where summer temperatures soar to their mid to late forties, I didn't think it made sense to me. But then when I saw the plain versions of the shoes, I was sold. The slip ons boast masculine features reminiscent of men's formal shoes and come with the label's signature horse bit hardware which instantly speaks to any Gucci lover. Furthermore, the variations in Princetown are plenty and have some pretty fun detailing. I ordered the GG Blooms pair because apart from the playful printed florals on top of the shoe, the embroidered leather insole makes quite the statement. *Casually slips shoe off whilst sipping on a cappuccino somewhere fabulous*  It was a tough choice between a plain black pair, an in your face red pair and the blooms. But in the end, the insole detailing of the florals won my vote.

Honestly, I'm a person who lives in my flats. I cannot wear heels during the day, and quite frankly, I choose not to. Which is why owning the perfect pair of comfortable shoes is extremely important to me. These new slides, fit the bill in every possible way and are a solid investment for my shoe wardrobe. I can wear them as easily with an off duty look as I could with a formal cropped pantsuit. Wear it with short shirt dress or with an ankle length slip dress, raw hemmed ankle length jeans or tiny shorts; the possibilities are endless giving you really good value for your money. More than anything else, they completely transform any outfit giving your look a very stylish and posh feel. You'll know exactly what I'm talking about once you put on a pair.

Despite it's slightly hefty price tag, I can safely say that a single pair will last you a while and I speak from years of experience of owning Gucci footwear. I wanted to test their comfort level, so I wore them for almost six hours one day and I didn't feel even the slightest pinch in my feet. I go on a holiday at the end of this month, and if there's one pair of shoes I plan to wear from morning to night, it's these ones. Don't be surprised if I come back with another pair (or two) because baby, these are what you need right now.

And as always, I've done a fair amount of research on the price and the best place to buy them is the United Kingdom. Even if you end up paying the VAT, it still works out cheaper than buying it at most places in the world. You can check their website to see if your choice is available in the duty free boutique at Terminal 3, or Terminal 5. Although, you'll be lucky if you can find them in your size.

Until then,
XOXO

Altuzarra SS17 Review

Joseph Altuzarra kept his clothes playful, flirty and light. Fruity prints, consisting of cherries, blueberries and lemons were a constant through the show and were seen on super skimpy bra tops and lots of feminine ruffled slip dresses. Python skin came in various forms, with my favorite being a summer jacket boasting a black & white checked border with red lace on it and a blue, denim printed python skirt with embroidered lemons. I love how effortless those silhouettes looked but I’m sure embroidery on delicate exotic skin couldn’t have been easy.

Altuzarra continued his tryst with Gingham from his SS15 collection which I was a huge fan of (you can read the old review here). Monochrome checked kick flare pants, slanting side slit pencil skirts in pink, and a beautiful blue shirt dress (with a contrasting python bralet), all in a fun tablecloth print were an absolute hit. The designer added a little bit of utilitarian glamour too, with cargo jackets featuring contrasting piping. One has to also take into account the little detailing on the clothes. Case in point: printed fabric that was intertwined within the holes on a leather belt and casually flailing about. Sexy silhouettes continued through striped off the shoulder knit tops and body hugging dresses. Finally, there were evening dresses. Not the restricting, and super tight kinds. But flowy, with multiple ruffled tiers out of which, a reptile print number with bright sequins and cherries embellished on them still lingers in my memory.

Accessories included colourful oversized earrings (I'm going to hunt every e-commerce platform to find them), semi- circle purses mainly in exotic skin and soft bucket bags with a bit of a twist. Most of the shoes were open toe sandals with low heels which matched perfectly with the effortless clothes he created. All in all, it was a solid collection that will be seen on a lot of the fashion flock next season.

Images Via Vogue.com

An Ivory Lehenga With A Body Suit & Black Blazer

Although you saw two of my most recent shoots wearing traditional clothes, I'm not one to wear them often in my daily life. And if I do, I like to add a bit of a contemporary touch to it. For example, at the last Amazon Indian Fashion Week, I wore my JJ Valaya Nehru jacket over skinny jeans, or on another occasion, paired a black shirt with a pair of Sabyasachi couture palazzo pants. So when my mom bought this Anju Modi skirt, or lehenga, my first thought was a body suit and blazer with some chunky jewellery.

What I like about this skirt is it's versatility. I often talk about how important it is for me to get more use out of my Indian wear, especially since Indian designer wear is usually quite expensive. I like to get more use out of the separates and don't like seeing them hidden in my closet after they've been "seen". This skirt is perfect for the summer and can be worn with a light silk kurta, a tank top or even a simple shirt. Furthermore, the little details like the gold border on the waist, the wooden charms on the tie back and the lace hem on the inner layer really make this skirt stand out.

Skirt - Anju Modi
Bodysuit - Forever 21
Blazer - Zara
Buddha Brooch & Earrings - Vaitanika
Photography - Surbhi Sethi