December 2012 - Fashionfad

The misinterpreted Mayan banter on being debunked leads to the dawn of good times, or may be bad times. Nobody knows what the time holds in future but back in 2012 we had our share of sternly hard times sporadically when our style divas preferred frivolity over snobbery.

Chalk it up to their idea of hogging all the media focus at once, for good or bad, or may be a failure at the stylist’s part, the year had few of the prettiest celebrities turning into the ugliest ducklings. Though the red carpet had swathes of awe-inspiring haute couture cutting a glamorous picture but the baffled sartorial choices stood out.

It’s intriguing to watch the much hailed fashionistas taking a style pratfall where few were hideous enough to make one noodle over the over-drugged notoriety our celebrities seldom indulge in. Not considering the perpetually annoying Nicki Minajs and Keshas here we come up with ten worst sartorial choices of 2012.

The fashion divas like Rihanna and Emma Watson known for making the heads turn with their fashion sensibility earned flak for their not-so-spiffy outfits. Where Emma Watson chose to slip in a trouser with her Dior couture peplum piece Rihanna played an Auschwitz survival donning slouchy striped separates with an ill-fitted jacket. Making an attempt to take a flight to nowhere it was Anne Hathaway who showed up in a BDSM meets Batman black number at Les Miserable premiere. And yes! Vivienne Westwood in her scary best takes the cake.

In India our Bollywood starlets are no less enthusiastic when it comes to invoking nightmares by the mere style sensibility. The motor mouth Mallika Sherawat struts in a nude dress with hood at the Cannes Film Festival 2012, leaving us all indifferent, while Raveena Tandon behaves like a lamb in her leopard dress.

Standing on the verge to bid adieu to another year the flashback comes flowing in, and examining ensues. The year was fashionably as delectable as the gone by ones with designers innovating and experimenting to create awe-inspiring designs.So here we track down through the archives and ask our fashion peeps from Mumbai, Milan and New York to come up the trends that dictated the last year, and still modish enough to distill down to 2013.

Sportiness, Plastic & Metal

Though the futuristic designs moving from the simple story of warp and weft to another level originated way back in 70s with space age designs but recently we saw the surge of use of materials like plastic, metals and wood creating three dimensions. The year had lots of designers from New Delhi to New York creating wearable pieces from liquid metal, gold, silver and scrap in shades of scarlet, emerald and many more. From Burberry to Kanika Saluja and Rajesh Pratap Singh banking upon it the metal trend will only strengthen in coming times.

Besides metal the use of sporty elements on ramp was quite ubiquitous. The more-user friendly fabrics and functionality remained the focus offering comfort with style like never before. So kind of minimalism meeting hot sporty sex turned out to be the flavour of the year.

Ruffles, Peplums, Bare Midriffs and Off Shoulders

The different elements render different effect and 2012 had enough detailing of different types to create a potpourri of peculiar flavours. Peplums were there on every second catwalk, the subtle to loud use of midriffs and off shoulders kept churning erotica, and ruffles were gracefully spiraling from every other design on ramp.

Appearing in designs of Christian Dior to Gauri Nainika ruffles rooted for femininity; bare midriffs and thigh high slits of dresses, separates and saris by fashion houses like Givenchy, Burberry, Shivan & Naresh and Wendell Rodricks played with seduction; Zac Posen, Dior, Rahul Mishra and Payal Pratap added peplums to create another dimension.

Bright Colors and Riot of Prints

Though the classiness of black and white gracefully dominated the ramp but the splash of preppy colors stood out for their vivacity. It’s the use of bright hues like lemon, emerald green, fuchsia and yellow that brought life on the ramp. Besides the subtle use of neon hues in the form of accessories created pop-of-color effect.

The prints had a variety in the form of geometrical, floral, abstract, stripes and checks. All in all prints beautifully narrated the stories throughout the year and will keep reprise the act this coming year.

Craftsmanship and Heritage

In the current times when everything handmade is considered a piece of art the designers looking back to their archives, traditions and rural craftsmen to create something distinct is pretty obvious. The revival of much treasured crafts and weaves from Africa to India brought the traditional detailing and artisanal techniques on the ramp in contemporary context. Internationally, the fashion houses like Chanel, Dior and Burberry looked back in their archives whereas in India the designers like Aneeth Arora, Rahul Mishra, James Ferriera, Manish Malhotra and Abraham & Thakore played with traditional prints, hand painted and hand woven textiles aesthetically blending past with the present.

Well, to all beautiful ladies, Brad Pitt became the first man to serve as the face of a women’s perfume Chanel’s iconic No.5 fragrance, in the year 2012. Seen with long hair and dressed casually, looking wistfully into the camera, all the actor had to do was stand in a vaguely existential monologue for 30 seconds.

And on completely shallow note, America was introduced to the blue – ish grey color after first lady Michelle Obama wore the nail polish to the Democratic National Convention, which became quite a rage.

As we bid adieu to Vidal Sassoon, most recognized in the fashion world for the past 50 years, the British stylist was single-handedly responsible for creating the now-classic asymmetrical bob of the 1960s. We narrowed down the most notable beauty products to enter the market this year including Lady Gaga Fame Eau de Perfum and Chanel’s Coco Noir and Chance Deo, Zippo for Mens, Pizza Hut Perfume and Spring 2013 Makeup of Chanel straight from the shelf.

The pretty girls on the prowl titillate any given Jack and the modeling business intends to frame such disturbing moments, and savor them for posterity. The year singing its swan song was no different, and there are tales galore of models posing, pouting, screaming, and scratching.

With lens men capturing the best faces in the town, and scribes writing erotica, the fashion quite likely revolved around the leggy lasses strutting on the runways, and resting on the billboards this year. And unlikely the changing faces, Photoshop failures, models turning mothers and age-diet debates ruled the roost.

On one hand, where Israel banned the skinny models, making it mandatory for them to show their health certificates before hitting the ramp; the world’s largest fashion publication Conde Nast denounced taking under-aged models for the magazine spreads, on the other. But the Chinese edition of latter soon came up with a model aged under- 18 on its cover earning flak around the world.

The Photoshop was at its metamorphic best affirming the artifice of fashion. The stunted images, and ensuing war of words echoed throughout the year. Even for a change Campari calendar for 2012 went soulful capturing the thoughtful facet of fashion. And peace message came vehemently from Benetton when it launched its ‘Unhate’ campaign featuring the influential political figures around the world kissing each other. In India it was Deepika Govind’s controversial ad that featured a model standing tall amongst confused villagers.

Internationally, models like Kate Moss, Adriana Lima and Andrej Pejic were the flavour of the year grabbing the most number of advertising campaigns whereas in India the new faces like Sangya Lakhanpal and Reha Sukheja made it to the big league, and Tinu Verghis bid adieu to runways.

by Mmanju Bajaj –Based in Spiritual India’s New Delhi, Mrs Mmanju Bajaj is an internationally acclaimed Numerologist and Tarot expert, believing nothing is impossible when we follow our inner guidance.
With her gifted intuitive insight, she blogs with her tarot predictions for the year 2013.

ARIES:

You will focus on your personality enhancement this year. A good opportunity awaits you professionally. Be watchful with your children and focus on their positive energies. A health regime is a must. May feel aloof on family front. Chances of meeting you partners are strong. Partnership will prove fruitful. Settling on foreign land is ruled out this year. Someone close to you might try to misuse your power/capabilities.

TAURUS:

A promising year for recognition. Emotionally low family front. Prospects of investment in property. Health is excellent. Relationship will reach the next level. A new beginning away from the old pattern in life. Good control on expenses. Be patient to reap what you sowed.

GEMINI:

Open your ties to bloom. Lots of options for the unmarried. Wedding bells ring in the family. Many plans are running on your mind but hard work is the keyword for it. A fine balance between your health and indulgence. Hurdles in your investment plan will get cleared, consult your tax advisor and act.

CANCER:

Year full of action. Success is on way. Control your aggression. Indulge in family happiness, watch yourself with your siblings: be cordial. Time to invest in property. You can plan your family this year. Children to settle abroad. Reschedule your daily activities to improve your health. Good karma in your past will clear you obstacles. New jobs/assignments on your platter will blossom slowly and steadily.

LEO:

Influence of some powerful personality will enhance your personality. Communication on all fronts will be rewarding. Prospects of settling abroad. Focus on children: confusing stage. Neglecting a routine will reflect on your health. Have faith in your partner. Possessiveness will spoil your relationship. Elderly will come to your rescue. Focus on your project, partnership will be fruitful. Do not attract attention, maintain a low profile.

VIRGO:

One point focus is money which will reflect in your personality. Dominance of an elderly female (though beneficial) can be overbearing. Look at the positive side. On home front, the flipside that you see might not be true. Handle your children with love & care. Time to get rid of your addictions. Time to cherish your relationship. Hurdles will get cleared. Time to say good bye to obstacles/rebirth of good times, fate is in your favour. Channelize your energies in the positive direction. Enjoy the family vacation abroad.

LIBRA:

Someone unexpected in your aura who will change your complete personality for good. Romance is in the air. Be very transparent in your dealing with siblings. Show your strength: clear your obstacles. Hard work is required in upbringing of the children. Focus on health. Faith is smiling on your home front. Professional front is very promising. Over expense can be point of concern.

SCORPIO:

Stop sacrificing. Do a self analysis to enhance your personality. Family and luck are on your side. Have faith, clear your confusion, analyze your efforts, gain is bound to happen. Investment in property will prove to be fruitful. You will get an opportunity to meet someone whose advice will enhance your health. Being aloof in the relationship is not a solution. Enjoy the comforts in life. Celebrations come easy and comfortably.

SAGITTARIUS:

Watch your attitude. Celebrations at home. Conflicting personality, lots of issues to be handled. Income from two sources. Dominating yet supportive partner. Children will give happiness. Health will improve. Donations will clear your obstacles. Aspiration for spiritual guidance will be fulfilled. Travel on the cards.

CAPRICORN:

Gear up yourself. You are letting go of what was given to you on a silver platter. Family issues will sort out through communication. You might feel hurt or disappointed by a sibling. Children will be a delight. Do not ignore your health. Love will blossom & spouse will be supportive. Beginning of a new era. Carve out a beautiful future portrait through your hard work and good karma. Profession will be rewarding. Be on the lookout: better opportunities await you. Rapid changes at home front seen.

AQUARIUS:

Vibrant personality develops. Excellent home front. Money flow is easy. Renovations @ home front are likely. Change in your lifestyle will improve your health. Partnership investment with siblings will blossom. Gateway to new opportunities. Passion in relationship will take it to the next level. You are attuned to gain this year.

PISCES:

You are equipped to take all challenges with comfort. Chance of inheriting ancestral property. Sibling will be dominating. Children’s progress will make you proud. All professional targets will be achieved successfully. Urinary tract infections can be a point of concern for some. Family trips abroad will bring you joy. Take a stand in the relationship, do not be fickle minded.

You can contact Mmnaju Bajaj -manjubajaj@ymail.com/+919899334282

The vigor and capriciousness of ever changing fashion intrigue the fashion enthusiasts all over the world. Like every year, the year 2012 also witnessed some awe – inspiring moments, and here we bring to you the best Fashion had in store for us from around the world.

Though it was a glorious year of High Fashion and the annum is exemplified with Manish Arora launching the first ever Bridal Store, first ever Armani Casa and Roberto Cavalli Caffe, as Christian Louboutin, Furla and Damiani debuts in India. These flashes in time forced us to rethink our shopping and eating habits as Rina Dhaka refurbished Barista Lavazza. Then there was the works of Abraham & Thakore been exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and furthermore their lounge wears collection at Harrods.

Internationally the closing ceremony of London 2012 Olympics saw supermodels like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell strutting in exotic Alexander McQueen outfits. Creative director Hedi Slimane dropped the YSL moniker from its ready-to-wear line in June, becoming just Saint Laurent Paris. Whilst Alexander Wang was appointed as creative director of Balenciaga, people asked if he got the job because he speaks Mandarin?

Lady Gaga had previously proved her devotion to the cause of style by donning raw meat, balloons and skyscraper boots. But when this year she suddenly gained 25 pounds—and continued to wear fishnets and g-strings there was an eerie silence. She also disappeared from major search engines’ 2012 rankings of most-searched-for people to Ms. Kim Kardashian as she became the most-searched-for person of 2012 on all major search engines. Angelina Jolie’s iconic right leg exposing black Versace gown with a thigh-high slit, worn by the actress at the 84th Academy Awards was quiet noteworthy.

Finally, Her Majesty queen Elizabeth II, can’t be left behind with her Diamond Jubilee wardrobe. Celebrating 60 years reign on the throne, with a range of graceful jackets, dresses and headgears in eye catching hues. We saw the legend that is Karl Lagerfeld sketching her Majesty in her Flotfilla outfit all in pastels on her 86th Birthday.

The New Year’s eve is spread across the 26,000 square feet of Tote On The Turf outdoor and indoor area.Our attendees usually comprise of young entrepreneurs, Ivy League students, CEOs, MDs, a…

After a much dramatic name change of Yves Saint Laurent, which is now Saint Laurent, there comes the latest women’s Spring Summer 2013 ad campaign of the brand.

The sultry campaign shot by the newly appointed Creative director of Saint Laurent Hedi Slimane is comprised of mysterious black and white frames. The campaign features Australian model Julia Nobis – playing a cool Californian girl donning a studded jacket, wayfarers, leather pants, ruffled white shirt and wide-brimmed hats.

Another part of the campaign featuring Edie Campbell will surface soon.

The Spring Summer 2013 collection by Prada had garnered the rave reviews when it was showcased on the runway of Milan back in September. The magic retains in the recently launched ad campaign for the season.

The studio shot campaign is the lovechild of acclaimed photographer Steven Meisel and stars a host of models including Vanessa Axente, Saskiade Brauw, Irina Kravchenko, Kristen Owen, Sung Lee, Sasha Pivovarova, Eva Herzigova, Irene Hiemstra and Amber Valletta.

The aesthetically shot images invoking romance captures Prada’s much used flower motif, sock-like shoes and handbags besides those leather outfits with anti-fits.