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Monthly Archives: October 2010
Ericka Packard
This 22 year old Mumbai born hottie believes in ‘Have it, then flaunt it’. Be it her personal life or her campaigns, Ericka has been very open and straightforward. But there is a sad news for all the males out there who love this gorgeous babe, Ericka Packard is happily in love and more than happy to flaunt it! Here’s a quick tété-a-tété with her:
Tells us briefly about your family and schooling?
I was educated at a boarding school in Panchgani, though I have been born and brought up in Mumbai. My dad is English and I have an Indo-Portuguese mother. My younger sister is 18 and we all live in Bandra.
What is your parent’s reaction on you choosing modeling as a career?
Oh, they were extremely supportive. There was absolutely no problem from their side. They are the ‘go for it’ types. As long as I am committed towards something, they support me.
When and what was your first modeling assignment?
I have been working with Elite over the year. My first print assignment was with Pantaloons and I first walked the ramp for Seema Khan in Bombay. Both of them happened about two years back.
What all important assignments have u been a part of?
I have participated in both Wills and Lakme Fashion Weeks. A couple of years back I travelled all over Europe, especially to London and did a little bit of work there. It was a great learning experience.
What did you aspire to become as kid?
When I was younger I was totally fascinated by airhostesses. I found the job extremely glamorous. Later on, I became interested in psychology and started my graduation in the field. But I started going crazy when I actually studied it! (laughs). Then I was spotted by quite some designers who wanted me to be a part of their campaign and I decided to give it a shot. So now I think it is important to just be yourself and you will find your path eventually.
How important do you think is education for a model?
Of course it is very important. But it is much more important to know your work rather than just collect degrees. In my opinion, you should pursue whatever you want and not be driven by conventions.
What do you think of Bollywood as a career option?
It’s a cool profession is you can pull it off! (giggles) As of now, I don’t think I am Bollywood material. I am way too skinny as per Bollywood standards; they want actresses who are sexier and more voluptuous. Though it is definitely a very good option for former models. You get to look good and stay in front of the camera. But, I still have lots to learn about modeling and it is too early to talk about leaving the field!
Your take on Indian Models v/s Western Models.
We are definitely not far behind. India is not lacking anywhere in design and talent but there is a lack of efficient organization. Also, people are much more visually open in the West. Here, people take a lot of time to accept something new. After all, everything finally boils down to buyers.
What all do you enjoy apart from Modeling?
I love hanging out with my friends and especially my boyfriend. I read a lot and spend time with my dog. I am also involved in designing. I make clothes, shoes etc and put them at sale at a flea market. I have a specific clientele who love my style. I also custom make for my friends often.
Tell us about your fitness regime…
Honestly, I don’t have one. I don’t workout, I don’t do yoga. I eat all sorts of fattening food. My friends often tease me about it. I just have my parents to thank for my fit body. I would say I am genetically blessed (winks). Though, I am trying to get a fitness routine into place. It is very essential to be toned for a model.
What about your beauty regime?
I wash, tone and moisturize. I wear sunscreen whenever I step out. And as everyone else, I drink loads of water.
3 Pre-Requisites to become a model…I won’t say there are any such pre-requisites. You just need oodles of confidence to sail through. Be focused and be yourself. Do not try to imitate someone. If you can’t talk in English, don’t. Of course, a model must maintain himself/herself. After all, modeling needs a beautiful face, a great body and the right posture.
What do you consider your biggest achievement in life?
I am still waiting for my biggest achievement. When I walked for my first fashion week, I though this is the biggest moment but then many more such moments came. So, I am still hoping for something bigger and better.
Amongst what all I have got till date, I would getting into modeling was my greatest achievement. I am able to be calm, composed and give my 100% to my work.
Your idea of an ideal date is…
I have already had it! (giggles) Amazing dinner, wine, beach and the love of my life!
What will you call the most touching moment of your life?
I am very emotional. So, touching moments have been too many to mention.
Quick Q&A:
Favorite Food – Chinese
Favorite Innerwear Brand – Victoria’s Secret of course! Then La Senza
Favorite Designer – Manish Arora! I will walk out of a show wearing his clothes one day! I love him so much. (laughs)
Favorite Holiday Destination – Maldives…I am dying to go there.
You hate – Lies and liars
You love – My family
You are scared of – Dark
Favourite Night Spot – I am a home bird…so my home or my friends’ place
Favourite Magazine – Elle, Vogue, Marie Claire etc!
Favourite Icon – Kate Moss and Nicole Ritchie…I just adore their sense of style
DOB – November 13
Biguine launches in Juhu
Jean-Claude Biguine – House of Beauty marked the launch of their fourth salon in the posh suburb, Juhu thus covering the platinum strip of Mumbai. To mark the celebration, Dharmendra Manwani, CEO, Jean-Claude Biguine India, hosted a Sunday brunch which was complemented by the unveiling of designer Junelia Aguiar’s debut collection.
The event was orchestrated by Kartik Jobanputra. Keeping their motto in mind, the atmosphere was relaxed but the energies were charged. Jean-Claude Biguine kicked off the festive season by encouraging glamour, style and the latest trends. The new salon which is located in a quaint bungalow in Juhu, keeps the brand aesthetics in mind while adding a modern take on the heritage dressing mirrors. It created a space for the guests that was a mélange of relaxing zen and innovative and intriguing at the same time. Junelia’s collection took an inspiration from the glorious 50s adding contrast between structure and fluidity and emphasizing feminine charm which makes every woman feel ‘Biguine Beautiful’. It highlighted Junelia’s penchant for clean silhouettes and her love for elegance thus taking into account the profile of a Biguine woman.
Speaking on the launch, Dharmendra Manwani, CEO, Jean-Claude Biguine added, "We are contemporary, consistent and all about convenience and hence, it almost became important to be present at every strategic location in Mumbai to be able to serve our clients with state-of-the-art services of international quality standards, as the demand is huge. Juhu offers us the best location to create a complete house of beauty and we’re now here to provide the best".
Whats Haute?
“WHATS HAUTE?” is a striving attempt to showcase the best impulses of our carefully crafted fashion industry. It is a quiz which is scheduled on October 24, 2010 at 6 pm at the season’s most awaited business of fashion event, the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, Spring–Summer 2011. The quiz will be hosted by the complaisant cricket commentator and quiz fanatic, Mr. Gautam Bhimani who is both a keen student of fashion trends and a regular at every fashion week. The quiz seeks participation from the movers and shakers of the industry. The three winning teams will be awarded six ornately designed carpets by Manish Arora, Madhu Jain & Milind Soman, Rohit Bal, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Sabyasachi Mukherjee from the “Floored by Art” collection.
The format of the quiz is assumed to be as unique and unconventional as the industry that it represents. The quiz will comprise of two member teams each, represented by a fashion media and a fashionista.
Poppy Art
The collection named ‘Poppy Art’ for WIFW Spring Summer 2011 is an ode to colour, gloss, decoration and relaxed elegance.Summer staples in semi opaque fabrics like chanderi, voile, linen and light silks are influenced by nature, texture and marbling effects. Neutrals of inky blue, anemone pink, canvas white are mixed with overexposed accents of acid like coral, lime green, sorbet orange for minimal glitz.
Kallol Datta for WIFW SS’11
‘Conception Camp’, the collection for WIFW Spring Summer 2011 draws its inspiration from the isolated nunneries in Russia which were targeted in the pre World War I days by the Russian Secret Service and converted into prison camps to ‘Gulag’. The Solovetsky nunnery, the setting for this collection, was the first such nunnery to be converted to a Gulag. The collections draws on the irony of the two opposing beliefs that ultimately inhabited these nunneries; one of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ and the other of genocide.
Kallol Datta put his collection pretext in words as, “As a member of the ‘do away with global Indian woman, who is confident yada, yada yada’ Kallol Datta 1955 is all set for a not so combative and not so serious Spring Summer 2011.
The label indulges in columns of silk and cotton forms with influences ranging from runneries to labour camps, to create a modern pamphlet for design, staying not so far away from personal yarns. Signature pattern cutting techniques along with 5 new series in prints aim for clarity in the product and not the creator.
Contemporary Progressive
This collection for WIFW Spring Summer 2011 is inspired from a modern and progressive woman who wants to break free from the clutches of a regressive society.Prints have always been Gayatri’s forte and once again she has created a feel of breaking free by using prints that fashion an illusion of the same. The twisted and draped silhouettes in luxurious silk fabrics are chic, contemporary and free flowing suggestive of the theme. The colour palette moves from soft feminine tints to strong earthy tones indicative of a transformation of a naïve, innocent girl to a confident, grounded woman.
Embellishments like crystal beading, sheathing and metallic chain embroidery have been used in a way to complement the collection and give a feel of understated glamour true to Gayatri’s style.
Dev r Nil for WIFW SS’11
It’s called ‘Change of Guard’, that Dev r Nil creates for WIFW Spring Summer 2011. It’s like conjured up sepia toned Pop art dream. All the bright colours are there but in their muted form with fabrics like linen, cotton silk, stretch cotton, organza, denims, georgettes, silk dupion getting hued in colours like radiance yellow, solemn grey, dull emerald, murky green, mix blue, ivory whites and sepia blacks.Objects and images of these revolutions get transformed in their palette; th
ey take shape through pop art and optical illusion prints. Delicate Batik crac
ks up the denims, runs over polkas and creates iconic images of Che and his mode of transport-the bike. Even mughal ‘Jaffri’ patterns get imprinted by batik.
Textures get created by tone on tone thread work, floating appliqués and katdana embroidery. Fluidity is combined with structure; shine is with matte and sheer with opaque, jackets with floor length dresses/overalls, drapes with floating Che prints, cracked denim pants and jackets. Overalls with floaty organza Che print jacket and bike print organza tunic are few of pieces from this collection consisting of numerous separates.
CellDSGN for WIFW SS’11
11.11 by CellDSGN introduce their ‘Out Of Mind’ collection for the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring Summer 2011. ‘Out Of Mind’ references the dark corners of the human psyche; emphasizing the marks of destruction and decay, either on the surface of the clothing or in its construction, each piece relating a story through its unique richness of texture.These clothes are embellished with narratives and lashings of the whimsical. Although visually simple, once stripped back the garments reveal a vigorous attention to detail. Layer upon layer of fine cotton gauze, gossamer finishing tape, embroidered nets and floaty cotton silks, stitched, slashed, embroidered and over-dyed to unravel pieces that
have a poetry all of their own.
have a poetry all of their own.Another highlight for the Spring Summer 2011 season is CellDSGN’s collaboration with artist and designer Mia Morikawa for an exquisite line of accessories that will be showcased alongside the collection. Mia Morikawa, a Central St Martins graduate, specializes in constructed textile pieces, which are exquisitely organic in form and spirit.
Smita Singh Rathore and Himanshu Shani of CellDSGN studio say, “We have been trying to externalize this insanity, season after season within our working process; continuously revisiting themes of distortion, disorder, flaws and loneliness; exploring the flipside of everything, our mistakes, the leftover and chance.”
A Dream Alliance
M.A.C Cosmetics who are known to play roles in creating the makeup looks on the most famous runways in the world will be working backstage this season at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week which will be taking place from the 23rd – 27th of October 2010 at Hall no 18, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The allocated designers include fashion industries top designers, Tarun Tahiliani, JJ Valaya, Pankaj & Nidhi, Prashant Verma and Akaaro by Gaurav Jai Gupta. M.A.C will have a team of top-tier makeup artists headed by Mickey Contractor, Director of Artistry India and Vimi Joshi, Senior Artist Middle East & India working backstage at over 10 shows.
M.A.C is inviting all those who would be interested, to cover any of the shows,as M.A.C is willing to supply additional materials such as tips, face charts and backstage beauty images for the same.
M.A.C (Make-up Art Cosmetics) is present at all major Fashion Weeks in New York, Milan and Paris. M.A.C also sponsors fashion weeks throughout the world including London, Athens, South Africa, and Sydney. The M•A•C attitude is best expressed by the artists, seen and felt in the stores and accessed through their website www.maccosmetics.in .
