After its resounding success, Brand Marketing India, announces the opening of its first French Connection exclusive women’s wear store in Mumbai at the G7 Mall, Seven Bungalows. 

The store’s edgy yet sleek environment is spunky yet inviting, keeping the focus on the clothes.  Wooden floors are offset by pure white walls and a play of direct and indirect lighting complementing the structural elements of the store. With an area of 820 sq ft, French Connection store at G7 Mall, Mumbai introduces the much awaited Autumn Winter 2010 collection; which is all about variation that plays a key role this season.

Commenting on the opening of the exclusive women’s wear store, Ms. Mansi Zaveri, Manager Marketing & Communications, remarked: “Since its launch in 2007, French Connection has consistently provided the most edgy and fashion forward styles to the Indian consumer. Our women’s wear collection has always been a hit with the consumers and an exclusive store only for women consumers is a self indulgence by itself. We have specially customized product mix which ranges from classic black dresses with a dash of exaggerated shoulder detailing to all over shift sequin dresses. French Connection has taken a step forward in catering to the women customers by starting their blog – 911fashion on www.911fashion.frenchconnection.in.”

Mixing old-fashioned workmanship with modern aplomb, Rathore finds newer, subtler ways to evoke the spirit of a by-gone age with a fresher approach. Working in various mediums such as Lifestyle and Home, Interior and furnishing design, Outdoor Iron and Wood Furniture Design, Fashion Design and now gourmet products, he works towards setting newer standards in the design frontier. The Rathore design house has over the last 20 years, addressed design as a whole and not just focused on building a fashion brand- a holistic approach to build exquisite and unique products which relate to design in our everyday life.

Born and brought up in the epicenter of heritage and tradition in the ancient city of Jodhpur, designer Raghavendra Rathore knows only too well the value of ‘Brand India’. His traditional upbringing and training of his craft at the Parsons School of Design in New York gave him the international edge, the experience and the insight to create the right mix of aesthetics, craft and heritage in the products that he designs that work globally.

  • Donna Karan hired him from a graduating class of 120 pupils in his graduating class to work for her as an assistant designer for the sportswear division DKNY.

  • He was then offered an opening at the high end design atelier of Oscar de la Renta, 70 sketches a day with house models always standing by for any fetish the designer would like to drape on them.

  •  Rathore became the youngest designer at the atelier sending shock waves in the 7th avenue circuit.

  • Rathore Uniform design department has designed uniforms for various corporate and private institutions across the globe like The Umiad Bhavan Palace, Samode Haveli & Palace, The Park Hotel Chennai, Star TV- Amitabh Bachchan -KBC 2002 and Omega- Shah Rukh Khan

  • He designed for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s multi-star cast Eklavya

  • The brand also moved into furniture and furnishing sphere integrating the classic design sensibilities with modern aesthetics.

With the classic jewellery collection, Miasma that he designs for Zoya, Raghavendra Rathore not only bridges the gap between old world charm and modern aesthetics, he brings a myriad of inspirations and influences alive with enchanting citrines, pearls, the regal brilliance of black and white diamonds and the purity of gold. Designing product for R&D departments of large cooperation’s is an important service that the Rathore design team conceders a precedence. Rathore retails in India through his flagship stores in Khan Market and Dlf Emporio in Delhi.

You can get Rathore at:

www.rathore.com

October 05, 2010
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Bennu Sehgall’s creations are what dreams are made of. Beginning her career two decades ago, the maverick designer has created her own niche in bridal fashion and her collections are something every bride desires.  She is the daughter of legendary singer Mahendra Kapoor.

Bennu Sehgall’s journey started when the editor of Society magazine wanted her to be a part of the Society Exhibition which was held at the world trade center. Having only a month to prove herself, she instantly went on overdrive mode hiring tailors and creating her collections and by the end of the month, Bennu had successfully designed 100 outfits! All the stores of Mumbai from Sheetal to Benzer, Amarsons to Sagar were vying for her creations to be housed there. Moreover, not only Mumbai, she was flooded with offers from Kolkatta, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore as well.

Her signature style consists of bridal designs which portray timeless elegance and classic pedigree and her collection also includes delectable accessories like Mang Tikkas, Baju Bandhs, shoes and belts which complete the look of each of her beautifully crafted outfits. Her repertoire includes stylized sarees, salwar kurtas, ghagra cholis, funky skirts and dhotis, formal and semi-formal ethnic wear for both men and women. Bennu Sehgall is known for creating tactile interest with colors, textures and ornamentation on her creations which results in life-long beautiful memories for the wearer. Her collection is breathtaking, be it for engagement, mehendi or the pheras and Bennu literally transforms every girl’s dream wedding into a reality making the bride feel very much the princess that she rightfully is.

Bennu has over the years dressed celeb luminaries like the Ambanis, Singhanias, Godrejs, Birlas and the Bachchans. Her collection is not only popular in India but abroad as well among the NRIs who swear by her creations; be it USA, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia or Africa. 

At last someone took up the courage to walk the forbidden path and take up the challenge of catering to luxurious menswear fashion. Considering the orthodox taste of men and gene configuration of splurging on whisky, golf and cricket matches rather than clothes apart from the classics, the fashion world always had been apprehensive to have a complete Men’s fashion destination.

The Collective is launched by Madura Garments Lifestyle Retail Company, a group company of Aditya Birla Group. The first flag ship store was opened in Bangalore and the gradually it made its grand refurbishment in Mumbai and finally by this year September it set its foothold in the fashion capital of the country, Delhi. A noveou concept the store enthralls a huge floor space with designated areas and visual symmetry across all three cities.

Apparel covers all wardrobe needs from designer, formal, semi formal, casual, denim to active wear. The offering includes brands such as Armani Collezioni, Adriano Goldschmeid, Duchamp, Fred Perry, Hackett, Hugo Boss, Kenneth Cole, Ted Baker, True Religion and Versace Collection. And also houses lines from the Indian couture deigners like Manish Malhotra, Rajesh Pratap Sing, Varun Bahl+Karan Johar and many more.

Accessories include fashion watches, cufflinks, shoes, ties, belts, leather products and sunglasses by leading brands like Church’s shoes, Momo Design, Puma Black Station, Toy Watch, grooming products from Molton Brown, The Art of Shaving and home accessories & gifts from Culti, Christofle, Ercolano, Fornasetti and Votivo.

Through popular demand by the market the store had to introduce a women’s capsule, though the store is definitely dominated by menswear. In accordance with the unique splurge of this concept store it also hosts an array of extremely high profile and luxurious services. Like the Made-to-measure services offer Raffaele Caruso and leading Savile Row brands such as Aquascutum and Richard James. In addition, made-to-order services from leading Indian designers JJ Valaya, Rohit Bal and Tarun Tahiliani meet the needs of the ceremonial buyer. For those looking for a stylish haircut or a quick trim there is Jean-Claude Biguine’s French Salon and Spa with a French stylist on board at The Collective. In addition, the Collective is the first retail store to offer product care and specialized dry cleaning services to its customers.

The Manish Malhotra opening show on 6th October, 2010 for the India Couture Week will showcase an amalgamation of the old world tradition and contemporary style, true to what the label represents. The new men’s and women’s collection is inspired by the traditional wedding colours of reds, whites, and majentas and also ushers in the new bridal colour of the season in shades of the emerald jewel tone. With a rich, opulent, traditional garb, the ensemble promises grandeur and majesty.

The opening show will have 55 models walking the ramp along with show stopper Aishwariya Rai.

The Dubai based designer Ayesha Depala is all set to make her Indian debut at Couture Week. The international designer known for her clientele of the likes of Sonam Kapoor, Yasmin Le Bon, Neve Campbell and Naomi Watts has drawn her inspiration from the magnificence of Mughal era to present her exquisite collection of 30 red carpet gowns.

Drawing inspiration from the magnificence of the Mughal era, Ayesha Depala presents a stunning ethereal collection of Red carpet gowns. Each piece epitomizes the opulence and grandeur of the celebrated age, yet keeping within the boundaries of Ayesha’s aesthetic of understated elegance. The embroidery presented is antiqued and rich, yet always subtle. Mostly thread work, sequins and metallic cutwork, Ayesha has refrained from using crystals in this collection.

The creations are presented in a host of colors, among them Ayesha’s signature nude, as well as peacock blue, rouge noir, mustard yellow, mint, purple. Every minute detail has been conceived by the designer in her studio. The fabrics, prints and embroidery have all been developed by Depala in her studio, keeping in mind the global woman of today who appreciates the merit of beautifully constructed works of art for the female form.

The new collection sees a move to a more sophisticated and muted colour palette that makes the key trends seems ultra modern. The silhouette for the season is generally structured and defined. Layering is important, mixing fabric and texture to create different looks and moods.

The key looks for womenswear include Minimal, Nifty Thrifty, Preppy, Nomad and Military. It has three sub-brands with distinct looks: Limited, a fashion forward label, offers a contemporary look while Autograph, sophisticated and stylish, offers timeless pieces in luxury fabrics and cuts. This includes elements like lace prints, lingerie trims, corsetry, embellishments, zip details and metal studs. Look out for these trends in formalwear and per una.

Marks & Spencer lingerie this season sees some contrasting influences with the growing trend of ‘worn to be seen’ alongside sophisticated and glamorous vintage-inspired pieces. There are beautiful velvet bodice with internal boning and camisoles, bustiers, lace tunics, slinky bodies and cami bras. The Glamour look is influenced by both contemporary and vintage directions to create glamorous and beautiful boudoir inspired pieces.

The menswear range has three key themes for Autumn/winter. Grey is the dominant colour of this season’s collection used across overcoats, cotton basics, trousers and ties. The layering trend continues this season but with a sophisticated edge.