November 2010 - Page 14 of 17

This young beauty on the block came to the world of Indian fashion from New Zealand and now she stands out in the crowd and yet assimilates beautifully. Let us present to you our tété-tété with the hottie with a mind of her own and oodles of oomph.

Tells us something about your background and upbringing?

I grew up and went to school in Auckland, New Zealand. Once I finished school I started traveling because of modeling, but I still go home to my family in NZ whenever I can.

How supportive were your parents on you choosing modeling as a career?

My parents have always been happy with whatever I have chosen to do. They have 100% supported me with my modeling and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I can only call myself lucky.

What was your first step into the world of modeling?

My first modeling job was a TV commercial for a NZ clothing brand. I was 15 years old and still at school, but the job was in the weekend so my parents allowed me to do it. I remember being so excited about it.

What all important assignments have u been a part of?

I’ve been doing a range of work from Fashion shows, ad campaigns, TV commercials, editorials and print work. Some of my highlights would be taking part in the Lakme Fashion weeks this year and now the Wills Fashion week in Delhi. Tresmode, Globus, and Lifestyle are some major campaigns I’ve been involved with, as well as the Fast Track TV commercial a few months ago. As for editorials, I’ve worked with Vogue, Femina, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, Grazia, and Marie Claire. I was very proud to be on the covers of Vogue and Femina this year.

What, according to you, is the importance of education in the field of modeling?

Education is important for everyone. In modeling you find girls traveling at a young age away from home which is not the right thing to do. I think it is important to finish school and then start modeling, I really believe it has helped me to have those extra years on me; I don’t think I would have been mature enough if I left home before 19.

How has your experience been in the industry? Are substance abuse etc. as predominant as portrayed?

It has been great; the response I have got is incredible. Of course there are those is

sues related to the modeling and Fashion industry as a whole. But I really feel that you choose how much involved you want to be. It can be easy to get sucked into all the negatives, but if you know who you are and stick to it, the industry can be just the positives.

How do you think the industry evolved in all these years?

I have only be working in India for a year, and modeling full time for two… so I’m still new and find it hard to comment on how its evolved. But when I came to India for the first time last year I didn’t know what to expect. There is an amazing fashion industry here with great designers, old and new. I really enjoy wearing all their beautiful creations.

Tell us about your fitness regime…

I’m afraid I don’t have a major fitness routine.. Eating right and working out when I can is working for me so far.

Beauty regime?

Removing my makeup well and moisturizing my face keeps my skin fresh and clear

Turning point of life?

Well, I guess I haven’t had one yet

What did you aspire to become as kid?

A writer, I loved to write, and I still do.

Tell us your favourites:

Food : It’s so hard to pick one!! (thinks hard) maybe Chocolate
Fragrance: Burberry- weekend
Lingerie brand: Elle Macpherson intimates
Designer: Manish Malhotra
Holiday Destination: Bangkok
Night Spot : my living room (giggles!)
Magazine: Vogue
Photographer: Tarun Vishwa

Your greatest achievement?

My works brings me very far from home. So I think living alone on the other side of the world is my biggest achievement.

What do you think of Bollywood as a career option?

I wouldn’t say no to any opportunity, but I’m not chasing it down just yet

What is your idea of an ideal date?

A simple lunch on a beach side café

One Thing you just can’t stand…

Inconsiderate people

Something you love and cannot live without…

My family

One thing that scares you..

Spiders, bugs.. Anything creepy crawly

When was the hottie born?

April 26, 1990! I am a Taurean.

When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing?

Hanging out with friends. My friends in Bombay are my family away from home. Whenever we can we’re out together having a girl’s night in, or out!

Any Social cause that you feel strongly for and want to be (or you are) associated with?

I feel like there are so many causes that I would obviously like to be apart of, but it’s difficult when you don’t have the means to do everything. My family in NZ sponsors a child in Africa, I believe every bit helps.

Five essentials to be followed by an upcoming model?

Eat well, sleep well, take care of your body, sort out a good beauty routine that works for you, be confident in who you are.

Difference between Indian Models and Western Models. Who is a more viable choice internationally and why?

There’s no better choice, its all about the individual girl. If she has what will work internationally, it doesn’t matter where you are from.

What is has been the most touching moment of your life?

There’s been more than one, but one touching moment for me is realizing how many close friends I have made here that have made my life here so much more amazing, and that although we all live in different places around the world, we will always have our friendship.

Following the January 2010 launch of “Gucci Collector: Presented by Christie’s,” the first nine months of the collector’s service have unearthed more than 600 submissions from over 25 countries.

The first Gucci-certified online destination for appraising vintage Gucci products receives regular uploads from Gucci collectors all over the world, which are then appraised by a team of experts from Christie’s and from Gucci’s own Archive Department. Over 30 of the most precious and unique items, including handbags and jewellery, will be featured in Christie’s upcoming annual Fashion Through The Ages sale on December 2, 2010.

“Gucci Collector: Presented by Christie’s” has been designed specifically for those impassioned collectors who want to learn more about their vintage treasures, both in provenance and worth, and has become the ultimate resource for vintage and interested novices alike.

Gucci items ranging in value from £600 to £3,000 will be featured in Christie’s Fashion Through The Ages sale, originally submitted through the free service offered on a dedicated section of the Christie’s website accessible both via gucci.com and christies.com. The customized section, which allows owners to upload photos of their vintage items and to submit an appraisal request, is the first single fashion house specialization to be featured on the auctioneer’s site.

Gucci’s Archivist has selected her top picks of the most unusual and desirable items for a special preview currently available on Gucci.com like a white leather bag with bamboo detailing from late fifties and rare beauty case from the late Seventies/early Eighties. In addition, Christie’s Director of Fashion and Textiles Pat Frost has also compiled her favorite items submitted through the appraisal service and selected for sale, available for viewing on Christies.com.

The Gucci Collector initiative coincides with the House’s plans to open a Gucci museum in Florence, the birthplace of the Italian House, to coincide with Gucci’s 90th anniversary in 2011. The museum will include rare pieces which Gucci has been able to reacquire for its archives through the collector’s service.

Sisley launches men and women’s collections with a basic objective, to be always on the same wavelength as those who follow fashion and keep themselves abreast of the trendiest tendencies. Sisley continues to offer a revolutionary way of dressing with its Autumn-Winter Collection 2010.

The women’s collection is all about hippie mood, a word that stands for a whole lifestyle philosophy. The jumbo-check blanket-poncho drapes over romantic, floral cotton muslin blouses and distressed jeans with a vintage air; faux-fur waistcoats team with rather more up-to-date trousers. A look that focuses on personal creative freedom: the ease of mixing the various elements allows for some great layering. The palette is in keeping with the folk tradition, but in softer shades. Powdery blues, muted greens and natural tones are enlivened with touches of brick red, white and lilac. The accessory gallery contains mock croc for classic bags, clutches and those bang on-trend. Fine corduroy, studs and imitation leather are the ingredients of styles that adopt an outdoor philosophy and, together with the suede box bag, characterise the casual range. And the low lined boots in with faux fur, suede, Musketeer-style, with studded bands, rubber-heeled low boots, biker boots and even a version completely covered with fur – fake, of course.

Men’s collection is an enjoyable vintage feel in an up-to-date modern context. Check cotton flannel, washed faux sheepskin, distressed denim and wools with a hand-knitted look join forces with new-generation details and fabrics. The casual style – under the motto”relaxed elegance” – springs to new life with the help of yarn-dyed cottons and pigment-dyed corduroys for authentic worker-style trousers. Emphasized by travel, shoulder and courier bags made of leather and check wool cloth with canvas handles. City life is represented by simpler, but just as attractive, shapes and materials. The footwear to match is a leather and canvas low boot, a zipped low boot or the soft suede lace-up lined with faux fur, an alternative for those who literally get cold feet.

The accessory with an eclectic edge is what Felix proposes each season with an unconventional genre of design. His current theme is an expression of ideas, fantasy, dreams, vision, ecstasy and art.

Felix has worked on Surrealism, and this is what he sees as the next big trend. Surrealist expression has always inspired Felix and has been his favorite topic to work on. The latest collection comprises of accessories of hand crafted embroideries and surface ornamentation. Playing with soft and light weight metals chains, crystals, glass beads blend with fabrics like silk, velvets and Georgette. The range is vibrant with colours of crimson red, royal blues, yellows and coral.

Been an admirer of Salvador Dali, his art and paintings and they way he expressed his ideas and vision through paintings and 3 dimension art forms. Felix’s idea in accessories is all about fantasy and vision too. And this is reflected in this spring/summer 2011 collection.

‘A place of their own’, an exhibition of younger generation of South-Asian American diaspora artists curated by Sharmistha Ray was previewed by Bose Krishnamachari over wine and cheese at Gallery BMB.

The exhibition which will continue till November 22, 2010 have works of Mala Iqbal, Maryam Jafri, Gautam Kansara, Fawad Khan and Samanta Batra Mehta on display. Preoccupied with migratory patterns and inevitable straddling of cultures this younger generation of artists have brilliantly explored a breadth of media from video art to watercolor and collage to mine autobiographical experiences.

The works like ‘Picnic’ by Mala Iqbal, ‘I am leaving now’ by Gautam Kansara and ‘The last of the uncolonized lands 1’ by Samanta Batra Mehta brings the diverse practices by different artists along with the subtle tensions, internal forces and psychological impetuses that are the principle drivers of an immigrant experience, jostle for attention.

The likes of Yash Birla , Dia Mehta , Sharmilla Khanna , Divya Thakur , Sumeet Chopra, Natasha Chib, Riyaz Komu, Nisha Jamvwal, Remu & Naaz Zaveri , Jaideep Mehrotra, Consul Gen Couple Julius Macwan, Alex and Namita Kuruville, Sudershan Shetty , Manu Parekh , Priyashri Patodia, Dolly Thakore , Viren Shah and many more came over for the appreciation of these artists.

Dusky and dainty, Garima Parnami from Delhi started her journey from FTV model awards in Greece some 5 years back. Her sensuality and charm didn’t go unnoticed and she prowled into the main league with in a blink of eye. Miss India 2006 finalist, Garima has adorned the covers of Vogue and Marie Claire with her helluva hot Helen-esque looks. Having done innumerable fashion features across the world this girl can be spotted scorching the ramps in New York these days.

So here we caught up with her unveiling the mystery surrounding this inadvertently enigmatic (her visage always drops a question mark – what’s so different in her?) chic.

Tell us something about your academics and early life?
I was a very shy person. I love outdoor games like basket ball etc. I did my school and college from Delhi.

The dizzying heights you touched make you stand apart from the rest. Tell us something about your journey from being simple Delhi lass to an International ramp scorcher. How modeling happened to you?
It happened because some people believed in me. When I was 21 years old I thought I would give modeling a try. I went for an audition and got selected as a model for Shoot Talent Management. I was excited and surprised. Then they helped me to groom, develop myself etc. So I can say that Shoot Model Management discovered me. Since then I have been in love with this profession.

How do you plan your future what next goals have you set for yourself?
I want to do so much. I would say I am just getting started. I feel I am on the right path. Being an international face was my aim and my work is in progress.

Any social cause or issue that has stirred you and you are working for?
Nature has always been close to me. So what ever I can do to preserve it, I am doing in my own ways.

How do you see the future of fashion in India?
I see progress and thrive to achieve the heights. It won’t be long when our industry will be as good as the major fashion industries in the world.

Having been in one of the most glamorous industry how do you see fashion as from an insider’s point of view?
I used to think like every one else. I thought it was easy. No hard work! Just walking and posing. I am happy to say that I was absolutely wrong. It’s like a proper job. You get paid for the efforts you put in.

Fashion in India has undergone dramatic changes in a very short span of time and has grown manifolds as well and you have been associated with it so how would you word the changes in the fashion scene?
Although the industry has grown in last few years but there is still a scope of improvement. After exploring the New York fashion industry I have realized that we are missing diversity. No matter how much we have grown but there is still lack of acceptance and we are still stuck to the stereotype.

What about the modeling industry globally and in India at present and what it has grown from?
Since the last decade our industry is at its peak right now but there is still room for improvement.
How is Garima Parnami as a person, what books do you like, what sort of music do you enjoy and all that comprises the most essential part of you other than modeling?

I am humble and emotional person. I love almost all genres of music. My interest is also influenced by the people I spend time with. What I like right now is hard to define. Music is a part of me and it defines me too. Just like music my choice for books is also diverse. I like reading anything. I usually enjoy recommendations from my friends.

Tell us also the story backstage about your interactions with the choreographers, model co-ordinaters who put together such a picture perfect show?
I am a very easy going person but professional when it concerns my work. I just go there and do what I get paid to do. I try to keep the environment light and healthy.

What is the secret of your beautiful skin and perfect body?
Genetics! … .inherited from my beautiful mother.

What is your greatest achievement till date?
My family and friends.

Quick snippets :

Favorite Indian an International Designers and why?: Every one and none.

Favourite food. : Gol Gappas.

Favourite holiday destination : Outer Space(I love astronomy).

Favourite perfume : Still haven’t found.

Favourite lingerie brand : Victoria Secret.

Your greatest fear : Losing the people I love.

What do you love and hate most?: Boys

What are you addicted to (if any)? : No Comments.

As the Diwali shopping keeps us busy, some are already geared up and busy interpreting the trends for Spring Summer 2011. The recently concluded Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week SS ’11 welcomed on shore a few anticipation and a lot fresh colours and silhouettes for the spring.

The silhouettes that have an accentuated attention on the hour-glass conduct just above the knee hemline. Inspite of the levels and love of geometric precision observed in ample creations trapeze also sketched strong outlines. Transparency and see through layering announces widespread application. Designers Anand Kabra and Samant Chauhan envision the patches of fabric as building blocks and played intently with single rectangular unit in its placement. Rishta by Arjun and Morphe claim an adeptly different outlook as the intense use of cording suggest the silhouette in the indigo outfit by Rishta and raw white ensemble by Morphe.

The country side floral print in easy flow drapes weave out of cotton, linen and chanderi this spring. Sometimes the flowers come in washed effect prints as visible in the collection of Anita Dongre and whereas it even takes three dimensional floral forms in saturated hues to get beautifully sewed on like flower basket as in the creation of Koga. On contemplation, Rahul Mishra’s collection would not necessarily fall in the floral category but the way he has picked just one flower motif, the lotus, kept it homogenous throughout the collection while playing around with pleating, sheer layering, and doris in traditional and yet contemporary style is commendable. Manish gupta achieves geometric flowers with piping and cording on the baked lime colour shift dress.

Pop art is another popular theme for the coming season with the young and the established designer strike a liking for it simultaneously. Leading the brigade is Dev r Nil with his omni present Che Guevara prints on vegetable dyed and batik fabric. Nida Mahmood’s ensemble sure has the barood and potential of machis (as she calls her collection) with the busy poster prints in warm hues juxtaposed all over the jodhpur pants held by a suede belt and waist-shirt. Prashant Verma’s cosmic explosion digital prints on straight sheath gowns with shoulder pads convey tecno invasion. And walnut goes bubblegum with neon colour splash print, short dresses.

The black and white never go out of fashion but this season is also profusely of the greys. The contrasts come together in zealous as the yin and yan unison in the creation of Ashish N Soni, articulate cutouts and peep through treatment to let the other colour seep on the primary. Nandita Basu creates punched holes on a leather high waist skirt paired with sleeveless white shirt in stylized peter pan collars. The little perfect hour-glass black dress with a bow has prominent see through chiffon yoke. And the ensemble by Rimjhim Dadu covers the entire white dress with a sheer black fabric which comes across together as a grey dress.

The tribal or vagabond flavours have always raised fancy in summer wardrobe. Thus this time again a lot of stylized animal prints, tribal motif, urban patch work, lungi drapes infuse the summers. Here is Charu Parashar’s direct influence of tribal warfare with bright accent of orange and blue. Geisha designs translate striped patch work on contemporary silhouettes. The traditional dyeing techniques mixed to pronounce loose pyjamas and trapeze tops in the creation by Priyadarshini Rao. And Tarun Tahiliani’s Rajashthan influence provokes a creation in sand colours and lungi drapes.

The runway this season also witnessed a strong influx of hand-woven textiles some with new innovation and some reviving the age old traditional weaves. Wendell weaved an absolute fabric fantasy with reviving the hand-woven techniques of kunbi tribe of Goa. Akaaro has the subtle luxury of new innovation and experimentation with hand-woven fabrics. Cell DSGN equally played more with fabric and textile value thus creating drape style with high slit in grey and indigo. Virtues as always had an array of dabka prints and bandhini techniques well placed on contemporary silhouettes.

Fashionfad

Fashion Conditioned

Monthly Archives: November 2010

Ashika Pratt

Gucci under Hammer

Mala Salariya

Sisley Autumn/Winter

Felix Bendish SS’

Diasporic Art

fashionfad Wishes its Reader A Very Happy Diwali.

Garima Parnami

Trend Envision for SS