January 2011 - Page 14 of 16

Hope your New Year resolutions are already old and have proved they are unrealistic. And its time now to rejuvenate yourself with the worldly pleasures, putting an end to all that starving and keep yourself away from the desirables when it is neither fattening nor committed to someone else. So here, choose your best buddies who will hold your hand and lead you through the beginning of a New Journey of style, personality and selfless adornment of charm and warmth in the spring of 2011.

The Party Hangover is over and you wake up to a bright sunny morning, almost all your best wardrobe accessories have been over worn and the month of January marks a fresh new beginning. You are already guilty of overindulgence in wine and cheese, over the top makeup, crazy glitter and now you want to pamper yourself to a guilt free environment. There’s no better therapy than shopping and getting something that’s absolutely breaks the dusk of the last year in bright sunny dawn of colours infused with greens, pinks, the black and white stripes, a little scout knot scarf, crazy wrist band and etc etc. Your little treasure box that gives you a blissful pleasure each time you peep into it.

The first little gunny bag opens up to reveal a plush red pleated poncho from Divyam Mehta’s Spring 2011 palette. And did you miss this golden cylindrical clutch from Gucci, go for it, and trust me it would be the evil eye for you. The Swarovski Meringue necklace outshines the sun in subtle elegance. And there are no more bad hair days with cranberry orange mint moisturizing conditioner from TGI.

Now this Pandora’s Box nurtures the tomboy in you and takes you on a voyage of carefree fun, powerful lead and dominating chats. A rugged torn straight fit blue denim From Calvin Klein’s latest line pops out first. And then bag the Puma Creative factory T-shirt with your own design influx. The stripes that never really went out of fashion from our retro favorite hearts are back to glory. So here you make your pick of black and white horizontal striped dress with waist ribbon from Stephens Brothers. And the Scout knot scarf in a neat sporty colour way of green indigo and white also from Stephen Brothers. The whites and blues of the day can be very well glamorized with a sexy, hawtt, edgy, pink stilettos from Trèsmode.

As we move ahead in 2011 we take the liberty to also move from day to evening and this stunning ensemble from Falguni and Shane stole my heart away. This put together is head turner for sure and even the individual pieces posses a potential of poised dramatic statements. Here is piece of luxurious art mixed with gypsy mood swing in the rose neckpiece from Silver Streak. This little thing coming of the bag is the most heart warming collection and I am sure each time you would look at it, this serpentine wristband from Bulgari would spread the same joy and pride of possessing it. With all the overwhelming things pouring don’t forget the Aqua essence Hydrafresh cream from L’Oreal.

Well now you are pretty much ready with your list of buys and before you hop out shopping have a look at this sojourn basket. An all time classic withered wash black and dress with a thin brown leather belt from the Spring of Abraham and Thakore. A pair of juicy green, peep toe heels from Jakaal. Meet the Bohemian girl crafted by Jaya Rathore. And the lets begin this an eternal bond of love, the Exquiste ceremonial rings from Platinum.

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The designer duo, Rimple and Harpreet Narula with the flair for refined luxury and eye for perfection launched their Spring Summer 2011 collection.

The collection consists of long stitched jackets, capes, skirts and gowns with Indian Karigari and traditional threadwork. Elegant long stitching, Mughal motifs and Jamavar (paisley) patterns adorn dreamy drapes of fine georgettes, sensual velvets, and luxurious brocades, occasionally curtained by gauzy nets.

Whereas, clean cut silhouettes and an armor of embellishments such as Swarovski,gemstones brought from Jaipur, Kha-kha work (seed-pearl stitch) akin to the Parsi or Convent embroidery, Kasab or Tilla work, the age-old Zardozi (gold thread work) and the timeless Gota ensure there’s nothing under-stated about the label.

Rimple and Harpreet’s signature, the Convent or Parsi embroidery and Zardozi are featured extensively across their current collection.

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Gucci has released its latest selection of images from the new Gucci SS 2011 campaign. The mood has been captured in the Palm Springs by renowned photographers Mert & Marcus.

The female protagonists of the campaign are Karmen Pedaru and Joan Smalls, and the third female is Hailey Clauson. The male protagonist is Nikola Jovanovic, and the second male model is Gen Huismans.

And the story revolves around the concept that, a group of young women and men in a story full of sensual tension. They live their good days in this secluded beautiful house, away from the common world, in the middle of the desert. Elrod house is the perfect location: sun, silence, reflections, shadows, bodies, interaction, and frozen time. A cinematic approach, the campaign shot by M&M perfectly underlines the preciousness, elegance and sensuality of the collections.

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Louis Vuitton has gone on a head trip for Spring 2011. This season’s bags inspired by active sport are the perfect match with the ready-to-wear. They come with ingenuous details such as numerous straps and handles, zips and convenient pockets.

“It’s a rhapsody of three virtual scenarios for a digital bohemian, a man who travels the world from behind his computer screen” says Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Studio Director Paul Helbers under the artistic direction of Marc Jacobs. Also, most of the bags feature a unique hardware material, Element #44: Ruthenium.

Washed denim tote styles, with either LV Monogram large scale or “Louis Vuitton Articles de Voyage” archive signature bring a military feel to the collection. Lastly Louis Vuitton’s Utah leather is personalized by tattoo artist Scott Campbell. Both lightweight and functional, the Damier Aventure bags are made from super light nylon material. It’s totally foldable and packable into the pouch that comes with the bag. Inspired by Louis Vuitton’s early advertisements, the bags from the Articles de Voyage collection are crafted from top quality denim material that’s been specially treated to achieve the vintage military look.

One of the stand-out pieces from the collection, the Utah Tattoo Néo Greenwich made from Louis Vuitton’s premium Utah leather is the result of the collaboration between Louis Vuitton and tattoo artist Scott Campbell. This travel bag features a unique tattoo design created using a high-tech laser perforation technique

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India Art Summit comes alive once again from 24th Jan 2011 to 25th Feb 2011. Here is a preview from the Exhibit 320 and Art Alive Galleries participating at this fair.

The Exhibit 320 is being curated by Shaheen Merali and the participating artists are Madhu Mangal Basu, Nandan Ghiya, Koumudi Patil, Sandip Pisalkar, Raha Rastifard and Priti Vadakkath. As the work for the exhibit is still in progress we share he visuals of a few of the artist. The first artwork from Raha Rastifard is I & ninasimone-cprint on alluminium-40x28in-edition and the second one is called ‘peace is the way after gandhi-2010’-cprint-40x40in-edition. The series “I & …” by Rahi is about this relationship with these women that she depicts as the I, as part of her own body and the self. Next we have here is Madhu Mangal Basu, he obtained a diploma in fine arts from Indian art college and latter went to paris as an invited artist at the superior Fine Arts School of Paris(ENSBA). He believes, the pot plays a vital role throughout all the stages of man’s life. This artwork here is his hand made vibration (triptych), 92 X219cm, Carbon and irgalitte on canvas. The fourth art work which is still in progress is from Priti Vadakkath. She was born in Kerala, completed her Bachelors in History of Fine Arts from Stella Maris College, Chennai in 1992. Did her Diploma in Accessory Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology Delhi in the year 1995 and currently lives and works from Bangalore.

The Art Alive Gallery showcases the works of S.H.Raza, Sakti Burman, Laxma Goud, Thota Vaikuntam, Yusuf Arakkal, P R Daroz, Paresh Maity, Senaka Senanayake, Singh Twins, Jayasri Burman, Kiyomi Talaulicar & Sharmi Chowdhury.

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This seductive Ukrainian ramp scorcher took a complete departure from her family profession of medicine to take up modeling. And thank god for that! Her stunning looks and perfect body has set ramps on fire not just in her home country but also half the world away in India.

Here we get into the mind of the scintillating beauty and find out more about her…

Tells us something about your family and education?

I was born in a family of doctors. But I’m a student of the pedagogical university.

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

My parents are always very sad when I have to leave home and go somewhere for my modeling assignments. But they have always been proud of me and my success in modeling. So, yes they are supportive but miss me a lot as every parent would do.

What was your first step into the world of modeling?

The first experience I had in modeling was participating in a show of wedding dresses. That time, I had absolutely no idea how to get on a runway and walk! But I managed to pull it off and that was the beginning of a new journey for me…

What all important assignments have u been a part of?

Well, I have done several campaigns for clothing brands as well as editorials like Cosmopolitan, Elle etc. There have been so many that I cannot remember all names! Sorry (giggles)

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

I consider that each person must have basic formal education. It forms the basis and formation of everything we do in life. And contrary to popular belief, in our business too knowledge is very important.

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

I guess it all depends on the person, situation and circumstances. While on the one hand, some unfortunate people become victims to these types of abuses. But, on the other hand, it also happens that people are themselves willing to give up their family, friends and morals to reach success.

So what is your New Year resolution?

As with every year, I am determined to learn more of modeling. I am open to new possibilities and progress in my quarry.

Tell us about your fitness regime…

I try to play sports mainly as that is what I enjoy the most.

Beauty regime?

My mantra is simple – Sleep well, eat correct food and be happy and in a good mood always.

Turning point of life?

I guess it would be when I first saw myself on a hoarding. It was a pretty big campaign and it made me realize that I am a known face now (smiles)

What did you aspire to become as kid?

As I mentioned earlier, most of my family members are doctors. So obviously, my childhood ambition was also to be a doctor.

Tell us your favourites:

Food: Ukrainian kitchen

Fragrance: Calvin Klein

Lingerie brand: Agent Provocateur and Victoria’s secret

Designer: Alexander McQueen,

Holiday: I love New Year and Easter

Night Spot: Ibizza in Ukraine

Magazine: Vogue

Icon: Marilyn Monroe

Photographer: Koen Demuynck

What sort of music do you listen to?

I am mostly interested in pop, rock and jazz

Your greatest achievement?

It was when I became the best model of Odessa, Ukraine.

What do you think of Bollywood as a career option?

I think it is a very interesting industry. Very energetic and has some very talented actors.

What is your idea of an ideal date?

Hmm… I guess I would love a nice candle light dinner date (laughs)

One Thing you just can’t stand…

Snakes! They are just so slimy… Yuckk

Something you love and cannot live without…

I love sweets and no diet can stop me from eating them (grins)

One thing that scares you…

Spiders. I am deathly scared of them.

When was the hottie born?

16 May 1989(I am a Taurean)

What else do you enjoy apart from modeling?

I am a quite creative person and I like to decorate apartments, so may be I can be a designer in this industry or even an interior designer.

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

I am very concerned about charity and I would like to contribute in any way I can to make the world a better place.

Five essentials to become a model?

I think nice appearance, social skills, patience, confidence and a good breeding are very important in order to succeed in this industry

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

The birth of my small brother really touched my heart and so did the wedding of my twin sister. I was very happy on these two occasions.

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“Anyone anywhere can be influential or just have a point of view that’s interesting; it doesn’t matter how old you are or what country you live in, but if you have something to say you can easily say it now and that’s totally new.”

These are the inspiring words of Fashion’s newest most influential person – Tommy Ton, a fashion photoblogger of the ‘JakandJil’ blog fame. In today’s technology obsessed world, where internet plays the role of nothing less than ‘god’, there are worshippers emerging everyday out of every little nooks and corners. But for someone to stand-out in this highly competitive scenario, is a thing worth appalling for. Fashion’s new hero Tommy Ton, who started photo-blogging in just September 2008, has today become one of the ‘Industry favorites’ and an important fashion insider, grabbing himself a position in the front row for D&G show, sitting along with Hamish Bowles and Anna Wintour.

(As told in an interview to Models.com) Tommy Ton’s love for fashion began while he was 13 living in Canada, watching Fashion TV and reading all fashion magazines and books he could lay his hands on. At the age of 15, he realized if he wanted to be a designer, he should assist one, but soon after having experience with that, he felt he needed to be at the business front of fashion, so he joined Holt Renfrew (Bergdorf of Canada), where he worked for 3 yrs, and realized again that this is not where he wants to be. He then saw a new online magazine, and thought of doing something over the internet, and so he bought a camera and started clicking street fashion. Not exactly excited with the fashion scene in Canada, Tommy bought himself tickets to London and Paris to be able to photograph people of fashion capitals. And finally, like a happy kid in a candy store, he fell in love with the fashion there and started clicking extensively. Soon he started with his blog, where he kept publishing his interesting pictures with a keen eye for shoes and details. His pictures were an instant hit, and as truly quoted by Christine Dychiao for Philipinne Star – “Style watchers and shoe lovers know that when they’re craving a heavy dose of style and shoe porn, it only takes one visit to jakandjil.com to satiate their desire.”

Just 2 months after he started photo-blogging, he received an offer from Lane Crawford, they wanted him to shoot their next campaign. And from there on the journey began towards success of this young talent, who is today covering fashion weeks for the likes of New York Times, International issues of Elle magazine, GQ magazine, and most importantly now covering street style for Style.com. The young gun, sometimes get baffled himself when he realizes that today he is being invited to all top notch shows by the biggest designers, and covered by the biggest magazines – like American & French Vogue, whereas just some time back he used stand outside the show areas waiting for people among these very publications to step out and get clicked by him.