Monthly Archives: August 2011

Envelope Clutch

Traditionally, envelope means a flat paper container to keep letters. The elegant and edgy envelope clutch is an insanely cute piece. It has been in trend since a while and can be tucked under arm without any hassle. It’s the best way to keep daily essential things in it. The key is keeping the silhouettes clean and streamlined with a touch of opulence and don’t let the name confuse you because it is not necessarily an expensive look to achieve.

Envelope Clutch is perfect for real or faux suede or leather, but it will also work in fabrics like heavy denim, tweed or corduroy. Oversized, lined, slouchy clutch has a carrying strap on the back and closes with a zipper under the front flap.

One of the cutest and most flexible Summer 2011 trends is the envelope clutch; bag for the women can be worn with a simple button down, sleek tuxedo pants and a pair of patent pumps and especially, a good choice to carry as the business wear. Every woman needs oversized leather bag in her accessories closet as a wardrobe affix which will look great both for day and evening wear but this trend is about elegance carried in a clean, stylish, and a classy manner. The bag has enough space to hold keys, mobile, compact camera, wallet, sunglasses, make-up, note-pad and pen.

Though Envelope clutches are not new to the fashionistas but their popularity has perhaps hit an all-time high this season. These very large clutch are quite popular amοng celebrities such as Michelle Monaghan, Kristin Cavallari, Victoria Beckham, Kate Beckinsale and Hilary Duff.

Victoria Beckham, Etro, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Ferragamo and Christopher Kane have launched their Envelope Clutch Fall 2011 collection.

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Nandita Thirani for LFW W/F

For Winter Festive 2011 edition of Lakme Fashion Week, Designer Nandita Thirani delves into the French play La Tosca" adapted to modern day Mumbai to present her collection titled, “La Tosca Du Mumbai”.

A play by French playwright Victorien Sardou, La Tosca was set in the early 1800’s with an array of extravagant costumes and colours.  So all inspired by it, Nandita interpreted the play in Indian context to make garments which are Victorian in shape and form but with an Indianinfluence.

Nandita uses a lot of flowy fabrics like double georgettes, velvets, chiffons, Lame, Satins and georgettes with a colour palate revolving around royal colours namely crimson and cobalt blue with Ivory and black neutrals. Besides she has also used a lot of embellishments this season to accentuate the look by using vine and leaf embroidery with some floral motifs done with badla, anchor and bullion.

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Talent Unboxed at LFW

The Day 2 at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2011 saw a stunning display of collections by designers Nishka Lulla, Mayank Anand and Shraddha Nigam at the Talent Box; meant for ‘stall-only’ designers.

Nishka Lulla enchanted all and sundry with her eye catching designs for the modern Indian girl. By tastefully merging Indian motifs on fabrics like raw silk, silk satin, georgette, cotton and crepe along with western and ethnic cuts this young designer makes her pieces stand out. Block prints on dresses, added a different yet unique appeal while layers in net spelt ‘Flirty, Fun and Feminine’ and low cut blouses, added a subtle hint of oomph. Vibrant fuchsia ponchos, heavily embroidered minis, ornate lehengas with dazzling cholis and the beautiful embroidered saris appeared in lean and figure hugging silhouettes which at times moved to more fluid bias cuts. Pop colours such as red, pink, orange, leaf green seem to celebrate the youthfulness in her collection. While royal colours such as blue, black and white added a hit of sophistication when embellished with sequins and stones.

On the same platform, the designer duo Mayank Anand and Shraddha Nigam captivated no less with their collection titled, ‘Ember’, inspired from the colours of burning coal. Dresses, saris, trousers graced their collection in tones of brown, grey, black, silver and white. The line had a few solid colours although the hues seemed to flow into one another from dark to light and then from red which mirrored burning coals as flames dance.Loose flowing fabrics added elegance along with graceful drapes, while layers on some pieces gave a bit of playfulness. Patterns such as small roses and intricately cut out designs embellished the garments. Sequins seem to not only decorate but also contour the body, while see-through fabrics added a feminine touch. High waists and low cut backs with shimmering fabrics could pass as perfect cocktail outfits. Shrugs and boleros helped add a bit of spunk to ‘Ember’.

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JJ Valaya @ LFW W/F 2011

JJ Valaya’s newest collection at la Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2011 was resplendent et glorious that closed Day 1 of la five-day long fashion fiesta. Sourendra Kumar Das narrates la saga avec subtle monochrome feel that eventually moved into la elegant colours…

La epitome of fashion is la word that could describe la newest collection of Delhi-based designer JJ Valaya. La entire rampe was la like of an intensive studio of a photographer that delves la journey of la designer himself.

The collection had playful assortment of sarees, some in luscious lames avec semi-precious stone embroideries into gentle folds of fine resham. There were velvets inserts en full-bodied silhouettes, crystal trims crusted avec embroidery et beading.

La men’s line had well-tailored sherwanis, bandgalas, jackets et breeches in various styles. The collection is apt for fashionistas who would love to get a conventional feel avec modern line.


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Intraceuticals Infusion

Hollywood’s best kept secret of the stars ‘Intraceuticals Infusions’ is now available in India. The Australian based skincare line known for refining the skin of its esteemed celebrity clientele now introduces premiere oxygen Infusions, inhalations and skincare products for the beauty conscious Indian.

Announcing the launch, Collen Chan, Regional Director, Asia & Middle East says, “Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion Therapy’ is the first ever non-invasive treatment breakthrough to address fine lines, wrinkles and overall hydration. After establishing our presence in over three thousand clinics world-wide and offices in Australia, USA, London, Hong Kong and other major international cities we are now pleased to extend our reach in India. As per industry estimates the market for wellness services in India is pegged at Rs. 110 billion with a projected growth of 20-30 percent. With the changing lifestyles and trends we believe there will be high degree of acceptance for Intraceuticals and we consider India to be a potential market for our global growth”

Established in Melbourne, Australia in 2002 Intraceuticals is an elite line of spa treatments and complementary skin care products founded on innovative and unique technology. The brands’ signature treatment, Intraceuticals Infusions, use oxygen under pressure and cutting edge hyaluronic acid technology to deliver targeted skin care serums deeply hydrating the skin. These specialised treatments and accompanying skincare products target the most common skin issues with instant visible results and dramatic accumulative effects.

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Mohammed Javed Khan

 A new bud in the fashion fraternity, designer Mohammed Javed Khan’s label ‘ex-pression.isn’t  is a product of eclectic gestures of expressions. 

The designer hailing from Shahpura, a small town in Madhya Pradesh is debuting at LFW W/F 2011 in Gen Next Category. It was just his passion which took him to the glittering runways of fashion which he defines by saying that it was the ‘Thought of creation’ which was he born with, kept him away from many other slots and made him misfit at many places to finally find a place which was fit for him.

Javed loves to keep his garments simple and artistic with a dosage of vintage. Meeting his Indian design sensibility is an exposure to the International fashion, creating one-of-its-kind pieces for women with taste. Poetic yet contemporary the label ‘ex-pression-ist n’ employs traditional techniques on modern silhouettes to tell the worldly stories.

Javed loves the imperfection of Indian textile and whole culture. It’s his strong fascination for art-movements which somehow urges him to create. About Indian fashion the designer feels that the Term “Fashion” is a lot newer to us than any other country in Europe or America for that matter. We belong to a developing country, We Re-use, Re-cycle and don’t dispose things so easily and this habit has made us sentimental about change. We don’t accept changes so easily, because it’s not in our belonging. Amidst this, we are moving in our own pace, Growing in a particular pattern which may not be as fast as it should be but that’s how the Global Trend is going to be very soon, much more aware of surrounding, sensitive towards environment, intelligent and less complicated.

Designer Mohammed Javed Khan currently retails under his label ‘ex-pression.ist n’ in Bangalore.
 
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Art Kept Me Out of Jail

 

JAN FABRE
It is almost impossible to enumerate all the faces of Jan Fabre’s work. The Fleming from Antwerp multidisciplinary artist, playwright, stage director, choreographer and designer. He studied at the Municipal Institute of Decorative Arts and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Between 1976 and 1980 he wrote his first scripts for the theatre and made his debut performances.

Currently exhibiting in muzeum sztuki ms2, Lodz, Poland. It is the first presentation of the art of the outstanding Belgian multimedia artist, dramatist, internationally famous and recognised stage designer. His works have been shown, among others, at the Venice Biennale and at Documenta in Kassel. He has also participated in many theatre and dance festivals all over the world. He is known to wider audiences for his theatrical activities. The exhibition at Muzeum Sztuki allows for a closer look at the extraordinary artist at his works.

The title of the exhibition has been inspired by a controversial solo show of 2008 Jan Fabre. L’ange de la metamorphose (Musée du Louvre), where Fabre staged a four-hour long performance Art kept me out of jail!. The action was inspired by the character of a French criminal, Jacques Mesrine, who was notorious for his many escapes from French prisons.

Jan Fabre, living and working in Antwerp, will present, among others, videos documenting his most important performances: Art kept me out of jail! (2008), Virgin/Warrior (2004), Sanguis/Mantis (2001) during the exhibition at Muzeum Sztuki.

The exhibition is also a unique opportunity to see a joint work by Fabre and Marina Abramovic Virgin/Warrior, performed at Palais de Tokio in Paris. Dressed in armours of common wasp (Abramovic) and Rhinoceros beetle (Fabre), enclosed in a glass cage for 4 hours, the artists performed tasks they imposed on themselves (e.g. shaking weapons, breathing, cutting a left arm, holding hearts in their hands.

Fabre’s performances enable art to arise out of the action and the need ‘to experience certain things in the flesh’. Fabre is an empirical artist who explores the limits of the body, consciousness and imagination. Looking for a place where experiences from a variety of disciplines can be brought together, in his performances he builds bridges between visual and theatrical work.

Posted by : Amal Kiran Jana from Lodz, Poland at 06:13 AM

 

Prismatic Paisley Prints

Paisley is a classic print, which has come out of nowhere. It’s supremely ladylike, sophisticated and elegant pattern. Anyone can wear these prints, for more petite women, it will not take over their tiny figures. Yes, it’s truly a very versatile print specially the darker ones. Some showed entire ensembles covered in the print and others only hinted from a paisley scarf wrapped around a fur coat to a sheer paisley blouse with killer skinny-trousers. Paisley pattern are motif which are originally from India, Pakistan and Persian origin, but its western name is derived from the town of Paisley in central Scotland.

In 1798, Napolean Buonoparte bought a Kashmiri shawl as a gift for his wife Josephine. It was a shawl woven from a yarn made from the hair of goat from the Himalayas. It was soft but warm, was a political aesthetic at that time, and evoked classical Greek and Roman images. All the fashion ladies in Paris, and that hunger revived not only the weaving industries in India and Kashmir, but also the British and French entrepreneurs who decided to import and breed and started home grown weaving industries of their own. In 1805 Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres painted portrait of Madame Riviere where she had been seen carrying Paisley shawl.

French and British weavers learned how to mass-produce the fabric using less luxurious fibers, and soon a woolen shawl woven with a paisley pattern was a common commodity bought by women of all classes, to warm their shoulders in the cold of winter. A craze for paisley in the mid-1990s resulted in high demand for pashminas, so demand exceeded supply. When paisley shawls rose into fashion prominence during the era, they were marketed dubiously. Cashmere used for paisley shawls was claimed to be of a superior quality.

In 60’s Beatles Rolls Royce was painted in paisley pattern, Hermes scarves, banker ties, the hippie of the 70’s, Yves Saint Laurent’s Ballet Russess collection of 1976.Carven,Etro and Preen, fall 2011 has a paisley pattern. This Topshop swimsuit has attribute that to the blue and white paisley print. Salma Blair was spotted in pretty paisley frock.

Jessiac Simpson wore multicolored silk-crepe sleeveless mini dress with a geometric paisley print. Blake Lively showed up her long leg in a mini dress with ruffled paisley detailed and Drew Barrymore either rocked in multicolored paisley dress

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