December 2011 - Page 2 of 19

Makeups are meant to lionize a woman’s beauty double the times than her natural look. It must be noted down that perfect make up for the perfect occasion can do wonders but if little bit goes wrong then it can make blunder. Every season denotes a different set of makeup stratagem. Year 2011 has also showed vivid variety of make up throughout its different seasons. While spring summer spoke more about loud and vivid notes, the winter has set a bit calm and composed memorandum.

The spring summer experimented with a huge range of vivid and bright colors starting from eye make up to cheeks and lips to nails. Fashionistas were mostly found flaunting eyeshadow in hues of yellow, orange, red, blue and green during the summers. Electric color eyeliners were also showcased. Whilst black shades of eyeshadow as ever was absolutely in this season. If we are speaking about black how can we forget the smoky eyes which has proved its immortality.

While coming to lips neon, bright coral and red has topped the spring summer. Various shades of luscious pink lip colors along with shades of cantaloupe and watermelon were also seen hitting the runway. Orange, brown and peach colored blush were highly implied to emphasize the cheeks.

Mostly strident and neon shades of nail paints along with the very evergreen black and red were accentuated all throughout the season.

Coming to the autumn winter the color orange wasn’t ready to leave its position and is still continuing to hit the market. Bright shades of orange along with the neutral orange tone lipsticks to eyeshades are very often found being teamed up with beautiful dresses. Along with the orange tones opulently pigmented shades of neon pinks and reds are blended to highlight the upper eyelids. The Soba and Crystal Eyeshadows have also spelled its magic everywhere. Indigo colored eye pencils and Smolder Eye Kohl are mostly acclaimed by the chic followers.

The most flattering eyelashes were showcased this season . Just like the summers red lipsticks were found thrilling the runway at the autumn winter collection parade. Perfect matte red, cherry red, orange red and amber warm red were mostly accentuated.

But the makeup tone for this season has slightly calm down compared to the summers; mostly bronzers are seen to contour the face rather than the blushers. Though red lips are very much in but natural lips with a mild shade of brown and pink are frequently stated. Even the nail paints for the winters are inclined more towards the nude, matte, beige and various creamy tones. The dazzling metallic and glittery paints along with the nail art treatment are also all set to spell an aura during the winters. Simple and understated are the perfect words to define the beauty of this autumn winter.

Models are the backbone of this glitzy glamorous world of fashion whether they are 30 or a 20 year old. But in 2011 from the very beginning of the year, a 10-year-old model named Thylane Loubry Blondeau has become successful in spotting all the limelight towards her. Daughter of former soccer player Patrick Blondeau, Thylane was featured in the French vogue sporting a red dress with red lipstick along with a pair of stilettos while lying on a tiger skin rug. A complete sultry and sexy appeal was portrayed by her photos and these gestures of the little girl centered enormous debates and contradictions. Though a lot of eyes were raised but she was applauded with huge appreciation too. Some even regarded her future star of the tomorrow.

While the girls modeling for Victoria’s secret Angels without any doubt always hit the headline, and in 2011 too starting from the month of March with the launch of the brands swimsuit collection model Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, and Adriana Lima glared of publicity following the brands fashion show held in November which debuted two new faces Karlie Kloss (whose image was later pulled out by Italian Vogue claiming it to be anorexic) and Joan Smalls. While the old angels Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes thrilled the ramp with diamond adorned bra after a hiatus which they had to take due to pregnancy.

Andrej Pejic the new face of the label Hema’s, a Dutch brand was recently showcased in the brands exclusive push-up bra line which accumulated all the attention because of his sexuality. Being a male he has excellently portrayed all the gestures of a female in the bra ad that no one could make out that he is a man and not a woman. This 20 year old model has even grabbed the position of no. 18 out of the top 50 male models on the models.com while FHM magazine has positioned Andrej at 98 in the list of the magazine’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World in 2011.

The 26 year old Anja Rubik the face of Fendi has beaten all the top models and came up to most popular face to be followed in twitter and searched in Google. 54,508 people followed her on twitter. The lasso has been featured at the cover page of 59 magazines.

While the Indian modeling industry is also no where lacking behind Delhi based Ninja Singh was crowned as the Fords Super Model of the year held in 2011 and Brazilian Indian model Nathalia Pinheiro as Kingfisher 2012 Calender girl. While another Delhi boy Kabir Singh has made his way to the South Africa fashion Week which hardly any Indian model has been privileged with so far. Very few Indian models get such opportunity to present them at such international forum. Other models from India like Lakshmi Menon and Ujjwala Raut showcased for Yves Saint-Laurent and Gucci. Apart from this Menon has walked for Jean Paul Gaultier shows in Paris and she was also signed as the face of Hermes, the French luxury goods maker. Lakshmi Menon has managed to remain at the top throughout the year. Raut apart from making news about her performances has even focused attention towards her by making a avowal to the Times of India during an interview that "They can’t afford me," when asked why she is hardly seen in Indian shows.

One of the biggest news of the year lately came into light when Pirelli unveiled its 2012 calendar which spotlighted the fabulous Kate Moss, Hollywood star Milla Jovovich and the wife of David Williams Lara Stone, posing naked for the shoot.

The year 2011 though has not created many controversies in the Indian fashion industry but hasn’t left it untouched too. The very affluent designer Suneet Varma got himself trapped in the circle of controversy by regarding Kamasutra the most celebrated Hindu text across the globe. Actually the designer made this avowal during the showcasing of his collection titled Kamasutra at the 2011Delhi Couture Week. Rajan Zed, the president of Universal Society of Hinduism wanted Suneet to act contrite in front of the entire world because according to Zed the statement was deceptive. While at the same Delhi Couture Week another two ace designer’s Anju Modi and Ashima-Leena evolved controversy during their pooled show portraying a showdown over the set. The two threw hard hitting words at each other in front of the entire fashion fraternity present at the venue. The brawl started over a jaali, Leena Singh of Ashima – Leena sought for a gold color jaali, while Anju desired her wish for a white one for the set but due to some uncertainties things didn’t fall exactly according to their expectation.

As the war of Fashion designers and Fashion weeks rages to Milan/London/New York Fashion Week clash, with Diane von Furstenberg, president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, releasing an open letter to explain why next year’s New York Fashion Week will begin a week later than usual and Milan accepting a recent proposal by the CFDA, with a few caveats. As Milan tried to completely alienate themselves from the fashion community that has been growing over the years, New York was quick to move and offered to move its dates back to accommodate the Italians. Now, it seems, the Milan Fashion Week organizers have agreed, with a few caveats though.

As we notice in the global market, the controversies were numerous times double than in India. Starting from Cheryl Cole to Christian Louboutin all fell prey to controversies in 2011. Christian Louboutin had impeached Yves Saint Laurent for implying red soles in YSL’s footwear collection because red-soled shoes were once only produced and trademarked by Louboutin. The matter was dragged to the court by Louboutin but their claim went in vain as the judgment now permits all the brands to produce shoes with red-sole. Coming to Cheryl Cole, the star too got entangled in her own signature shoe controversy. Cole’s shoe collection ranging 79.9 pound which was put on sale at the stylistpick website was rewarded back with innumerous complaints due to the terrible quality of the shoes creating a great fuss.

Controversy even spiked regarding children’s after a French fashion company was indicted of sexualizing the little tots through the launch of their loungerie range titled Jours Après Lunes. The range compile of loungewear’s along with lingerie for girls aging form four to twelve. Presenting the tots as sexy, wild and sassy, who hardly might define what is exactly lingerie created a pandemonium all over.

Whilst tons of 2011 ad campaigns by various ace labels raised a lot of eyebrows. Ranging from Mark & Spencer to Marc Jacobs to Levis, JC Penny shirt, Nivea along with many more came under a ban for their controversial visual appeal.

The 2012 spring collection ad campaign by Donna Karan which focused Brazilian model Adriana Lima along with the local Haitians raised several questions as the shadows of the locals were picturised standing behind the model. The picture was conceived as minorities showcased in the background.

Fashion is somehow driven by an incessant urge to create and morph the run of the mill where novelty is the key. And the fashion designers know it quite well that it takes two to tango. It’s all about travelling to new mediums, associates and fiefs which keep one going in the business, no matter you are Karl Lagerfeld or Donatella Versace.

The year 2011 was one classic example of new ventures, collaborations and expanding fiefdoms with high-end labels going masstige, celebrities turning designers, bursting online bubble and kids to pets flaunting their designer labels. So for ‘ever-reachable’ fashion’s sake, we archive the hottest fashion forays, endeavors, tie-ups and launches of 2011.

Though there might have been thousands of such warms handshakes throughout the year but nothing can beat ‘Versace for H&M’ which sold out in 30 minutes as soon as the collection hit the stores around the world. Even H&M’s website crashed under large number of users trying to access. Similar was the response to ‘Missoni for Target’ collection which left people craving for this highly anticipated collection as all sold within a matter of few hours. Later the collection featured on eBay at an incredibly exorbitant price.

In India the story was not as gripping as of its International counterpart. We saw Shantanu & Nikhil associating with Adidas to come up with their collection titled, Lucent featuring preppy colored active wear. Even Malini Ramani designed for Bata retaining her gypsy spirit in the footwear collection.

Apart from these collaborations and associations the designers forayed into new domains with the launch of different collections. The year witnessed the birth of Young Versace, a kidswear line from the house of Versace with its newly opened store later in Milan. Internationally, it was Vera Wang going for menswear and Tom Ford debuting in womenswear range.

The celebs-turned-designers brigade marched to the fashion field like never before. Rihanna in association with Armani Exchange created capsule collection featuring denim and tees. Kanye West landed on the Paris runway with his Spring Summer 2012 collection while Janet Jackson and Cheryl Cole came up with their fashion interpretations. On the hand, Gwen Stefani launched her kids line and Kim Kardashian launched hey eponymous range. Whereas in India it was Paris Hilton who launched her accessories range in Shoppers Stop and the news of Neha Dhupia launching her lingerie line spread like wildfire.

There also came ample store launches across the country throughout the year. As the European markets remained bearish, all the major brands headed towards Asia. While Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs made it to the Chinese shores, Burberry reached out to Chennai fashionistas and Bottega Veneta launched its store in Gurgaon, apart from many other fashion labels and multi designer boutiques mushrooming across the country like Kimaya opened up in tier 2 cities like Surat.

Now, as Indian government has proposed 100% FDI in retail, we expect a Venturesome 2012 with some big fashion conglomerates flying off to Indian shores.

Besides store launches online bubble inflated in diversified areas. Zovi.com and Freecultr.com, an initiative by Kavinder Mishra & Sujal Shah joining the expanding online fashion retail brand clique. Then there are bestylish.com and myntra.com, retailing footwear and apparels respectively, making their presence felt.

With hammering numerological permutations and combinations chalking it up to spills and bounces of the bygone year, and the times coming ahead, it’s a yearly ritual. The fliers and downers didn’t spare the fashion world either. And the year flied off fluttering its wings, making us indulge in fashion and its famous vanity like ever before. There were quite a few fashionable weddings this year, but without a doubt, the future Queen of England took the crown for the most hotly anticipated Alexander Mcqueen dress.

We sobbed, sighed and wowed, when the world acknowledged a design genius posthumously or sometimes when the sense of patriotism meets with the high end fashion. Now standing at the exit of 2011, we here recapitulate the fashion moments of the year with heaving might-have-been and might-haven’t-been.

Manish Arora at Paco Rabanne
The very onset of the year first saw the face of Indian fashion, Manish Arora making it to the atelier of Paco Rabanne as its new Creative Director. The India-born and bred designer later in the 2011 happened to showcase his first futuristic collection for the internationally known label in Paris paying homage to the first Rabanne collection (1966) all done in shiny gloss materials, teamed up with eccentric Philip Treacy flying saucer hats.

Drunken John Galliano slurring, ‘I Love Hitler’
It was one of the most shocking moments for the fashion fraternity when John Galliano was caught on video slurring anti-Semitic remarks in a café in Paris. The style confidante of many Hollywood celebs soon landed behind the bars, leading to his defame around the world and dismissal as the Creative Director of storied French label Dior. The world sighed, few in grief of seeing one of the creative geniuses losing it all, and few in wrath.

Exponentially Rising Number of Fashion Weeks in India.
If last year it was Aamby Valley India Bridal Week and Delhi Couture Week, then it’s India Resort Fashion Week (IRFW) in Goa, apart from Trousseau Week 2011 in UB City, Bangalore this year. Where IRFW got the rave reviews (with the line-up of the India’s most celebrated names of fashion like James Ferreira, Pria Kataria Puri and Manish Malhotra) for encouraging resort wear in India, the one in Bangalore ended on moderate notes making it straight to the list of umpteen fashion weeks being organized in the different lanes of the country. May 2012 spare us from something like Andheri or Chandni Chowk Fashion Weeks. Well, the year also saw the announcement of very first ever India Kids Fashion Week, slated for January, 2012.

Unloading Top Guns.
Internationally, where Bill Gayten took over as Dior’s ad hoc creative head, after John Galliano’s dismissal, grapevine brought many names to fore but none got finalized as of now. Also Carine Roitfeld’s departure from Vogue Paris offered stomach full of gossip fodder. The co-founder and Director of Jimmy Choo, Tamara Mellon stood down from her role and Christophe Lemaire joined as the new womenswear designer of Hermes. Whereas in India we witnessed Anil Chopra quitting as CEO of Lakme Lever after spending over a decade organizing biannual Lakme Fashion Week successfully in Mumbai. On the other hand, Ravi Krishnan resigned as the Managing Director and Senior Vice President of IMG South Asia.

Upping ante of India in Contemporary Fashion
The year came cementing India’s foothold in global fashion with Indian designers travelling off shores and international fashion houses presenting India inspired collections and photo shoots. Where Ritu Kumar was nominated to showcase at World Fashion Week in New York, Falguni & Shane Peacock presented at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Sabyasachi also walked red carpet with Kanishtha Dhankar at Cannes. Whereas Jatin Varma showcased at Whiskymist, Gaviin Miguel stunned Paris and Jattin Kochhar voodooed Kenya.
On the other hand, Louis Vuitton backpacked to India and shot the ethos of Rajasthan in a way never seen before. Canali, Etro, Hermes and Chanel also presented India inspired collections, showcasing a range bundhgalas, saris and dhoti pants respectively. Even Indian fashion weeks saw a horde of international media, buyers and designers, all awestruck. Lakme Fashion Week had a bunch of Japanese designers showcasing with their Indian counterparts.

Return of Titans
It was the entry of stalwarts like James Ferreira, Neeru Kumar and Adarsh Gill on the Indian ramps which jazzed up the fashion scene, both sartorially and dramatically. James Ferreira’s scintillating ramp debut only made us relish some eye popping designs and moves whereas Adrash Gill, after having showcased in New York in 70s presented a delectable couture feast in Delhi Couture Week 2011. Tarun Tahiliani showcased his very first menswear collection at VHIMW 2011 which also witnessed Abraham & Thakore venturing in the same business.

When it comes to Louis Vuitton, unexpected is most expected. Bending the mores of fashion Marc Jacobs, along with his fantastical strays creates something eye popping. Similar is Louis Vuitton’s collaboration with artist Francois Cadiere for women’s Fall/Winter 2011 Textile accessories.

The collection which is inspired from the city of Berlin is laced with the surrealistic illustrations of Francois giving other worldly look to the range of stoles, scarves and shawls, all carried in quite unusual ways. It includes the very new Eden scarf of Louis Vuitton with hand painted patterns, portraying the street arts of Berlin.

The textile collection also features elegant silk scarves and stoles from the label having iconic LV monogram, hearts, geometrical lines and various other interesting prints in wintery shades like deep navy blue, red, fuchsia and camel. There also comes this zebra printed shawl with pop colors in this feminine collection.

Moreover this collection shows the versatility of these unique accessories. Tied as bows on head and neck, bandannas and belts, they come as a fresh breath of style.

After those glamorous (not to mention the controversies it brought along with) pair of shoes, Cheryl Cole is all set to unravel the secrets of that kissable pout by launching her debutant lipstick – and that too for a good cause.

The English pop star turned actor, Cheryl has teamed up with L’Oreal to create this limited edition range, called ‘Red Passion’. The color rich range features the ‘it’ color ( say, iconic red shade) of the season about which Cheryl said that she thought carefully about the shade of the lipstick and wanted to pick one color that would suit all.

The proceeds from lipstick sale, say a pound will go to The Cheryl Cole Foundation in aid of The Prince’s Trust, which she happened to launch in April this year the troubled young people in North East of England.

Red, Hot Earth Sauna Face Masque by Montagne Jeunesse helps in releasing the earth’s stored up energy with self-heating Volcanic Clay. No matter your skin type, this facial masque suited for everyone, cleanse to the core & make the skin calm by extracting impurities and it also helps in opening the pour. Red Hot Earth Masque is all gluten free with no added parabens, consists of evening Primrose, Ginseng and Volcanic Clay.

Started by Gregory Butcher twenty five years ago in UK with the strategy of making it largest selling beauty brand in world, Red hot Sauna mask contains primrose oil and jasmine which are loaded with vitamin E to moisturize skin deep inside and the volcanic clay cleanses the skin of impurities in pores and removes dead skin which accumulates in the winter season.

Price – Rs 150/-