Chennai fashion week- Day 5

Rahul and Gunjan’s line of flowy dresses inspired by USA pears was prismatic. Missed Neeta Lulla’s show, thanks to all the rescheduling. Loved Lida Oreilly’s collection that was all ruffles, rosettes and romance. In conclusion the most interesting designs came from the international designers and the newbies who did not really come with any preconceived notions about the city. What was really missing throughout was the drama and entertainment factor that is expected of a fashion event of this scale. Think Manish Arora's 'Circus' or Rohit Bal's Ashta Dhatu. Chennai Fashion week - a beginning, but definitely the best is yet to come.

Chennai Fashion Week-Days 2,3and 4

Hooded tops, shift dresses, tunics, aubergines, blacks and cinnamons- Sanchita Ajjampur’s collection on day 2 was breathtaking. Totally waiting for the designer to get back from Paris to get some interesting fashion bytes. Rehane’s ‘Looks like love’ was very ‘Rehane’. A romantic and whimsical collection that was totally wearable, but wouldn’t we all love to see more of ‘Space Age Sundari’ instead? Got to have a word with choreographer Sunil Menon during the show and he remarked how he would have loved to have seen a more Chennai oriented team behind the event though he definitely was excited about the city witnessing its first international fashion week. His thoughts were shared by Jewellery Designer and Stylist Ratika Kaul Haksar (spotted during the earlier part of the day in a stunning blue number), who mentioned how she would have liked to have had Designer Chaitanya Rao showing at the event. Micro shorts, ruffled blouses and skinny pants in white, white and more white. A monochrome colour palette, but Revathy, Radhika and Rays’opening collection for Day 3 was anything but monotonous. Hopefully we will get to see a lot more of this very young designer trio and their very uber cool clothes. Satkrit’s ‘Kanchipuram’ was understated and elegant. Vikram Phadnis’s line was sheer opulence. Something that Day 3 could definitely have done without is the Reebok Easy tone show that left most of the audience squirming. On Day 4 Nishka Lulla’s line was everything that was expected- youthful, kitschy and vibrant. I am still wondering why we did not get to see more of Louie Mariette’s bejeweled head pieces. Something that everybody seemed to be looking forward to after having caught glimpses of the man, his muse and one or two of the totally attention demanding head pieces at the Kingfisher Lounge. Looking forward to the grand finale today by Neeta Lulla.

Chennai Fashion Week-Days 2,3and 4

Hooded tops, shift dresses, tunics, aubergines, blacks and cinnamons- Sanchita Ajjampur’s collection on day 2 was breathtaking. Totally waiting for the designer to get back from Paris to get some interesting fashion bytes. Rehane’s ‘Looks like love’ was very ‘Rehane’. A romantic and whimsical collection that was totally wearable, but wouldn’t we all love to see more of ‘Space Age Sundari’ instead? Got to have a word with choreographer Sunil Menon during the show and he remarked how he would have loved to have seen a more Chennai oriented team behind the event though he definitely was excited about the city witnessing its first international fashion week. His thoughts were shared by Jewellery Designer and Stylist Ratika Kaul Haksar (spotted during the earlier part of the day in a stunning blue number), who mentioned how she would have liked to have had Designer Chaitanya Rao showing at the event. Micro shorts, ruffled blouses and skinny pants in white, white and more white. A monochrome colour palette, but Revathy, Radhika and Rays’opening collection for Day 3 was anything but monotonous. Hopefully we will get to see a lot more of this very young designer trio and their very uber cool clothes. Satkrit’s ‘Kanchipuram’ was understated and elegant. Vikram Phadnis’s line was sheer opulence. Something that Day 3 could definitely have done without is the Reebok Easy tone show that left most of the audience squirming. On Day 4 Nishka Lulla’s line was everything that was expected- youthful, kitschy and vibrant. I am still wondering why we did not get to see more of Louie Mariette’s bejeweled head pieces. Something that everybody seemed to be looking forward to after having caught glimpses of the man, his muse and one or two of the totally attention demanding head pieces at the Kingfisher Lounge. Looking forward to the grand finale today by Neeta Lulla.

Chennai Fashion Week- Day 1

Kudos to Storm fashion and Galatta cinema for bringing a fashion week to Chennai. Kimaya, M.A.C , Jimmy Choo and now a fashion week, our city is definitely on a roll. The choreography and Koena Mitra hardly did anything to the ‘not so exciting’ colour palette of Pria Kataria Puri’s 80’s inspired opening collection. With relaxed silhouettes and abstract prints the collection was wearable but definitely lacking in imagination. Delhi based Chirag Joshi’s three lines, the very chic Cotton Couture, prismatic Flora and Fauna and Kamasutra (very interesting, indianised interpretations of the LBD) are perfect for Chennai. Nothing OTT, but very sleek and stylish. Ishita Singh did justice to fusion wear (a much abused term nowadays). Her floor length skirts with suspenders and embellished waist coats and showstopper Genelia were both contagiously effervescent. Jason and Anshu’s line was vibrant with fruity hues. The Sri Lankan designer Yolanda Aluwihare and our city’s own Sidney Sladen gave us the high energy drama that we were all looking for and something that the other showings had greatly lacked. Looking forward to Day 2

Stylist Diaries

Some of Chennai’s well-kept shopping secrets revealed. Incredibly, interesting places that most city guides may forget to include.

We all love multi brand stores and high end boutiques. Love the way they have made picking up something that looks good, fits well and will last a while so convenient.But shopping at popular stores sometimes has the downside of lack of exclusivity (remember secretly cursing a colleague for having the same dress/bag just when it was drawing the right kind of attention?). Which is probably why a few shopping places that may not exactly be googleable but offer equally exciting buys at very affordable prices are the well guarded secrets of fashion stylists, costumers, design students and even fashion obsessed college kids. These stores do not follow rigorous marketing or advertising strategies and their locations are sometimes anything but attention demanding, but this seems to be a case where the products do all the talking.


Rajesh fancy stores
Location : 128, Fountain Plaza, Egmore
This little store tucked in a corner of one of Chennai’s oldest plazas has
the most interesting of sequined clutches, oversized bangles, printed bags and shoulder dusting earrings available at decent prices.
What we love: The fact that the accessories are so tasteful and exclusive that their clientele includes even fashion biggies like Sidney Sladen and Chaitanya Rao.
Contact: 28193514


Beauty World
Location : 39/2 Rattan bazzar
One visit to this store and you may never have to schedule an appointment with your salon, because chances are their supplies came from here. (They supply Studio Profile, Naturals, Green Trends, Kanyas and Bounce to name a few)
What we love: Straightening irons, curling rods and head steams available at prices ranging from affordable to expensive. Hair spa creams and oxygen facial kits of leading beauty brands.
Contact: 43233503


V2 Boutique
Location: Basement of Fountain Plaza, Egmore
Finding a store in the city that retails good party wear that is neither too expensive nor trashy and overdosed with bling is quite a task, which is probably why college kids who frequent this store normally choose to stay tight lipped to keep fashion zebras( copycats) at bay.
What we love: The bold, backless halters as well as the comparatively tame long black dresses. Basically, the fact that there is something for everyone.
Contact: 9840066749


Rumours
Location : F 113, Spencer Plaza, Phase II
While their name might have escaped the credits of quite a few Kollywood films, their well-cut tops and dresses have certainly not escaped the notice of fashionable Chennaiites. Chicness is something that this store seems to have understood very well
What we love: Very, very chic dresses and tops. A tube dress in black and fuschia with a broad belt.
Contact: 42140163


Belt spot
Location : Opposite Jainsons, T.nagar, Pondy Bazaar
This stall that has been around for 25 years now has belts of all kinds. Wide, narrow, linked, woven, you name it.
What we love: The belts with their quirky, oversized buckles look anything but cheap or off-the-street, which is why a lot of film stylists and costumers shop from here.


Bead corner
Location: Outside Spencer’s Daily in Besant Nagar.
It’s difficult to believe what these prismatic beads can do to an outfit if you know how to mix and match. Every fashion design student has picked up something from here at some time or the other.
What we love: The prices. If you know how to bargain you can accessorise practically every outfit that you own

Footnotes

From office appropriate to party chic, boots can be anything you want them to be.


Balmain’s Suede buckled ankle boots. Priced at £957.50. Available at www.netaporter.com

Chennai has no fall, no winter, but when it comes to following this hot fall trend that you just cannot afford to miss, we think you could just make do with air conditioning. While thigh high or knee high (also available at these stores) might be a little impractical and difficult to attempt, ankle boots can effortlessly be worked into your everyday wardrobe. Not to forget December happens to be our coldest month and also marks the beginning of the holiday season. So what’s keeping you from popping a pair and taking off on a Euro trip?
Psst! Retailers if you are listening, we would love to see pinks, purples and reds on the racks as well. The typical Chennai shopper today is anything but conservative.


Buckle up
With a sturdy heel and bordering on the androgynous this one works better with jeans. Opt for skinnies to show off the belt and buckle detail. Priced at Rs 1700. Available at El Torro, Nungambakkam. Details: 65175899


Grey sells
Ground a kaleidoscopic legging with this shoe in solid grey.Priced at Rs 1895. Available at Koblerr, Shanti Colony, Anna Nagar.Details:45500173


Colour blind
If you’re looking for something prismatic to jazz up a monochrome fall outfit or basic denim, the psychedelic boots from Manish Arora’s ‘Fish fry’ line are still a good idea. A little last year, but just as HOT. Priced at Rs 7990. Available at Reebok Women’s World, Khader Nawaz Khan Road. Details: 43084555


Hot shoe
As feminine and covetable as a boot can get. The pointed toe-pencil heel-bling detail combination is killer. Priced at Rs 1990. Available at Mochi, Shanti colony, Anna Nagar. Details: 42172347


White hot
White seems to be the new black when it comes to men’s footwear. Perfect for a night out. Priced at Rs 2490. Available at Mochi, Shanti colony, Anna Nagar. Details: 42172347


Fuss free
Laid back and cool, boots in suede work best with denims or cords. Priced at Rs 2690. Available at Mochi, Shanti colony, Anna Nagar. Details: 42172347

Decoding Denim

20 Things you need to know to wear your pair like second skin

1. Forget the blues. Spruce up your fall wardrobe with denim in bright pop colours like red, pink and if you think you can carry it off even yellow (now available in Chennai)

2. When in doubt team a dark wash with a cleverly cut white shirt. A classic pairing that can never go out of style

3. Denim on denim can often be a faux pas. If you have to, stay away from one tone and experiment by teaming different washes

4. Degrade or tie –dyed denim is HOT! Team with a simple blazer and ankle boots for max effect

5. The 70’s wide leg is back but very wide legs can make petite frames look shorter

6. Ragged hems are so not stylish, so use the original hem for a finished look

7. For lasting colour always wash jeans inside out in cold water

8. To avoid shrinkage hang dry instead of using a machine dryer

9. The best way to wear boyfriend jeans is by pegging it at the ankle. The cuffs should reach right above the ankles. To make it more casual roll it twice or three times

10. The must haves are skinny jeans, flares (or the universally flattering boot cut) and black jeans

11. When buying stretch jeans always go one size down

12. To prevent bunching always choose zipper over button fly

13. When paired with the right accessories a black pair that fits well can be anything from office appropriate to party chic

14. Skinny jeans are not just for skinny girls. It actually gives women who are curvy a lot more definition

15. When trying on a jean, you should be able to comfortably slide you hand between your tummy and the jean. Also, try sitting down and make sure they are not cutting into your midsection.

16. Boyfriend jeans must be loose on the hips, but do accessorize with an interesting belt.

17. Embellished white denim is a great alternative for dress pants for a night out

18. Get an instant tummy tuck with a high waisted pair.

19. Jeans cropped at the ankle works best for boyish frames

20. Opt for a straight cut narrow leg style as opposed to the regular skinny jean if you are curvier at the bottom