Absolut Chennai

For almost a month now I have been looking for inspiration to make an original blog post. The last few weeks have been all about posting my already published newspaper features. I expected my birthday to result in a blog post but despite having had quite a fabulous two day celebration it did not result in ‘24 reasons why it’s great to be 24’. BTW I did come up with 18. hehehe. I sat down last Sunday when the blog turned one telling myself I just had to post something, however my ever involuntary brain refused to take instructions and shut down. But today when I woke up to people going ‘Happy Birthday Chennai’ everywhere the words just started flowing and here I am trying to do my bit by dedicating this piece of writing to the city that has been my only home.
The Absolut Chennai tee I picked up at the Tantra stall in Express Avenue last week makes extra sense when I look at it now trying to bring back to mind every memory that I associate with this place. I very often wish life in Chennai could be like Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’ because if you’ve noticed the city is particularly charming post six o clock, be it the Marina beach stretch, the illuminated Park Hotel, those tree flanked roads that take you to Besant nagar or the East Coast Road. And as if in reaction to how much in all these years we have cursed the city for its weather conditions, today is one beautiful, beautiful rainy day.
The roads could be cleaner, the traffic lesser and the people more broadminded. There’s a lot that needs to change. Imperfect and flawed, yes, but aren’t we all? Maybe that’s what gives Chennai an almost human quality and makes it so very endearing.


P.S. If you find this post a little random that’s because it’s fully meant to be:D

The Wild Factory

As the classic trend gets an update with abstract interpretations and colours unseen in nature, get re acquainted with the ABC of unleashing your inner animal

Animal prints hardly ever go out of style, fauna inspired prints have just got an update with abstract interpretations and colors unseen in nature.
Basics include leopard, zebra and snakeskin. Renewed rules allow the inclusion of bug, butterfly, bird and leaf prints widening the scope for experimentation.
Call attention to your best features with fauna inspired prints as they are totally attention demanding
Don’t overdo them. Sometimes less can be more
Ethnic wear is not excluded. Printed tunics, saris and kurtas can look chic too. Accesorise with one single statement piece of jewellery
Fierce is the way to wear this look. Think gladiator sandals, boots, oversized cuffs etc.
Go crazy and mix and match with tribal or abstract prints if you’re very confident of your style sensibilities
Hair bands with tiger print are available at Prisha Beauty store, Egmore. Details: 28546981
In unnatural colours (acid pink, electric blue etc) they make great for fun club wear. Think Sonam Kapoors blue giraffe print dress on Vogue India’s Jan 2010 cover
Jeggings, wrap dresses and tunics are available at Esprit, Nungambakkam. Details: 43084827
Katie Holmes, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez and Shilpa Shetty swear by them
Leopard prints to date are the most popular among others and are a great option for cocktail hour
Metallic and leather accents add interest to the look.
Never, never, never wear them to work
One species at a time is a rule that very few people break successfully
Play it safe, when in doubt, by pairing with neutrals like black, khaki, cream or white
Quite contrary to how it was viewed in the 80’s when the trend first made its entry it has now morphed into a timeless constant that’s always reinventing itself
Red nails or lips can look incredibly sexy with leopard if worn right
Stay away from matching prints. Cute is certainly not the way to wear this trend
They are in no hurry to exit the fashion scene. Invest wisely in a classic piece
Use animal accents to highlight or add edge to an otherwise monochrome outfit
Very few men can actually carry of leopard or zebra. Reptile prints (snakeskin or python) work better in your favour.
Wooden and plastic cuffs with animal inspired prints are available at Dreams Come True, Egmore. Details: 28553594
Xperts say a mix of bohemian and wild safari is super hot right now
You’ve seen at least one badly worn animal print dress at every party. Enough said. They can be tricky so play by the rules or limit yourself to accessories
Zebra prints have lots of white space and add width to your appearance. Stay away from them if you are on the heavier side

Dark clouds and pop hues

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My fabulous life

60 pairs of jeans, 42 pairs of footwear, a bright pink belt that says Miss Whatever! and a spunky, gorgeous owner who says ‘When you have it, flaunt it’, what a fabulous way to start ‘Shopaholics famous’. Uma Riyaz Khan, actor and danseuse does not need much introduction, but her love for shopping and good clothes, something we believe has so far not received the attention that it warrants, is what this is all about. The confessions of a delightfully unapologetic compulsive shopper.
The amusingly interesting stories that Uma links to each of the things in her wardrobe is what makes them extra special, like for example a pair of 3 inch heels, “That’s the pair I walked the ramp in during college. I don’t wear them these days but ill never throw them away. They are a little too special” she laughs. Her love for boots and bling is quite obvious. “I have this habit of picking up footwear wherever I go .It’s a habit I just cant shake off” she says and I assure her no one’s complaining especially when it’s such a joy, just to eyeball her extensive collection. On closer observation you notice that most of the things that she has picked up both from the city as well as from her trips abroad are very carefully chosen and reflect little bits of her personality.
A belt with black and white images of Michael Jackson catches my attention and she giggles, “I am an ardent fan of the legend to the extent that I was in tears when he very recently passed away. That’s why.” And there’s more, a swarovski studded belt that says Puma in which she conceals the ‘P’ while wearing to spell out her name. Spotting a bright red Chanel bag which apparently is the most recent addition to her wardrobe, something she got herself on her recent trip to Malaysia, I ask her how much of a brand person she is and she clarifies, “For me it’s not necessary that everything I wear is branded. But brands do matter. People who understand them definitely warm up to you more when you are wearing them.”
During the conversation I find out that this lady has been around the world in the pursuit of interesting additions for her wardrobe. She tells me how among other places like Bombay, Malaysia and Singapore that she usually shops from London continues to be her favourite. “I just go crazy when I am shopping in London. There is something very English about whatever you get from there and I somehow prefer that to the Bangok-ish clothes and accessories that you get in Singapore and Malaysia.”
A simple yet chic maroon and black silk sari shares rack space with an old pair of size 24 jeans. “It’s the first sari my mother got me back when I was in school. It’s one of the very special saris in my wardrobe and that’s the last pair of jeans I bought before getting married”, she laughs. An anniversary gift from hubby, a beautiful silk sari depicting the different mudras with a swarovski studded bharatnatyam dancer on the pallav and a sari that she received from the ex chief minister Dr Jayalalitha for a dance performance are the others.
Coming back to the city she says she has been shopping a lot out of Pantaloons lately and that Hi style, Anna Nagar is a place where she almost always manages to find something good especially when she’s looking to shop for her kids as well. For someone whom shopping is a lot more than a chore, I ask what makes the perfect shopping experience? Throwing in a great snack? Lots of freebies or the company of her girl pals maybe I say. “No, there is nothing as good as shopping alone, because its the only way I get to have all the time for myself”, she says and bursts out laughing.

Happy feet

Brands are passé, quirky is the new cool. Hand painted sneakers that tell a story, demand attention and almost have a personality of their own

If only they had heels. Never mind. Lots of colour, girly and fun. That was the shoe person in me taking over and giving Pallavi a verbal brief after falling for a cheerful red pair of ‘convos’, hand painted with pink blue aliens and multicolored buildings. “I never repeat designs to make sure that each pair is exclusive”, she says as I go through pictures of interestingly quirky pairs that she has already sold. She begins with asking for a list of your likes and dislikes (or if it’s for a special occasion) and insists you leave the rest to her brush to figure out. “The idea of painting shoes first came to me when i couldn’t get checked converse shoes for myself, that worked well and I started painting for friends and friends of friends and soon the word spread”, she goes on as I slip my foot into a bright green shoe and love the way it does wonders to my faded jean.

A Visual Communication graduate, Pallavi Sheth has previously worked with McCann Bangalore and currently also assists her mother who is into designing and wedding trousseau. “Painting is something that i have always been passionate about and can never be taken away from me and this is merely an extension of that passion”, she explains. Her designs are abstract and most often attempt to tell a story or depict the wearer’s personality traits, style vibrant and colourful. Her most memorable pair to date is one which she worked on when a friend wanted to gift something very exclusive to a girl he really liked. “It was a funky looking pair with a lot of animated characters because he told me she liked them.” Bright blue green electric guitars on red converse is what she came up with for another friend who is a huge fan of hard rock.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a new pair; she assures she can jazz up an old one just as well. “I use high quality fabric paints and fabric sketch pens (that do not fade) that I source from the U.S to make sure these shoes are just as low maintenance as a regular pair of sneakers.” The pricing depends on the intricacy of the design and so varies, but starts at Rs 1,500(excluding the shoe cost). Besides shoes she has also worked on a small collection of house products like flower vases, bamboo poles and wall hangings and also does bean bags on request.

For details contact: pallavisheth1887@gmail.com
Phone: 9444180002

Mismatch heaven

Unleash your inner gypsy as we decode the whats and whys of bohemianism

On most days we all love being Rachel Green, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to have our Phoebe Buffay fashion moments. While every trend, lays emphasis on conforming and fitting in, bohemianism is all about eccentricity, irreverence, and turning your quirks into a statement. Apart from describing it as anything that is free-spirited romantic, it's quiet difficult to actually break down the look, because it’s basically all about being so confident about one’s personal style that you’re not afraid to break conventional fashion norms. Going by what we see on the runways, the later part of this year (fall/winter 2010) is going to be a lot about hippie influences and gypsy styles. So, if you think you can carry off boots with an Om kurta or mixing prints with checks, you really shouldn’t let anything stop you

• Bohemian looks usually have an effortless, ‘just threw it on’ feel about them
• Clothes are baggy but well cut. (no potato sacks allowed)
• Burgundy, camel, chocolate, forest green, gold, and olive green, basically all earth and berry tones are colours that work for this look. Black should be worn in small amounts.
• The most common trends include matching prints, tie dye tops and maxi skirts.
• Recommended choice of accessories is ethnic or hand crafted jewelry. Oversized bangles, big rings with natural stones and toe rings all add a gypsy touch. Gold hoops are classic.
• A purse made out of either silk or cotton works for formal events.
• The most distinct feature with boho footwear is that of comfort. Preferable color choices are brown, olive green, and tan. As for styles - you can go for boots, gladiator sandals or platforms
• Add touches off velvet here and there but don’t overdo it
Boho chic
Compared to the look of the 60s and 70s, boho is a little less laid back and lot more chic now. In simple terms it’s the ‘put together’ gypsy look. A move from effortless, to effortlessly stylish.
The Bohemian male
While there is a common tendency to associate boho with feminity, this trend is just as androgynous as any other. Use patterned shirts, patchworks pants, wooden beads, metal, cuffs and scarves to get this look. Techno listening ravers with their brightly coloured, baggy clothes and large sneakers are the most culturally visible expression of modern day bohemianism.
Gypset flair
Gypsy +jetset =gypset. Combining the sophistication of a jetsetter with the eclectism of the gypsy is what this very recent take on boho is all about. Carefree looks that still make a very huge statement.
Get the look
• Tattered or embroidered jeans (for men and women)
• Peasant blouses
• Scarves
• Maxi skirts
• Ethnic prints
• Ponchos
• Shawls
• Long dresses
• Tunics and kurtas
• Kaftans
• Boots
• Brightly embroidered vests(for men)

The Gypsy test

It started with reading excerpts of Julia Chaplin’s book ‘Gypset style’ on Net-a-porter (I am yet to get hold of the book and I think all of you would want to as well), which perfectly coincided with my having to work on a newspaper feature ‘Mismatch heaven’ on Bohemian style (You can check out today’s retailplus, Hindu. Will post the feature here a little later).In fashion terms, to dress bohemian means to be confident enough of one’s personal style to not be afraid to break fashion norms. This got me thinking about the fashion experiments that I have dared so far

• Kurta, denim capris with ankle boots (worn them to work at express a lot of times)
• Little black dress with huge silver jhumkas on hoops(I wore this to an event at Amethyst and Sonam Dubal remarked that it was a very interesting look)
• Purple harem pants, black cardigan with bright yellow sandals(this was really not as weird as it sounds)
• Ivory beige embroidered dress with black leggings, oversized silver kada and Indian wooden jewellery
• Mom's royal blue silk sari converted to a skirt and dupatta worn with a turtle neck tee
(Most of them are quiet tame and fall into the category of fusion or indo western wear as well. I have promised myself to experiment more outrageous looks from now on)

Season 2 of the Chennai International Fashion week commences this Wednesday. I am totally looking forward to Middle finger clothing’s collection and the finale by Satya Paul. The absence of the real crowd puller Sidney Sladen is a definite disappointment. Season 1 was a great initiative by Storm fashion and Galatta cinema
but the event was lacking in the entertainment quotient and high energy drama that is expected of a fashion week. The first installment of this five day event closed on Dec 20th 2010 leaving everybody with the feeling that the best was yet to come and I believe that’s exactly what it’s going to be about this time. Looking forward…