fashion friday - black and white

fresh takes on a classic color combo.


source: facebook, high heel confidential, luxpresso

ritu kumar's latest suit design

love this fun and funky creation from indian designer ritu kumar -- this ad was featured in vogue india's dec. 2010 issue, and it immediately caught my eye. it's a fun alternative to all the anarkalis we've been seeing everywhere -- anarkalis are long babydoll type dresses, with a huge circumference at the bottom (causing the dress to flare out a lot) and they are worn with tight leggings, called churdidars. although i still love anarkalis very, very much, something new and fresh is always much appreciated.

it's hard to tell exactly, but it looks like this outfit has a kurta top in baby pink, which is basically just a long tunic in a straight cut, worn overtop a white and black tie-dye skirt (which gives the flared-out dress aka anarkali effect). the model is seen wearing no churdidars underneath, but of course that is just for the editorial. in real life, baby pink chudidars to match the kurta top would look great. the yellow/golden chunni, or stole, adds another pop of color, but again for real life, i might choose a less distracting color -- or maybe no chunni at all. either way, it's something different and something new, and i hope to see more of it in indian fashion.

source: scanned in from vogue india, dec. 2010

red & blue

it's fierce combo (similar to red and purple) but while red and purple gives a va-va-vixen vibe being that they are both feminine colors...the contrast of red and blue is a bit more edgy and powerful. the sensual-ness of red is hit hard with the masculinity of dark blue, producing a very sexy result. i think it's great -- especially in interior design. i'd feel divine lounging in a room like the one above (located at the gramercy park hotel in nyc.)

source: bollyspice, haute design

sabyasachi couture 2010

just now getting a look at all the images from the 2010 sabyasachi couture show, and all i have to say is "wow." besides the amazing mix of patterns and prints on exquisite fabrics, take a look at all that layering...especially in the 2nd image. for starters, you've got a long kurta (tunic) with floral designs and paisley-looking motifs combined together. then, long, patterned net sleeves give it some air and freshness, while a small heavily embroidered vest gives the look a fun vibe. not to mention, i think i see some hints of velvet on the bottom border of the kurta, as well. and we're only at the top portion of the entire outfit so far. sabyasachi has placed this kurta with a lightly patterned full a-line skirt, printed churidar (leggings) beneath, and a long chunni (scarf) beautifully draped on one shoulder.

there are so many elements to this one outfit, but somehow they all go together with such ease and beauty. oh, and check out those very much on-trend platform oxford booties...quite the unexpected with an outfit like this!

i have always loved sabyasachi, but this collection was brilliant. it might not translate as well in real life, but it just shows how well of a mix-master, genius designer he is. the whole look -- in its earthy colors, absence of bling, and even zero makeup, still manages to look far more royal than any other crystallized in-your-face outfit normally seen and expected from indian designers. looking forward to seeing these pieces in some great editorials. (aishwarya rai is already featured one such editorial, by HiBlitz magazine. check the pictures on high heel confidential.)

source: vogue.in 

vikram phadnis -- lakme india fashion week, spring 2010

gorgeous designs from vikram phadnis during the spring 2010 lakme india fashion week. it was a very opulent, royal, and traditional collection. especially loved all the layering i saw. each piece had this over-the-top grandeur but still remained very elegant. i always admire how designers combine a variety of fierce colors, fabrics, prints, and embroideries into one cohesive and graceful ensemble. the entire collection was very imperial india...going "back to an era of resplendent royalty not seen in India for centuries"....as a fashion editor put it. my favorite, though? the pairing of trendy gold gladiator sandals with a traditional churidar suit...as you will see in the second pic below. it showed just the right hint of modern spunk to go along with this very timeless & luxurious collection.

source: rediff.com