Global Fashion Archives - Page 7 of 7

Spring Fashion Trends 2015

Hello, all you lovely Divas!

With Spring season upon us, good times are here! The weather is beautiful, your woolens are packed and out come some wonderful new trends to have you look stunning. Keep your wardrobe as fresh as the air outside, especially since much of this season’s international trends reflect a revival of forgotten styles, but of course, with a twist – seems like you need to reshuffle your wardrobe! Read on and find out which essentials you need to stock up on – after all, spring is your time to shine!

Colors

This season, couture goes colorful. And no, not in the technicolors and neons of Spring 2014, but with yellows, whites and blues in abundance. Runways have witnessed much monochromatic yellow and white clothing – striking and chic, even-toned outfits, jazzed up with layering and textures. Also, bid goodbye to the classic black-and-white combo now since blue is the new black. Blue and white can be your new go-to combination.

Denims

Say Hi! to the roomy denims you pushed to the back of your closet a long time back. Ever since the skinnies came in, those flared bottoms and baggy jeans have been sitting idle in some dark, unvisited corner. But now, no more. Inspired by the 70’s ramps, loose-fitting denims have been brought back (yes, your tightly-ensconced calves and thighs can breathe again!). Team them up with silhouette-defining blouses and tiny crop-tops for a chic, well-balanced look.

Prints

In 2015, two old-timers that have been restored as far as prints go. First are gingham prints, which no longer look like picnic-sheets and table-cloths; incorporated into sheer styles and blown-up silhouettes, these checkered beauties make for interesting day-wear. The second comeback pattern is the floral – soft, feminine and flirty as it is. Sported by many on the Oscars Red Carpet, this time around, bold floral is trending high. Looks lovely too, so go get them flowery-prints asap!

Necklines

When it comes to necklines, all-or-nothing is this season’s mantra. On the one hand, one-shoulder cuts have been making a terrific statement on all runways, be it in dresses, blouses, gowns or crop-tops. In stark contrast to that, high-necklines (which are atypical of Spring Fashion) are also much in vogue; striking and chest-enhancing, these are perfect for those fashionistas who like to be bold, beautiful and ever-experimental.

Footwear and Accessories

Your feet are in for a treat because comfy shoes are back! From sneakers to simple sling-backs, everything devoid of heels shall be a fashionable success this Spring. Give your heels a rest and let the flats out – sometimes, fashion and comfort do get along! With regard to accessories, Obi belts (Kimono-style cloth sashes) of medium width are quite the craze. Cinch your waist in with these when wearing formal suits or casual skater dresses, thus adding an extra touch of grace. Other than this, sporty knick-knacks such as wristbands, visors, drawstrings and zippered bags are quite the in-thing as well. Who said sportswear is just for the gym? Not Spring 2015!

So these are the styles that models have been rocking on the runways of high-end fashion brands. Adopt these to compliment your own fashion sense and don’t hesitate to try the unfamiliar. Think about it, if not for rejuvenating Spring, when else will you explore and experiment with new styles?

Photo Credits : http://successimg.com/spring-2015-pantone-color-trends/

Fashion Trends That India Has Gifted To The World

India has given the world bountiful reasons for happiness: Bollywood, butter chicken and Bhangra are the first few that come to my mind. Film and food aside, the striking subcontinent has made a lasting mark on the global fashion scene. Let us explore the iconic gifts of style that India has given to the world with love.

The Jodhpur Trouser

With humble origins in the traditional Indian churidar pant, the Jodhpur trouser is now a fashion statement in its own right and the key reason behind the birth of the ‘Equestrian Chic’ trend. Indeed, an Indian polo player popularized these pants in Europe. They quickly became a must-have in every horseman and horsewoman’s wardrobe. Today, they are making waves across international runways and leading fashion magazines. I fell head-over-heels in love with Dolce and Gabbana’s silky rendition a few years ago.

The Maang Tikka

Once reserved only for the big fat Indian wedding, this sultry head accessory has absolutely skyrocketed in popularity, both in its home country and across the globe. In fact, Karl Lagerfeld was so inspired by this accessory that all of the models in the Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 show, aptly called ‘Paris-Bombay’, sported regal maang tikkas. And we all know that Karl can do no wrong, right?

The Bindi

The spread of the bindi trend to the furthest corners of the world has not been without its fair share of controversy. Opponents of the trend believe that those who sport it are actually disrespecting the Indian culture where the bindi is worn by married woman to signify their commitment to their husbands. Right or wrong, this trend is here to stay as an important part of the bohemian music festival style. I’d love to know what your take is on this craze – fashion trend or blasphemy?

The Henna Tattoo

Another ethnic bridal trend that has made it to the frontlines is the art of applying henna tattoos to hands in intricate designs. Popular with the artsy lot and bohemian babes, the henna tattoo trend has been spotted on many celebrities who are trying to make a bold fashion statement. It has also inspired an entirely new trend altogether – the temporary metallic tattoos that became all the rage at the end of last year. I’ve noticed that Vanessa Hudgens, a personal style icon, has been experimenting with henna designs for a while now. I have to say that I am pretty impressed with her handiwork!

The Sari

To my mind, the sari is one of the sexiest outfits in existence today. A long kept secret in The Golden Bird (i.e. India), the sari has now made its way across the borders and into the hearts of fashionistas across the world. No matter how you drape it, these six yards of cloth scream elegance like nothing else. Is it any surprise that the likes of Madonna, a true-blue fashion queen, and Elizabeth Hurley, a sophisticated siren, have worn it? I hope to see more women rocking this sultry outfit on the red carpet in 2015.

Contributed by Shradha Bhatia

The History of Heels

As you slip on your old, faithful work heels, you probably fail to consider the shoe’s rich history. While we may wear them now to create a statement look, back then, they were very much a statement of social standing.

Heels actually date back as early as 3500BC. Murals from the period depict upper class Ancient Egyptians wearing decorative laced heels as a sign of their superiority. In 3000BC, however, heels were very much a stage costume for actors in their theatrical tragedies. They were used to visibly elevate characters to convey greater importance or social standing.

In the 1300s, heels took on a much more practical use. People in the Middle East attached wooden stilts to their feet to protect the wearer from hot or wet floors. This trend continued through the Middle Ages, giving birth to pattens and chopines, which both were intended to keep the wearer clean.

Practicality remained key in the Safavid Dynasty. Horse-riding warriors wore heeled shoes to help them grip the stirrups and stand up as they rode.

In the 1600s, heels became much more of a fashion statement. King Louis XIV of France often donned ornate, 5-inch heeled shoes. To ensure he was the leader of the fashion pack, he ruled that no one else should have heels higher than him.

By the 1900s, the heel had definitely become a fashion statement. Christian Dior and Roger Vivier created the stiletto heel as we now know it in 1955. Although thinner heels had existed before this, it was only when the two iconic designers collaborated that the trend skyrocketed.

The stiletto heel made way for more extreme designs, like platforms in the 1970s and sky-high heels that characterised the 1990s.

To find out more about the heel’s extensive history, take a look at the Jones Bootmaker infographic in full below.

Fashion Trend Alert: Bright Lace

We have all loved lace since we were kids, makes me feel all girly and young again. When you think about lace the first thought that springs to your mind is the white colored lace we have all seen in bridal gowns in whites and soft hues.

The trend this season is taking a detour from the traditional and opting for brighter hues. Bright colors are the trend this season be it for the western or traditional attire. Added bonus is you dont need to be all skinny or perfect hourglass shaoe to carry of this trend.

The bright colored laces vs. the pale hues look good on all skin tones and body types, so go ahead and invest in that lovely dress piece this season.

Fashion Trend: Search for the Scarlet Lips

The perfect red lipstick is one of the fashion trend’s that will never date away.We sometimes hate it and sometimes love it almost like crazy. One movie star which comes to my mind when I think of red color lips is either Madonna or Anne Hathway.

Personally I always felt I can’t carry a rouge red color and hence always turned towards more dark brown red or mauves for occasion.But after doing some serious shopping this season for a personal family do, I thought why not give it a try to this elusive make-up essential.

I have tested many red colors before nailing down my own red color, and the ones that finally got on to my shortlist are:

1. NARS Jungle Red – its a bright red tone color with long lasting color. It is a mix of both matt and shine. So if you like a bright red color this is definitely a good choice

2. MAC Ruby Woo -This is a great matt red color lipstick. The color is thick and rich and lasts all day long.

3. MAC Russian Red – Another great matte, classic red lipstick from MAC. I personally felt russian red is more creamy and has a slight sheen to it on the lips

A red color lipstick is a must in every girl’s makeup box.

Style Tip: Wear your Red color lipstick with a matching nail color for that elegant and ultra glam look.

Neons are the new Black for Spring

Spring is the time when the weather is just starting to get warm while there is still pleasant breeze blowing for most times of the day. Going by international spring summer collections as well as those showcased by Indian designers, neons seem to be the order of the season.

Neon colors as a fashion trend for spring summer have been around for quite some time. And it looks like they are here to stay this season as well. Bright and vibrant, these are energetic colors that go well with the bright mood of spring and summers. There is more than one way to flaunt your neon colors collection.

You could go all out with a color on color scheme in bright neons such as bright oranges or yellows. But make sure the cut of the fabric is simple in this case, else you could deemed shouting from the rooftop. A small tip- try bright tangerine for that diva like look.

You could always pair your neons with neutral colors such as browns and blacks. In fact, a bright orange jacket thrown over a black dress can add that pop of color to your look. If you are not very comfortable sporting eye catching bright tops and skirts, you could add neon colors to your look.

A bright colored belt and bright colored heels work just as well to give you a vibrant look that’s in sync with the season. In fact, bright colored heels are all the craze in Hollywood right now.

Some celebrities worth emulating to get your bright neon look right include Katy Perry, Vanessa Hudgens, Kate Beckinsale and Kim Kardashian.

Chunky Bangles – Instant wardrobe pick me up for this season

Bipasha Basu was seen wearing them recently; as a trend, they were all over the recently concluded Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week 2012 as well as the Lakme Fashion Week 2012. Chunky bangles first burst onto the scene on international runways in 2007. Since then, the trend has just continued, with several Indian celebrities sporting them at various events.

They can add a pop of color

Bright colored heels, which are currently the hottest trend right now, add a definite pop of color to an otherwise understated ensemble. However, not many are comfortable wearing heels in purple, pink or even orange. Chunky bangles in different colors can compensate for that, as they add a definite zing to any outfit.

Wearing them right

There is no one way to wear your chunky bangles right. For an evening out with friends, pair your white tee and blue jeans in a single chunky bangle in bright color on one hand. Pairing it up with a similar colored bag completes the look.

For that little black dress that you have, you can always wear two or three chunky bangles in bright colors such as orange and purple to add a pop of color to your look. For more formal events, jewel encrusted chunky bangles in gold and silver are a better option than going for the solid color look.

Experiment while you stack them up

Don’t forget to experiment with your chunky wrist accessories while you stack them up. You could combine different shapes; or could throw in a chunky bracelet with your bangles to add a little bling to your outfit. However, remember, when pairing your chunky bangles with bracelets, the bracelets should be free to move on your wrist. Bracelets which handcuff you spoil the look.

There are different materials to be had too

Wooden bangles in different colors go well with a casual look; glass bangles work well for a casual as well as formal look; while those in encrusted jewels should ideally be restricted to formal events only. There is so much you can do with this ‘chunky’ accessory.

Bright Color Heels for Adding a Pop look to your dress

Bright color heels are the latest in trend as far as Hollywood is concerned. In fact, bright colored heels can be perfect to add that pop of color to an otherwise subtle ensemble. Here is what they can be teamed up with:

LBD

That little black dress is the perfect reason to add a bright pair of red wedged heels or something more bold in lime green or pink to your collection. However, as a thumb rule, stay away from yellow if you are going to wear them with black. In all likelihood, you will end up looking like a Bumblebee than a fashionista.

The vibrant look

If keeping it simple isn’t your style, you could even go all out with colors, aka, Bella. A bright pink dress with matching colored heels work equally well to add that pop to your look. However, while going for this look, try and stay away from bright or patterned socks. While socks with bright colored heels are very much the trend, too much of anything can spoil the party.

There are graffiti heels too

For an outrageous (and cool) style statement, there are graffiti heels to be had too in all sorts of colors. If you are going for the graffiti look, try to keep at the top. Neutral colors such as black, beige etc. work the best.

The princess look

A flowing, feminine dress, combined with similar toned heels can make you look vibrant, youthful, elegant and bold, all at the same time.

If you are feeling apprehensive about the whole thing, here are 3 reasons why trying bright colored heels isn’t such a risky proposition after all:

They are easier to carry than bright colored clothes. Bright colored heels are an easier option to add those bright hues you have always loved, while still keeping it subtle.
You can change them in a jiffy. You may get stuck at a party with a bright orange top that’s making you look like a fool. But a bright pair of heels that isn’t suiting the occasion is relatively easier to change.
Of course, they are an easier way to add a new dimension to your look. Even a basic pair of white tee and denims can get a vibrant meaning with a bright pair of heels.

Spring 2012 Fashion Trend: Colored Jeans are the “IT Jean” of the season

It was sometime last year that the first lady of the US, Michelle Obama, was seen flaunting a pair of colored jeans. But it wasn’t to be a one-off event in the world of fashion. It was quickly followed by Hollywood A-listers such as Cameron Diaz, Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and the likes, flaunting jeans in bright reds, baby pinks, bright yellows et al.

If you are a fashionista yourself, colored jeans are the way to go this spring season. Spring is the season of flowers and brightness all around, and a pair of jeans in bright color is the perfect way to complement the season.

While the combination of basic blue denims with a white top is still classic, colored jeans can bring out your playful and fun side.

Wear them right

Jeans are available in almost every color wash. And while the skinny look is in in-thing right now, but you can always try more relaxed looks with colored Khakhis. If you are not convinced about the whole colored jeans trend, you can always start off on a safe page and go for muted pastels.

Colors like browns and olives work well for the conservative dresser. Team up a pair of pastel colored jeans with a bright top and you are good to go for a day out with friends. If you don’t mind experimenting and would love to flaunt your vibrant, playful side, go for a pair of jeans in bright red, sexy orange, deep purple or even in washed pink- something carried off really well by Cameron Diaz.

For the top, you could either go for color blocking or keep it a little toned down with neutral colors for the top. In other words, bright red jeans would work well with a bright blue top as well as one in white or black.

However, make sure you pick the right cut of the top, one which complements your jeans right. If you are wearing a skinny pair, go for something less form fitting on the top and vice versa. As for the accessories, a touch of animal print in shoes and bags works well with this look.

Personal favorite is a pair of neon orange colored jeans teamed with a white cotton top and brown wedges, giving you lots of oomph and grace.

Potli Bags- Beauty and Ethnic Charm in One

When it comes to bags, the Fendis and the Louis Vuittons definitely exude a lot of oomph. But there is a desi trend in bags that’s fast rising in popularity and it’s the potli bags. Recently, Rekha, the Bollywood actress, was seen flaunting one with her Kanjivaram saree. The style diva that she is, the trend is sure to be picked by other Bollywood A-listers as well. And if sales numbers of online shopping portals are to be believed, potli bags are in high in demand in the Western world as well.

Given the elegance and beauty of these bags, their rising popularity does not come as a surprise. They are characterized by drawstrings at the mouth, and beautiful mirror work, sequin work and appliqué work that’s done on them. Potli bags are available in a range of colors, from the greens to the oranges, the yellows and everything else.

What makes them a really great accessory to have in your wardrobe is their versatility. A potli bag could go well with your suits and sarees, and it can compliment your western outfits as well. Of course, carrying one of these with an evening gown is surely a no-no, but generally speaking, they gel with almost anything.

And it is not just the design bit which makes them popular. They are highly functional as well. On the outside, they are small and compact, which makes them easy to carry. On the inside, they have plenty of space, given their shape and structure. Now, we all know we women love to carry our make-up kits, our lipsticks and a whole lot of other stuff with us. Potli bags are very convenient for that purpose.

However, if you are looking to flaunt these at the next wedding function or your next college bash, here is one piece of advice- if you have a potli bag which heavy mirror work or sequins work, avoid teaming it up with an equally heavy saree. Too much bling can be jarring for the eyes and can spoil the appeal of these charming little accessories.

Other than that, you could try color blocking or contrasting, whichever way you feel comfortable. Flaunting a green polti bag with an orange sari is perfectly fine, and so is flaunting an orange one with black jeans and white top. Either way, it works well.

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2012 Review – Part 2

Day 3 – Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

Day 3 of the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week saw 13 designers showcasing their collections. While the previous two days were largely about ramp shows, day 3 saw activity around the stalls as well. In terms of clothes, day 3 saw a few stick to the theme of autumn/winter while a few others swayed a tad bit from the theme.

Manish Malhotra’s show garnered the maximum attention with a host of celebrities flying down to cheer the ace designer. Seen in the front row at Manish’s show were politician Shashi Tharoor, actresses Urmila Matondkar, Kangana Ranaut and Mahima Chowdhary and a few others. Manish’s collection comprised of his trademark use of bright colors, teamed with darker hues. What was interesting to see was the use of Anarkali dresses with pants instead of churidaars. Although the show did not have a wow factor to it, most of the collection was pretty decent.

Trends of the day:The day was largely about bright hues and colors. But what really caught the eye was the show by the duo of Pankaj and Nidhi. Their collection as inspired from the Polish art of paper cutting and comprised of interesting patterns and silhouettes.

Star of the day: Although Manish’s show attracted the maximum attention, it was Pankaj and Nidhi’s show which was the standout performance of the day. Their use of cross stitch leather coupled with a varied range of fabrics viz. wool, silk satin, georgette etc., and the use of deep colors created a very wearable collection.

What else caught attention: Apart from clothes, Day 3 of Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week 2012 was also about a social cause. Twelve designers got together to create collection around the theme of “human trafficking.” The show saw Subi Samuel showcase his photographs titled “Alice in Wonderland.” The photos were a series of pictures taken by Samuel of a little girl Alice who was rescued by You Can Free Us NGO, an organization supporting the cause.

Day 4: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

Day 4 of the fashion week was largely a day of experiments. While Rahul Mishra experimented with two different families of yarn in his “Similar Opposites” collection, Charu Parashar experimented with silk dresses, leggings and floral appliqué. And although the day saw quite a few experimental collections from designers, it was nevertheless high on wearability.

The day also saw star power with actor R. Madhavan and actress Bipasha Basu walking the ramp for designer Rocky S.

Star of the day: Star of the day was undoubtedly Rahul Mishra with his “Similar Opposites” collection. Hand woven fabrics were used with other kinds of fabric to make for an interesting collection. The highlight of the collection was jackets where handloom wool was used. The jackets had a young feel to them and had an interesting combination of the modern and the traditional.

Color trends: The day largely saw use of black and gold with some bright hues such as pinks and greens thrown here and there.

Day 5: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

While the opening day belonged to Rohit Bal, the ultimate day of the event belonged to Meera Ali. Although she didn’t do the finale, her collection titled “Sense of a Woman” was high on fashion and wearability. The finale of the show was done by JJ Valaya, Kangana Ranaut being the showstopper for the finale. The designer did an Ottoman collection with his signature couture collection. A standout trend of his collection was the calligraphy done on his signature jackets and kaftans, mimicking the royal times. What also caught the eye at JJ Valaya’s show was denim bandhgalas teamed up with printed shirts.

Trends of the day: The trend of the day was definitely the subdued and feminine collection of Meera Ali. Her collection largely consisted of subdued colors in blacks, greys and browns. She played with asymmetrical cuts in dresses as well as skirts and experimented with different fabrics as well. There was suede, wool, chiffon, crepe as well as velvet to be seen in her creations. She did away with the usual bling, presenting a muted collection high on fashion and wearability.

Star of the day: Definitely Meera Ali. The finale done by JJ Valaya was good too, looks like the event picked up more and more pace everyday. In fact, the finale was an end diametrically opposite to the start of the event in every sense.

Image Source : http://blog.bestylish.com/tag/wifw-2012/

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2012 Review – Part 1

The 19^th season of the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week ended last week with the finale done by JJ Valaya. Although the ending was spectacular, this edition of the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week was a mixed bag in more ways than one. To start with, the week was pre-poned by a month in order to match international fashion events of London and New York.

The pre-ponment of the event was one of the plausible reasons for low turnout of international buyers this year. Designers were seen cribbing about the rescheduling of the event, which definitely hit their business. In fashion terms too, the event was a mixed bag.

Day 1 – Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

Day 1 of Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week 2012 kicked off with Shantanu and Nikhil’s creations. The duo was fashionably late by half an hour to get things underway. They showcased their collections of some modern evening gowns inspired from the Indian sari, some wearable cocktail dresses, and some short dresses as well. But what was most surprising to see was the use of chiffon and sheer fabrics for most of their creations.

In fact, sheer clothing was the norm of the day on the first day of the event. Given that it was supposed to be an autumn/winter collection, the use of transparent clothing really came as a surprise.

Trends of the day: Apart from the use of translucent clothing, another trend that was noticeable on day 1 of Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week 2012 was short skirts and figure hugging dresses.In terms of colors, Deep reds, purples, greens and golden ruled the day.

Star of the day: The star of the day was definitely Rohit Bal, for his presentation style. He showcased his collection offsite, on installations rather than models, which made for pretty interesting viewing. Of course, the trademark collections in white were there to grace the occasion.

Day 2 – Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

Day 2 of Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week 2012 saw a majority of designers put up a strong show. While Day 1 was about sheer fabrics, Day 2 was largely about a mix of Indian and Western silhouettes.

In fact, Nachiket Barve was one of the standout performers of the day, with his funky saris and some cool accessories. Contrary to most other designers, Barve played with the cut and length of the fabric than the colors. And while others played largely with figure accentuating clothes, Barve kept the attention away from the hips and shoulders, but still managed to give his collection an international feel.

Trends of the day: There was no one particular trend that stood out on Day 2 of the Fashion Week. While on one hand it was about fusion clothing, with designer Vaishali S doing the best of the lot, on the other hand, it was the subdued collection of Barve that did the talking. However, compared to Day 1, Day 2 saw much tighter waistlines, which of course looked better than the “comfort fit” showcased a day earlier.

Star of the day: There were quite a few stars on Day 2 of Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week 2012. Tarun Tahiliani managed to stand upto his reputation by doing an offsite show in a posh restaurant near Qutub Minar. He showcased a diverse collection comprising of shirts, tunics, kaftans, dresses etc. Largely, his collection was for the street-fashionista. There was also the fusion line done by Vaishali S and the mastery of Barve to applaud on Day 2. Rakesh Agarwal did a good job too with his sexy evening gowns and dresses in sensual colors such as midnight blues, greens and pinks. The sexy stage act of Anushka Manchanda added to the element of the show.

Image Source : http://blog.bestylish.com/tag/wifw-2012/

Accessories for the Romantic Look this Valentines

Here are some different accessories to style the perfect romantic look. Other than the dress, it is the accessories – the hair grip and the jewellery- that set you apart from the usual romantic look.

Here are some of my suggestions on how you can accessorize your normal day outfit for that romantic spring look on this Valentine’s Day.