Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio, London Shopping Experience

I visited the Pernia’s Pop-Up studio, London to try some outfits, and it is a one-stop-shop for all the wedding and Indian wear shopping.

Designer Seema Gujral

Shopping is always fun, but nothing is more exciting than Indian bridal shopping. And what makes bridal shopping even more exciting is finding everything one needs from outfits to jewellery in one place. All the Asians settled in the UK will agree with me that shopping for Indian wear is a bit tricky here as there are not a lot of good options. One has to do a lot of research and go from shop to shop to find everything they need. I recently visited the multi-designer Pernia’s Pop-Up studio in London to try some outfits, and I am happy to report that our search is over. It is a one-stop-shop for all the wedding and Indian wear shopping. Checkout more Indian bridal shopping blog here.

Location

Pernia's Pop-Up shop
Designer Yashodhara

Located in London’s luxury shopping district, Mayfair, Pernia’s Pop-Up studio is home to some of the leading Indian designers. This is Pernia’s first international store and they have a beautiful collection of outfits to choose from. No matter what someone is looking for, there is something for everyone. With gorgeous lehengas, elegant anarkalis, chic indo-western pieces, and stunning accessories, Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio is a traditional wear heaven for all the would-be brides and fashion lovers out there.

Collection & designers at the Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio

Designer Abu Sandeep
Pernias Pop-Up Studio, London

The thing that I love the most about the collection is that it’s not just limited to heavier pieces, there are light outfits as well, that is ideal for smaller functions or evening parties. The collection is carefully selected and there is a perfect combination of pretty prints and edgy embroideries. 

Designer Anita Dongre

Some of the designers available at the studio are Payal Singhal, Anita Dongre, Masaba, Abu Sandeep, Kalista, Aisha Rao, Yashodhara, Seema Gujral, Nupur Kanoi, Anushree Reddy, Tarun Tahilani, and more. Women’s clothing is not the only thing they have, there are great options for men as well. So, the grooms get to have some fun too.

Services they offer

Pernia Pop-Up shop

Pernia’s has an online store too, but I think being at a physical store is an entirely different experience. One gets to look at the outfits, see what they like the best, and then make an informed decision to buy them. There is a beautiful trial room at the studio, where one can try on the outfits. They have jewellery, footwear, and clutches too, so it’s easy to see what the final look will look like after adding all the accessories. In my opinion, it’s always a good idea to try and buy heavy Indian outfits, as they are an investment and we wouldn’t want to go wrong with those.

Designer Aisha Rao

They offer fitting services as well and there is also an option to get an outfit customised as per our preference. If we like something and want it in a different size, colour, or style, we can order and if it’s doable, they’ll get it made. I think it’s amazing to have a specially made designer outfit in our wardrobe.

Designer Nupur Kanoi

I had a great time at Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio and it lived up to my expectations. I loved the collection and was so mesmerized by the outfits. Whenever I have to shop for Indian wear next, I am going to buy it from them. If you are in London or are looking to buy good, designer Indian clothes in the UK, I would recommend you to check out Pernia’s Pop-Up studio. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.

How to Style a White Shirt in Indo-Western Ways

There are a lot of ways of styling a white shirt in western ways, but the Indian in me has always been very keen to pair it with my ethnic pieces to create Indo-western looks. Here are my favourite white shirt ethnic looks.

Indo-western looks with white shirt

It is said that you can never go wrong with a shirt dress and I totally agree. A white shirt is that piece of clothing that goes perfectly with almost everything and you don’t even have to put much effort into styling it. No matter what piece of clothing you pair it with, it just fits like a missing piece of puzzle and that maybe that’s why it’s called a wardrobe essential. There are a lot of ways of styling a white shirt in western ways, but the Indian in me has always been very keen to style my white shirt with ethnic pieces to create Indo-western looks. I have done it quite some times and absolutely loved it. So, here are my favourite white shirt ethnic looks and if you are looking for more fashion and styling inspiration click here.

  1. With a Sharara
Sharara with white shirt

I love myself a sharara moment and therefore pairing my white shirt with a sharara was a must. I chose a printed, colourful sharara as I wanted a vibrant look. You can go for a solid one as well. This look is ideal for wearing to small ceremonies. All you have to do is add a golden necklace, a matching dupatta, a gorgeous pair of juttis and ta da.

  1. With a Statement Dupatta & Belt
Dupatta with white shirt

When it comes to styling your white shirt into ethnic ways, a nice statement dupatta can go a long way. Pick out your favourite dupatta, put it over your simple white shirt & denim outfit like I did and add a belt on top to keep it in place.  You can also go for a simple dupatta if you like. Add some ethnic jewellery and footwear to complete your look and you are all set.

  1. With a Palazzo
Palazzo with white shirt

Easy-breezy and perfect for a day out, this is what this next look is. Pair your bright coloured or solid ethnic palazzo with your white shirt to get a relaxed look in minutes. You can wear to go shopping or a casual day out in the park. Complete your look with a statement chunky silver necklace and an ethnic sling bag and you are ready.

  1. With an Ethnic Skirt
Ethnic skirt with white shirt

Your flowy ethnic skirt is excellent to give an ethnic twist to your white shirt and believe me it looks great. Wear your favourite ethnic skirt with a white shirt, add a matching dupatta and there you have it, a perfect outfit for small wedding functions, like mehendi. I chose simple jewellery for this look, but you can go for heavier pieces and take it up a notch.

  1. With an Ethnic Jacket
Ethnic jacket with white shirt

What’s better than an ethnic jacket to add an Indian touch to your white shirt? Amp up your look instantly by adding a long ethnic jacket over your basic white shirt and blue denims.  You can wear this outfit to lunch with your girlfriends. To complete your look, add some silver jewellery, a nice pair of heels and a handbag.

These are the ways in which I give an ethnic twist to my white shirt. I hope you like the looks and try them next time you are looking for some Indo-western outfit inspiration.

Indian Wedding Outfit Inspirations

The big fat Indian wedding is a celebration of two souls coming together and also the time to bring on your Fashion A-game! Looking back on some of the outfits I have seen over the last few months, here are some suggestions you can take inspiration from. For this piece, we are covering five outfits from the more commonly loved categories of Indian wear – lehengas and sarees.

Ornate Foliage

This Payal Singal gold and deep green lehenga set comes with an ornate v-neck sleeveless blouse and a deep back that can be fastened at the back, and is adorned with heavy gold floral embroidery. The A-line skirt is made with layers of pale gold net and an overlay of a stripe-like design and embroidery of gold foliage on emerald fabric.

This pattern also runs on the borders of the sheer-lightweight dupatta, which ties the whole look together. The dupatta also has tiny embellishments scattered over the sheer net fabric, to tie the whole look together.

Fresh Mint, Anyone?

Mint may sound like an unusual choice, in a sea of vibrant or dark coloured lehengas, but this one is a show-stopper! With modest, elbow length sleeves and a scoop neck, the ‘choli’ comes alive with embroidery in rich colour and motifs of peacock feathers in gold. This pattern continues on the front-central portion of the skirt, while the rest of the ‘gher’ is dotted with deep colourful Indian motifs on the pale mint background, making it eye-catching, yet, no too loud. It also comes with a sheer dupatta, that is bordered with navy tassels to mimic the colour from the motifs on the bodice of the outfit. 

You Can Never go Wrong with Pink!

This fresh pink piece is as much of a standout at an evening event as at a day function. The spaghetti blouse, although like the other also has colourful beading and embroidery details, it stands out because of the ruffle fabric that effortlessly flow. The full princess skirt, has midnight-blue and silver tassels running in symmetric vertical lines right from the waist, and meets up with more vibrant motifs at the hem.

You can also opt to wear this one without a dupatta, that won’t come in the way when you are breaking a leg on the dancefloor. One less thing to worry about! For a bit of fun and contrast, you can complete this look with a rani pink lip. 

The Modern Traditional

A hand-painted silk saree is always special and the beautiful contrast of beige and marron is a classic combination. It is perfect for a traditional day time function, but can also be embellished for a more edgy look. Pleat up the ‘pallu’ and fasten a black belt around, for a modern take, which also makes it practical as it secures everything in place, without you having to worry about the fabric shifting too much. 

Royalty with a Touch of Glam

This deep purple georgette saree is gorgeous as is and can be worn just like that at any function. Tiered ruffles at the hem and on the ‘pallu’ give it a modern, almost undone, look, and the V-neck halter blouse completes the silhouette. But the piece de resistance is the beaded jacket, in different shades of purple and silver. It is also very practical for more chilly climates or for a touch of more modesty to the look.

So, which one of these do you have your eyes on? 

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My Favourite Indian Festive Looks

Now that the Indian wedding season is in full fervor, it’s time to get your wardrobe ready for the celebration. This is one time of the year when every Indian woman wants to look her “traditional” best, with stunning outfits and jewelry that define the exuberance and gaiety that the grand Indian festivals are so well-known for.

Like all the divas out there, this is perhaps the most awaited season for me as it gives me the opportunity to shine in my traditional avatar. Every look is a celebration for me, as I get to be creative with my zaris and gotas and heavy, ethnic jewelry as well. This year, I have styled some amazing looks that I can flaunt during the festivities. Each of these looks has a distinct vibe as versatility is my mantra for the Festive Look

Sophistication Personified

This ivory and gold lehenga from House of Masaba is pure bliss as it personifies sophistication in subtleness. This stunning outfit stands out without craving for attention. The checkered Chanderi dupatta in gold gives it just the right dose of shine. What I really love about this lehenga is that its color, which is so different from the vibrant hues that hallmark the Indian festivities. It is right for the bride who wants to steal the show on mehendi or reception party

I’ve teamed it with a pearl choker and earrings from Esfir Jewels. These pieces are a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, making them just right to complete this look. For hair and makeup, I’ve kept the look natural, with loose curls and just a hint of gloss on the lips.

Regal in Pink

Ace the festive look with this regal pink Anarkali from Reeth designer collection. A lovely refreshing shade of pink combined with royal blue makes a perfect pairing for the festive season. This charming attire is my favorite for the day look because it is bright yet soothing. And Anarkali has always been my favorite style because it is so feminine and flowy. Just the attire to wear as a wedding guest or for the sister-of-the-bride look for smaller functions!

For jewelry, I’ve picked these gorgeous contemporary pearl earrings by Esfir Jewels. The pair has just a hint of light blue color that contrasts yet complements the pink of the outfit. I’ve chosen to carry soft curls with this look. For makeup, it’s a pretty pink shade on the lips teamed with a blue eye shadow that creates some drama.

A Fashionable Fusion

This gorgeous green and gold lehenga skirt and sensuous blouse from Reeth makes a stunning pick for an engagement party or a dinner look. Further, I just went creative and paired the skirt with a plain white shirt for creating a less formal ensemble. The simplicity of the collared shirt sets off the richness of the lehenga to perfection.

For the formal look, I wore it with a pretty kundan necklace and earrings. With the semi-formal look, I wanted a statement jewelry piece and this heavy long kundan necklace served as the right choice to glamorize the look. Loose hair and soft makeup were my pick for this fusion festive look.

Go ahead and try one of these looks this festive season and I’m sure that you’ll love them as much as I do.

Best Of Festive Fashion 2018

With the festive season just around the corner, you’d probably be thinking about making an impression with some outstanding sartorial choices. This festive season, it is going to be all about innovation as contemporary trends blend effortlessly with ethnic vibes. From fabric to cuts, embellishments, and patterns, everything is just going to be about being experimental. Perhaps, you could go creative and try to mix and match some pieces that you already have in your wardrobe and create something that is extraordinary. Before you decide the look that you would want to flaunt this festive season, here are some fashion trends that you should know about:

1. Crop top with ruffled skirt

 

Here’s the most significant trend for the season, crop tops paired with flared skirts. The last year and this one have seen a lot of ruffles, and now these are making it big on the ethnic landscape too. While crop tops are designed in stiff fabrics, the ruffled skirts use softer ones like nets and georgettes to get the right silhouette.

2. Shirt and lehenga

 

Say hello to shirt style tops teamed with traditional lehengas this festive season. The quintessential collared shirts are worn with heavy lehengas made in luxurious fabrics like Banarasi silks and Mysore georgettes. For those who follow subdued styles, there is an option of simpler, floral fabrics for the lehenga. Try soft satin for the shirt to set off its masculinity and give it a feminine touch. 

3. Dhoti suits

If your idea of festive dressing is inclined towards blending comfort with style, try a dhoti suit this season.  A smartly cut and well-fitted kurta teamed with a layered dhoti will make you look like a trendy diva. Team the outfit with dangling earrings to enhance the party look. 

4. Saree with churidar 

Try to modernize your saree by wearing it with a matching churidar instead of the good old petticoat. Complete the trendy outfit with a broad metallic belt that accentuates your waistline. And don’t forget the blouse; a sexy backless one can add to the glam quotient. Alternatively, you can pair it with a long-sleeved zari blouse to go fully festive. 

5. Sharara with long kurta

Step out in a delicate sharara with a long kurta and make heads turn. This cute outfit is a perfect mix of femininity and elegance. Accessorize with a stylish potli bag, embellished mojri and heavy traditional jewelry to look like a queen. 

6. Long jacket with palazzo pants

Long jackets have been in vogue for quite some time now and they are here to stray.  They make a perfect layering option as you can team them up with a lehenga or even a saree. Try to create a new look by pairing a printed or embroidered long jacket with a crop top and palazzo pants. 

As the festive season is fast approaching, it’s time to get your wardrobe sorted out for each of the upcoming occasions. Try these fantastic ideas and be the talk of the town! 

Top 10 Personal Favourite Outfits for 2017

To do a little breakdown, I decided to do a post on the top 10 outfits for 2017. In this year, we have discovered latest trends in fashion, various new styles emerged. To survive the reality of the everyday life, Fashion is the armour. Fashion in 2017 might be a repetition of few ideas, but what makes it new is the way we have put together in 2017. Consider the trends of mixing of Western and Indian to create a traditional look. The way styling has been transformed in this year was much more interesting than fashion was. Let’s get started and explore the best ten trends for this year.

New Year Party Outfit

December Time, Party Time. It is the most beautiful time of the year. For this party season, I chose a dress loaded with sparkle and loads of style. The feather printed asymmetrical dress is an eye-catcher. Blink the party night in this fantastic outfit. Own the night and stand out in style with this Arabesque dress.
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Effortless Party Dressing

Life is a party. So, dress like that. The name says it all about the outfit I selected. It’s just as effortless as it could be. You just need to put on that party dress. The sheer plum swing dress has detailed corner and sheer long sleeves. The outfit by Lavanya Coodly is in itself a complete dress with which you don’t need any accessories. Add shine and confidence to your look with the glamour of this outfit.
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Saree Lehenga Trend

Another smooth and elegant trend that emerged this year was of Lehenga Saree. Playing with the conventional style of lehenga and saree, the combination of lehenga and saree is comfortable to handle and convenient to wear. This unique fusion is creative and adorable. I firmly believe that this experimental trend will continue in 2018 because of its fashion trends as a Lehenga saree serves all the purposes. They are vibrant and make us look even more stylish.
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Red- The colour of Love

For every woman, there is a shade of red. Adding a twist to my outfits is my kind of style. So, I experimented with this traditional look of Indian lehenga and gave it a modern twist. Pairing skirt with the peplum top turns out to be a great combination. The combination not only serves as a purpose of a Lehenga. You can create numerous looks with the top and the skirt individually. Create your style and let it be unique to yourself.
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Out of the Box Festive Styling

Always remember that Glamour never takes a day off. This style is perfect for those who cannot understand the complexity of wearing a saree. A little breakdown of the conventional form of saree. Instead of a blouse, I styled saree with a crop top. This was an out of the box style that possesses modern style and takes care of traditional values.
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Festive Makeup – Bohemian Summer Look

Don’t be afraid to sparkle. And this one was about the glitter makeup look I created for the Godvia Festival. The glitter look stands out as a compliment to my outfit. This time, I chose shades of mauve. Playing with glitter is fun, and I will create more looks with glitter in future. Go Insane, Throw some glitter and Make it rain.
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Holiday Outfit
Holiday Season is all about the Sun, Sand and Sea. A maxi dress is a perfect piece for this breezy mood. Just put on the dress along with the earrings and the sandals and you’re ready to go. A Maxi Dress is a perfect partner for the beaches. You must include this versatile piece in your Holiday Bag.
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Evening Party Look

2017 gave us a fantastic trend of asymmetrical dresses. These type of dresses enhances the proportions of a female body. They are so stylish and trendy and are an excellent choice for summers. Ace the summer evening party with this adorable look. Let your outfit be at work and steal the limelight.
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Off-Shoulder Trend and Tassel Love

When we look back at 2017, off-shoulders is a trend that ultimately ruled the year. The trend increased, and more styling patterns emerged with it. This versatile trend has several options regarding patterns and designs. The off-shoulder top I wore had colourful tassel detailing on it. Adding a necklace to the top added more elegance to my look. You can style them based on the occasion.
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Summer Wedding Floral Lehenga

It is a fact that Fashion can be bought. What you must possess is the Style. So, again the Fashionista in me decided to play with my outfit and thereby, I created the look. A floral skirt with a crop top along with bright mauve dupatta. Another charming look which is neither overdressed nor underdressed. A perfect way to create a traditional look with this modern pair of outfits.
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With this, it’s a wrap for 2017. These were the some of my personal favourite trends of 2017. It was all about the Fashion of 2017 and the way I styled it. Looking forward to new trends in 2018. Which outfit did you like the most? Let me know in the comments section below.

My Experience At Bibury

If you have been following me on Instagram, you probably know that I had recently visited Bibury- a charming, typically Cotswold, village just a short drive from Cirencester. It has rightly been labelled as ‘The most beautiful village in England’.

Arlington Row, owned by the National Trust, is the nationally notable architectural conservation area that is depicted on the inside cover of all UK passports. Its cottages are referred to as the most photographed and beautiful ones in the country.

The River Coln flows through Bibury, sandwiched between the main village street and an expanse of a boggy water meadow known as Rack Isle. With Arlington Row forming a beautiful backdrop, it makes one of the most picturesque scenes one can find in the Cotswolds.

Other attractions in Bibury include the Bibury Trout Farm which is one of the oldest and most attractive trout farms in the country, covering almost 15 acres, where you can learn about trout and also catch your own meal; and the amazing village church, St. Mary’s- a Grade 1 listed building with a Saxon gravestone set into the exterior, a superb Norman doorway and some fine medieval windows.

Bibury is a popular Cotswolds’ attraction that has visitors on sunny summer afternoons as well as on cold winter days. There are several places to eat and drink in the village.

If you are visiting Bibury, then you have a couple of options to choose from, for self-catering rental and bed & breakfast accommodation. There are holiday cottages within a walking distance of Bibury and Arlington, but if you’re looking for bed & breakfast accommodation, you should definitely give Judith at Cotteswold House a call. This family-run business has a Gold Award rating by English Tourism. You could also stay at the Swan hotel, which is at a prime location in the city. It is set on the banks of the river Coln, and a walk across the stone bridge will take you to the village of Arlington. The Swan brasserie serves modern European cuisine prepared from fresh local produce, and fine wines.  Other places to choose from include 33 The Square, Tillows Cottage, Hartwell Farm, Hesters Barn, and Cirencester Hotels amongst others.

During my visit, I stopped for lunch at the Bibury Trout Farm. Their fresh and smoked trout is a well-liked delicacy and is best when barbecued.

Apart from the Trout Farm and the Swan Brasserie, you could also visit The Catherine Wheel Pub for a fine choice of beers and wines.

Now talking about what I wore to Bibury, which most of my Instagram followers seem excited about, my outfit of the day incorporated the very trending boho-chic theme, but with an ethnic twist. Since I was travelling, I wanted to be very comfortable but only without compromising on my style quotient. So I chose to pair a flared indigo kurti with jeans and my go-to sneakers. I also threw on a chunky silver necklace for that fun, bohemian vibe. As most of us know, the colour indigo is the season’s new neutral hue that should totally make its way into your wardrobe right now. It can be mixed with other colours or can just be worn by itself. The kurta I have worn is dual-patterned and flared from below the bust. This gives it a fun, feminine look.

And of course, one can never underestimate the power of an accessory and especially a bohemian statement necklace. A necklace immediately amps up your casual look and that’s exactly what it has done to my simple, travel-friendly outfit as well. And lastly, you can never go wrong with a comfy pair of sneakers. It won’t stop you from enjoying yourself, won’t give your feet blisters and certainly won’t bring kill your look.