Aashni + Co Wedding Show London 2017

Aashni + Co Wedding Show is the grand Asian wedding exhibition that has been a part of London’s fashion calendar every year since 2015. The third edition of the show was showcased on 8th January 2017 at The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London. The ultimate destination for bridal designer wear, Aashni + Co Wedding Show is a presentation of London’s renowned luxury boutique Aashni + Co.

After the grand success of the show in its last two seasons, this year too it received huge acclaim as expected. A large number of fashion enthusiasts wanted to witness the grandeur and charisma that it had to offer. They were queued up, all waiting with excitement to have a look at the exquisite bridal finery by some of the top designers from South Asia. This year, the show theme chosen by Zita Elze was “French Orchard meets Garden of Eden”, which made it all the more exciting for discerning fashion lovers.

Tarun Tahillani, Sabyasachi, Anushree Reddy, Rimple and Harpreet Narula and Akansha Gajjria are some of the leading designers who have graced the show with their exclusive bridal designs. Each and every creation was outstanding and the buyers were literally spoilt with choices. There was extensive variety to cater to brides and grooms with diverse tastes and preferences. Let’s have a glimpse at all that these big names from the fashion industry had to present:

Tarun Tahiliani brought an amazing collection, with clothes that were a wearable blend of tradition and modernity. The collection was designed with the mixed yet refined taste of UK clientage in mind, ensuring that the bridal wear was meant for the modern bride. The bridal outfits, though traditional to the core, carried just the right dose of western influence as well.

Link to the Video Interview with Designers Showcasing at Aashni & Co.

Sabyasachi presented a collection that was yet again a grand showcase, something he is so well known for. The maestro also talked about the contemporary trends in the wedding industry. He went on to say that today’s bride is more than willing to experiment with her attire, breaking the conventions and opting for bohemian and whimsical trends.

Akansha Gajjria returned to the show for the second time after receiving rave reviews last year and this time it was bigger than her last time. The signature collection of this talented designer had lots of mirror work and embroidery work. And the clothes were as gorgeous as the designer herself!

Rimple and Harpreet Narula offered classic and awe-inspiring bridal designs for people with discerning eye for excellence. It is worth mentioning that the designer is the name behind the outfits showcased in the upcoming period-drama Bollywood movie “Padmavati”.

Anushree Reddy came up with a lovely collection that was hallmarked by delicate pastel hues and refreshing floral prints.

In addition to these big names, Aashni + Co Wedding Show had a lot more to offer for the modern brides and grooms. I had a great time feasting my eyes with such an impeccable variety in breath-taking and amazing designs. Another season of the grand bridal event came to an end….and once again we would all be waiting for the next year to bring the best for brides yet again!!!

Aashni + Co Wedding Show – London

The overwhelming growth of the Indian wedding industry says it all about the scope of business for bridal fashion for the South Asians residing across the globe, including those in the UK. Looking at these encouraging statistics, various events are organised internationally to showcase the best in Indian bridal fashion. The upcoming Aashni + Co Wedding Show to be held in London is going to present the most amazing opportunity for the Asian brides and grooms to get their dream wedding attires from the best designers of South East Asia.

Aashni + Co, the pioneering concept store located in Notting Hill, will be presenting the famous Aashni + Co Wedding Show on 8th January 2017 at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane in London. I am looking forward to attending the grand bridal exhibition, which brings together the best of South Asian designer creations for the crème-de-la-crème amongst UK’s South Asian community. One of the most awaited events in the Asian fashion industry in UK, Aashni + Co Wedding Show has rightly been called the ultimate destination for luxury couture bridal wear. You Can also read my review of the last year’s Aashni & Co London Event Here

Aashni + Co Wedding Show is the brainchild of Aashni Anshul Doshi, who is the founder and creative director of London’s renowned luxury boutique Aashni + Co. She envisions the show as a platform for presenting the most extravagant and opulent bridal creations of South Asia’s affluent designers for the high-end Asian buyers in the UK. Right from its launch in 2015, the grand event has been offering an unmatched shopping experience to discerning wedding buyers looking for nothing but the best.
he event will be showcasing breath-taking creations by all the big and internationally renowned names in bridal fashion industry, with the likes of Anamika Khanna, Anushree Reddy, Elan, Gaurav Gupta, Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, Monisha Jaising, Rimple and Harpreet Narula, Jade and ASAL by Abu Sandeep. With the most amazing craftsmanship, contemporary designs, bright hues, wonderful fits and exquisite detailing, the ensembles offered at the show promise to transform the vision of each bride and groom to-be into reality.

According to Aashni, this year’s show promises to be the most exciting till date as it will be incorporating the best talent and expertise in the industry, making the bridal shopping experience far more extravagant than one could ever imagine it to be. I am super-excited to see what the show has to offer and get the feel of all the luxurious and rich creations that these leading brands are so well known for.

Besides the big names in the industry, the Aashni + Co Wedding Show, is associated with Zita Elze, Akshayapatra, Sony TV and Hello! Pakistan, who would all be supporting the event. Tickets are priced at £30 each, but I am sure that these are going to be every penny worth spent!

Looking forward to catching you all there!

Christmas Extravaganza on Nov 28 at Grosvenor House, London

It’s time to get your festive boots out with Christmas just around the corner. Christmas is one of the most awaited festivals in UK. The snow, the magnificent Christmas trees, lightings, sweets, and all the events happening across town make Christmas vibrant and lively. There are also several pop-up stores and activities which celebrate the merriment. One of the most awaited events this season for me is the Christmas Extravaganza organised by Ameet Uberoi. Ameet Uberoi is a chartered accountant by profession but is venturing into the world of organising events which showcase unique quality products. He also believes in giving back to the society by raising funds for underprivileged women and children through his events. ameet-uberoi-presents

The Christmas Extravaganza is an event showcasing works of several artists, jewellery, apparel, and accessories brands. The event is also associated with the Be Kind Movement. Be Kind Movement is a UK-based Charity which aims to empower underprivileged women and children in the UK and India by giving them an opportunity to lead a fulfilling and dignified life through their Acts of Kindness. The extravaganza is going to be held at the Albermarle Suite, Grosvenor House Hotel, London on the 28th of November. The event line-up includes exclusive brands from across the world like Belgravia Gallery, Chahat Limited, Zevar Limited, Vashti Collection and Zumruduanka. Each brand has something unique to offer this season.

Belgravia Gallery is run by a mother and a daughter, Anna Hunter and Laura Walford. The duo will be featuring artworks by HRH The Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria, Nelson Mandela and Lord Snowdon at the event.  The gallery works with many established and emerging artists and has a strong emphasis on art for charity. Chahat Limited is a luxury jewellery brand which creates hand-crafted versatile jewellery pieces that are bold and elegant. Apart from their jewellery collection, the brand would also be launching a new line of handbags and stoles at the event. Zevar Limited is another jewellery brand showcasing a completely different and traditional collection of jewellery which is unique to India. Artisans make the handcrafted pieces in remote villages with semi-precious stones. The pieces are inspired by traditional Indian art, colours, prints and more which make them ethnic. Vashti Collections is an apparel brand showcasing its gowns and anarkalis embroidered with intricately fine stone and thread work, on a canvas of beautiful vibrant materials. Zumruduanka is a luxury brand established by sisters Nimet and Kiymet Ulubay. They would be showcasing a collection of chic and stylish tops, skirts and nightgowns made from embroidered lace.

I am excited to go to this event because of the collection of diverse and unique brands. What makes this event even more special is the association with the Be Kind Movement. It is great when you can celebrate the festive season with your friends and family while helping others.

So mark your calendars for the 28th of November for the Christmas Extravaganza. I am looking forward to this event and would love to see you all there. Comment and let me know if you are excited for the event as well or if you have any favourite events happening in your city.

Braun India Fashion Week London 2016 Review

Fashion week is one of the most awaited events in every fashionistas calendar.

Last week India Fashion Week London sponsored by Braun opened its doors to some amazingly talented and creative designers and models that put on a stylish and tasteful show with vibrant designs at the ExCel Center in London. The show was hosted by, Anushka Arora who looked stunning in an Abha Chowdary creation. It was a two day event which showcased many celebrated and new generation designers like Bhumika & Jyoti, BIBI London, J’adore Adorn, Intiprinti Abha Chowdary, Ashok Mannay, Athea Krishna, Studio AV on Day 1 and Lanacherry, Mohit Goyal, Valour Rose, Ravita Mayor, Masumi Mewawalla, Alpa Reena on Day 2. The event ended with an inspired and fabulous grand finale by Rocky S. The event also had representatives from JD Institute who saw immense potential and diversity in the collections and makeup artists like Namrata Soni.
braun-india-fashion-week-london-2016-1 braun-india-fashion-week-london-2016-2 braun-india-fashion-week-london-2016-3 Braun India Fashion Week London is a platform which brings together renowned and upcoming British, Asian, and Indian designers from across the world. The event was launched by Bhumika & Jyoti whose designs showcased opulent shades of cream and gold lehengas, capes and dresses with intricate gold work. Next up was BiBi London fashion house which had a versatile collection of florals in deep wintery colours designed by several designers. The event also welcomed new comers like Intri Printi and J’Adore Adorn who walked the ramp with finesse. Their first collection was vibrant and decorated with traditional and modern embellishments and embroideries. The show was concluded by Abha Choudhary, Ashok Maanay and Studio AV. Abha’s ‘Suhaag’ collection, bridal couture was inspired by rich Indian cultural elements.
braun-india-fashion-week-london-2016-4 braun-india-fashion-week-london-2016-5 braun-india-fashion-week-london-2016-6 braun-india-fashion-week-london-2016-7 braun-india-fashion-week-london-2016-8 I attended day 2 of the fashion week. The day began with designer Svetlana Casper showcasing her Eclipse collection with modish free flowing printed designs in black and white which was followed by elegant creations of bold lehengas by Valour Rose. The final catwalk showcased stunning designs from the Varna Collection inspired by the royals rolled out by Ravita Mayor which was flaunted by her showstopper, James Lee Taylor. Next was AlpaReena whose designs were an infusion of traditional and contemporary styles which was then followed by the grand finale designer Rocky S. He is a renowned designer who has designed outfits for Paris Hilton, Beyonce and the Pussy cat dolls. The collection represented the bold and fierce modern woman through an exclusive range of rich prints and hues. The runway exhibited majestic and warm colours like emerald green, gold, pinks reds and dark purple. The best part of the fashion week was how each designer added a twist to the traditional Indian wear either by incorporating waistcoats, turbans, capes or belts. Also, smokey eyes and nude or red lips were popular among models. The overall show was glamorous, and the bold patterns, and contemporary collection didn’t fail to impress me.
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Warp n Weft – An Ode to Benarasi Heritage in London

A sari is one of the most versatile Indian attire. A typical 6 yard sari has been a part of the traditional Indian wardrobe since decades. It’s a go-to item for any occasion be it formal or casual. It is a drape which flatters every body type and makes you look gorgeous instantly.

There are many fabrics, materials and styles that one can choose from when draping a sari. A Benarasi is a classic and iconic sari and has been an all-time favourite for many Indian women.

A Benarasi sari is a traditional sari which comes from Benaras or Varanasi, a city in India. The saris are inspired by the mystical personality of the holy city known for its beautiful temples and ghats. The 6-yard silk sari is woven with gold or silver zari or silken threads and is decorated with intricate patterns and designs. There are various patterns and designs in Benarasi including the Jungla, Chouka, Aada, Khinkhab and so on. From geometrical designs to metallic floral designs, a traditional benarasi sari always looks regal and elegant.
warp-n-weftThese saris have been part of the of the Benaras household since centuries. This tradition has been passed through generations when Indian women used to wear these hand woven silk beauties for special occasions like weddings. A typical piece takes months to finish based on the intricacies involved, which makes it riskier for the weavers, since by the time they finish a piece it may be out of fashion. That’s where Warp ‘n Weft comes in play by working from the grass-root level.

Warp ‘n Weft is an institution from Mumbai which brings the voice and soul of Benares in the exhibition of traditional hand-woven benarasi textiles at the flagship store in Mumbai for last two decades. The founder and creative director, Ms. Sagrika Rai, is born and brought up in Benaras which makes this project close to her heart.

Warp ‘n Weft hosted a week-long exhibition at the Nehru Centre in London till the 30th of September 2016. Warp ‘n Weft presented the secrets from the sacred Ganges and the opulent traditions of the Indian culture to London through the gorgeous textiles and handlooms. The curated collection had a perfect blend of traditional Benarasi handlooms with modern sensibilities which made the silks look stunning along with ethnic style of jadau jewellery from Jaipur Gems.
warp-n-weft-1A special evening was organised on Wednesday 28th of September in London. The event was held at the Nehru Centre in London which promotes cultural exchange between India and UK. The centre has hosted several musical, dance and cultural events in the past. This was an exclusive invite only event promoting Benarasi culture, ethos and handicrafts by Warp ‘n Weft.

The attendees included buyers, press, bloggers and members of the Indian fraternity and the collection showcased traditional apparels in Benarasi Fabric and style like saris, scarves, along with a traditional twist on western outfits like jackets and shorts. The evening and the curated collection was a romantic combination of the east and the west. The event enjoyed real sounds of temples and ghats, handloom and powerloom and various moods of the Benaras life captured and composed by Grammy award winner Dr.Prakash Sontakke, a Hindustani vocalist from the Benaras Music School. Warp ‘n Weft will soon be releasing this music album Benaras A Future From The Past across the digital music arena.

It was an enjoyable evening spent in the depth of Benarasi culture with some soft music, delicious Benarasi food, wonderful people coming together to enjoy a beautiful collection of curated fashion.
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Warp ’n Weft also at the event, announced the launch of ‘Benaras Pashm’, an inimitable expression of a functional blend of pure cashmere with the beautiful Benarasi silks in colours and hues apt for classic as well as modern tastes. The gossamer and delicate complexion of these shawls captured the interest of British Reality TV artist Jasmin Walia to wear one in Pure Burgundy over her sequined lavender dress for the evening.

The Opulence of Diwali  – Festive Event Review

A Sunday well spent brings a week of content. This Sunday I attended a pop up event at Moor Park Golf – Orangery. The Opulence of Diwali is a luxury pop up shop event hosted by Deevara Jewels. With the festive season just around the corner, The Opulence of Diwali, had a collection of local brands with a unique combination of traditional and contemporary designs in accessories and fashion garments. festive-event-1 There is something special about the festive season with the happiness in air, gift giving and families uniting. It is that time of the year when you go back to your roots and celebrate the festivities with your near and dear ones. Festivals are always incomplete without dressing up in traditional attire and enjoying the merriment. The pop up event curated by Deevara was just perfect place to be to start festive shopping.

It was a two day event held over the weekend, 24th and 25th of September, at the beautiful grounds of the Moor Park Mansion at The Orangery. It is a magnificent venue with enormous grounds and a mansion. The venue is a popular choice for several business events, weddings, seminars, product launches and so on. The unique artwork, historical architecture and stunning grounds made it a beautiful venue for the pop up event.festive-event-2Deevara Jewels collaborated with several local brands like Charmi Creations, Jyoti Chandhok, Chahat Mon Désir, Aarsim, Zafran Couture, The Far East Art Studio, Bubbles Jewelry, Sanskara Designs, Shermin and DesiKarigars over the course of two days and showcased a healthy mix of contemporary to traditional wear.

I happened to visit the event on Sunday and had a gala time meeting all the brands and leaning about the key features of what makes each of them different.

Zafran Couture brings the best of Kashmir to the UK. On the day they offered a stunning collection of handicrafts like pashmina, homespun silks, delicate papier maché artifacts and more which are great for gifting purpose.
festive-event-4Deevara Jewels as a brand has a passion for glitter and glamour which reflects in their collection of exquisite Indo-Fusion ranges. On the day they had beautiful luxury semi-precious stoned jewelry that makes a statement, no matter when you wear them. The pieces are intricate, traditional, bold and perfect for any event especially Navratri, Karva Chauth and Diwali. The brand has a unique design offering and heir pieces are a fusion of classic and contemporary styles, which breaks the monotony in your outfits and makes the pieces very appealing.

Aarsim a brand which offers a range of handcrafted bags and clutches with fine cut crystals, rich beadwork and Indian embroideries like Zardosi.

Jyoti Chandok showcased gorgeous collection of sarees, embroidered kurtas, shawls and more. The outfits were ethnic with elegant handcraftsmanship. Her work depicts the best of both worlds, as it reflects the traditional designs and crafts work with a modern touch which makes her apparels classy and timeless.
festive-event-3Bold Accessories are a woman’s armor, and Chahat Mon Desir showcased a lovely collection of pearl jewelry and agate jewelry, which are handmade in UK. The designs are so stylish and versatile that they can be a part of anyone’s wardrobe.

Charmi Creations, collection on the day incorporated a unique style which chic cuts, high quality fabric and innovative styling which makes the tailor made pieces stand out.

The Far East Art Studio portrays various art forms from India, Nepal and Bangladesh. From the best of silks to the best of cottons, they had a diverse collection of sarees and accessories which.

Shermin on the stand had a tasteful collection of casual and semi-formal ensembles, which were quirky yet fashionable and suitable for most occasions.

It was a truly festive experience filled with a lot of glitter, glamour and style. A Sunday well spent, thanks to Deevara Jewels.deevara_opulenceofdiwali_sunday-159-1

Gauri Khan and Bollygoods Edition 2 at The Dorchester, London Event Review

What better way to spend a bank holiday, than to go to a celluloid inspired fashion and lifestyle exhibition. BollyGoods Edition 2, London, a high end platform showcasing the culture of Indian Cinema was held on May 2nd at The Dorchester, Mayfair.
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BollyGoods is bringing all things bollywood together in one place, it was founded by Promila Jain Bahri, hosted by Shivani Ahluwalia. The lovely décor and as usual great statement pieces were unveiled by Gauri Khan, an Indian Film producer, interior designer and wife of the most loved superstar, Shah Rukh Khan.

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The event presented the works of some of the immensely talented family members of Bollywood’s Superstars like Gauri Khan. Besides this, BollyGoods also showcased the works of fashion designers like Gauri and Nainika, Roshni Chopra, Manish Arora, Babi Grewal, Kanika Kapoor and Abha Dalmia. Jewelers, Artists and Couturiers who cater to the world of Bollywood like INNAYA, ONITA, Redot Jewels and Devara Jewels also participated in the event.

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The BollyGoods Edition 2’s official charity partner was The British Asian Trust, founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2007. The main motto of the trust is to do something about the prevalent poverty and hardship in South Asia. Other partners included Ravish Kapoor, Air India, Sony Television, Media Hive and more.

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My Experience at Marie Claire UK’s @WORKLIVE Event

I have been bubbling with productive energy ever since I attended Marie Claire UK’s inspirational event @WORKLIVE which took place at Altitude 360, Millibank Towers in London. It was held on 23rd April with the objective of offering practical advice, motivational talks and hands-on workshops to career-oriented women. I enjoyed myself thoroughly and felt that the experience was worth every penny I spent (given that it was a paid event).

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Unfortunately, I missed the opening address since I was running late travelling from Coventry to Millibank Towers. But I did attend the second session “How To Negotiate For Success In A Changing Work Climate” and that kickstarted the series of awesome experiences I enjoyed that day. One of the most memorable talks was “DreamDareCreate: From Blog To Business”, which I found to be especially relevant vis-a-vis my career and growth plans. A panel of profit-making bloggers including Rosie Llewellyn, Caroline Hirons, Fritha Strickland and Jen Stanbrook offered many tips and advice which I penned down eagerly; I will sit down and ponder upon them at the earliest opportunity.

One regret I harbour is that I was unable to attend the talk on personal branding by Linzi Boyd. Being a fashion blogger and entrepreneur myself, learning how to create a unique identity and social media following would have been great. But I take solace in the fact that I can buy her book Brand Famous: How To Get Everyone Talking About Your Business and stock up on some tricks of the trade; I heard great reviews of it here. I also heard a lot of buzz about the “Treatment Area” on the 28th Floor and was soon headed there. This was a super cool zone where numerous beauty treatments were being offered. I got a head massage from Elemis, a mini facial from Murad, a face workout with Facial GYM and hand massage from Neal Yard. Oh what fun it was; A little bit of pampering in the middle of exciting workshops!

And excited I was when I got to witness a session called “Inspirations” where the likes of Karen Blackett OBE and Sophie Kinsella gave some really enlightening yet entertaining speeches. But I must say, what was perhaps most useful for me was the session on “How To Avoid Burnout & Change Your Working Style”. I find myself constantly juggling responsibilities of my regular job with my passion i.e. FashionForRoyals and a host of family commitments as well. And sometimes, things seem to get unmanageable. For those moments, the stress management hacks offered by Kate Franklin from White & Lime will certainly come in handy. The very practical advice she put forth was really helpful for all working professionals present there and I certainly learnt a lot from it.

But the best part of this extended learning experience was when the focus turned to fashion. I couldn’t resist attending the “Next Style Lounge: Buy It Once, Buy It Right PLUS Create A Signature Look” where Marie Claire stylists updated the audience on the trending must-haves for this season. I also found myself gravitating towards the Afternoon Breakout Session “Beauty Hacks: Hair & Make-Up – Shortcuts From The Experts”. Oh, who am I kidding? I just had to attend. They had a panel of fashion bigwigs like Marie Claire’s very own Beauty & Style Director Lisa Oxenham, international make-up artist, SJ Froom, from bareMinerals and several others giving us tips. They used live models to demonstrate really useful skills such as getting ready for office in 10 minutes, how to make your makeup last all day – you get the idea. The session was really great, no wonder it ran over time; they had so much to share!

Finally, the event drew to a close with a closing address by Isy Suttie who wowed the audience with her incredible sense of humour and unique charm. And the icing on the cake was the goodie bag Marie Claire presented all attendees with at the end of the event. It has a lot of product samples from various brands and I can’t wait to try them all! All I can say is that this @WORK LIVE Event was a brilliant experience, especially for an ambitious working woman like me!

Stay tuned for more updates on my fashion experiences!