Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week 2014-Day 2

Ashok Goel, Kangana  Ranaut, Anju Modi and Pardeep Goel

Designer Anju Modi opted for ethnic gold from Shree Raj Mahal Jewelers for her show at the India Couture Week 2014 on day 2! Elaborate bridal chokers and kadas in modern designs and earrings in ethnic and traditional gold flaunted the dexterity of Indian craftsmanship and spoke of the lavishness of Indian weddings. Modi creatively paired neck pieces around models’ hair, which added glam to the outfits; these neck pieces can also be worn as kamarbandhs. The intricate work on the fabrics, imperial cuts and stately silhouettes made these bridal-wears a big hit!
 

Noyonika Chatterjee

Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week 2014-Day 2

Nimrat Kaur, Rina Dhaka and Malaika Arora Khan with models

Inspired by the iconography of gota work of Rajasthan, designer Rina Dhaka takes her designs to a whole new level this time at the India Couture Week, day 2! Her outfits look regal with undertones of her matchless aesthetics and soft sensual appeal. In her latest collection, the designer has re-created a new sense of style for the gota patti work, placed delicately, contouring sequined sheers and lace. Her designs surfaced convoluted embroidery elements from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, laid lovingly in a lace like manner.

Techniques of zardozi, kamdani, ari and lace and metallic gota have been juxtaposed with tonal beading and soft embroidery to create a saga of romance. Gota patti and zardozi are set against lace backdrop, contrasted by Mughal animal paintings, depicted on fur-lined velvet capes.

Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week 2014-Day 1

Rani Mukherjee at the show

Sabyasachi Mukherjee opened Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week 2014 in association with Logix group at hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. Kolkata’s wonder boy, Sabyasachi, known for his eclectic mix of grandeur with art in his impeccable creations, left the audience spellbound with sheer luxury and unabashed glamour. The captivating ensembles, rich embroidery work and royal fabrics made this whole experience absolutely celebratory. “I have had a very good association with FDCI and I am very privileged to be starting the Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week again,” smiles Mukherjee.

His khadi and tulle sari, tea dyed and embellished with zardozi, parsi and hand-cut bugle beads was simply brilliant! Other magnificent, eye-catching deigns include, the Gabardine bandhgala and trousers with bullion thread-work detail, embellished with 18 carat gold buttons, the hand-block printed canvas bandhgala, crystal-embellished poplin kurta and gharara paired with khadi and tulle dupatta and the heavily embellished canvas lehenga paired with khadi blouse and pashmina shawl.

Models donning Sabyasachi's designs

Sunil Sethi and Rani Mukherjee with Sabyasachi

Carol Gracias in Sabyasachi

Erika Packard in Sabyasachi

Pia Trivedi in Sabyasachi

A sneak-peak into the luxurious Fall/Winter collection by Snesha Designs

Formed in 2014, Snesha designs is the brain child of Sneha and Shahin, who have taken baby steps into the world of fashion. Their forte lies in contemporary Indian and Western wear with undertones of luxurious prêt coupled with thier distinctive house signature and an inherent Indian-ness that celebrates handcrafted traditions.

 

Their Fall/Winter collection brings forth a symphony of sheer elegance, coupled with femininity and romance. The collection reflects a wonderful melange of gold, tangerine, peaches, hues from the rosy palette, Sufi whites and subtle hints of neon accents. 

The fabrics used are light-weight silks, georgettes, nets, chiffons and muls rich in embroidery and gota work. Simple silhouettes and classic cuts makes this collection stand out. These bright, urban ensembles have a compelling old-world charm to them. Enjoy their luxe tropical-inspired outfits in tangy shades--be it the capes or the stoles, the collection symbolises eddy prints in youthful palettes. So, while you try their pure pashmina capes with detailing on the shoulders, you might also want to pick a pashmina with 3D embroidery work! Capes in silk are also worth a try!

Their creations are chic, glitzy and sophisticated. The cuts and styles speak of sheer hard work and superb craftsmanship. So go on ladies and grab your pick!

The fashion architect--Kiran Uttam Ghosh's designs are beyond pragmatic prêt. With an unconventional urge to create a sense of balance between traditional and modernist quintessence, she constantly thrives to take perfection to newer bounds

Kiran Uttam Ghosh's A/W'14 collection

Kolkata-based designer, Kiran Uttam Ghosh confronts the very notion of categorization. Being present in eight countries, Ghosh’s designs are understated with silhouettes and distinctive textures that snub to be allied by any particular school of fashion philosophy.  Her work emphasises on the metaphysics of detailing, which was imparted to her by her mentor, Jasper Conran. Today, her couture line epitomizes an enduring classic appeal, wherein she casts newer dimensions to all her clothes. 

Tell us about your Autumn/Winter'14 collection…

My Autumn/Winter collection is inspired by Paisleys—Paisleys as embroidered cut-work necks, textures, prints and neck pieces. One can see layered silhouettes that are long and lean, often with shorter fronts and long backs; also, metallic and bling neck pieces have made a mark. The key pieces to look out for are sheer pants with embroidered hem details and cut work armholes. This collection is about separates—to connect with varied generations and to wear on different occasions. For example, a gold pleated wrap jacket can be worn over a sari or over shorts, paired with a tee or with a choli. 

What colours and prints will be in vogue this season?

Metallics, like, gold, bronze and silver will work well adding drama and support to colours like rich red, ivory, deep purple, teal and emerald. As far as prints are concerned, enlarged paisley prints will rule the season. 

What textiles and silhouettes will be creating buzz in the fashion circuit?

Silhouettes that are shorter on the front with longer backs will be trending. Furthermore, vertical paneled pieces with sheer and opaque offsetting each other will be in vogue. As for textiles, I feel pressed pleats in gold, bronze and silver will be hot favourite. Pleats in short colours of teal, deep purple and gold will have a fashion moment too! 

What according to you are the topmost fashion trends this year?

I’m not a trends person at all. I follow what I feel like wearing. I like my clothes to be passed on as heirloom pieces. Nothing makes me happier than a mother telling me how her daughter wore her clothes on her wedding day. Having said that, I think sheer pyjamas with bright traditional embroidered hemlines are a great way to present traditional workmanship with a global silhouette. These can easily be worn with a tee, a shirt or a gherdaar—from evening wear to a mehendi ceremony or a wedding reception.

What are your views on deconstructive silhouettes and unisexual fashion?

Androgyny is my forte. There is nothing like a man’s white shirt on a woman’s petite figure. I love borrowing from a man’s wardrobe. At the same time I love pastels, saris, kurtas and sheers. Being a woman in fashion today is amazing. We can have the best of both worlds.  

What is your fashion philosophy?

Keeping it simple is my mantra. I often see an ensemble and feel I can make five out of one. ‘Edit’ is my favorite word. While I love many layers, I also love when one can wear it as separates. Fashion is one of the few applied arts with a commercial aspect to it. I believe it’s a balance between the two worlds that can make it all come together.  It’s this balance that I strive to achieve. What I present at my show, my buyers and stores should want to buy.

What is your take on changing consumer tastes?

The only 'constant' in fashion is change. At the same time, there are classic timeless pieces that are beautiful and should remain the way they are. It’s the poise between the two that one needs to achieve. 

Replicating Society--Designer Urvashi Kaur believes, fashion is nothing but a mirror to the society, reflecting its nuances in the most honest way

Urvashi Kaur (center)

Fashion designer Urvashi Kaur is known for her sharp interest in various types of fabrics and colours. She yearns to harvest fresh ideas pertaining to the present socio, economic and cultural status of the contemporary society through her designs. She thrives on the zest to constantly experiment with different facets of fashion by bending genres; and the final outcomes are always enthralling.

Motivated to revitalize the country’s effervescent textiles, Kaur blends the spheres of ethnic with the modern, which leads her to earn critical applause and a venerated league of clientele for her designs. She is also known for developing relationships with many NGO’s by generating and offering employment opportunities to women and endorsing the improvement of handloom fabrics.

What inspires your designs?

My last collection, titled 'Semah' has been inspired by the three unified states of human nature — the mind (as knowledge and thought), the heart (through the expression of feelings, poetry and music) and the body (by activating life). It is Sufi in its deepest of essence.  

What is your design philosophy?

My design beliefs are all about thinking globally but acting locally.

What does your creation reflect?

My creations in this collection reflect the Sufi traditions across the globe through its art and culture. 

What new techniques and materials are you using?

The techniques in this collection involve engineered placements of twisted tie/dye that evoke Bandhej. Mosaic styled geometric patterns derived by hand block prints paired with pleating techniques also surfaced in my work. I have also used shell buttons and wooden beads on the versatile separates with touches of volume and movement in drapes that set a dramatic rhythm.

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion to me means evoking a sense of simplicity and still being stylishly smart that catches the eye without trying too hard. My collections could be worn by anybody as it has fluidity, movement and ease in it. 

How has the Indian fashion industry shaped your outlook towards fashion?

More than the fashion industry, it is the indigenous handlooms, weaves and textiles of India that have inspired me, along with numerous techniques that find expression in our traditional costumes such as hand tucking, rouching, tie and dye, block printing etc. The silhouettes in my collection are also inspired from Indian traditional silhouettes but have been modified for a more universal market.

What’s in the pipeline for your fans?

Many prominent online collaborations such as ‘Pernia’s pop up’ and tie ups with new stores in India and abroad such as ‘anthropology’ are in the pipeline for my fans .The brand is increasing its presence pan-India as well as in the international daises like in Japan and the US. We are also increasing our presence in the Middle East.

Who is your favourite model?

It is very difficult to name one favorite model. However I would like to name a few like, Preeti Dhata, Laxmi Rana and Sonalika Sahay.

Any fashion brands that you really adore?

The international brands I adore are Mary Katrantzou, Serbian label Roksanda Ilincic and Peter Pilotto. I admire the French label Celine (Céline Vipiana) and Stella McCartney too.  Greco-Austrian Marios Schwab, Vivienne Westwood, Roland Mouret and Alexander McQueen are my favourites too. In India I am a fan of Rajesh Pratap, Payal Pratap, Abraham and Thakore, Pankaj and Nidhi, Pero, AM:PM, Cell Design and Gaurav Jai Gupta to name a few.

Tell us about your personal style.

Eclectic is the word that describes my personal style most aptly.

What fashion trends do you foresee for the upcoming months?

For the upcoming months the fashion trends I foresee are prints, pleats, sheer, checks and stripes, whites and minimalism.

Who wears your collection?

My collection is very commercially viable as it is affordable and easily wearable. Recently Neha Dhupia, Nandita Das, Dia Mirza, Tisca Chopra, Gul Panag and singer Sonal Kalra have all taken to the brand. 

Way back when you were a student, what inspired you? How did you decide upon this career?

Rohit Khosla inspired me as a designer. My mother who is an artist also inspired me greatly. Then my foray into theater was a defining moment and finally creating costumes for theater productions led me to choose fashion designing as a career. 

Skincare for men--In today’s world, skincare for men is as important as it is for women. I bring to you a holistic guide to radiant and healthy skin

A man’s skin is just as vulnerable as a woman’s, if not more, since they often tend to spend more time outdoors. Exposure to the sun, air-conditioning, air pollutants, chlorinated water, harsh soaps and after-shave preparations, all influence their skin, making it dry and sensitive.  Looking good is not just a female prerogative anymore. “Today’s man knows the importance of appearance—that looking one’s best imparts self confidence. Today, there are many jobs in which, appearance counts, like public relations, media relations, front office jobs, marketing and sales, jobs in hotels, tourism, television (anchoring, news reading), the fashion industry and so on. This has also contributed towards the desire to look good,” says Shahnaz Husain, renowned beauty expert and entrepreneur. Men’s grooming products and salon care have grown at a phenomenal pace over the last decade. Men are going in for beauty treatments, facials, and etc. 

Daily care

Men require skincare routines that are simple and not too time consuming. A light cleansing gel or face wash can be used for cleansing in the morning. Rinse well and apply skin tonic, using cotton wool. This can be a pre-shave routine. If the skin is oily and prone to blackheads, a cleansing scrub should be used at least twice a week, rubbing it gently on the skin and washing it off with plain water. Cleansing at night is important to remove pollutants and impurities that have been deposited on the skin during the day. Men spend more time outdoors or in the sun. Hence, application of sunscreen lotion before stepping out in the sun plays an important role in preventing UV ray damage. For shaving, choose a gentle, creamy, emollient product.  This softens the hair, making shaving much easier. It also leaves the skin smooth and supple. Most after-shave lotions are alcohol-based—this has a drying effect on the skin and has also been known to cause rashes later. A non-greasy after-shave cream would be ideal.

Post-shaving woes

Itchy skin or rashes are common skin problems faced by men after shaving. Rashes are a consequence of dull razors, dry skin or skin sensitive. One should follow some basic steps to avoid rashes. Always use a shaving cream to soften the hair before shaving.  If rashes occur, rinse the irritated area with cool water. Never rub as scrubbing inflames the skin and makes irritation worse. Avoid alcohol based products; instead apply a cool tea bag to soothe your skin. You can also soften the skin with aloe vera, tea tree oil, or a mild astringent, such as witch hazel. Avoid cologne, aftershave or other scented products that are harsh to the skin. Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment or cream once a week if the irritation is severe. Use the product according to label recommendations and avoid overuse, which may cause stretch marks and thinning of the skin.

Homemade remedies

For oily skin, mix three teaspoons of oats with rose water and egg white. Apply on face and wash it off after 20 minutes. For dry skin, mix powdered milk with aloe vera gel and orange juice. Apply on face and wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes. For acne prone skin, mix multani mitti (fuller’s earth) with sandalwood paste and rose water. Make it into a smooth paste, apply on face and wash it off when it dries.

Homemade fuller’s earth face masks are very good in soaking dirt and oil from oily skin surface. It’s an effective cleanser that can prevent breakouts. You can get rid of extra shine, greasiness and oil with clay masks as they have oil reducing properties.

P.S--Take two tablespoons of fuller’s earth powder and soak it in water for half an hour. Add a tablespoon of rose water and few drops of lemon juice. If the mixture is still thick, add some water to it. A tablespoon of milk can be added to avoid over dryness. This face mask will clean up your face, improve blood circulation, and remove excess oil and dead cells from the skin. You can apply this mask twice or thrice a week.

Try some homemade packs to suit your skin tone. Use fresh tomato juice as a base for your face wash and if you have an oily skin, add lemon juice to it. If the texture of your skin is normal, add equal amount of honey to the tomato juice but if your skin is dry then add equal amount of honey and coconut milk to tomato juice.

Toning is very crucial for both men and women, as it keeps your pores clean, and leaves the skin healthy and breathing. For extra oily skin, use astringent lotion instead of a toner. Moisten a cotton ball with toning lotion and put it on the chin, cheeks and neck. Tomato juice is again a good skin toner. Use mineral water with rose water on dry skin. Rub cucumber slices over the face and neck and wash off after 15 minutes. Also, a mixture of honey and milk or a papaya and banana paste makes for excellent homemade moisturizers.

Dark evils

Dark circles around eyes are caused due to hereditary factors, nutritional deficiencies, stress, inadequate sleep, sun-sensitivity, etc. So, along with external care, men should check these aspects too. As a home remedy, one can daily apply pure almond oil sparingly under the eyes and massage it lightly on the skin, using only the ring finger, for one minute under each eye. Massage in one direction only. Leave on for 15 minutes and wipe it off gently with moist cotton wool. Mix cucumber juice and potato juice in equal quantities and apply under the eyes daily for 20 minutes. Wash it off with water.

Dark circles can also be treated by using proper under-eye creams, avoiding extra salt in the diet, and keeping oneself hydrated. One can also put cucumber slices, cold green or chamomile tea bags. Also, make it a habit of wearing dark shades in the daytime; it shields the eyes from being victim to dark circles. Rest well because inadequate sleep often triggers this unnecessary devil. Opt for mild chemical peels or creams that contain lightening agents that can help to reduce dark circles.

  

Men vs women

Men’s and women’s beauty regime is nearly similar in today’s world except that a man’s skin is thicker and tougher. Sebum oil production in men is higher than women but men have more collagen production than women, hence their skin looks more youthful than a woman’s.  Also, men’s cleansing products should contain exfoliating ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids, which are very important for them, since their skin tends to have larger pores, which means they can accumulate more dirt and oil. The moisturizers should contain alpha-hydroxy acids too.

So, gentlemen manage your skin well before it gets too late. Eat a healthy diet, quit smoking, learn to de-stress and stick to your daily beauty regime for an ever-elusive healthy and glowing skin.