First day of WIFW showcases home-grown talent, as Bollywood stars come out to show their support

One of the biggest fashion galas is back in the Capital. The long-awaited Wills India Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2012-13 kick-started at Pragati Maidan on Wednesday.
Though Day One started on a smooth note, it was a mixed bag of goodies.
The ensembles presented on the runway were more or less been-there-seen-that, and even the Bollywood faces spotted at the shows were the usual one.

Given the great line-up for Day One, there were no big surprises in store in terms of design and innovation.
Delhi's hot favourite and home-grown designer duo, Shantanu & Nikhil opened the fashion extravaganza with their autumn-winter S&N Drape collection.

Model-actress Jesse Randhawa strikes a pose in a shimmering, short S&N number
While the designers improvised on their trademark drapes and wraps, the creations did little to showcase the duo's creative genius.
The collection was inspired by Indian vintage colours and culture with a contemporary twist.
The short body-hugging numbers, sparkling bodices and trendy sequinned shrugs on display were tailormade for the sensual woman of today.
The line-up also presented a myriad of long evening gowns and cocktail dresses in bold monotones of deep autumn colours.
Red, gold and black were interspersed with emerald greens and sapphire blues. Wrap sari gowns in purple and cream were the highlight of the collection.
As opposed to the usual Bollywood showstoppers who take away more than they add to a collection, Sameera Reddy and Dia Mirza chose to applaud the collection from off the runway.

The Bollywood girls looked glamorous in their respective S&N designs. There was, interestingly, a discussion on Congress' star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra at the show.
While Dia said she loved Priyanka for her fuss-free style, Sameera called her uniquely fashionable. Nikhil too praised Priyanka, saying she's a 'good combination of Italy and India.'

if Shantanu & Nikhil showed us the glam side, designer Anand Kabra offset it with an ascetic flavour. The designer, known for his deconstructed and flowing creations, played on juxtaposition for his 'Becoming Kami' collection.
Inspired by Misogi-No-O-Harai in Shinto (the act of purifying the three temporal worlds, the past, present and future), the show highlighted a cleansing and spiritual side of fashion. It was a lineup of ethnic fashion blended with western minimalism.
The designer played with pyjamas - churidaars with zippers, elephant pants and palazoo pants combined with churidars - for a refreshing new-age take on the done-to-death lowers.
Designers Preeti Chandra and Vineet Bahl showed tiny and long numbers in black and white in their respective prêt collections.
Sheers, translucent gowns and girly short dresses were present in both the collections.

Zadig & Voltaire Spring/Summer 2012 Lookbook

Let versatility and modern pieces be your main concerns for the spring summer season to be able to get style results similar to the Zadig & Voltaire spring/summer 2012 lookbook and emulate some of the choices presented to master the art of effortless chicness a little easier.

Fashion can sometimes seem full of compromises: it's common to sacrifice comfort for elegance, to give up versatility in favor of strong focal points and so on. However, it doesn't always have to be so and the latest Zadig & Voltaire spring/summer 2012 lookbook is here to convince us that one can truly have it all: comfort, versatility and elegant touches blended together into fabulous outfits that will make you feel and look polished without too much effort.

Versatile pieces combined with a modern perspective in mind can produce spectacular effects in terms of style and this simple principle is superbly reflected in outfits that are at the border between casual and elegant. Denim pieces, versatile blazers, gorgeous slim fitting dresses and a few gold touches can go a long way in creating interest and step out of the routine without investing in many, fabulous yet hard to mix and match pieces to be able to stand out.

The prevalence of seasonal prints can become slightly overwhelming especially since it's extremely easy to fall into the trap of thinking that these and bold tones are the only options to draw attention on you and be trendy at the same time. Geometric vibes, edgy motifs like skulls and a few glittery touches can create much of the same effects and can still help you avoid feeling overexposed if you prefer not to be on the spotlight at all times.

Feminine yet versatile, glamorous yet functional and utterly gorgeous, the outfits included in the spring/summer Zadig & Voltaire are sure to be a useful source of insights for those who are looking to keep a healthy balance between pieces that can be easily combined and ones that are destined to be remembered. Highlight your best features by turning to tried and tested style rules you'll benefit from for more than one season.

News Source: http://www.fashion-style.becomegorgeous.com/

'Mouseketeers' come to India: Fashion line inspired by toon favourites Mickey and Minnie to debut at LFW

It's toon time for Indian fashionistas. For all those who just cannot let the child inside them die out, there's some good news.
Fashion, inspired by everyone's beloved and timeless Disney characters, is all set to make a grand debut at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) 2012 to be held in Mumbai on March 3.
In a welcome departure from the ready-to-wear collections by well-known Indian designers, for the first time, an international apparel company, that too one based on cartoons, will make its foray into the Indian fashion scene.

The trendy range that is available at leading retail stores and boutiques worldwide is inspired by the timeless appeal of cartoon favourites - Mickey and Minnie.
Adding to the novelty factor is leading Indian designers, Little Shilpa and Nitin Bal Chauhan, who have been roped in to create the Mickey and Minnie inspired collection.
It will be quite interesting to see Little Shilpa, one of the leading milliners in the country, take on fedoras, accessories and headgears inspired by the endearing caricature.
Nitin Bal Chauhan, known for his innovation and cutting edge design, will add a dose of his genius to the animated characters.
Designed for the contemporary fashion addict of the adult wear range, Disney Couture includes footwear, sleepwear and accessories, and is inspired by the essence of Disney brand names and their endearing characters, often evoking the magic of years gone by.
One can now get their hands on Cinderella's glass slipper and Snow

White's apple, of course, with a chic twist.
'Mickey and Minnie have long inspired the world's leading fashion houses and their energy continues with this contemporary and fun new range for adults…
'The collections showcased at the Lakme Fashion Week have always set the trend and style for the season which flows into fashion for adults. We are excited that Little Shilpa and Nitin will be behind this creative and inspiring range,' said Roshini Bakshi, vice-president, Consumer Products and Retail, The Walt Disney Company India.

One of India's most prestigious fashion events, the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2012 will take place from March 2 to March 6.

News Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Fashion diva Sonam Kapoor off to Milan Fashion Week

Sonam Kapoor is known for her inevitable fashion statement She has been a style icon for the youth in the country and she believes in making her presence felt at every top fashion week. Recently, she was a part of the Paris Fashion Week and now, the actress is all set for Milan Fashion Week. Sonam will be representing India there and has been invited by designers Dolce & Gabbana and shoe designers Savalotore Ferragamo.

Sonam confirmed the news to a daily saying, “I am representing India at the Milan Fashion week. The designers have extended a special invite to me while the shoe company will be designing a special shoe for me.” She adds, “I love Paris and it was a dream come true to meet designers like Eli Saab and Jean Paul Gaultier.”

Fashion fan: Victoria Beckham celebrates collection's success with a high-end shopping spree

She is her own best advertisement, promoting her brand by wearing her own designs and little else.
But Victoria Beckham is the ultimate fashion fan, and now that her own collection has been sent down the runway to critical acclaim, the 37-year-old found time to admire some creations by other designers.
Victoria was spotted stopping by the Prada and Miu Miu stores in New York today with her entourage.

Victoria Beckham was pictured at the Prada and Miu Miu stores in New York today with her entourage

The mother-of-four looked stylish as ever in a grey checked dress, maroon cardigan belted at the waist, and held a matching crocodile bag from her accessories line.
As always, Mrs Beckham was towering in a pair of sky-high platform heels, and hiding behind her oversize sunglasses.
Inside the Miu Miu boutique, the designer was pictured chatting animatedly next to a display of colourful boots.

Meanwhile, her husband David is back in Los Angeles, after he flew out to support Victoria's runway show in New York.
The footballer sat front row at the showcase, chatting with Vogue fashion editor Anna Wintour and snapping pictures for the family album.
Victoria spoke about her daughter and husband's support as she debuted her autumn/winter 2012-13 collection.

'Oh, she is such a daddy's girl,' she told Graziadaily.co.uk.
'Harper comes to work with me. Last season she was here when we launched Victoria, Victoria Beckham.
'But this is David's first show. I think he has only just realised how hard I work. That it's not just a hobby.'

News Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

New Diane von Furstenberg Collection

At Diane von Furstenburg’s show Sunday during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, she gave the fashion forward crowd a glimpse of her new collection.

Von Furstenberg, who is president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, is world renowned and respected. I can remember when I purchased my first DVF wrap dress– I felt chic, proud, and obviously fashionable. The designer used jigsaw puzzle pieces as a prominent theme in her fall collection, and the crowd went wild. Von Furstenbergs personal celeb friends such as Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, Anderson Cooper, and Oscar de la Renta supported the fashion muse at her show with open arms.

Before the show begun, von Furstenberg stated, ‘This collection is called ‘Rendezvous.’ It’s all about loving to be a woman. It’s about seduction. It is bold. It is daring. It is strong, but it has humor. It’s all about liking your body, and at the same time with big coats, so it’s the yin and the yang.”

Models wore puzzle print dresses, some even being laser cut to add that ‘oomph.’ Models also carried puzzle box bags.

When describing her muse of this season, Von Fursternberg explained, “With a heightened awareness to the promise of places she has not yet been, people she has not met yet, she wraps herself in layers of opposing dimensions, ready for anything. Practiced in the art of innuendo, she commands sleek silhouettes with sheer accents cut to reveal just enough.”

Her collection was anything but bland. She went from simple and sophisticated jersey dresses in dark colors to cocktail dresses that were loud and exciting with electric colors such as bright blue, lime green, and tropical pinks. It was a great mix, different from what the fashion week crowd was used to seeing in other shows.

News Source: http://www.bangstyle.com/

Can't wait for spring! Fashionistas get ready for the change of season with floral prints and high hemlines

Always eager for the season to change, the fashion forward can't wait to get out of their winter layers and warm up to spring's ice cream tones.
Most B-town fashionistas are already being spotted in spring's trademark trends from vibrant colours, floral prints, high hemlines, flowing silhouettes and enough skin to compliment them all.
Even the makeup is going from harsh and warm to light and translucent.

Most importantly the stiff body language that makes winter a time for arrogant luxe is giving way to more easy breezy ways.
British Vogue's February edition has a model posing in a printed blouse, wearing tousled bob, orange lips and the brightest smile on the cover.

That is the thing about the arrival of spring; If winter is the time to cover up and cold shoulder others with a high-fashion frown, the advent of spring is marked by loosening up with easy fashion and a free body language.
Flat thong sandals and strappy pumps replace patent leather boots, floor-sweeping maxis take over military jackets and faux fur wraps and a sense of relax and calm prevails over an uptight air.
Lifestyle welcomes the advent of spring that is creeping in in doses even when the chilly air refuses to relent. Thank goodness for the fashion forward who rarely bring about a warm change of events.

News Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk