Neon - while we can

While colour and trend forecasters pinned neon brights as the hot colours this Fall, no one predicted the down turn in financial markets and the global terror gloom.

So while we're not very much in the mood for dressing in neon colours, we might as well feast on them with our senses, before we don the upcoming muted hues and matte material for Spring. So I've made a selection of some of my drool-worthy bright pieces.... scroll for more.



First up these gorgeous lime green & hot pink silk column-dresses Temperly London, really gives me goosebumps. I want to own 'em, wear 'em, sashay in 'em just plain live in 'em! Works of art i say.


Next up are the Tom Binns necklace and cuff. The neon colour gives the otherwise classic shapes a uniquely modern edge, while the silver & crystal accompaniments make a sight for sore eyes.

Marc Jacobs went all out with the Glitter shoulder bag. Crafted in hot metallic pink leather, the shoulder bag comes roomy for when you need to carry your world with you.

There's even a Plum colourway!

See more covetable neon looks? Give me a holler.

So if you thought neon was so 80s in a very passe manner, look again.

Sport Luxe Trend - Zipper up!

One of the sport luxe trends for the present season is the metal zipper detail. Showing up on center fronts and center backs the world over, the fastener adds that edgy feel to an otherwise lady-like dress or skirt.

Case in point being sherbet coloured knee length dress by Mulberry (right) and the plum coloured Miu Miu Zip Front Bustier dress alongside.

But when i came across this witty pair of zipper puller inspired Zipper Charm Studs by Marc Jacobs simply knew this was a blog-worthy trend! I love it when designers add that touch of humour to their products as it really shows up the lighter side of fashion.

Spring Accessories - Shoes, rocks and more!

While the sculptural and near architectural look for accessories has been in vogue from Fall '08, Balenciaga's new line of Spring Summer '09 accessories look inspired by furniture!
From the grain and colouring of the leather, the heel resembling the retro style in table legs and the platform looking like a cushy seat, and the white piped trim, I can only imagine what fun it must've been to put these together!Brit boy McQueen's jet crystal studded bootie is fashioned with a the heel from hell, not mildly reminiscent of a stake through the heart.
Speaking of crystals i love this necklace with the crystal cluster pendant by Aurélie Bidermann. Though a simpler chain as opposed to the chain-link would be more my style.

Plagiarise to Highlight Plagiarism?

So guess what i did when it was brought to my notice that the fashion editor at Mumbai based tabloid journal Mid-day had made a strikingly similar article regarding Nalanda Bhandari's plagiarising ways, replete with explanations from the designer, to my post highlighting the same, I laughed a bemused little laugh at the irony of it all, shot off an email to the lady concerned and trawled her previous work.

With no past references to any international designers work, even with regard to the work of the Indian designers she regularly reviews, I can only imagine we both came up with the exact conclusions, except mine came oh about two weeks prior.

Oh well... the world keeps on turning.

P.S: Thanks for the heads-up though Bombaylives and for feeling my outrage P&P at High Heel Confidential.... appreciate it.

The Emperor's New Clothes

I and most of the Indian fashion fraternity have been watching with interest the progression of designer Anuj Sharma. With a radical, conceptual view to garment-construction, it's always interesting to see what his next point of departure would be.

While he's appears to me a reticent, conscious artist, his recent collection titled 'Knot for you' is almost too quiet in its offerings and left me wanting.

Revolving around strategically placed knots that bound, shaped, draped and formed the Grecian, waif-like, dreamy, ethereal silhouettes, the only other additions were the slim black ribbons that held the drapes at the shoulders.

While i marvel at his consistency with staying true to concept, and the media' enjoy his every offering, most of the design school pack, like myself, were not as charmed with the overtly pared down quality of his look. We were thinking "...interesting, but that's more like a week's worth of draping assignments. What's so special?"

In my opinion, the garments looked unfinished and lacking in detail - an incomplete vision. They also looked much too fragile to be truly wearable. A touch of controlled, tonal beading on the ribbon details would have lifted the overall effect considerably, giving it that finishing touch. Linings too might have been a welcome addition.

His debut collection, on the other hand, saw the thinking man present a line of dresses fashioned from de-constructed shirts. And I personally thought it was very well executed. With misplaced sleeves and collars appearing on women's wear as detailing and embellishments along with drapes and cowls for mini and halter dresses.

The 'Sunday Market' theme came across beautifully with subtle and intelligent styling in the form of bicycle bells for finger rings and metal lunch boxes for handbags. Gladiator style shoes completed the look.

Lack of footwear in his 3 collections since, as well as his disdain for meaty detail and embellishment, remind me of the fable the Emperor's New Clothes, wherein the clothes were mainly in the Emperor's mind.

Points of inspiration - Nalanda Bhandari does it again

This is part of a series of impressions from the Spring Summer 09 fashion weeks here in India.

To start on an unsavory note, as they say eat a frog first thing... designer Nalanda Bhandari's Spring Summer '09 collection was reminiscent of a couple of diverse international designers. While most of her collection had that "familiar" feel to it, a couple of styles jumped right out at me and not for the right reasons.

Exhibit A: While Nalanda poses with her showstopper in this lovely shimmery grey floor length dress, i had the feeling i needed to pinch myself for I could have sworn I'd seen this outfit at Elie Saab's Fall Winter 2007 Couture show and the resemblance is for all to see.

Exhibit B is this plum and fuschia mini dress which looks remarkably similar to the dress alongside which is from Anna Sui's Spring Summer 09 collection. A match on colour, silhouette and lattice-work embroidery. The only difference being the neck-line.

While I'd like to know what "inspires" Nalanda to do this time and again, i'd like her to understand that the global design fraternity is watching and such blatant acts of plagiarism will not go unnoticed. And while Indian fashion design and designers are making their mark on the world scenario, such acts mar the hard work being put in by everyone else.

WGSN turns 10

Worth Global Style Network is celebrating 'Ten Years of Creative Intelligence' with this microsite to share key trend analysis collated over the past 10 years, as well as to attract more customers.

As those in the fashion and design business know, WGSN has trend forecasters working tirelessly, spotting trends and innovations the world over, in silhouette, form, technique and fabric and is a veritable treasure trove of information on what to expect in the most avante-garde circles of fashion in seasons to come.

It's a different thing that their services cost a king's ransom. So dig into these micro-offerings of major trend directions of the past and learn your fashion lessons.

Objects of Desire

Burberry Prorsum

Albury necklace

£1,058.40

I've been, simply put, lusting after this necklace from the moment I laid eyes on it at Net-a-porter.com. It's simply exquisite!

Statement necklace indeed.

Now if only there weren't 4-digits on the price tag!

Are you a fashion entrepreneur?

The British Council announces:

Young Fashion Entrepreneur (YFE) Award 2009

	Apply now for the 2009 award!

The Young Fashion Entrepreneur award aims to champion and celebrate the importance of creative entrepreneurs working in the field of fashion. It seeks to showcase international innovation in fashion promotion, using the UK as the nexus for cultural, creative and commercial exchange.

Who can apply:

Entrepreneurs between 25 and 35 years working in any of the following sectors:

Fashion:

• Fashion, textile, accessories or perfume design and production
• Fashion promotion: shows, exhibitions, festivals, events
• Fashion retail: buying, merchandising
• Fashion product research, sourcing, supply chain management
• Fashion marketing, PR, branding, journalism
• Fashion publishing, communications, websites
• Consultants providing specialist services in any of the areas outlined

We recognise that a finalist may be active as a fashion designer, but this should be secondary to their focus as an entrepreneur in the promotion of the fashion industry in their country. Artistic talent will not be factored into the judging procedure – finalists will be judged solely on the merit of their entrepreneurial abilities in the industry.

Before you apply, make sure you read the guidance notes.

Apply online or download the application form (Word doc)

Closing date: Friday 10 October 2008.

You can forward your application form and portfolio of selected works to:

“YFE”
Rwituja Gomes Mookherjee
Project Manager
British Council Division
17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi 110 001
T: +91 11 4149 7374

Or email it to yce.india@in.britishcouncil.org

For more information you can email rwituja.mookherjee@in.britishcouncil.org.