50

Style Asylum is 50 posts old today! I can't for the life of me recall how old SA is, but i just noticed this is my 50th post and quite a swell journey it has been.

To add flavour to an already tangy taste of fashion, i received this email in my inbox the other day:

 

"Hey Meera,

 

My name is ..... and I am currently completing my final semester at Michigan State University in Public Relations. Being a fashion major (from my undergrad), as one of my projects I am required to follow three blogs pertaining to fashion and style and that's how I came across your blog. You blog had a sense of fashion integrated with reality, moreover it is an Indian Blog which for me is rare and fresh and therefore, I wanted to seek your permission to quote it as a part of my research paper as how blogs are changing the face of social media today. I will be an active participant on your blog and would take down my observations. You and your blog will be fully credited and I am also willing to submit a copy of my paper once I am done writing it. I hope you are fine with it. I once again thank you for putting your blog out there for enthusiasts like me.

Sincerely..."

 

This message brought back to me the fact that mine is one of the few independent Indian blogs on fashion & design and having said that i know for a fact that most of the fashion blogs out there are by folk who love, adore, crave, think, breathe fashion... but not many of them actually work in the fashion business. So, thank you very much, we are pleased to host you in the asylum to style and fashion. Come one come all... there is so much more and new to be reveled and revealed. :)

I hope very much February is treating you right. xoxo...

Another fashion piece done by me for Femina.in. Appeared Dec 30th. Posting the article in full.

Belt it out

 

From functional accessory to style mantra, the humble waist belt has come a long way. Thinking way beyond leather, this chic accessory has taken numerous avatars today. From Rhine-stoned to wrapped and stretch, fashion designer Meera Mittal hooks you on to the new forms of the waist-cinching device.

Waist belts have been en vogue since the Bronze Age. That’s a pretty long time you’ll agree. So what is it that has made belts stick? The right belt cinches the waist, giving that instant tummy tuck and lends the wearer a trimmer appearance. They hold up pants, stylishly clasp onto dresses and are useful to carry armaments into battle. Extremely worthy attributes!

In a modern context, wider belts look more fashionable on tops and dresses while helping to conceal a broad waist and skinny belts look better on pants and corporate looks like pencil skirts and shirt dresses. Patent leather is cool for both day and evening, provided the colour is neutral (read black, white, and grey, brown, beige). You can pop an outfit with a coloured belt. Keep it one solid colour or be warned you’ll look like a school art & craft project.
Trend wise belts look best worn high to mid waist. Low waist looks are not for belting.

Bling it on
Embellished clinchers are all the rage. A sprinkling of crystals, a cluster of diamantes, rows of metal studs or a buckle patterned out of stones, nothing quite says evening like these.
When sporting a sparkly belt it’s wise to keep the dress played down on shine. Rich jewel colours look classier than bright white crystal.

Stretch it out
We all know the 80s style elasticized belt; remember the big black ones with the cheesy buckles? Well, update those memory files with refreshing, contemporary looks; part abacus, part accessory. Other elasticized looks include the elastic-patent leather hybrids. These give you all style of patent with the comfort of stretch. No more fear of post dinner groaning and tautness.

Tie it up
One of my favourite kinds is the obi belt. This Japanese import is traditionally seen on kimonos and wraps around the waist supporting the back snugly. Today obi belts are seen worn all over the world, by women looking for that special Oriental touch to their style. The secret to wearing the obi right is all in the wrapping and knotting. A neat and clean bow goes a long way. Satin, metallic finish or printed obi belts are a whole lot of fun.
So whether your look is workforce diva or homemaker fashionista, waist belts are a budget friendly fashion addition that can perk up almost any wardrobe. Give it a try and develop your own style.

All photos courtesy and copyright Meera Mittal

Pooch Fashion: hot off the beaches of Goa

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! May 2010 be your best ever!

I brought in the new year in India's beach capital Goa and while browsing through the beach shops at Baga, i spotted this pooch named Mallu no less, flaunting what could be the next big thing in canine fashion. Lol...

Stole for a leash anyone??... :) only in India...

Green Design: Clothing with a Conscience

I was recently asked to write on fashion, textile and design by the team at Femina.in. I love writing these pieces in my spare time. It gives me as a fashion professional a voice and greater insight in probing and writing on a subject.

The first piece i wrote for them was this one on Green Clothing or Ethical Fashion. The article lists relevant Indian stores and manufacturers in the green fashion space.

Let me know what you think.

Alice

Interviewed

Recently i was e-interviewed on this Yahoo Group Creativegarh. It was a kind of get to know one another scenario.

The interviewer is Navin Pangti and i thought some of the questions he posed were really worth pondering over. Thus the post.

Creativegarh: What does being 'creative' mean to you?

Me: Being creative to me means allowing my neurons to weave magical pictures in my head... to connect afresh each day, giving me insights, ideas, answers and inspiration. Being creative to me is: Finding answers, posing questions and crafting things of beauty, meaning and value to me.

CG: Can you give us a brief overview of your life as a creative person?

Me: Wow, some question that! :) Brevity, hmm...

Well, I've always felt like a creative being. My mom noticed that about me early on and encouraged me to colour and draw and make things by hand. The mechanics of things interested me, as in how one can make the windows and doors of a doll house open and shut, and how things (2D material like fabric) can be moulded to fit a 3D form. Fabric, colour, light and motion have always attracted me. I think colour, light and movement are the earliest things we are designed to respond to. I've always been something of a recluse, though most would not recognize me as that, and design, art, science and stuff like making up song lyrics as I sang, kept me absorbed.

One thing that I can't do with gay abandon is paint. A blank canvas used to scare me growing up. That is something I need to give another shot. I have the deepest regard for artists who have found their voices and means to self-expression in this medium.

The progress to designing clothing was very instinctive, and before I knew what it was termed, I had decided I would like to work with moulding fabric as per my wishes, pretty much all my life. NIFT happened and I was onto and into a career in Fashion Design.

More than fashion, it is design that engages me. The so-called glamour and clamour don't leave much of an impression on me. And at one point during my career this mindlessness almost made me question whether the industry as it is, is a space I am meant to be in. Presently I'm past that milestone on introspection highway.

CG: What are some of the ways, besides your main, chosen creative field, that you express your creativity?

Me: Well with my love of colour and light, the visual media, photography is something I really enjoy. In the coming months I plan to upgrade to a better camera, which will allow me greater functionality as well as quality to creating images.

Then there is interior design... which I've mainly explored in my own home. From choosing colours and deciding on colour-blocking techniques, to designing beds, closets, seating spaces and more, I've done a good many projects.

I love designing shoes, and was solely into that during Hindi lessons in school. As part of my career I've done some shoe design work as well, but I'd love to do more and have people wear and enjoy my designs.

A recent love is designing costume jewelry... but more about that baby as it develops.

I've done a fair bit of writing, mainly on fashion and style for publications like Rediff.com and tips4me.com, to the Complete Wellbeing Magazine. I write a fashion blog at http://styleasylum.blogspot.com.

Oh and I've been dancing since childhood, from when I'd practice and put on little dance items for my parents... lol, patient them, and later choreographing and performing dance pieces with friends. I've learnt a little bit of both classical and other forms, and instruct in one which is a form of contemporary dance. I teach a batch of architecture students as part of their extended curriculum apart from my own intermittent workshops.

CG: What or who are some of the inspirational influences on your creativity?

Me: I can't say there are any one or two influences. I think my real inspiration comes from a divine source; from some space within, the universe perhaps! That is how I know it to be. In the outer world, anything unexpected and out of the ordinary can be the spark. The colours in a painting, origami motifs, a culture, fabrics and textures, all things natural; just about anything can be the springboard.

CG: What are 'those little things you do' to keep yourself in the creative flow everyday?

Me: One essential I cannot go without is my practice of Pranayams which I 'religiously' do every day. Another is to keep my funny bone in shape. Laughter keeps the mind and heart open and lighter. On particularly stressful days I get myself a dose of Mr. Bean before bed. I will sometimes address a project in positive terms like 'the awesome Ladakh travelogue', or 'the gorgeous floral collection' in my head and keep the notes I made on it close at hand. These inspire and keep me on track. Staying organized helps a lot as well.

CG: Have you found ways to integrate your creative and 'working' time and tasks and if so, how?

Me: Well, working in fashion helps to a great extent, (I get to sketch and colour and work with beads and baubles!), but fulfilling my varied creative interests can sometimes be a challenge. As I realize and read, the work-life balance is the biggest conundrum facing Indian professionals today. I use weekends, vacations and the odd sabbatical to make time for my other interests.

CG: How successful have you been able to find a balance between creative satisfaction and social acceptance? If so, how?

Me: Social acceptance has not been too great a challenge in my career. Probably cause fashion design as a profession is pretty well accepted and established. I have had to assert myself some, and set certain boundaries, and once that?s done I find doing what I feel like is mainly about putting in the time and energy. My parents are pretty darn supportive. In my case creative satisfaction and social acceptance aren't interdependent so to speak.

CG: What new idea or area of creativity has inspired you recently? How did you become aware of this new inspiration?

Me: I think we need customized cupcake-icing parlours. Lol... ok seriously, well with the recession having set in and the effects of it showing on the retail market, I'm looking at developing a line of fashion accessories and later clothing which is chic, stunning and VFM. I know I'd like that. And I'd like to tap consumers who think likewise. I love statement necklaces, and brooches and t-shirts and I want to offer these at great prices while thoroughly tripping myself out making them!

CG: What words would you offer to other creative people to inspire and encourage them?

Me: Ok, i'm going to enumerate these:

1. Do what brings you joy, what excites you. Learn to transmit that energy via your work. It makes a difference. That's something i'm working on.
2. Stay true to your vision. The difference between people who call themselves creative and who really are creative is the presence or absence of vision and original thought.
3. For a creative person the worst place to be in is the state of non-creation. Give your creative energies their outlets. It's okay to be a bit afraid when taking that creative leap. Get over it.
   
4. And finally, ask and you shall receive. Learn to ask for what you want, but before that get to know what you want. That takes some meditation.
   

CG: What do you have to say about Creativegarh and its efforts?

Me: Exceedingly commendable. CG is a space that's grown to become a part of my inbox and life to quite an extent. I keep coming back to it and hope to be a greater part of it in times to come. CG is a space for ideas, idea people, sharing and encouragement, inspiration and opportunities.

CG: Where can people have a look at your work and contact you? If you have a website, please do post the URL. Do you blog? if yes, can you share the URL(s)? A small note of why and how you blog would be very helpful.

Me: I'm in the process of setting up my own website. Meanwhile, I blog, but not very often. My design blog is at http://styleasylum.blogspot.com. Your feedback is welcome. I blog: a) when I have the time and b) when something really knocks my socks off. I rather not do a half-hearted job of it.

CG: Any online profiles/links (facebook, linkedin, twitter, flickr, ryze, etc.) you would like to share with other cg members?

Me: Not really... shared a bunch already. I am on all these networking platforms though. Good god.

So there you have it. :) More updates soon...

Spotlight: Designer Kate Cusack

Meet Kate Cusack a Brooklyn based designer-costumer who creates jewelry pieces and sculptural work from unusual material. Unusual material you say? Yes, metal-tooth zippers and plastic wrap if you will.

According to Kate herself, she makes costumes and wearable art. And that's just the term (wearable art) that can be employed to describe her line of Zipper Jewelry. It recently caught my eye on fellow blogger Choeny Wagma's blog, where i can safely say i was immediately taken by the sheer genius of her work. Made with a unique and contemporary design aesthetic Kate's pieces are truly one-of-a-kind.

Kate's zipper jewelry was first noticed in 2002, while she worked as a window-dresser, creating five Marie-Antoinette-style wigs made entirely from plastic wrap for Tiffany & Co.'s 5th Avenue store. The lady in the visual merchandising department who had hired Kate admired the zipper pin she'd affixed to her jacket so Kate made the second zipper pin as a thank you.

Since 2003 she took to making jewelry like bracelets, necklaces, brooches and pins out of metal-tooth zippers.

She points out:

"It’s ironic that most fashion designers try to hide or disguise zippers in their creations. However, I love zippers’ shiny metal teeth and I want to show off, not hide, their sparkle and their sinuous flexibility."

These handmade pieces sell for between $70 -$400, with custom pieces going up to $1000.

Zipper jewelry can be bought at Kate Cusack's Etsy shop.

Packaging love!

I simply love this 'Knickers of the Week' pack packaging idea by Stella McCartney!

Based on the concept of the knicker drawer, this delightful pack comes emblazoned with Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday all the way up to Sunday, ending with 'Bits and Bobs' beyond.

The lingerie inside of it isn't bad either.

All in all i think it makes for a lovely gift idea (for someone close...), and i can see it fit right into my wardrobe alongside my real underwear drawer! Can't you? :)

Gap and Pantone T-Shop

Earlier this month Gap and Pantone set up a pop-up shop on 5th Ave in the company’s ‘concept store’ space.

Combining the popularity of Gap t-shirts and the prowess of the worldwide color coder’s energetic shades, Gap and Pantone announced the opening of a color-filled t-shirt shop in Gap’s rotating concept venue adjacent to its flagship store at 54th and 5th Ave.

The Gap & Pantone T-Shop will be open till Sunday, Feb. 8.

“We wanted to create an explosion of color and bring some warmth and optimism to our customers,” said Patrick Robinson, executive VP of design for Gap Adult and gapbody. Noble intentions those.

Pantone Inc. provides professional color standards for design industries. Each year, Pantone selects a “color of the year.” 2009’s color is PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa, a warm, engaging yellow that Gap will spotlight with exclusive Mimosa tees available for purchase at the Gap & Pantone T-Shop.

Brand tie-ins such as this should hopefully help Gap out of the financial doldrums the company has been seeing in recent years. For Pantone it brings the concept of colour-coding, from the environs of design studios, to the consumers, and makes for a good exercise in brand-building.

As an aside, i'm looking forward to more instances of Pop-up Retail globally, and wonder when the Indian market would be ready for a concept such as that. For more on Pop-up Retail visit trendwatching.com.

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.

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.

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.

Spring Fever

I was asked by the people over at InTouch India magazine to write them a piece for their 'Glamour' section. Their readers being mostly university students and young professionals I took up the offer.

I put together a round up of trend tips, colour information and what's new in accessories.


Photos Credits: Style.com, bananarepublic.com, guess.com

The world of couture and high fashion can sometimes feel far removed from that of the classroom and cubicle. But fashion can in fact be blended in seamlessly with the academic and executive life, with a few pointers on what’s in trend for the season.

Looking for the juice on what’s hot this spring? Read on for lessons in colour, fit, silhouette, accessorization, and give yourself a quick fashion education.


Silhouette talk

Every season or two silhouettes undergo change. With newer variations on the present and additional silhouettes which herald the future.

Silhouettes this season are on the one hand emphasize comfort with shirt dresses (belted and in cotton or denim), tunic dresses and tops, the balloon silhouette in the form of skirts, tops and pants, flared knee length skirts for women. This means your empire waist tops and dresses will continue to work at least another season. You could choose to update these by tying a ribbon below your chest for the right look. Halter necks and strapless tops continue to be big news for those able to carry them off. Dolman sleeves (seen above in lime green) and the ‘H’ shape neckline (seen in sage green) are blasts from the past and back in a big way. You’ll be sure to spot these on the ramps and racks for winter as well.

Jackets remain cropped, and hit just below the bust or get sparkly with sequins and rhinestones for evening. Throw on a number like the ones shown above and layer your knit tops and blouses. Look out for satin details on tops, dresses, skirts and pants.


Jeans and Pants: The freshest take on pants is the Cropped Pant. In two lengths, one ending above the knee and the other which hits just below the knee, the cropped pant is a style which works for all figure types. For the hip heavy though, hip covering tops are a good idea.


The skinny leg or drain pipes continue on from winter as the staple in pants and jeans. As dark wash jeans these are a personal favourite as well. Wear it chino style for office chic or as skinny jeans for an evening out with friends.

The contoured leg jean, a slimmer cousin of the boot leg is also a stylish choice, for those who just can’t let go of the boot-cut silhouette.


Men’s looks: For guys the looks to be inspired by include a layering of a dark casual jacket over a t-shirt and jeans or chinos, or for more casual style, combine a pair of dark wash denims with a shirt and zip-front sweatshirt.


Jackets remain soft and unstructured, in glossy twill, dark wash denim and soft linen.


For the man serious about his style, white cords are where it is this season. Worn with beige, brown and lighter shades of blue these make for a very refined look.


Colour Story


Hot colours this season include white, seen in all white dresses on ramps the world over. Yellow in an almost acid avatar, and a bright pop of vermillion are this seasons new arrivals. Colours like bright green, crimson red, cobalt blue, coppery brown and black round off the palette. Accents of matte and shiny gold, silver and copper bring the mix to a boil.


Accessories Story

Going Metallic: We’ve seen gold, silver and copper on bracelets, earrings, big shoulder bags and the like. But this season prepare to see these everywhere from ballet flats to watches to newer takes on your favourite kolhapuris.


For the boys all-metal watches in gold and matte chrome are the hottest news this season, while for the girls coppery-gold tones travel as far as multi-strand necklaces and makeup.


Glam Shades: A pair of well-made shades are essential for everyone this season. Not only do they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, they also appreciably up your glam quotient.


Bags and Shoes: While ballet flats & platform heels are the stylish options for women’s shoes, for men it is the pointy toed loafers and tennis shoes, which make for a well put together look.


While big shoulder bags continue in newer shapes and colours for women, it is the clutch that reigns supreme for the evening. While for guys the canvas messenger bag remains a handy essential.

What does it take to be a world renowned designer?

by Merril Diniz for Rediff.com

This question was one I was hoping to tackle here on the blog, and as I hopped over to Rediff.com, I found they'd gotten Didier Grumbach, Chairman of the Fédération Française de la Couture (French Association of Couture) to reveal all.

The Fédération Française de la Couture, du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode was established in 1973. It derives from the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture created in 1868. So to say that Didier Grumbach is a prominent figure in the world of international fashion is putting it lightly. And it is key to note that he was present at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, that commenced in Delhi the other day.

So it doesn't get much better than this. If you aspire to someday be the toast of the fashion cognoscenti, with an empire to call your own, then listen up and listen good as Didier Grumbach reveals some gems about what works in the international market and how to build your brand. This is what he had to say…

Let your personality shine

A designer must not be influenced by anyone else. "He has a message that is totally his own. He creates something that doesn't exist in the world, which becomes international." Didier quotes the example of French designer Jean Paul Gaultier who didn't sell a piece from his first show. "He was weird. Of course, he thought his clothes were very wearable. In a year or two, it became a trend and he built a repertoire. Because of such a repertoire, the brand survives even after the departure of the designer."

Didier also mentions designers like Chanel and Balienciaga, whose brands live on even today. He calls Gaultier an artist, whose designs brought out his own personality. This is one approach to designing.

Designing for an audience

The other approach is to adjust designs to a specific territory and with a target audience in mind. He stresses that being a world-class designer is not just about how many orders you get. "You can be very successful in selling. You can also make a fantastic impact and get few orders. To build your brand, these two things are complementary."

India on the international ramp

According to Didier, there are no nationalities in the world of fashion and India must be shown to the world in the right way. "The way we will look at fashion with your Indian culture is something that will add tthe world community the way Japan has succeeded in changing the way we work and feel. We dress in a Japanese manner without even knowing it, thinking it is part of the everyday world," says Didier.

He quotes the examples of Japanese designers Kenzo, who opened his first boutique in 1970, and Issey Miyake, who first showcased his collection in Paris in 1973. Eventually, both went on to make a mark on the international map.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda

Little Red Riding Hood Goes to Tokyo via India

That's how designer Manish Arora describes his collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week that got off to a rocking start in Delhi yesterday. Renowned as the enfant terrible of the Indian Fashion circuit, Arora also ably sports the tag 'King of Kitsch'.

This collection was infact the same one Arora showed at London Fashion Week earlier this year and stayed true to Manish's hugely flamboyant style. His clothes take over the room and certainly aren't for the faint of heart. Looking back on the past few years, it appears that Manish is on a journey of excess, quite like the one the world witnessed a few seasons ago with Galliano.

Manish's is a roving eye. He allows all manner of visual stimuli to end up on his clothes. A million colours burst forth with each ensemble, with as many fabrics and embellishment techniques visible in each garment. The effect is nothing short of striking psychedelia.

Arora's world is a stoned man's paradise. A fantasy world where Lil' Red Riding Hood sets off on a journey to Tibet, taking the meandering scenic route. She finds herself in India meeting with Gods and animals. Elsewhere exploring forests, snow capped moutains, the streets and skylines of cities and taking many a detour along the way.

'Geisha' fashion takes hold in the US

Products associated with big-budget Hollywood film 'Memoirs of a Geisha' are already hitting the stores even before the movie hits theaters. The items inspired by this movie are made of rich velvet and satin and invoke a world of luxury. In a confluence of art and commerce, the romantic epic depicting a young girl blossoming into a legendary geisha has also become a style - one found in Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, and high-end department stores. Based on Arthur Golden's bestselling novel, "Memoirs of a Geisha" tells the story of a young girl who was taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. She transforms as she learns the arts of the geisha, including dance and music, wearing kimono, and elaborate makeup and hair. The film acknowledges that her life is sometimes dark. But what shines through on the big screen are the colors and costumes, images nothing short of glamorous.

The Banana Republic limited-edition collection appeared in select stores and online in November. It includes a silk floral kimono top ($88), Asian tassel necklaces ($58), and a satin kimono dress ($168). At Bath & Body Works a special display is dedicated to products such as a Rice Face Wash ($32), Flower Petal Mask ($35), and Shimmer Powder with Crushed Pearls ($38). The products can also be found online and in stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Sephora.

Fall 2005 for Women


There is a slight nip in the air, telling us that fall is here, and this year it returns with a whiff of the romantic, glimpses from the past and subtle hints for the future.

Purple replaces pink this season, dark hues for thewinter and pale lilacs for spring. The other colour palette emerging is muted metallic.

Even black which makes a comeback this fall returns in a non-gothic way in ruffled, beaded and pleated forms and graphic prints with white. Chocolate brown gets a feminine twist when paired with deep turquiose and other warmer hues such as dusty rose and earthy greens.

As a return to feminity, lace and net appear as the popular fabrics for the season updated with bright colours and modern cuts.
The casual Bohemian trend comes in the form of luxurious layering (cashmere knits paired with silk dresses) and an assortment of prints from folk to graphic to eastern influence (read Indian influence) all culminate in silhouettes mixed with knits, leather and other solids.

Flared skirts remain an important element of the wardrobe, though updated with evening fabrics (lace, net and chiffon) and interesting cuts.

Pants show a dual trend. They either go the Spanish gaucho way, and are more tailored at the waist with a slight flared drape down the leg to allow for plenty of mobility, or are slim fitted and fall in gathers at the calf like our very own chudidar and Jodhpur pants. Skinny pants work only if you have legs like Angeline Jolie.

Rich jewel tones like emerald, ruby, turquoise, amethyst and topaz are subtly woven into wool and silk to add luster to jackets, blouses and dresses.

The final statement comes from accessories. Beaded necklaces fall lower, two belts instead of one work better, and funky hobo bags rule. It’s all happening this Fall.


Top 5 Picks

#1 Boxy Jackets

The boxy jacket is this season’s jacket update. Combined with well fitting jeans and a round neck t-shirt, it’s more defined, and more defining of you. Look out for military detailing like epaulets, flap pockets and big brass buttons. When worn, this jacket should be the star. Add a touch of femininity to contrast with the boxy lines with a pair of jeweled chandelier earrings and high heels. Alternatively, wear boots and go monochromatic (all shades of one colour). For the Aviator look steer toward brown, while for the Army, go blue/ black.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

#2 Empire Waist Line

The empire line is still reigning as the silhouette for the season. An ode to the romantic and bohemian mood of the moment, these low cut tops gather just below the bust and give many a wardrobe a stylish and chic edge. Embroidered lines, embellishments, seams and panels, all provide the accents giving way to pretty party dresses and flowing tops as well as casual statements with jeans and cords. This is the most flattering and forgiving silhouette to a variety of figures.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

#3 Trouser Jeans

Loose and laid-back in attitude, trouser jeans are the slouchier version of the Boot Cut. More flared than the classic boot-cut, this denim style creates a sexy and dramatic silhouette. Its contouring cut fits slim through the legs, sits low on the waist, and is a great way to accentuate curves.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

#4 The Dress

Whether your style is feminine or flirty, there's a dress to suit your shape. Sheath dresses abound for those of who fit the petite description, while wrap dresses suit the well-endowed among us. Romantics may opt for shirt dresses (dresses that are styled as shirts) and empire waists. In any case, we ought to cheer the return of this classy, feminine garment.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

#5 Boots

Whether worn with jeans, skirts, or cropped pants, boots are fall’s hottest—and most versatile—footwear tickets. The cornucopia of styles includes varying heel heights, leg lengths, shapes, and materials (think leather and buttery suede) and offers winning options for all fashion sensibilities. We now have the option of chunky heels, kitten heels, wedge heels and even flats. Whatever you choose, just be sure the boot ends just below the knee.

As always I hope my notes help you update your wardrobe with style and confidence!