Tuesday 28 February 2012

Red Carpet Reporting: Oscars 2012

“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.” 
                                     Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest.

Style; my lovelies, is at it’s sincerest best at the Oscars. Being the Holy Grail of fashion, it is blatantly aped, extensively written about and pretty much analysed to infinity. So, I wont do any of that. This post is pretty much about, what according to me were the night’s biggest trends and fab-est looks. Plus, what we learn from each look and trend.

White Magic Woman.
[Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford]
Gwyneth Paltrow can official write a book on how to rock the red carpet. And she did not have to rely on excess cleavage –looking at you Jennifer Lopez- or flaunt a leg. Looking nothing short of royalty in an elegant white gown and complimenting cape by Tom Ford, she managed to pull off the impossible. She made minimalistic white dramatic without looking theatrical or tacky. She showed the world and ever other pop star, that to be dramatic one does not need to dress like a circus. You can do that with simplicity and class. For me she was hands down the best dressed of the night.

Ring In The Bling.
Sparking gowns for Oscars… Shocker!!! Personally, I don’t want to live in a world where we can’t have our share of bling-bling, especially at the Oscars red carpet. And this year too, the stars did not fail to dazzle us with their glittery powers. From Octavia Spencer in sparkly silver Tadashi Shoji to J.Lo’s art deco inspired all-eye-on-me Zuhair Murad number, bling did its thing. But these two were my personal faves.

[Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen]
 Honestly, before the Oscars I did not much care for Jessica’s fashion. She did nothing to inspire me. Until yesterday! Looking ever bit the Hollywood goddess she made a dramatic statement in this black and gold embellished gown. She may have not won the award, but she has totally taken over the fashion world.

[Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab]
The song ‘All that Jazz’ was the first thing that came to mind when Milla Jovovich appeared. For her first-time-presenting appearance at the Oscars, the lady donned a on a stunning silvery white one-shoulder gown by Elli Saab. (A far sexier choice than Berenice Bejo and Kate Mara's soft pastel Elli Saab). I can’t say much about her acting skills, but the woman sure knows how to dress for its biggest night. Plus her sexy red lips gave Angeline Jolie’s trademark red pout a serious run for it’s money. Great going on both counts Milla.
Both these ladies showed us how to shine in style and sophistication. 

Bo-witched.
[Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli]
While most fashion lovers are 'ah-ing' and 'oh-ing' after Michelle Williams’ peplum Louis Vuitton or Natalie Portman in Vintage polka dot Christian Dior, Emma Stone in a crimson/fuchsia Giambattista Valli gets my vote. She picked a statement making old Hollywood glam styled gown and looked every bit the current Hollywood starlet she is. She polished this look off with a minimal jewelry and a metallic clutch. Not only did she take a major fashion risk by wearing a gown bow-ishly similar to one of red carpet's stalwart-Nicole Kidman in red Balenciaga gown at 2007 Oscars- but she also showed us how a redhead can look gorgeous in shade of red. Well Emma, you had me at bow.

[Image Credit:US Weekly; Entertainment Wise]

What was your take on this years Oscar fashion? Which celeb and trend was your fave? Do share your views and thoughts with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la, 
Amena!!
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Sunday 19 February 2012

Tango With Tangerine!

It's A Bird... It's A Plane... Oh My, it’s a model strutting down in head-to-toe reddish orange. 
If you are wondering why the fashion world is looking a tad bit too bright, we all have Pantone Color Institute to thank for it. The world's foremost colour authority has decided to paint the world orange. Well, more like "spirited reddish orange" better know as Tangerine Tango. 

You ask, what exactly is Tangerine Tango?
 The answer for that question comes straight from Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”


[Image Credit Stylelist]

Pantone's IT colour of 2012 first appeared on Spring Summer 2012 runways last year and the trend has carried through Pre Fall as well as Fall Winter 2012 shows. A fair share of this juicy hue has been spotted on celebrities, street style fashionistas as well
as home décor.
[Image Credit Vogue.itFashionologieFashion Dish]


[Image Credit LadyLUX]

Bold as it may seem, Tangerine Tango has proved it can be an extremely wearable colour. Along with being faltering to all skin tones, this tangy hue complements a spectrum of colours including blue, pink, green, brown and yellow. 


But the real question is: Are we ready to embrace this eye-catching hue?
Lets face it, this shade is not for those who are colour shy, and if not styled correctly one may end up looking like an escaped convict. But,don't let it's bold vibrancy scare you off from trying it out. 
There is always more than one way to wear this brighter-than-life shade.The beauty of tangerine is that it is an any-time-of-the-day friendly colour. From morning meetings to high tea event and night out this colour can work its way through different occasions. With unlimited styling options, here are some of my suggestions to styling 2012's IT colour. 

The trick to styling tangerine is balancing out the ensemble’s colour palette and picking a look most comfortable to you body structure and personal taste.
Well then ladies, are you ready to flaunt your sunny side and tango with tangerine? What are your view and opinion about 2012's IT Colour? Share them with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,
 
Amena!!
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{Featured On Links À La Mode: IFB Weekly Roundup, April 19th}


Tuesday 7 February 2012

My Pretty {On A Budget} Valentine.

A friend of mine literally chewed up my brains last weekend. All he would talk about was what should be his Valentine's Day gift for his new girlfriend. And here’s the major problem, his job is even newer than his new girlfriend. What he really wanted my help with, is to pick a pocket-friendly, not-so-expensive gift that by no means looks cheap.

 I suggested the tried and tested chocolate and flowers to heartfelt handmade cards. But he insisted on something more ‘grand’. With a working budget of $50 (approximately INR 2500) I finally made him a list of things he can buy for his ladylove.

Here are my suggestions and picks for a trendy as well as on-a-budget V Day Gift.

F.Y.I: The trick to doing Valentine's Day gift correctly is finding a gift that can be used/worn the remaining 364 days as well. The gift on all accounts should NOT look tacky or costumey post February 14th.
[All products here are $50  or less. Product Detail]

Jewelry: Every girl loves them. You can pick charm bracelet or statement pendant or a combination of rings and earrings. Just make sure the size of the charms and pendant is something she is comfortable with. And not all jewelry has to be heart shaped or red or pink. It can be anything she likes and would happily wear.

Accessories: There is always that one piece of accessory your girl is currently coveting. Sexy shoes, skinny belt or trendy scarf. She has her eyes and heart set on it. This is a (almost) perfect gift. Not only do you get to show her you have been paying attention to what she says and wants, plus, gifting an item from her currently coveting list is the way to a girl’s heart. Easy breezy!

You can never go wrong with Beauty Products: Well, almost never go wrong. From lipsticks to eye shadows all the way to perfume and body lotion, there is a wide variety to choose from. Just keep her fragrance and colour preference in mind and pick something she would go for. And even if you do go wrong, you can always tell her you want her to ‘try something new’. A complete win-win situation.

I Heart U: Ok, if you’re wise you won’t waste money on heart shaped balloons (They have a very very small shelf life). You go and buy her heart motif/shaped coffee cup or pillowcase or photo frame. If you're confident about her size and style you can take it up a notch and buy her a heart motif cardigan or heart shaped clutch. Keep in mind the heart size is understated and trendy and she will use the gift and not re-gift it or have it exchanged.

Keep It Simple:
 Prepare a home cooked meal, buy a bouquet of her fave flowers, gift her a handmade book-mark, write a love note, create a photo collage, surprise her with box of insanely delicious chocolate or take a day off to spend time together. Try out any or all of these less expensive, creative and memorable ways to say 'I Love You'.

All this Valentine's Day talks have got the romantic out of me. Here’s my fantasy (since I can't afford most of this) V Day look for a date with my Mr. Right.

Have you picked out a Valentine's Day Gift for your loved one? Is it something he/ she wanted or have you handmade your gift this year? Share your picks and views with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,
 Amena!!
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Sunday 5 February 2012

Don't be a drag, just be a QUEEN!

Today, I reveal to you one of my many obsessions. I absolutely love, love, L.O.V.E. (with a red heart in place of the ‘O’) makeovers. I love seeing, reading, giving, receiving and every other kind of makeover out there. Each time Tim Gunn guides a fashion-challenged hapless woman to style (deep sigh...dramatic pause...jubilant ‘awwwww’ plus a tiny-tear) makes my day.

For most people makeover seems like a big deal. They would quickly move to Mars than try to get or give themselves a makeover. Well then ladies and gents, have no fear. My 5 easy, breezy steps will help you reinvent yourself from blah to wah wah!

Step I: Know Thy Self
The one thing I quickly learnt as a fashion designer was people don’t know themselves. They just don’t! So, before you hop onto the makeover wagon find out who you really are. Firstly, find out what is your body shape and type. Not knowing the exact body type is a major crux. Start with getting to know your body: type, structure and self comfort zone. Find out your assets. Only when you know them, can you accordingly flaunt them. Once you have ‘figured’ out yourself, the rest will follow.

Hope to give yourself a makeover
[Image Via: The Style Aficionado]

Step II: To Buy or not to Buy?
“Oh God, today I splurged like crazy on an awesome dress”, does this ring a bell with ya? Well, we all have been there, done that and thoroughly enjoyed it. While making-over we need to stop spending, splurging, indulging and start investing. Fashion, like any other long term plan is an investment. It pays off in the long run. So say with me, “Fashion is Investment”. Choose carefully keeping the 3 F’s of fashion- FIT, FABRIC and FINISH- in mind. And most importantly, before you buy you must TRY! Once, twice, thrice, try it on till you are satisfied. For “goods once sold will not be taken back” is said for a good reason.

Step III: I'll Have What She's Having...
No, Never, Ever!
For one thing fashion is all about individuality and for another, no two people are alike. Even twins tend to have different body types. So, if your BFF is rocking a 60’s Mod dress or a flowing maxi skirt, does not mean you too will rock it. Makeovers are all about creating yourself over, to copy someone else’s style statement is defending the purpose itself. Be Original. Be You!

How to give yourself a makeover
[Image Via: 1.Brown Eyed Belle; 2.The Hollywood Gossip]

Check out everyone's favourite BFFs with absolutely different style identities.

Step IV: What Lies Beneath!
As the famous saying goes, behind every successful man is a woman, similarly in the world of fashion, hidden beneath ever successful outfit, are very very good and supporting undergarments. The CORRECT undergarment goes a long, very long way in making or breaking a look. This is one of the secret weapon’s which separates us mere mortals from the star celebs. You can go buy the same dress as Kim K or Alexa Chung inspired skirt or spend a mini fortune on a couture piece, but without the right undergarments even the fashion godfather himself, Tim Gunn won’t be able to help you make it work!

Step V: Not Without My Accessories!
Don’t we all just wish we had Blair Waldorf or Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe! Ladies, don’t be disheartened. Lucky for us, our two best friends; accessory and make-up give us a helping hand. Thanks to stylish accessories- be it statement jewellery or metallic clutch or colourful dupatta or scarf, belts, bags, shoes ect...- an outfit can be worn more than once and still look fresh and new.

Hope to give yourself a makeover

[Image Via:1.Eat Drink Chic; 2.Style State Of Mind; 3.Latina; 4.Good Life For Less; 5.Google Images]

How to give yourself a makeover

[Image Via: 1 and 2 Google Images; 3.Lala Natalia]

To add finishing touches to your makeover learn a few make-up tricks and trendy hairstyle. And ta-da, the new you is set to make its royal debut.

Get inspired from celeb Nicole Richie drag to queen makeover. Nicole went from being an obnoxiously dressed and vulgarly loud reality TV sidekick, to a gorgeous designer and a style setter.

How to give yourself a makeover
[Image Via: Google Images]
For more amazing makeover stories check out Tim Gunn's ‘Guide to Style’ (I will also advice to you read his books). Catch ‘America's Next Top Model’ for some unabashed wild model makeovers (hands down the makeover episodes are the best ones every season). Also, Trinny and Susannah first show ‘What Not to Wear’ is a great source for makeover pointers.

Have you recently given or received a makeover? Or is there any particular makeover story that has left an impact on you? Share them here. Do drop me a line with your stories and thoughts in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,
 Amena!!
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Wednesday 1 February 2012

Trend Spotting: Coloured Blazer

Why are blazers in news all of a sudden when they have been a girl’s fashion staple since World War II? 
Well, it seems the designers' world over decided to trade out the basic black/ navy ones for some fun and bold colored blazer. Electric blue, tangy tangerine or neon pink, there is a colour to suit every girl’s flavor.

And the best new is these bold and hue rich blazers can be paired with work wear trouser to GNO sequins dress to party shorts and first date skirts. Thrown on a bright little hot number and go straight form a boardroom onto the party floor. Make sure to pick a colour faltering to your body type and personality and watch as more that a few heads turn your way.
[Image Courtesy: 1,2,3,4,5]

Key to stylishly wearing a Colored Blazer.

1.Ideally, we would first pick our outfit before the outerwear, but in this case we need to first select the blazer before the outfit. The blazer is the statement piece and the ensemble must be built around it.

2.Make sure you are 100% comfortable in your blazer color selection. To make a style statement you have to confidently wear your colour choice.

3.Keep the outfit relatively understated and complementary to the blazer. Preferably pick neutral or pastel colour and delicate prints.
4.Pair it with some stylish accessories and shoes and get set to show-off your colourful side.


                                                                                       [More information on these pieces here.]


Girls, are you ready to rock the fab coloured blazer trend? And what would be your go-to colour? Share your picks and views with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,
 
Amena!!
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email me- 
a.fashionopolis@gmail.com