Thursday, 15 May 2014

Layered & Stacked With Accessorize

We all have a gift. At least that’s what my grandma used to say.
While I have no gift or luck with cooking or finding Mr. Right, I do, however, have the gift of accessorising.
The minute I walk into an Accessorize store, my sixth sense, my art of accessorising super power, takes over. 
I know exactly what I want and I know exactly how I will style it. Honestly, I haven't yet met a piece of (statement) accessory I cannot style!

Of late, I have been experimenting with layering statement necklaces. While I love it, loads of my friends and readers find layering statement necklaces quite challenging. 
Layering (statement) necklaces is one of those things that, on paper, sounds effortless. In reality, when it comes to layering statement pieces, one can easily go from statement-making, to disaster-in-the-making!
To make sure the desired look comes off effortlessly chic, keep these few basic layering rules in mind:

1. Have a Common Theme: Be it colour palette, specific style, a certain kind of look, texture, shape or material, there has to be one common theme that holds the entire look together. Randomly layering necklaces, especially statement pieces that have no aesthetic rhythm or pattern is a major eye sore.

2. Balancing the Lengths: Just like a common theme is needed, so is propitiate spacing between layers of necklace necessary. To layer statement necklaces, the pieces need to be of different length.
Also, the spacing between the necklaces should be equidistant for the final neckpiece to look visually appealing.

3. Harmony in Shape: The basic shapes of all the pieces does not necessarily have to match – but the lines should blend well. Especially, while layering necklaces of different shapes. If the design lines do not complement each other, the final look can easily go from chic to chaotic.

Layering (Statement) Necklaces
Shinny Pretty Things
Playing with candy colour pastel palette, layering three very different styles of necklaces to create an eye-catching blanket of baubles.  

The Modern Gypsy
Inspired by trademark gypsy pieces- tassels, coins, heart charms, variety of different beads and metallic cords- this layered style is ideal for those who like to add an element of drama to their look.

Tribal Chic
In shades of blue and green, different styles of tribal inspired necklaces- chunky plaited threads paired with dainty, rope-style, multi-coloured beads - are layered together to create one chic neckpiece.

 Street Style  
When a slinky stone collar necklace + a Perspex art deco inspired geometric motif necklace +metal rings cluster, rope-style cord necklace are layered together, street style magic is bound to happen.
Mixing three distinctly different yet complementary statement necklaces to create a street style worthy neckpiece.

Viva Glam!
If you’re looking to amp up the “wow” factor, all you need is, sparkling diamante and shiny gemstone encrusted statement necklaces. Layer them together and watch as heads turn your way to stare at the droolworthy masterpiece on your neck!

Ever since Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller started the cult of ‘Arm Party’, stacking multiple bangles and bracelets together has become a staple accessory trend.Even though this trend has been around for a couple of years, you will be surprised to find how many new stacking combinations are available for you to try.

Stacking Bangles and Bracelets
The Arm Soiree
Get together an eclectic mix of beads, colour-braided cords, pop clustered sequins, glossy chains, sparkly gems and bejewelled bangles, and you swanky, colourful, arm party is ready.

Band Of Baubles
Add a few chunky gold bands along with luscious blue and green stone encrusted stretch bracelet, to create a spectacular stack of baubles. Throw in a few rings, and you got your hands full of an enviable arm party.

Sorbet Delight
Playing with sorbet shades, sacking three very distinctive styles of bangles and bracelets- enamel bangles, funky beaded bracelet and glittery stretchy bracelet-to create one statement making arm party.

 Feeling Boho!
If you’re in a mood to show your boho side, all you need is, bracelets in turquoise and silver combo, adorned with tassels, daisies, beads and crystals. Stack them randomly and let your inner hippie come to life.

A heartfelt thank you to my dear friend, Sakina, who took the time out to model all the above looks for me. Thank you for all your patiences and for doing this with me.
All the accessories featured in the above looks are from Accessorize and are available in any Accessorize store across India or can be exclusively shopped online on Myntra.com

Like me, are you as well obsessed with layering necklaces and stacking bangles and bracelets? Do share your views with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,

Amena!!
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Friday, 9 May 2014

Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 Top 10 Trends - Part I

Being a member of the Indian fashion fraternity, I have been attending the Lakmé Fashion Week since its earliest days.
 First as a fashion student, helping out with backstage activates, then as a part of a participating designer’s team, later as an industry member and since the last 2 seasons as a fashion blogger.
While attending fashion week is not a new thing, covering it as a blogger has been an altogether new experience. It changes your perception and you start to see the entire fashion week with a fresh set of eyes.

Since I have already live tweeted my heart out my views about most of the collections, which pieces I loved, industry news, gossip and the infamous fashion week #overheard, this time round I wanted to cover Lakmé Fashion Week a little differently.
 Instead of a generic rundown of the collections I decided to highlight the top 10 trends seen at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014.

Trend I: Art Attack
Hands down the most identifiable of Spring-Summer 2014 trends, art is having a major fashion movement! 
From bold brush stroke splashes to paint swirls, photography to graffiti, pop art prints, murals and architecture, all things art has been leaving its colourful impact across the fashion world.
Staying on trend, different forms of art techniques made their appearance all through LFW S/R 2014. 
Indian miniature paintings from 16-19 centuries played muse for Aartivijay Gupta’s collection. Portraits, court scenes, flora and fauna along with Haridas, Tansen and Akbar relaxing in Vrindavan and Ragamala paintings, created a visual story of India’s golden eras. 
While Aartivijay found inspiration in India's history, Narendra Kumar turned to the works of American abstract artist, Franz Kline's paintings and Sounia Gohil’s European Renaissance theme collection saw beautiful digital prints of European decor.  
Trend II: Sports Luxe
From the looks of it, fashion world seems to be crushing on all things sports!
 Possibly the easiest trend to experiment with, the focus is on sportswear basics reinvented in luxe materials.
Key pieces are silky sweatshirt, varsity tees, sporty broad stripes, sneakers, numerical motifs, pleated skirts and anything in sporty silhouettes.
Huemn by Pranav Mishra and Shyma Shetty was the perfect balance of luxury and sporty comfy. GaGa by Tanya Sharma showcased “Out of the Box”, edgy at the same time feminine pieces for the adventurous woman. Nishka Lulla offered easy-to-wear, fuss free clothes, for the globetrotting fashionista.
The motto of this trend is, keep it simply, sporty and chic!
Trend III: 3D Surface Ornamentation
Surface ornamentation and Indian fashion go together like two peas in a pod. The chances of seeing a collection devoid of any form of surface ornamentation, embellishment or embroidery is slim to nil. 
However, this season of Lakmé Fashion Week, designers have taken surface ornamentation to new dimension. Giving a miss to the run-of-the-mill embroidery and embellishment, designers have opted to offer larger than life 3D surface ornamentation.
Nikhil Thampi decided to decorate his well-tailored, structured pieces with 3D gold metallic flowers. Sourabh Kant Shrivastava's “Rebirth in Kaliyug” saw embellishments in the form of acrylic floral motifs and metal trimmings and Urvashi Joneja twisted yards of fabrics to make cords that has been used as an embellishment along with leather cutwork flowers.
Trend IV: Haute Hues- Blue & White
Step aside monochrome, there is a new pair in town! And from the looks of it they are quite a popular duo.
Say hello to Summer season’s IT colour combo: Blue and White (or shades of blue: navy, pottery blue, ink blue, indigo, cobalt, poster blue and white: ivory, porcelain, shell, peach kissed white ect.)
While the blue and white combo dominated at Divya Seth and Khem, the duo made its presence felt at Shehla Khan, Kunal Anil Tanna, Sneha Arora and Ikai by Ragini Ahuja.
From Ajrakh prints with the unusual clamp dyeing motifs at Divya Seth to navy ombré effect and floral embroidery motif at Khem to tie-dye detailing at Ikai by Ragini Ahuja, the colour combo has been displayed in myriads of styles and techniques. 
Trend V: In Full Bloom
They may not be groundbreaking, but floral will forever be considered the epitome of summer. 
Even though it is a regular spring-summer trend, it never fails make an impact. And lets be honest, what is summer fashion without its share of full blooms!
The blooming affair made an appearance at this season of Lakmé Fashion Week as well. While Shruti Sancheti decorated her “Le Pondi” collection with pretty pixie floral print, Lalit Sengar impressed us with his version of Liberty floral and
N&S GAIA by Sidharth Sinha managed to beautifully blend traditional hand-woven textiles of Meghalaya and crafts of Northeast India with delicate floral motifs.
Which of these top 5 Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2014 trends you can’t wait to try this season?
Do share your thoughts with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,
Amena!!
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