Lakmé Fashion Week WinterFestive 2015 | Trend Report- Part II

As mentioned in Part I of my Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 Trend Report, this season, the trends were very strong, making the selection process a tad bit difficult. 

However, after a careful evaluation, I finally narrowed it down to these.

Here is Part II of Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 Trend Report.

From Left To Right: Ritu Kumar, Swati & Sunaina, Shruti Sancheti, Gaurang, Swati Vijaivargie

While every season of Lakmé Fashion Week celebrates the rich heritage of Indian textiles, this season saw a new wave of Indian textiles and rural handwork. 
From celebrating the traditional weaves of Banaras to ahir embroidery from Gujarat, ikat from Karnataka and Hyderabad and hand-block prints in Anita Dongre’s Grassroot collection, Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 was an ode to Indian textiles and crafts.

From Left To Right: AM:PM, Payal Singhal, Urvashi Kaur, Nachiket Barve, Quirk Box

No longer a taboo colour for the festive season, black was a favourite choice at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015. The classic black and white combination made its appearance on all 5 days of Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015

From AM:PM’s block print separates to Payal Singhal’s black and silver embellished Indo-Western pieces, this classic duo was found in a variety of silhouettes and styles.

 From Left To Right: Nikhil Thampi, Ritu Kumar, Myoho, Tarun Tahiliani, Neeta Lulla

No festive winter fashion week is complete without its share of sarees. While some designer stuck to the classic drapes, others tried to change the game around and create an all-new saree.

Foregoing the classic petticoat, Ritu Kumar chose to drape her saree on a pair of chuddiar while Nikhil Thampi decided to play around with the hemline and add an element of sheer to it and Tarun Tahiliani took it further by getting inspired by the dhoti and creating a jumpsuit saree.

This season of Lakmé Fashion Week saw a new avatar of saree that has left us wanting for more.

From Left To Right: Sonaakshi Raaj, Chiria, Nikasha, Rinku Sobti, Shivangi Sahni

This season, designers seem to be in a fringe state of mind! 

From Nikasha’s flapper-style fringe to Shivangi Sahni’s boho-luxe tassels to Chiria’s beaded tribal inspired piece, fringe seems to be the preferred trimming of the season.

Adorning everything from jackets to capes to evening gowns, the fringe trend is worth giving a go.

From Left To Right: Ishita Mangal, Kriti Tula, Ka-Sha, Rouka, Divya Sheth

Layering up for the cooler climate is a norm. However, designers were not layering up to stay warm. They were doing it to stay on trend. From silhouette mix to texture play and from fusion styling to traditional India attire, layering was one of the most the popular trends for Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015.

Creatives by Digital Daku

Paint it Black

Someone who has had a life long love affair with bold and bright colour and all things bling, black has been a distant love of mine. I have never doubted its slimming powers and timeless appeal, but when given a choice, I have mostly gone with colour over neutral shades.

While black is not the ruling colour of my wardrobe, it is safe to say my wardrobe is not 100% devoid of black either.
As much as I love colour, I think it is time for me to update my wardrobe with what I refer to as, ‘must-have blacks’. Not only is it a necessity but a much needed change in personal style as well.

When I decided to pen down my black lust list, I came up with endless options. However, I finally managed to narrow it down to these 5 black beauties.

Here's my lust list of 5 black things that I wish soon become mine! The hunt has begun.

[More details on these products here]

1. Classic black BORDER SAREE: I have always considered the classic black border saree an Indian alternative to the LBD. They both have that same ageless, timeless appeal. From a 16 year old girl to a 70-year-old grandmother, from a business meeting to a wedding reception and from petite to curvy, the black border saree complements women of all ages and sizes.
It is one of those rare pieces that can easily be passed down from one generation to the next. A black border saree is not only a stylish pick but a wise investment as well.

2. Quintessential am to pm TOTE: I am a major bag hoarder. You name it and I have a bag in that shape and colour in my collection. However, thanks to my colour obsession, I never really got around to investing in a black tote. Especially one that is ideal for any time of the day as well as multiple occasions. My idea of a quintessential A.M to P.M black tote is one that can be carried to a working brunch and dinner date and can be easily paired with Western and Indian wear. 

3.The perfect jet black EYELINER: You think finding Mr.Right is hard? Try finding the perfect jet-black eyeliner (eye pencil/kajal) for oily skin. Now, that my dearies, is the real challenge!

From pencil, liquid to gel, I have more than my share of black eyeliners, but I am yet to find that one eyeliner that does not smudge and run even on the most humid days and oiliest of oily skins. Throw in long lasting and I have literally found what I am looking for. Till the day I find my kind of perfect jet black eyeliner, I ain't going to stop looking!

4. All eyes on me STATEMENT SUNGLASSES: From Jackie Kennedy to John Lennon, ever one had their signature sunglass frames. Mine are cat eyes. While I have managed to find a pair of regular cat eye frames, what I am really look for is, one of its kind, all eyes on me, black cat eye statement sunglasses.

5. Dainty WATCH: Lost amidst the chunky metallic and big dial watch craze, I had forgotten how elegant a dainty black watch looks until recently I saw one of my fave actress flaunting her black watch. Since then, I have been looking for just the right black watch that is the perfect blend of style and class.

Here's the thing-Along with these 5 being on the top of my lust list, these 5 pieces are fashion must-haves as well. Ladies, time to invest in these 5 black beauties.

What do you think of my black lust list? Share your views with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,

       Amena!!
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Guide to Bridal Style | How To Choose Your Wedding Outfit

Before I decided to switch lanes and join the fashion blogging bandwagon, I was a full time practicing fashion designer. In my years as a designer I have met almost all kinds of clients. Each with its own set of different demands and drama. But, there was one set of clientele that wanted the exact same thing- ‘The perfect wedding outfit’. 

It did not matter if she was a ‘no to everything’ bride or ‘I want it all’ bride or the kind who was inspired by all things Bollywood or the type whose only words were ‘Mummy, you say na’.

One thing all brides insist on having is an outfit that is ‘unique’ and ‘very different’, but at the same time ‘perfect’.
 Short of having fairies and genies create the ‘perfectly unique’ wedding dress most brides have to make do with what can be humanly created.

Lucky for you, all you need are these simple, easy-to-follow bridal fashion guidelines to make sure that your wedding outfit is the perfect one for you.

[Images Via: Pinterest, Maharani Weddings, Beautiful Indian Brides]

Know yourself and the outfit will follow
The most important thing is to know your body type, structure, skin tone, assets and flaws. Once you know yourself it will be easy for you to decide which silhouette and trend compliments you and which should be completely avoided.

Fit over Fad
If there is one thing that should be perfect about the wedding outfit it is the fit. Remember, you have to spend a good amount of hours in that dress. Being uncomfortable in the name of vanity or style is as good as inviting disaster. Even for a second you feel the outfit is too tight or too loose ask for an alteration or a different piece, but do not knowingly go for an oversized/undersized piece.
Tight choli, pinching shoes, choking necklace or constricting ghagra will make you irritable. Choose an outfit that transforms you in beautiful ways, not one that require things that your body can’t deliver.

[Images via: Pinterest, Beautiful Indian Brides, Pinterest]

Go with the right support 
Whether it is people or undergarment the right kind of support goes a long way in helping a bride make wise decisions. At every trial and fitting you must wear the same undergarment as the one you will wear on the D-day. Repeat after me: Not similar, but SAME. The right undergarment not only offers much-needed support but also has the potential to literally make or break the look.

Make sure it is weather and location friendly outfit
 When is the wedding and where is it going to take place should be considered before picking a wedding outfit. One cannot wear a corset blouse to an open-air winter wedding. Nor can one wear heavy silk sarees to a beach wedding. Picking a dress according to season and location is both stylish as well as comfortable.

 Sometimes less is best
 Wanting too many different looks or too much of the same look is every bride’s hamartia. You just can’t help but want to put all your favourite ideas into that one outfit. Lucky for us, Indian weddings have 2-3 pre wedding rituals, which give you ample scope to wear different look for different occasions. Keep 1 or 2 favourite looks for the D-Day outfits and work around them. In matters of bridal fashion sometimes less is best.

We Indians love our bling, and nowhere does our bling shine best than at our weddings. Saying that, not every set you have should be worn on your wedding day. Pick the one that complements your wedding outfit and leave the rest for other occasions. The aim is to look like a beautiful bride and not a Christmas tree. 

[Images via: Maharani Weddings, Beautiful Indian Brides, Pinterest, Beautiful Indian Brides]

Also at no times should you take an entourage with you. Remember, “Too many relatives ruin a wedding dress”. Just bring along two or three helpful realities/friends instead of 10 highly opinionated aunties and mummyjis.
Plus, it’s important to know what you want, but being a “I know it all’ kind of a bride is a tad bit risky. Similiarly, agreeing to everything as well is not adviasabe either. Keeping an open mind, being flexible as well as good communication are the building blocks of a perfect wedding outfit.
Lastly, have a budget and make sure the designer sticks to it and never every buy/finalize an outfit without fully trying it out.

It does not matter if you are tall or short; fair skinned or dusky, round or petite. All you need to do is keep these simple guidelines in mind when picking a bridal dress and you too can have your very own perfect wedding outfit.

This post was written for and featured on Style Mynt by Myntra.com

(More bridal outfit ideas here and here)

Till then, tra-la,

 Amena!!

 Connect With Fashionopolis on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin' & Subscribe
Instagram: @fashionopolis.in
email me- a.fashionopolis@gmail.com