The 15^th edition of the annual THINK PINK Ball in aid of Cancer Research UK took place on Saturday 9^th of November 2019 at the Rosewood London. The event organised by Hajira Ahmad’s EBH brought together business figures, entrepreneurs and professionals, supporting this worthy cause.

Today we honour those we have lost to cancer and show support to those who are fighting this disease – Hajira Ahmed.

Set against the elegant backdrop of the Rosewood Hotel London, every element of the event was themed pink. The THINK PINK Ball commenced with pink champagne and a canapés reception followed by an evening of sumptuous dining, world-class entertainment and live comedy.

The event also featured a runway segment and a Fashion Against Cancer auction during which different designers donated pieces from their latest collections, including ensembles by Manish Malhotra, Sania Maskatiya, Sana Safinaz and Masaba Gupta.

Manish Malhotra: Couturier to the Stars

The fashion show presented pieces from Manish Malhotra’s latest collection Maahrumysha. It comprises of multiple capsule collections, celebrating different styles and fabrics. Malhotra displayed the beauty & versatility of fabrics like cotton, silk, wool, velvet and tulle. From shimmering sarees with silk tops to contemporary gowns fit for a Hollywood red carpet, Manish created something for every taste.

London based shoe designer and niece of Jimmy Choo, Lucy Choi provided the luxury footwear to compliment Malhotra’s designs on the runway. Make-up and hair was done by Lubna Rafique and Uzma Rafique.

Check out the gallery for my favourite looks:

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Pakistani designer Sania Maskatiya launched her Winter Festive 2019/2020 collection INARA earlier this month. INARA features Sania’s signature handcrafted pieces, perfect for the upcoming winter festivities. The collection comprises of 80 distinct designs. It includes embellished and digital printed outfits, in bright hues, jewel tones and a classic monochromatic palette. For INARA, Sania Maskatiya has used a wide range of fabrics including velvets, cotton nets, crepes and silks, embellished with gota, zardoze and ari techniques.

What are the winter festive trends for 2019/20? According to fashion platform WhoWhatWear, hot colors are a trend this season, including bold shades like fuchsia and orange. INARA includes a lot of must-have pieces in bright fuchsia shades.

+ the velvet trend isn’t going anywhere yet. We saw a lot of velvet on the runway at recent Indian and Pakistani fashion weeks. It is a great option for the festive season, but not an easy trend to pull off. A velvet dress can look chic, but if you are opting for velvet separates, be careful with your styling as it might look OTT. Sania’s collection features several pieces made with velvet. Elegant pieces adorned with intricate embroidery.

It’s the light flowing silhouettes in black & white that really stand out. A stunning black saree gown with white floral details, and a stunning traditional style gown with white embroidery all over and dupatta scarf are my top picks from this collection. Both gowns are traditional styles with a contemporary twist.

Check out my must-haves from this collection in the gallery below!

Shoot credits:

Photographer: Shahbaz Shazi

Make-up: Nabila NPro

Jewellery: Allure by MHT, @azurebyszk

Models: Ersa Batool, Mushk Kaleem, Rabia Zahid, Roshanay Afridi

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On January 20, 2020, the 34th edition of the Oriental Fashion Show took place at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. A rising generation of oriental designers from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkestan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Tunisia, Morocco, Italy, and Moldova took over the Carrousel du Louvre to present their spring summer 2020 collections.

The  Silk Road and Al Andalus association

Created in Paris, the historic capital of fashion, the “Silk Road and Al Andalus” association, chaired by Hind Joudar, aims to promote Grande Couture Orientale and strengthen the brand image of oriental designers. Behind this commitment lies the desire to contribute to the preservation of clothing heritage and crafts, some of which are in the process of disappearing. To promote this culture in France and abroad, the association has organized a number of events, the most important of which is The Oriental Fashion Show.

The Oriental Fashion Show

The Oriental Fashion Show takes us on a trip back in time, along the legendary Silk Road, showing the links which formerly existed, and which sometimes persist even today, between different regions. In the similarity of the embroideries, in the cut of a fabric, in the history of a garment such as the caftan, we see a glimpse of history dating back several centuries. The twenty designers who participated in this 34th edition of the Oriental Fashion Show are actors in bringing East and West together. Through their art, they participate in the harmonious marriage of French excellence and oriental know-how.

The gallery includes my favorite pieces from the 34th edition of The Oriental Fashion Show. Egyptian designer Hany El Behairy presented a bridal gown embroidered with hundreds of diamonds. It is now the third most expensive wedding gown in the world, valued at 15 million dollars! Another runway favorite is Moroccan designer Fatima Zohra Idrissi-Filali. Her Caftan gowns demonstrate true craftsmanship, the details are impeccable!

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Lebanese – American fashion designer Rami Kadi presented his spring summer 2020 couture collection Kaleidoscope through a cyber-show. Rami is the first in the Middle East to present a collection in this way. The idea of a cyber-show is an expression of staying up-to-date with rapidly changing technology, as well as the idea of universal connectivity. Its carbon footprint is also much smaller than that of a physical show. This all corresponds to the theme of Rami’s collection: the possibility of restoring harmony in the world through waves of good energy.

Good energy

The Indian Mandalas are sacred symbols that are used for meditation, prayer, healing and art therapy. A way to transfer positive energy. Rami’s collection features the Mandala in deconstructed form and in full. This motif provides the collection with both visual richness as visual complexity (in its deconstructed form). Rami was also inspired by Tantra and the 7 Chakras. In Tantra, when chakras are aligned, we get to ultimate bliss. Kaleidoscope is a quest for the alignment of the chakras through hues, materials, and shapes.

The collection is a modern textural symphony that plays on light in myriads of ways. Sparkly reflections give a dreamy feel to the collection. Light and reflections of light are characters in and of themselves. Colour therapy also plays a role. Naturally the colour green figures in many dresses, with its symbolism for growth, freshness, and healing. Generally, the collection makes use of pastels and neutrals, while featuring instances of vibrant colours for accent.

The couture collection makes use of sequins with different shapes and colours, as well as metallic laser-cut sequin sheets, crystal stones, coloured feather, tulle layers, prints on sequins, and printed 3D organza.

Sustainability

Sustainability in the fashion industry, a topic that has gained a lot of attention in the past years due to the negative impact the production of textile has on our environment. Rami’s collection features the first dress made completely from recycled plastic. It is a reference to the idea of turning the bad into good, and also highlights the importance of sustainable development in the fashion industry.

Rami Kadi joins a club of responsible designers who aim to make a difference through fashion. Rami continues to grow as a designer, his work is multidimensional. Whether it is the idea behind the collection, the craftsmanship and skill that went into making the pieces, incorporating sustainable fashion or the idea of presenting the collection via a cyber-show… Rami keeps raising the bar.

Check out the gallery for my personal favorites from this collection

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The Summer Resort edition of Lakmé Fashion Week kicked off on February 11^th 2020 with a spectacular show to celebrate the platforms’ 20^th anniversary. Held at the JioWorld Garden in Mumbai the show celebrated Lakmé’s Gen Next programme, an initiative that has encouraged design talent since 2006. Thirty Gen Next alumni, including Rahul Mishra and Kunal Rawal, reinvented looks from their debut collections to present during the show. Actress Janhvi Kapoor wowed in a strapless Rahul Mishra dress with sweetheart neckline and colourful embroidery.

Sustainability

Day 2 of Lakmé Fashion Week focused on sustainability featuring a circular design challenge in collaboration with the United Nations Enviroment programme. The fashion industry is responding to climate change and uses its creativity to reinvent the industry and bring awareness to different sustainability issues. Designer Ritu Kumar presented her environmentally friendly collection ‘Nature’s Origami’ in collaboration with Austrian fibre brand LENZING ECOVERO. Actress Aditi Rao Hydari made a perfect showstopper as she walked the ramp in a hand embroidered silk organza dress with asymmetric hem in black and indigo. Designers like Ritu Kumar and Amit Aggarwal show us that being sustainable doesn’t mean you have to supress creativity or compromise on the overall look of the design. It elevates it. Amit is known to incorporate recycled materials into his designs.

Grand Finale

After 5 days of fashion, Lakmé Fashion Week came to an end with a spectacular grand finale by Amit Aggarwal. The show was inspired by the theme ‘Better in 3D’ which brought together the latest trends in fashion and beauty. Lakmé brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor Khan graced the runway in a structured gown, made in a stunning shade of green. Amit describes his collection AXIL as a vision of the future.

Next in Fashion

Designer Narresh Kukreja from designer duo Shivan & Narresh recently appeared in the Netflix show ‘Next in Fashion’, presented by Tan France and Alexa Chung. It was great to see him represent India in front of a global audience. The designer duo are ones to watch every summer resort season, as they are the kings of resort wear. The look worn by Diana Penty on the Lakmé runway was one of my personal highlights this season.

Another collection that really stood out was by Ashdeen Lilaowala, a renowned textile designer who is able to create beautiful ‘paintings’ with a needle and a thread. His silhouettes are simple and elegant, he lets the motifs do all the talking!

Check out the gallery for more personal highlights from Lakmé Fashion Week Summer Resort 2020

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Ridhi Mehra launched her spring summer 2020 bridal collection named MORBAGH on the 2^nd of March. The Indian designer has revamped classic bridal ensembles, without compromising on tradition. The collection exists of thee sub-collections: JASHN – the modernist, SERAI – the minimalist and HEER – the traditionalist. MORBAGH focuses on the strong bond of sisterhood.

A Tale of Friendship

The collection campaign shows three brides, who are different in their desires and choices, channeling their dream wedding attires. The collection revolves around eccentric-floral looks, chic-contemporary styles and traditional Indian pieces.

A powerful display of love!

JASHN – The Modernist

JASHN shows a young bride ready for a sweet and fun wedding. JASHN includes breezy chiffon, organza and silk silhouettes. The colour palette exists of dusty neutral tones like champagne and beige, light turquoise and shades of pink. The ensembles are decorated with silver-gold glass beads, sequins, metallic dabka and zari threads. Classic Indian wear with a modern spin through prints in palm trees, floral vines and paisley motifs.

SERAI – The Minimalist

SERAI includes signature styles embellished with shimmery sequins, pearls and silk threads on geometric floral and paisley motifs. The pieces are combined with Indian jewellery and flowers. This collection offers a western-style veil as well, creating a timeless image.

HEER – The Traditionalist

The timeless ensembles in this collection draw reference to the classic Indian weddings but spun with western aesthetics. Ethnic looks in bright hues like canary yellow, peach, apple green, ivory and gold. There is a shift of the concept of ‘voluminous silhouettes’ to lighter fabrics like chiffon, organza, net and silk. Ridhi Mehra has defined the new-age bride who experiments, but also stays true to traditional Indian elements like golden zari threads, cutdana and floral motifs.

My personal choice would be SERAI – the minimalist as it beautifully displays East meets West pieces. MORBAGH truely celebrates the diversity of Indian bridal wear. Each bride is beautiful in her own way!

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Indian fashion brand Méro launched their debut collection in October 2019. This March they released their highly anticipated spring summer 2020 collection, consisting of two sub-collections named ‘Powder Room’ and ‘Julia et Julia’.
Fascinated by the vintage era and the posh & chic elegance that came with it, Powder Room and Julia et Julia are the outcome of the love for classics.
Looking back moving forward – the collection speaks to the vintage lady present in every woman who’s always had the desire to own a vintage wardrobe.

Photographer Hormis Antony Tharakan shot this beautiful campaign for Méro’s Spring Summer collection. The scenes were styled by Gopalika Virmani; vintage rooms with a hint of art deco. Models Ayesha Kanga and Sumaya Hazarika are dressed to the nines in Méro pieces, combined with jewelry by Varnika Gulati and glammed up by make-up artist Komal Gulati.

Powder room

Always dress like it’s the best day of your life – The Powder Room is as glamorous as can be…different silhouettes in soft pastel shades; cocktail dresses, blouses with lace floral applique and 3D motifs, blazers embellished with beads, glittering sequins, luxurious fabrics, tulle skirts with ruffles…It’s very young H(B)ollywood glamour!

Julia et Julia

This collection is described with a quote by Audrey Hepburn: “The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.” Julia et Julia is a true reflection of a Méro lady, known for her timeless beauty, elegance & grace. She is not your girl next door, she is everybody’s dream girl.

Julia et Julia contains pieces I would like to add to my wardrobe: bold jacquard suits & dresses and stylish jumpsuits. The floral motifs look flamboyant yet chic. This sub-collection embodies my personal style. Statement pieces that can be combined anyway you like. Take a look at the gallery for my favorite looks!

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The first-ever digital edition of India Couture Week (ICW) took place from the 18th of September 2020 until the 23rd. This edition we didn’t witness any models dressed in couture making their way across a physical runway…no audience filled with fashion industry stakeholders like Bollywood belles, buyers and Instagramming influencers. Due to the coronavirus, the world now navigates through times of uncertainty, impacting many industries including the world of fashion.

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) went back to the drawing table to realise a new way to showcase its designers’ collections to the world. Resulting in a digital transformation.

An impressive list of couture royalty including Amit Aggarwal, Anju Modi, Dolly J, Falguni Shane Peacock, Gaurav Gupta, JJ Valaya, Kunal Rawal, Manish Malhotra, Rahul Mishra, Reynu Taandon, Shantanu & Nikhil and Suneet Varma presented their latest couture collections in front of different backdrops, setting the scene and giving hints of how these collections came to life: through inspiration and craftsmanship.

It seems only natural that everything digital is now creating ripples in the global fashion industry. The FDCI reacted swiftly to the changes and challenges of the industry and ‘decoded couture’, making it even more accessible as it was before, when it was physically shown on the runway. Through video and photography, via multiple digital platforms, these collections can now reach an audience far greater than before.

Praise for the way the FDCI has supported the industry in the past 6 months and the way it continues to support its members!

It is no secret that I am obsessed with the exclusivity, art and beauty of haute couture. Which is why it was hard to select ‘just’ 20 of my favourite pieces from this ICW 2020 edition. A great variety of pieces: from traditional bridal pieces to red carpet showstoppers to futuristic pieces of art… a feast for the eyes!

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The first-ever phygital edition of Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week took place from the 14^th until the 18^th of October 2020. The pandemic hasn’t dampened the spirits of the fashion fraternity. The industry has reinvented itself and supports the new phygital customer experience, the combination of physical and digital.

FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi on the industries’ reinvention: “As the world slowly understands how to live with the pandemic, fashion too is assuming a new avatar by spreading its wings to encourage a new kind of customer, who is tech-savvy and unafraid to make bold choices with the click of a button”

40 designers showcased their latest spring-summer collections for 2021 during the 5-day digital event, presenting both ready-to-wear frocks as well as couture pieces.

My personal highlights of this edition include: Samant Chauhan, Gauri & Nainika, Siddartha Tytler and Tarun Tahiliani.

Samant Chauhan is known for his colourful, intricate embroideries displayed on white and neutral fabrics. This time he went for bold coloured fabrics (silks) decorated with silver and metal work embroidery. The result is pure perfection! The contemporary silhouettes go extremely well with Chauhan’s signature embroidery.

Long flowy dresses with bold prints are a trend next summer and Gauri & Nainika’s collection stood out amongst this crowd. It sets the mood for a sunlit summer romance. The collection includes Victorian inspired floral prints and Dutch inspired Delft prints in leaf-green. The line includes a range of pencil dresses, wrap dresses and shirt dresses that have been made in a vintage colour palette of scarlet red, bottle green and classic black.

Siddartha Tytler is a welcome change on the digital runway scene. His creations are anything but the ordinary. Favouring interesting structures, bold colours and sharp cuts, Tytler’s collections are an eclectic mix of several moods, all strung together by a penchant for bling and high-octane glamour. The label’s expertise ranges from sensual, draped western wear to traditional wear with a contemporary spin. The backdrop for this seasons collection was dark, gritty and mysterious. I love it!

Tarun Tahiliani leaves me speechless every time he releases something new. One of India’s finest designers if you ask me. This season Tahiliani’s studio took a moment to think about the bride of today and what her heart would want. Freedom, happiness, hope…a new sense of luxury.

Check out the gallery for my favourite pieces from this edition of Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week. 

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The first-ever digital and season-fluid edition of Lakmé Fashion Week took place from the 21^st until the 25^th of October 2020. The five-day event showcased collections from both emerging talents as designer legends and included dedicated time slots to celebrate sustainable fashion, Indian craftsmanship and to introduce next-generation talent. The digital fashion extravagance also gave us a view behind-the-scenes: a close-up look on the models donned in designer wear, glammed up with Lakmé make-up products.

My personal highlights from this edition were collections by: Pankaj & Nidhi, Punit Balana, Gaurang, Jayanti Reddy and Anushree Reddy.

Designers Pankaj & Nidhi presented their collection “Talisman”, all about comfort wear at home, work or on holiday. They used the most remarkable fabrics for their designs like GreenGold made from 100% recycled plastic PET bottles, FeelFresh with anti-microbial properties and KoolTex, which absorbs perspiration. The fabrics provide breathability, freshness, and flexibility and enhance the cool and comfort factors of the collection. I also adore the use of geometric shapes for the prints and choice of colour including sandy peach, dusty pink, pecan brown and earthy blue.

Punit Balana’s latest collection “Muneer” was a grand showcase of block prints in natural organic dyes to highlight the varying silhouettes and construction of the garments. It was also a celebration of new beginnings, beauty and hope.

National Award-Winning Textile and Fashion Designer Gaurang presented “Taramati” a collection of 30 grand, heritage, and handwoven saris from the Golconda era. The designer was inspired by ‘Taramati” an artisanal ode to the legendary courtesan who dazzled the Seventh Sultan of Golconda, Abdulla Qutub Shah. Gaurang showcased a treasure trove of saris, which brought the legend’s romantic narrative to life with the extraordinary weavers’ skills.

Jayanti Reddy’s “Rouge” is an ode to the different shades of red, which is considered the celebratory offering for all festive Indian seasons. The collection was all about vibrant, seductive, adventurous and bold clothes. The silhouettes fitted perfectly into the festive and bridal mood: sumptuous lehenga, choli, and dupatta trios, regal fluid capes and innovatively draped skirts.

Anushree Reddy unveiled her collection “Nazira” (meaning glowing with happiness) a demi-couture collection for the millennial bride. The ensembles are a reflection of romance and femininity. Embroidery was undoubtedly the star of Anushree’s collection but the colour palette is also a highlight including haute bridal favourites like peachy pink, cherry red, strong royal purple and regal navy.

Check out my personal highlights of Lakmé Fashion Week 2020 in the gallery.

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