Christian Dior Fall 2015

As Raf Simmons asserted, the target this season was a gradual move away from heritage and towards ingenuity but of course ingenuity that has to be uniquely Dior. It was custumal and familiarly feminine but also, as he put it, "savage& sexual, urban instead of romantic". There were many a proponents of the familiar; a classic impression of Dior. A very tame dimension as palpable in the full sleeve shirt, a basic shift and the modest car coat silhouette and tweed pant suits, that opened the show. Behind these were those traces of sensual. Traces indeed to begin with; some shreds here on a tunic, some there on a skirt and the colourful motifs all concealed behind the usual. Enter thigh-high vinyl boots borrowed from couture, the raw treatment of fur on the coats, a bodysuit in that vividly colourful print and splendidly glistening surfaces of liquid mesh. That’s where the second dimension surged- the one that of savage sexuality. The colours were abundantly used where they were. The red on a car coat was notable and starkly clean.

That’s how Raf managed to contain and challenge. To let it be Dior yet make it his own, this was Christian Dior with defining streaks of Raf Simmons. 

Images via style.com

Louis Vuitton Fall 2015

Fluent! The clothes and the gesticulation in the final bow by Ghesquire attested to a comfortable solid footing at the house of Vuitton. What started with some fine specimens of peaking customary luxury-think oversized, fur, leather, and animal print on oversized fur, all thriving in a self-assured realisation of their necessity and firm origins- was followed by hands-on offerings that had a tight character of construction (the ribbed knits i.e. the orange jumper with an above the bust cut-out). This gradually flowed into pieces with striking traits such as the metallic renderings that eventually took over and formed the entire standout ensemble as seen on Malaika Firth. The logo t-shirts that were inlaid will make an absolutely perfect case of casual luxe.  A whole load of hit must get-your-hands-on stand-alone pieces in the collection would yield sellable commercial entities aplenty. A restrained but strong showcase with simple beauty in the details.

Images via style.com

Sabyasachi Mukherjee pulled a 70's number: Summer/Resort 2015

This collection was more a revelation because I have not come across him playing with an international fashion era which has taken over almost every creative enthusiast. The 70’s are taking a real high stride at the moment and I know it isn't very individualistic to follow the stream. However, digging deep into the details of Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s collection showed us how well the trend merged with his bengali dame’s fashion sense. Women pulling up in flared pants, belted waists and tiny cholis was just too relaxed-chic for the couturier’s aesthetic. The stripe blouses were reinvented and the drapes were soft and easy making us fall in love all over again. 

Think Zeenat Aman’s nonchalance in Dum Maro Dum and you will land somewhere near his 61st look on the runway; blatantly capturing a very vivid mood. Adding seriousness to his collection were the men in his less than subdued blooming prints and the usual well cut juttis. Cropped blouses with elaborate high waist skirts are here to stay for a very figure flattering reason. The middle parting gelled back straight hair has established itself as a beauty trend and the thin tied scarves around the neck are bringing simplicity right back to the 70’s table.

Here are my favourites from yesterday. 

Image courtesy: Vogue.in

En Route Fashion Week: Here’s a list of things to do!

We all hustle when its really time for the shows to begin. With Street style photographers, bloggers and editors hovering around we all want to play the part. I didn’t have a guide book telling me what to do, so here’s what I have come up with, from my fashion week frenzy experience.

The list is pretty simple

1) What to wear? Firstly before anything starts mark your calendars for the looks you need to wear for the next 6 days. This is the most productive thing you will probably do to save time. Because busy people don't ponder looking at their wardrobes, they know what to wear! Always! Do your shopping a month in advance. I usually look out for one statement piece a day (a coat, pants, blouse or shoes) and pair it with classics.

Here's a little fashion inspiration for the insiders

2) Coffee! You definitely need to be tanked up on caffeine and having an on-the-go coffee cup can be used as the matching accessory to keep you company. There are some amazing versions you need to get a hold off now! 

Click here to buy these coffee mugs

3) Carry your ipad! I know you're proud of your iPhone 6 and 6+ but lets get serious if you're for real you know the importance of a notebook or more like the usual big size tablet, an iPad or a macbook to make those notes and do the real time interviewing. Its not cool to not have your SLR on you if you really want to capture the right moment. Be bold and sling the camera it works as the perfect accessory too.

4) The fashion week Bag. It’s really okay for a poser to walk with an insignificantly small bag but NOT for someone who is serious about covering the fashion week. Buy the latest oversized tote, the bigger the better. It all comes with sizeable meaning. Big space means a big you who is resourceful with all the things you need at one place. (Including those high heals for the after hours)

5) The Coat/Jacket! An over sized jacket to just throw over your chic ensemble is an absolute must. They have to keep the temp. cool at the show, and also because the forecast for March is not so warm. Cover your shoulders up with something plain, simple and classic. And the more of these you have the more you need to change them everyday. 

6) The comfy trainers. And oh boy! Do I recommend keeping your trainers on stand by? Yes I do. Fashion week can be severely taxing in heals all day. And also because it is comfortably desirable to be spotted in a pair of Stan Smith’s or neon Nikes.

7) Energy Fluids. Keep Hydrating yourself with a squeezy full off your favourite juice. This will only help you through the day right upto the time of that after party. Because you need the energy for that lousy mid day show after lunch. It does get really tiring. 

Click Here to buy these

8) Make-up pouch. Carry a small make up pouch with your quickly ‘fix me’ essentials. You do need this to look super fly for that after party. A quick touch-up goes a long way! 

Image courtesy: Tommy Ton, Scott Schuman, Le21eme.com, Joujouvilleroy.com