Istanbul in a day and half!

Work is tough. It's starting to swallow my life. In my own battle to try and find time for self, relationship and a place to live in, in London, I squeezed in a little weekend away to Istanbul. And what a welcome respite this trip was! I got back home today and before I get back into the concrete jungle that I call office, I decided to write this post while the memory is raw and while I can still taste the last Turkish cay (tea) I had.

Turkey is a juxtaposition of modern and the old, divided by the Bosphorus. Both the worlds nestle in perfect harmony and transitions from Europe to Asia like perfect shades of ombre. Of the cobbled streets of Sultanahmet to the unreal smoothness of the narghile (sheesha/waterpipe), its a city one instantly falls in love with. The Blue mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Bascilica Cistern are the stamp of the rich Turkish culture and history. The most interesting to me of course was the Hagia Sophia. The Mosque which was a church! The Hagia Sophia at a glance looks like a mosque with its domes and minarets, but if looked closely, it looks like a church. The conversion of Hagia Sophia from a church during the Byzantine empire to a mosque later during the Ottoman rule is so fascinatingly visible inside the mosque.

Apart from the history and delightfully Mediterranean cuisine, Istanbul is also a city for the romantique. A quiet walk along the picturesque Sea of Marmara, enjoy the well lit Turkish lanterns in the night markets, enjoy a cup of Turkish tea or coffee in one of the many cafes lined on the streets of Sultanahmet, sit down for a long chat with sheesha as your only other third company in Tophane.....the list is blissfully long. And I did it all in one single day!

 Pic- Evil Eye safety pins

Pic- The Blue Mosque in the evening

Pic- The serene atmosphere in the Blue Mosque

Pic- Christianity and Islam under one roof

Pic- Painted ceramics

Pic- Decorative lanterns

Pic- My first meal in Turkey

London love?

It had been a week since I've moved to London. The city of grandeur, riches and the royalties. The city where one has to chase life just to catch up with it. Every day travels to the office, watch people walk like they have a mission to accomplish. And then the unaccountable number of coffees, the sigh of relief when you had sent that last email, wrap up your work and head back home. Head back home in the reverse tube ride with a cup of tea and bed in mind. I live in a city so beautiful yet so cold with buildings so big and condescending. The city where you are never alone yet you feel lonely. This city that I love and hate, must have seen everything from beautiful sunsets, to dark stormy days to two people falling in love right under its roof. I know for sure that it will be one hell of a relationship between us. :)

Fatima Bhutto

I've got a girl crush on Fatima Bhutto and am completely obsessed with her style! She is the granddaughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Pakistan's fourth President) and niece of the infamous late Benazir Bhutto. They say pressure makes diamonds. Fatima is a diamond surely! Although she was born into such privileges and wealth, she didn't grow up in the most conventional way. Her parents separated when she was 3 after her uncle Shahnawaz Bhutto was poisoned. Her father was shot outside the family home in Karachi when she was just 14. She suspected her aunt Benazir Bhutto (who was assassinated in 2007)  of being responsible for the murder. She has been against her aunt and her widower, Asif Ali Zardari who is now the President of Pakistan.  She believes power should not be 'hand-me-down' through generations like how it happens in the Bhutto family.

She may not be into politics even though the Bhuttos have dominated the Pakistan political scene, but she has equal or more power of thousands of words. She is fearless and speaks her mind only through her books. Her book A Daughter's Memoir was written to capture the memories of his father for ever.

Her relaxed style commands independence and that of a woman who has seen it all. What I love about her may stem from her intelligence more than her sartorial choices yet our girl is stunning! Sometimes dressed soft and sometimes with oodles of attitude, she has everybody's eyes without moving a finger. Love.

PS- I do not take any credits for the photographs. The photographs have been randomly collected from the internet for illustration purposes only.

Its a Posh car!

At Jaguar Land Rover, the marketing mind came together with Queen Victoria herself to come up with the stylish 'Range Rover Evoque'. Jaguar Land Rover, now owned by the Indian conglomerate TATA (feel the pride? :D) decided to reinvent the Range Rover to suit the younger generation and tap the ever growing pool of potential customers. That is when the Queen of Fashion comes in to give her expertise in style and fashion making the 'Range Rover Evoque' one hell of a fashion statement.

Queen V used rose-gold accents for the interiors, vintage leather seats and finished off with hand painted matt finish. The Evoque comes with four-piece leather luggage set and hand sewn wallet signed by VB. The car is priced at £80 000.

Pic- VB with the Range Rover Evoque

Pic- Interiors with rose-gold accents

Pic- Four-piece leather luggage that comes with the car

Its a slumber party!

Interesting! A new trend arises and its non other than the good old comfortable Pyjama ! 'Pyjama dressing' as it is termed is the new rage this season. Scenario- I wake up and realise there is no milk in the house for my morning cereal! *aghast*. I trudge down the road and head to the nearest Tesco in my Pyjamas and bird-nest hair. In fashiondom this would probably be the 'walk of shame'. But the comfortable pyjama cozied its way to the in the fashion radar. Best thing about this trend though is that anybody could own it in their own bedroom style sensibilities. Check this new trend out and let's make this world a big slumber party :D

PS- No bird-nest hair allowed. Dapper in pyjamas is more like the acceptable trend.

Pic- ASOS

Pic- ASOS

Pic- Get this look from ASOS

Pic- ASOS

Wear this look with these oh-so-comfortable slippers.

Pale Tale

This spring its all sugar and ice! If you want to give the loud colours a rest, then go the pale way. Its all blush blues and baby pinks, so live your fairy tale this spring with collections from Louis Vuitton taking inspiration from spun candies and everything sugar coated! With colour so pasty, make sure you wear interesting textures and details. It'll be fun indulging in this sugar craving :)

Pic- Louis Vuitton 2012

Pic (L to R)- 3.1 Phillip Lim 2012, Giambattista Vali 2012

Pic ( L to R)- Henar of Oh My Vogue wearing a Fernando Claro dress; Top-Pipa Loves, Jeans and shoes- Zara, Bag- Carolina Harrera Andy bag

Tango with Tangerine!

This season's love affair with different hues of 'Orange' is just too yummy to ignore. The colour palette is eye catchy and pops any boring outfit. The trick is maintaining the right amount of pop! Be it shoes, or hair band or bangles, or nail polish or even better lipstick, the colour draws the eyes and its one job done to stand out amongst the sea of fashionables. If you're wearing an all tangerine dress, make sure the accessories are nude and simple.

  Pic- Preen 2012

 Pic- via The Sartorialist

Pic- via The Sartorialist

Pic- Victoria Beckham 2012

Pic- via The Sartorialist

NYFW Ready-to-Wear Fall 2012: Naeem Khan

"It started with a dot." Naeem Khan was heard saying about his RTW Fall 2012 collection. The dot he was referring to is the 'Bindi', a decoration used by the Indian women to adorn their forehead. The Indian accent in the collection was very strong with beaded and threaded embroidery of the Indian paisley used extensively in the collection. The colour palette of this collection is taupe, sand and black.

Going back to the 'dot', Khan used round mirrored discs to create interesting patterns. The collection was lithe and graceful as expected from Naeem Khan who seem to understand women more than us! I for one love this collection not just because I'm Indian ;)

 Pic: Naeem Khan

 Pic: Naeem Khan RTW Fall 2012

NYFW Ready-to-Wear Fall 2012: Hervé Léger

It's a long pending post and fashion has moved on but in my defence I was away on a holiday :). So here are the posts, a little later than intended.

Hervé Léger by Max Azria's bandage dress has been modified over the years trying to change it up. If not for all the changes made, the bandage dress which was a rage at one time has become quite a 'yawn'. This year the brand experimented with equestrienne motifs, leather harnesses and fur details. You'll see that the body hugging bandage dress is much more relaxed with pleats and flippy skirts. This year they have played with prints and patterns and softened the body hugging dress and used leather harnesses to balance out the softness with some edginess. No matter what is done to the bandage Léger, the dress will always be a dress one runs too when undecided about what to wear. It's flattering and versatile in its own way.

Pic: Lubov and Max Azria

Pic: Hérve Léger RTW Fall 2012.

NYFW Ready-to-Wear Fall 2012: Oscar de la Renta

The New York Fashion Week is over and now the London Fashion Week have started. However, let's take a look back at some of the scintillating collections from the NYFW RTW Fall 2012 collections.

The red carpet expert Oscar de la Renta weaves magic yet again throwing the unexpected at us. His collection had red carpet worthy gowns of course, with the award season kicking in soon, but the collection had short, youthful playful dresses which was a refreshing change for Oscar. The models had satin headbands with diamanté centre wearing  full skirted dresses in jewel prints. The bijoux prints was an interesting addition to the girly frocks in baby pinks and powder blues.

Pic- Oscar de la Renta NYFW 2012
(www.style.com)

Pic- Jewel print dresses by Oscar de la Renta
(www.style.com)

Pic- Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012 NYFW
(www.style.com)

Printed!

This spring, there is going to be a blow out of flowers and its going to be colourful! High street brand Topshop has collaborated with the London Fashion week sweetheart Mary Katrantzou. The Greek born designer is going to bring her signature prints inspired by crystal flower broaches, Qing Long dynasty flower motif from China and porcelain bowls to the high street making it affordable to the mass. The capsule collection is to be launched today to the public and is priced between approx £50 to £350. Fashionistas Alexa Chung, Poppy Delevigne and Keira Knighley are all going gaga over Mary Katrantzou.

Pic (L to R)- Alexa Chung, Poppy Develigne (Mary Katrantzou for Topshop) and Keira Knightley in Mary Katrantzou

If you still feel the print is too much and not really your style, take cue from fashion stalwarts like Anna Wintour herself. She is known for her signature printed outfits apart from her pageboy bob haircut and personality ;). 

Pic (L to R)- Anna Wintour and Anna Wintour in Carolina Harrera

Apart from the drool worthy dresses, which is on my wishlist now, the collection also has printed leggings and trousers which I'm lusting over. If you are daring enough, pair prints with prints. Or if you like the muted, toned down look, take inspiration from the Swedish blogger Elin Kling. Printed pants, muted t-shirt and a classic black blazer is just the right amount of print for me. She finished off the look with classic black Prada courts and aviators. Perfect!

Pic (L to R)- Topshop leggings (£40), Topshop tee (£50); Topshop trouser (£130), blouse (£80); Kling in Isabel Marant, Prada shoes and Acne blazer.

Pic (L to R)- Topshop bodycon dress (£180), Topshop porcelain bowl dress (£350) and Topshop silk tunic (£150)

What's 'in' this fall for men? Rag & Bone

The Rag and Bone show at the NYFW had an array of Devilish looking models strutting down in English folksy outfits which was a fine balance between elegant and rugged. Rag & Bone prides itself with it's Complex Layering skills and it was demonstrated all over the collection.

Pic- David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Pic- Rag &Bone Fall 2012 at NYFW
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Shearling-collared long coats worn over skilfully layered vests and sweaters gave a mysterious wanderer vibe. I absolutely dig the mean-devil look with the floor sweeping topcoats in rich fabrics.

Pic- Rag &Bone Fall 2012 at NYFW
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Ikat prints was a sheer light-hearted contrast to the rugged topcoats.

What's 'in' this fall for men? Ermenegildo Zegna

Back in January in the Milan Fall fashion show, Ermenegildo Zegna, the coveted designer of the elite white collared league, showed its collection aptly named "winter's tale". The sharp suited Zegna men took a relaxed yet luxe turn this fall. The collection didn't disappoint the boardroom fans with checked and chevronned suits. However, the Zegna men wore, knitted turtle necks, fustian capes, luxe quilted leather trench and Spazzolini alpaca agnona topcoats. This was indeed interesting, unexpected and refreshing although the collection leaned towards Z Zegna rather than Ermenegildo. I personally love the lush fabrics and mismatched blazer-pants suit.

Pic- Ermenegildo Zegna Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

What's 'in' this fall for men? Richard Chai

Richard Chai's Fall collection this year was inspired by photographer Bruce Davidson's subway photo a fragile man. His collection showed crafted outerwear in dull understated colours. The combination of the blunt Lyrex stripes with gawky cropped pants to me is fashion genius. Just when the collection ventured into the much more traditional chesterfield coat, Chai's imaginative mind wanders around. Notice the nylon windbreaker on the right worn under a checked suit. The awkward combinations on unlikely styles like the suit is so kitsch yet so unique and interesting.

Pic- Richard Chai
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Pic- Richard Chai Love Fall 2012 at NYFW
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

In this collection, the heavy duty outerwear was cinched at the waist with belts. This was interesting because last time I checked cinching the waist was more of a Women's fashion move. However it wasn't surprising considering Chai describes this collection as 'Handsome Feminity'.

What's 'in' this fall for men? Burberry

The New York Fashion week has commenced and the fashion fanatics are on their toes to get a glimpse of what the trend will be this year. I am cramped with tons of pictures and trend reports to post on my blog. I have however managed to select a few favourites of this fall's men's fashion.

Pic- Christopher Bailey for Burberry
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

The sartorial expert Burberry's Fall show back in Jan was a world of two worlds. The sophisticated gentleman, which is more of Burberry's style forte and a more relaxed man. Christopher also played around with the trend of this season 'Dressed up Military'. 

Pic- Burberry Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

The collection had structured sophisticated suits with classic topcoats. The sophisticated look was toned down with funky polka dots.

Pic- Burberry Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

Suit pants were paired with crisp shirts and neckties which was skilfully layered with scooped-neck sweater. Christopher Bailey's quirky side was illustrated through the animal embroidery on the sweater, giving it a pagan vibe.

Pic- Burberry Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

The relaxed scooped-neck comes in harmony with the elegant suit. Christopher played with colours through the accessories.

Pic- Burberry Fall 2012
(www.style.com/www.gq.com)

The Dressed up Military is in play here. Military inspired jackets and bomber jackets collide with structured suits in the weird world of Christopher Bailey.

Pic- In the streets
(www.thesartorialist.com)

The dressed up military is quick to pick up in the streets, camouflaged shirt layered under a coat and camouflaged necktie with a grey suit and a military green parka on top is sheer genius. Love.