The Surrealistic Designer

Chhaya Mehrotra

There is something very strikingly beautiful about Chhaya Mehrotra’s simplicity in designs. Modern silhouettes, subtle color palette and almost-bewildered cuts make her clothes perfect for Indian women. She shares a slice of her beautiful journey with The Lifestyle Potpourri…

How do you start your day?

The first thing I do is switch off the alarm and get that extra 15 minutes of sleep! After waking up, I glance through the newspaper with a morning cuppa of green tea and spend some time with the kids before we finish breakfast and pack for the day at factory. Breakfast is the time where, me and my husband plan out the entire day.

What shaped your outlook as a designer during your formative days?

My origins are rooted in Banaras and the variety of exposure I had across all platforms in the domestic textile industry right after NIFT molded my creative realm as a designer—from hand block printing to digital printing, hand embroidery to computerized embroidery, and designing for ethnic wedding wear to designing furnishing fabrics for Heimtextil, or high-end fashion fabrics for Texworld Paris; I knew my biggest strength lies in versatility. I take my education and experiences as the alphabet…what I write with it depends on my mood and requirement!

Chhaya Mehrotra

What inspires you to create newer designs?

Inspiration could be from almost anything. It could be a faint memory of childhood or a poem that I wrote. Sometimes it’s a place or a craft, and sometimes it could be a conversation with a kid or a friend. But inspiration isn’t enough to keep you going; it’s the instant mood lift you get when you see a sketch perfectly turned out into a garment—that excites me to create newer designs more than anything else.

Tell us an anecdote that has been consequential in your journey as a designer…

We had shifted to Noida from Banaras mainly because of family business. I just started with three tailors for my label and did exhibitions often; I was doing decent business. However, one day a long-lost family friend walks into our factory for some work and instead looks at my collection and threw a barrage of questions at me—“Why don’t you participate in fashion weeks?” and etc… On that guest’s insistence we applied and got the required membership; this was 2011. Looking at how our label is positioned now, you bet this anecdote was consequential!

Chhaya Mehrotra

Who is your favourite designer and why?

How can you pick one when it’s a sea of stunning work out there!
Amongst international designers I like Stella McCartney and Ted Baker’s creations—their sense of colour palette is very intense. Amongst Indian designers, A&T and Rajesh Pratap Singh are my favorites for their perfect approach to minimalism; Ritu Kumar inspires me for her timeless appeal to every piece of clothing; whereas Sabyasachi has touched my heart with the grandeur of detailing in his work; I also admire Rahul Mishra for the magic he created with wool, and Rajdeep Ranawat for the perfection he can bring to any cloth with a riot of colours. Lastly, I am very fond of Raw Mango and Anavila because their simple work can exude a whole lot of beauty!

Five must-haves in a woman’s wardrobe…

A handloom saree, crisp white shirt, pair of blue denims, nice perfume and an all-purpose shift dress

Kinbuck2-Delhi’s First Roman Bistro

Kinbuck 2

Kinbuck2 is a gorgeous eatery joint standing like a Victorian-era diva in the heart of Connaught Place, New Delhi; the state capital’s first-ever Roman bistro. As the name suggests, this place flaunts rich taste of interiors coupled with delightful food for your palette and extremely humble hospitality. Drawing inspirations from the historical elements of Kinbuck in Norway, this restaurant flaunts aesthetic essences from this region. In one line, I would define this place as an epitome of great food, pleasant music, signature drinks and a one-of-a-kind concept in the city.

Kinbuck 2

Inspired by the beauty of Roman world, best known for its artistic architecture, this restaurant transmits you delicately in a dreamy world as you step inside; especially, when you move upstairs on the open dining area. The striking dome-like structures, arches, graffiti art on the walls, wine cellars and more makes this place a perfect blend of old-world charm and contemporary décor notes. Dominating colors like red and grey rein the décor palette. The rooftop, outdoor area is contoured by beautiful green patches of creepers; this alfresco and minibar is certainly the highlight of the terrace area. It also has a private PDR to host party enough for 30-40 people. Apart from this, Kinbuck2 also houses a private mezzanine floor.

Kinbuck 2

Coming to the most important aspect of this place, the food—my experience was very overwhelming. The head Chef, Anay Mukherjee’s passion for cooking reflected in each meal that he quipped for us. Their menu portrays a sincere attempt to house global delicacies and they are always thriving to inculcate more innovations in their kitchen. From American classics to Lebanese delights, Mediterranean cuisines to European flavors and lastly, mouthwatering Indian food ensures every guest has an amazing culinary experience here.

Kinbuck 2

I had a host of dishes—cream of mushroom soup, Romanian bread basket, shrimp cocktail for salad, fattoush salad, Al bondigas, chicken sausages and pineapple skewers, chandni paneer tikka, dhengre mushroom gallouti, veg salt and pepper, veg porpiech, eggplant schezwan, mutton seekh kebab, chilly chicken and Beijing chicken. This list comprised of the appetizers. For main course, we indulged in some delicious porkchoy mushroom in oyster sauce, garlic noodles, chicken roulade, cottage cheese steak, and chicken steak and lastly, the most flavourful chicken biriyani. Lastly, for dessert, I savoured upon some delectable chocolate tart.

Kinbuck 2

The food was downright heavenly; the right amount of spices cooked to perfection left a happy tingling on my taste buds for the rest of the evening. The thing that touched my heart the most was the humility every person garnered; from the chef to the staff, everyone wore a big smile on their faces at all times and everyone knew what went into making of each and every dish! So very impressive, I must say. So, I would urge each one of you to visit this place for a memorable experience.

Amrit Kaur’s Fascination with Retro

Amrit Kaur’s Collection

Speaking of retro trends of the season…

This season is all about return of the retro in modern style. Swooping bellbottoms, tightly-fit tops, and psychedelic prints—everywhere we look, the 1970s style is back in heavy rotation with touches of contemporary style. For instance, flared pants are given a modern look by teaming it up with crisp white shirts or a crop tops; also, take note of oversized sunglasses, polka-dotted hair accessories, bright floral prints and more.

Tale of fabrics, color palette, prints and silhouettes…

For this summer, I have played with cotton silk, chiffon, chanderi and blend of cotton and raw silk. The fabrics portray a palette of bright colours and prints. With vibrant pop colours such as yellow, orange, green, purple, blue and red taking the center stage, I have played very strategically with bold prints and floral prints to make my garments look more fun and lively. I used floral-roses to cast hints of feminineness, and tropical prints, wild flowers along with long leafs with subtle colors and geometric prints to recall disco elements in crop tops, blouses, sheer capes, mid-cuff skirts, pencil-cut skirts, short dress and pantsuits for woman.

Amrit Kaur’s Collection

What went behind making of your latest collection?

Love of retro and love of summer went behind conceptualizing this collection. Movies like American hustle and TV shows like the 70’s show got me really inspired.

Tell us about your fascination with the good-old 70s fashion…

70’s fashion is a statement to be bold, fun and joy. Pop colors, bold prints, high-waisted flared trousers, symmetry and hints of disco gold on jumpsuits, capes, and dresses often bring out the hippie in you. I am in love with this unpretentious and fearless style statement. Rugged hairdos, statement headgears, Bohemian scarfs, oversized hats and big sunnies always arrest my attention.

Amrit Kaur’s Collection

The muse…

The whole look and energy of 70’s era inspired me; the era reminds me of times that were hassle-free, fun, optimistic and unpretentious in terms of fashion. The pop culture, disco trends and hippies really stood out amidst two oil crisis movements, the end of the Vietnam War and suffering economy. The 70’s were a time of beauty and freedom, when femininity was pushed forward. Bold prints and vibrant colors has always been my favorite but 70’s also give us bold flashy gold look—think of big loops, jewelry and belts.

Future plans?

Right now I am working on my new collection for autumn/winter 2015-16 in which I am taking further my retro theme in winter style making more of coats, jackets and sheer dresses. Rest all is a surprise (she smiles).

The Inner Shift by Amy Billimoria

Amy Billimoria

A contemporary line of Spring Summer 2015, this collection draws inspiration from the evolution of higher levels of consciousness and is a strong portrayal of the self within.

Amy Billimoria

An eclectic array of exaggerated shoulder details, draped rose textures on linen palazzos and intricate texture details on sheer shirts, this line by fashion designer, Amy Billimoria portrays strong clean cuts, emphasizing the various moods of the contemporary woman of today.

Amy Billimoria

Cool fabrics in linen and viscose blends are used for various styles in palazzos, jumpsuits, knee-length dresses in a subtle colour palette of whites, pale blues, peaches and mints. Princess prints and floral depictions in textures and prints are predominant.

Pizzas just got better!

World Pizza Journey

The Restaurant: If you are an ardent pizza lover, then leave everything aside and head to WPJ- World Pizza journey—a brand new place that serves pizza in all its avatars. Now, if you still have time to read this entire piece, let me take the leverage to discuss in details my experience with you. Located in Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, this place is meant for foodies who connect with the whole notion of global gastronomy. Name a country, and this place will serve you a pizza that has authentic flavours of your chosen destination. Be it pizzas from Italy or Hawai, India or America—options are galore. The best part is that they have even listed down complimenting alcohol that will satiate your taste buds even more. Pizza from your favourite country along with the best suiting drink is equal to party in the palette.

World Pizza Journey

The Décor: WPJ is a global pizza café in an urban casual dining setup. Sit back in its cocooning space and view the candy painted, bright walls, holding with much love, vintage posters, funny quotes and some interesting photographs of happy faces. Amidst lemon yellow, parrot green and bubblegum pink walls, pristine white table and chairs have been kept orderly. Old-school gramophones are placed occasionally on some tables, which add to the quirkiness of this restaurant. This bistro style outlet is a brainchild of Ankit Tayal and Abhishek Mathur who combined their efforts, experience and passion to bring forth a destination that offers pizzas from across the world in their most authentic form. The carefree, easy-going ambience is perfect for brunches with the girls, or night-out with the boys.

World Pizza Journey

The Food: The dough is made daily; it’s fresh. Also, this is the only place in Delhi to have wood fired oven pizzas and conveyer belt pizzas. The place brings to you specialties from Italy, Malaysia, Moscow, France, South Africa, Turkey, South America, Thailand, Greece, Egypt, Brazil, Chicago, Hawaiian, Britain, China and more. So while the country’s best get the space here in the menu there are many chef creations like ‘An Original Pepperoni’, ‘Falafel Pizza’, ‘The Mediterranean Pizza’, ‘Nacho Pizza’ and more. They also serve a variety of fresh salads for the health conscious lot—Mexican corn salad, House Caesar salad, Thai green papaya salad, Rocky Balboa, Green Gourmet Salad, and Californian greens are few options on the menu.

World Pizza Journey

I tried a portion of Hawaiian pizza- Aloha; served in less than 15 minutes, this pizza came with a small flag of its nationality. Being intrigued, I asked the manager its significance and he stated they ensure they serve all pizzas with a small flag of its originating country to remind the customer, what they have asked for. Very interesting indeed. I opted for a thin-crust pizza; it was delicious. Pineapple slices, onion rings, ham, cheese and jalapeño melted in my mouth and I savored upon all six slices. I also tried a pizza from Florence, called, Florence-The Renaissance (thin crust) Pizza; it comprised of Parma ham basil leaves with chunks of mozzarella cheese. It was like, gastronomy heaven.

World Pizza Journey

Now, coming over to the drinks section, they have a well-laid bar menu. Also, mixologist Viju Raj has conceptualized the menu that has very interesting and innovative concoctions, which includes drinks like Chicago Orange brandy, Californian Whiskey sour, Russian bride, Monte carlo Hibuscus sour, Sicilian kiss, dutch botanical mule, Apretivo venom, New york Collins, Safran lemonade, Beit Moussallem, Chelada, Mogi Das cruzes, Khus Madira and more. So head over to WPJ to enjoy great cocktails with best of pizzas.

Casa Pop Fashion by Raseel Gujral Ansal

Casa Pop Store

Raseel Gujral Ansal of Casa Paradox, the celebrated label of design and innovation, unveiled an exclusive fashion line, Casa Pop Fashion at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The all new showcase from the House of Casa is a composition of design innovations by Ansal herself. This one-of-a-kind fashion concept presents a range of limited edition apparels, jewellery and accessory pieces that ferment the brand’s legacy in vivacious glamour whilst ensuring it caters to consumers from all segments.

Casa Pop Store

Harboring a multitude if creative advancements, Ansal presents design collaborations with Mynah, Swati Uberoi and Dabiri to present an array of fashion apparels comprising of embroidered and Swarovski encrusted stoles, palazzos, silk pashminas and t-shirts along with exquisitely designed blankets, bedspreads, ceramic stools and more. Partnering with the philanthropic initiative of Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur and jeweled marvels of Ravi Jewels, Casa Pop Fashion also introduces intricately crafted pankhis, shingaar accessories and more.

Casa Pop Store

This initiative also has an amazing collection of pocket squares, cufflinks, sherwanis, and kurta buttons for men; whereas, ladies can lay their hands on an array of tunics, ganjis, potlis, and more.

Creation of unique jewels by Bvlgari

High Jewellery necklace in white gold with emeralds (141,97 ct), sapphires (149,31 ct), rubies (95,42 ct), round brilliant cut diamonds (34,13 ct), baguette diamonds (4,78 ct) and pavé diamonds (14,99 ct).

The Bulgari High Jewellery Collection is a collection of exquisitely crafted jewels, created on the basis of drawings especially developed for gemstones of extraordinary quality. The essential element for a piece of high jewellery is the stone, or set of stones, around which it is composed. A profound knowledge of gems and cuts is therefore an indispensable skill for developing a collection of high jewellery, and in this area Bulgari boasts a tradition of excellence that goes back more than a century. Searching the world market for gems of the right cut and colour requires time and great expertise from Bulgari’s gemologists. And then there is the talent and taste required from Bulgari’s designers to compose these magnificent stones and finalise the design. At last, the master goldsmiths create perfectly crafted gold settings, links and clasps giving every Bulgari jewel their exceptional suppleness.

Serpenti bracelet in 18K Pink Gold 57,5 grs with 1 Rubellite and 221 Mounted Pave Setting 7,85 cts

Each type of gemstone has its geographical origins: the most prized emeralds, for example, come mostly from Colombia, though by now they are rare even there. The finest sapphires are found in Kashmir, while the main producer is Sri Lanka, source of the majority of the sapphires bought by Bulgari, which has become one of the world’s largest buyers in terms of overall carats. The best rubies come from Myanmar, and though Bulgari has never acquired them directly from that country but rather on the international market, it nonetheless requires that suppliers can guarantee the provenance of its rubies. As for diamonds, Bulgari purchases cut stones only and collaborate continually with selected suppliers in countries that comply with the Kimberly Process.

Necklace in yellow gold with 7 emeralds 129,48 cts, garnets 95,15 cts ,1 drop of emerald 3,90 cts, round brilliant cut diamonds 36,85 cts ,pear shaped diamonds 9,12 cts ,diamond baguettes 1,20 cts and round brilliant cut diamonds 1,45 cts

The signature feature of Bulgari style, immediately recognizable all over the world, lies in its use of coloured stones. Since the 1960s – the decade in which Bulgari definitively broke with the French school to establish its own style – Bulgari jewels have distinguished themselves for their surprising, unprecedented combinations of precious and semi-precious coloured stones.

High Jewellery Serpenti bracelet in pink gold with 2 pear brilliant cut diamonds (0.83 ct) and pavé diamonds (50.49 ct ).

The use of semi-precious stones like tourmaline, amethyst, citrine, coral, pearls and garnets, often juxtaposed with rubies, emeralds and sapphires, enabled Bulgari to draw from a much broader palette of colours than usual, including new and unexpected hues like purple, pink and orange and a whole range of deep reds, greens and yellows. The result is a practically infinite number of possible chromatic combinations, from the most vividly contrasting to the most delicately nuanced.

Bedroom guide for a newlywed couple by H5 Design

Brain Thompson (H5 Design)

Space solutions:

The most common problem faced is: ‘There is not enough space!’ Multiple requirements such as bed, lounge, study, storage, dressing and bathroom have to be accommodated in the same space. With proper planning, maximizing space utilization, dedicated function allotment and using modular fittings to your advantage, one can create enough space. For instance, use a queen size bed instead of a king size. Opt for wider side tables for better storage and circulation space. Accommodate a chest of drawers in the room. It can go a long way on saving storage space for shoes and bed linens. Take advantage of wall height and accommodate shelving systems. They can take load of books, decorative artworks and trinkets. Combine the wardrobe and bathroom. Excessive walls take on space and create more hassle than utility in small spaces. Use sliding shutters for wardrobes as they reduce circulation space required and provide more spacious wardrobes that can be wider than usual. Glass shower enclosures are more practical, space and water saving than bath tubs. They can be as small as 30 square inches in size. Large mirrors in the bathroom can give the illusion of space and be highly utilitarian.

Jan Showers (H5 Design)

Colour therapy:

Often, new couples find it hard to agree on a colour as women naturally tend to opt for warmer, earthen colours and men prefer cool colours on a palette of grey-black. Choose a neutral base palette to later add colour with accessories of your choice. Use light pastel shades of any colour. They are not too dominating yet add warmth and cool feeling at the same time. Avoid blaring loud colours like red or shocking pink. These can be added in moderation with accessories or furnishings on a neutral colour palette as well. Beiges, browns and wood shade teamed with white or cream is the most popular and subtle colour combination for master bedrooms of all ages. Pale blue, aqua, peach, lavender, ocean green, corn yellow can be a few good colours for a newlywed’s room.

Kelly Wearstler (H5 Design)

Lighting affair:

Lighting is the most crucial yet often a neglected aspect of design. With the right layers, function and mood lighting can be achieved easily. Nothing beats natural light. Sunlight helps refresh the room and is also good for mental well being of the individuals. Invest in a dimmer for setting light at the right intensity for every mood. It also helps with energy saving. Decorative lighting in the form of lamps, wall lights and chandeliers can add an unexpected texture in the ambience.

Floral prints with a twist—Sneha Arora

Sneha Arora for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Designer, Sneha Arora showcased a beautiful line of clothes, perfect for a formal/semi-formal Spring/Summer work wardrobe. A modish and brazen alternative to a rather plain, black blazer/skirt or pant ensemble, this collection speaks volumes about her design sensibilities.

Sneha Arora for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Her collection brings forth a stunning portrayal of androgyny. But, in the true spirit of Spring/Summer, she infused elements of femininity perfectly. Silhouettes ranged from solid linen blazers to cotton printed dresses, and airy silk dresses in linen to organza shirts.

Sneha Arora for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

The colour palette flaunted dreary creams, dirty pinks, dull mints, mellow yellows and forest greens. And the tale of prints took the collection to a whole new level; think of coke bottle with a floral stick, bulb with plants and trees with falling petals.

Good Luck Irani Cafe by Nida Mahmood

Good Luck Irani Cafe by Nida Mahmood

Style over tea and bun maska brings back memories, doesn’t it? Well, almost everyone who’s been raised in South Bombay in the glorious 90s gets filled with layers of nostalgia when they hear of Irani Cafes – some that have shut shop over time, and some that still dole out chai in bone China cups with a blob of maska (cream).

Good Luck Irani Cafe by Nida Mahmood

We all know of Nida Mahmood’s fascination with popular culture in all its whims and fancies and this season, she blended her love for the quirky with the ever-elusive magic of the Irani cafes of Bombay.

Good Luck Irani Cafe by Nida Mahmood

Her Spring/Summer 2015 collection, Good Luck Irani Cafe uses the old-warm, vintage charisma of the cafes through digital prints and dazzling colours. The collection unveils a stunning, bright palette, while experimenting with real blues reminding us of the dramatic heirloom china our mothers have been treasuring for years. Silhouettes are linear and super chic.