Blurring Fashion Borders

Meher and Riddhima

Meher and Riddhima, an evening-wear brand launched in 2002 caters to fashion that reflects delicately influenced rich heritage and tradition of a region. They produce gorgeous evening gowns, cocktail dresses, formal jumpsuits, accessories and children’s wear. Based out of Dubai, the label also has offices in New York and India. This venture is a creative alliance between Meher Mirchandani and Riddhima Whabi.

Meher and Riddhima

The designer duo’s design philosophy revolves around combining contemporary shapes with traditional influences. It is an evening wear brand with couture attention to detail. The brand has a balance of western sensibilities with eastern influences in the design. The inspiration for the collections is derived from art, architecture, music, travel, interiors and prominent women in history.

Meher and Riddhima

Define your label and forecast some upcoming trends…

Our label is made to make the wearer feel special, happy and beautiful. For the upcoming season, we would recommend fashionistas to look out for bright floral prints, crop tops, flowy skirts and pop-colored dresses.

Meher and Riddhima

Who has been your role model during your formative years and why?

I would say my mother as she is perfect in everything she does; she is a successful entrepreneur, loving mom and dedicated wife and great human being. She inspired me to express my fashion sensibilities through my designs and reach out to many…

Meher and Riddhima

How different is Indian fashion industry in comparison to its western counterparts?

Indian fashion industry focuses more on ethnic Indian wear, which again reflects a lot of Indian influences on fabrics, colors and embellishments; whereas, the western industry is all about minimalistic styling and contemporary, luxe fabrics.

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).

An Early Frost by Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna

Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna

Seasons come and fade; and with each season come the greatness of beauty and joy. Yet, winter always presents a harsh beauty—cold and icy, yet spectacular in its own chosen ways. Sometimes, the frost tends to creep in our lives on early notes and existence seems to be fragile and cruel.

Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna

Even last winter, came in early and took away smiles and glee of the milder seasons but reminded us of the fragility of life. This collection titled ‘An Early Frost’ is the tangible reality of mixed emotions of the designers at this moment of their lives. Thus, the collection embodies the colours of a cold forest—ash grey, dark oak, and whitish mist.

Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna

Prints and textures have been inspired from fur textures and infused with signature linear patterns in monotones; the scaling and handcrafted appliqué has been inspired from the intriguing animal skins. Cold metallic aesthetics can be seen in the collection by the use of riveting techniques.

Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna

The silhouettes for the season have a lot of layering and exaggerated sleeves. The capes, high-waisted skirts, embossed neoprene dresses, laser-cut jackets are the key styles of this collection. This special collection together is a lament and celebration of a life.

Kavita Bhartia in retrospection @ 25

Kavita Bhartia’s Autumn/Winter 2015

Since the launch of her label in 1989, Kavita Bhartia retrospect’s 25 years of her journey in the Indian Fashion industry and her multi-designer store Ogaan, through her Autumn/Winter 2015 collection essentially inspired by the 18^th century Tapestries from the Victoria and Albert Museum. Encompassing her chic and minimalistic silhouettes, she retains her signature style for the globetrotting woman.

Kavita Bhartia’s Autumn/Winter 2015

The mood board comprises of tapestries and damasks from the Victoria and Albert Museum, and 18^th century inspired European floral patterns. Her silhouettes are sculpted—full circle voluminous pleated skirts with worked-on jackets, textured yarn crop tops, and draped skirts and dresses.

Kavita Bhartia’s Autumn/Winter 2015

The fabrics flaunt exclusively fashionable weaves propagating a novelty of untwisted threads of silk into sheer styles, exclusive prints bestowing an explicit look. And the textiles are all about sheer looks in silk, organza and tulle, with hints of printed scuba fabric, and silk crepe.

Kavita Bhartia’s Autumn/Winter 2015

The detailing bit celebrates indigenous Indian hand techniques blended in a contemporised styling in resham dori, florals, tapestry prints and paisleys using shaded tones. Lastly, the colour palette comprises of rouge pink, deep navy, ivory, pale blues and blacks, accented with mustard, pale green and electric blue.

Ogaan Gets Digital

Applique Flower & Bird Jacket by Studio Petticoat. Pink Moon Jhumkis by Neelum Narang.

After completing 25 years of retail operations, this year Ogaan is excited to announce the launch of its online store, Ogaan.com. Ogaan’s highly curated collections promoting crafts, textiles and made in Indian luxury are now just a click away.

Gold & Black Sharara Dress by Kavita Bhartia. Kundan Cuff by Vasundhara Mantri.
Carbon Lace Triple Ring by Atelier Mon.Earrings by Eesha Zaveri.

The ‘New Indian Wear’ section, a selection of Ogaan’s favourite trends in Indian dressing includes crop tops & flouncy skirts from Sonal Kalra Ahuja, beautiful shararas from Kavita Bhartia, and simple, fluid hand-woven linen saris from Anavila Mishra to name a few.

Gold Hanging Ear Cuffs by Payal Pratap.

‘Urban Essentials’, a selection of work and weekend contemporary wardrobe essentials, comprises of oversized shirts from Bodice, black Spring capes from Akaaro, shirt dresses from Translate and well-cut minimal kurtas from Vivek Narang.

Dress by BODICE. Nirvana Gold Drop Earrings by The Fableist.

Other highlights of the online edition are Bits & Pieces, beautifully crafted jewellery for the day and evening – a collection of Payal Pratap’s earrings, gold & druzies from young jewellery designer Eesha Zaveri, back and front earrings from The Fableist, and Vasundhra Mantri’s delicate, traditional gold and pearls.

Dorothy Perkins presents Spring/Summer 2015

Dorothy Perkins

UK’s most famous high street brand Dorothy Perkins announces the launch of its Spring/Summer 2015 collection, available exclusively on India’s leading fashion destination, Jabong.com. The spring summer collection of Dorothy Perkins embraces the key trends for the coming season with a return to the seventies and Sports Luxe.

Dorothy Perkins

The collection will be available on Jabong.com for its discerning customers from March. Jabong.com believes in bringing the latest and best trends forward for the customers. The latest summer collection from Dorothy Perkins is inspired by the 1970’s.

Dorothy Perkins

The dresses are longer, the skirts are A-lined and the trousers are cropped. Materials are a mixture of textures with knits and crochet, leather and suede – the chocolate brown suede shorts and jacket are key drifts. These rich textures are combined with denim – one of the star fabrics for spring summer.

Dorothy Perkins

Colours are a combination of muted pastel shades with pops of coral and indigo. Soft ruffle detailing and feminine prints, which take inspiration from the orient, create a seventies romantic bohemian look. Oversized peasant blouses are teamed with button front denim skirts and bell bottom jeans, matched with high platforms and felt hats creating a classic seventies silhouette.

Dorothy Perkins

For SS15 culottes are in pink leather and trousers are loose and wide – creating a new elegant shape. A fresh and modern feel updates this season’s Sports Luxe trend. Clean, simple lines create the look for the utility nineties inspired collection. Minimal boxy, cropped jackets in a variety of fabrics and textures – from neoprene to sheer and mesh – mixed with the cigarette trouser creates a sleek look.

Dorothy Perkins

Asymmetric tops and tunics add to the new season silhouette. Colour for this collection is exciting with poster paint shades of blue and green. Colour blocking leads the way – whilst the all-over whites we’ve seen in past seasons have returned. Florals are big and bold and are on full looks – on dresses and across short suits.

Celebration of Florals and Whites

Vasavi Shah’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection

The spring-summer collection of 2015 has marked a return to basics. From highlighting uncomplicated colour schemes and providing a taste of past decades, to bringing forth femininity and exploring the classic, this collection, Flora Flora SS’15, by designer Vasavi Shah is all about celebrating newness.

Vasavi Shah’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection

Florals have always been gifted with a timeless appeal, representing a perennial style that is constantly invading the fashion radar. This collection effortlessly blends two of the ruling trends for this season – florals and white.

Vasavi Shah’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection

Flora Flora is bold by keeping things classy yet basic at the same time, comprising of oversized and light-weight silhouettes, unconventional fabrics, fresh colour schemes and super-clean lines.

Vasavi Shah’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection

This collection mainly showcases a feminine range of ready-to-wear garments. From hand painted flowers on box pleated midi skirts to intricately embroidered cascades of flowers on white organza jackets and appliquéd gathered sheer skirts—this collection is fresh, energetic, optimistic and modern like a breath of fresh air.

Shimmer and Shine this New Year

Schon by Sakshee Pradhan

New Year parties are some of the most stylish events of the year. And this season, I’d say, redefine your style mantra with a dash of glitter in your wardrobe. Golden and shimmer is the order of the day and designer Sakshee Pradhan has nailed the trend right.

Schon by Sakshee Pradhan

Starting from dresses, shoes and accessories, to makeup—the whole idea is to flaunt the glitter code this season. Sakshee Pradhan’s label, Schon brings forth glitzy outfits to take care of your wardrobe woos. Her collection includes sequin dresses, shorts and skirts, which will make heads turn at any party.

Schon by Sakshee Pradhan

Commenting on the same, Sakshee says “I’ve designed few sequins outfits to look our best during the celebrations. Sequins can easily draw all attention on you as there is something about sequins that magically creates a New Year full of glamour and happiness.”

Being Human Clothing Brings Sexy Back

Being Human Clothing Autumn/Winter 2014 collection

Being Human Clothing has made its mark in the retail fashion industry with its unbeatable collection and styles that caters to both men and women. Taking a step further, the brand has launched its premier collection of trendy and chic dresses for women in their Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.

Being Human Clothing Autumn/Winter 2014 collection

The collection showcases casual to formal dresses made using vibrant colours, comfortable fabrics and various prints that add the much needed spice to the wardrobe.

Being Human Clothing Autumn/Winter 2014 collection

One can enjoy the freedom of choosing dresses for various occasions. Whether you are a collegian or a working professional, the collection will only add oomph to your style. Being Human Clothing has incorporated different fabrics ranging from cotton, denims, polyester, and viscose.

Being Human Clothing Autumn/Winter 2014 collection

Pair up these dresses with contrasting scarves, metallic belts, knitted sweaters, cardigans, tights or boots and you are ready to enjoy winter with fashionable dresses. From casual cotton dresses to rugged denim dresses – Being Human has it all. Being Human has a vast portfolio for women ranging from denims, chinos, shirts, t-shirts, polos, skirts, hot shorts, hoodies and tracks.

Advocators of the pastel palette—Pankaj & Nidhi

Pankaj and Nidhi for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Designer duo, Pankaj and Nidhi exhibited an all-embracing collection at the Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015. The line of clothes showed an assortment of laces and crochets.

Pankaj and Nidhi for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Asymmetrical sleeves, layered dresses, palazzo jumpsuits and pleated skirts flaunted remarkably intricate detailing that proves the designers’ flair for finer things in life.

Pankaj and Nidhi for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

The designer duo partnered with Myntra.com and unleashed their vintage closet for the forthcoming Spring/Summer season that poured out magically, silk thread-work, jackets, skirts, cape dresses and more.

Pankaj and Nidhi for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Their inspiration lay in the essences of old school interiors and jewel brooches, and pearls and pendants that interplayed with the range of outfits in their own subtle ways.