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).

Summer House Café—For a Soulful Dining Experience

Summer House Café

Ambience: Located in Aurbindo Place Market, Summer House Café is a statement in its self. Serving cuisine from world over, this standalone café has a certain noir element to it. Conventional wooden décor sets the mood on an eccentric level. The restaurant has two seating areas—a rooftop, open air seating arrangement and a customary closed setup downstairs with a huge open space, accommodating a house full of people dancing to techno, house, lounge and psychedelic trance music.

Summer House Café

As far as I am concerned, I love open air setups; especially during winters. After reaching the venue on a packed Friday evening, I was given a choice to sit anywhere I wished to by the very polite manager. Like I mentioned, I chose the terrace. Soft tunes of trance floated in the air as I got comfortable on a low-base sofa. The crowd was bustling; people wore happy smiles on their faces, which only made me more intrigued to find out more about this place.

Summer House Café

We sat on a quaint corner overlooking a terrace bar that looked like a small, fun truck serving beverages of all kinds. As I browsed through the menu card, one of the stewards got us a standing angithi (brazier) and placed it lovingly next to our table; it felt enchantingly warm and sultry—perfect for Delhi winter evenings.

Summer House Café

Food: I started with some appetizers—non-veg mezze platter, buffalo chili fries (veg), and some smoked chicken wings. My evening started to get better! The food was scrumptious and the portions were even more generous. However, extra credit should be given to the chef for mouthwatering food presentation skills! Now, special mention must be made for the hummus—it was gorgeously grainy, yet had a smooth texture and the olives on it seemed deliciously dark and soft. I relished upon it.

Summer House Café

The starters were accompanied by a couple of Sangria servings. The wine was sweet and crimson and the floating fruits were cut in small, cubical shapes—all equal in sizes. Quite impressive, I must say. Moving on to the main course, I ordered myself a basil pesto chicken with parmesan sauce. The succulent chicken breasts were marinated in fresh pesto before being grilled to perfection. This was served with thick, creamy parmesan sauce that melted in my mouth like molten sunshine. And of course, grilled seasonal veggies and mashed potatoes sat on the plate like stiff-lipped custom. (P.S- Not a big fan of mashed potatoes; they rather make me feel dull). Overall, the chicken was heavenly; every bite was worth it.

Summer House Café

The meal concluded with a large slice of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It was soft; tasted like fresh homemade cake and the frosting made it all the more sinful. My evening indeed, ended with a happy winter cake. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone who is looking forward to an easy-going, fuss-free dining experience.

Recommendation: This place is soulful. The décor could be simplistic but the ambience is Boho. The food might sound extravagant, but its very essence will soothe your palate—a perfect home-style casual café for Delhi-ites. Also, this place houses many live performances and gigs on selected days. So have you planned your Friday already?

Find them at: 1st Floor, DDA Shopping Complex, Aurobindo Place, Hauz Khas, New Delhi

Make reservations at: 011 33106147

Timepieces from GUESS and Gc Watches

GUESS Dazzler W0335L3 – 13,900 INR

With the onset of celebratory season, rejoice with your loved ones and gift them something classy that could turn into an heirloom piece. Yes, I am taking about the lust worthy watches by GUESS and Gc.

GIUESS Wildcat W0333L1 – 13,800 INR

GUESS watches keeps up to its design aesthetic of statement dials, energetic colour combinations and chic designs. Keeping in mind the festive fervor, women can choose from gold and rose gold watches, while men can adorn GUESS’ bestselling timepieces from the RIGOR collection.

Gc Rainbow Python – 27,000 INR

For those who prefer classic over contemporary, Gc watches presents a wide selection of subtle and demure designs in rose gold and duo tones of sliver and rose gold. The Gc Rainbow Python makes up for the perfect Christmas gift with its luscious shades of green and blue, softly melting with purple and pink of the rainbow palette.

Amrapali’s gorgeous ‘Festive Fervour’ collection

Silver multi-stone beaded necklace by Amrapali

Celebrate the festival of lights this season with Amrapali’s ‘Festive Fervor’ collection capturing the true essence of Indian tradition and heritage.

Silver multi-stone crescent earrings by Amrapali

Amrapali offers a range of exquisitely handcrafted silver and gold-plated chandbali’s and statement neck pieces to complement your festive ensembles.

Silver chalcedony carved pearl bangle by Amrapali

If you are fond of coloured jewellery, work the multi-stoned crescent earrings in bejeweled silver/gold-plated turquoise, pearl, crystal, blue and pink glass earrings into your outfit. Graceful in soft pink, the pink stud earrings and necklace will add a hint of shimmer to your outfit.

Silver crystal and ghungroo earrings by Amrapali

For a simpler, subdued option, choose the crystal and pearl ghungroo earrings oxidised in silver complemented with rubies and emeralds. Similar in line, are the handmade pearl-beaded earrings, which are oxidised in silver with orange glass and go perfectly well with your traditional wear.

Silver pearl crystal earrings by Amrapali

For those who favour classic, flaunt the multi-stone beaded necklace carved with crystal to add some much needed elegance and charm.

Jewellery at ‘The Big Door’–For the love of Festivities

Jewellery at The Big Door

Reminiscing Indian Heritage is a store located at the heart of Bombay, dedicated to rich Indian heritage, collectibles, pure silver furniture and heritage jewellery. Enter ‘The Big Door’, a 7500 sq ft concept store marked by a spectacular and imposing 25 feet high antique-inspired green door, to provide one-of-a-kind experience to its patrons with every square foot donned with limited edition hand-selected pieces that insinuate colonial India.

Jewellery at The Big Door

The Big Door showcases Mughal, Nizam and Rajput inspired jewellery ranging from precious and semi-precious jewellery, set in gold, silver and gold-plated silver, to Victorian, polkis and jadau pieces—each of these mesmerizing creations are unique and design oriented.

Jewellery at The Big Door

These delicately crafted masterpieces exhibit fine workmanship, tradition and exclusiveness. The jewellery at The Big Door constitutes heirloom pieces that can be passed onto generations to come.

Jewellery at The Big Door

The collection of gold jewellery comprises of neck pieces, cuffs, earrings, rings, bangles (kadas), forehead jewellery pieces (maang tika) and Bandhgala buttons for men. These jewels are made with precious stones such as rubies, uncut diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, south sea pearls with a combination of enamel on the pieces.

Jewellery at The Big Door

The silver jewellery collection comprises of tribal statement pieces with intricately carved out details. The stunning ornaments are encrusted with semi-precious stones like Amethyst, Rose quartz, Cornelian, pearl, Green onyx, Turquoise and Garnet.

Trending Ethnic Clutches for the Festive Season

Here’s a list of my favourite ethnic clutches that should keep you sorted for the festive months. A statement accessory in itself, these can really make heads turn! Keep scrolling down.

Klick by RG

Klick by RG

Klick by RG

Klick by RG

Klick by RG

Klick by RG

Malaga

Ricco

Ricco

Tom Ford

 

Pakistani Designers, Sania Maskatiya, Riawan Beyg and Zara Shahjahan presented fashion flavours of Pakistan at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014

The ramp came alive with glitz and glamour of three top Pakistani designers presented by POPxo.com in association with HELLO.

Rizwan Beyg

‘Digitruck’ by Rizwan Beyg– Working with rural communities that empower women, Rizwan Beyg’s collection incorporated soft, feminine, romantic feel that will appeal to women who long for aesthetically designed ensembles. Inspiration for Rizwan was the very colourful truck art, which Pakistan is known for.

Rizwan Beyg

Using the many designs and colours of this very quirky form for a variety of garments like jackets, pants, tops, waistcoats, skirts and accessories; Rizwan offered a characteristic style statement of his country. Presenting a funky line called ‘Digitruck’, which also included jewellery, shoes and bags, the collection was a riot of colours on the ramp. Tiered miniskirts, white bustier, asymmetric dress, off-shoulder dhoti jumpsuit, orange flared top with satin printed sharara, and printed corset with blue flapper pants were all fun filled offerings for the young at heart. The empire line georgette cover off- shoulder blouse, tiered maxi drop waist printed corset dress and the will-power asymmetric gown with a long trail looked striking on the catwalk.

Sania Maskatiya

‘Sakura’ by Sania Maskatiya– After launching her label in 2007, Sania Maskatiya is one of the fastest selling brands in Pakistan. Short listed for the 2014 Woolmark Award, Sania’s fashion statement was a remarkable balance between elegance, aesthetics, comfort and above all practicality.

Sania Maskatiya

Inspired by nature and her surroundings, the collection called ‘Sakura’ was an ode to the Cherry Blossoms of Japan. The embellishments recreated Japanese flavour with landscapes and culture and had hints of treasure chest motifs. The blend of geometric embroidery and great textures added to the opulent look of the garments. Sania’s creations were divided into prét-a-porter, luxury and haute couture for women and had the interplay of colours and intricate detailing, which was the basis of her collection. The beauty of Japanese motifs came alive in the printed tunics, sheer flared beige top, one-shoulder satin tunic and pleated printed organza waistcoats. White pants were topped with a variety of cropped tops and blouses; while overlapped tunics, a gorgeous reversible asymmetric cover, angular two-tone tunic and draped printed column gown, over pants completed the look of the ensembles.

Zara Shahjahan

‘The City of Gardens’ by Zara Shahjahan– Zara Shahjahan’s creations were aimed at making women look beautiful and confident. Her decade old label has been a hot favourite in Pakistan and beyond. Creating a variety of categories that ranged from luxury prét to western wear and couture, Zara’s designing skills were amply evident in the extravagant detailing. The gara embroidery, Swarovski crystals and the amazing handcrafted embellishments were selectively used.

Zara Shahjahan

‘The City of Gardens’ was the title for Zara’s vintage collection, where old Lahore and floral vintage prints were the highlight. Merging traditional designs from her country with modern high fashion quotients, Zara offered a fusion look to the buyer. Shimmer and shine was the basis of this ethereal collection, which opened with a delicate sari followed by an organza-sequined attached cape for a feminine top. Printed, pleated maxi skirt, net covers with tilla work, sequined sheeting for skirt with lace cover and the one sleeve waistcoat-cum-cape were gorgeous in appearance. Glittering rhinestone, scalloped kurti cutwork top with printed embroidered drop waist skirt and the cut-out sleeve net kurta matched to a flowing sharara created magic on the ramp.