MASABA GUPTA'S MONOCHROME COLLECTION IS FOR THE FUN AND FEARLESS

This was definitely an OMG! moment for us — when we came across this beautiful Masaba Gupta creations from the Monochrome Mania Collection for Stylista.com

The cut, the flow,  the structure and the contemporary prints (knife, television, typewriter and the bicycle) — Masaba had us at 'mono'.  We also loved the pop of colour — yellow, pink and mint green — in the monochrome palatte. 

About this collection, Masaba had said: 

"This is my most fearless and free-spirited collection yet, and is designed for women who represent that attitude."

Well, looks like the lady has hit bull's eye.  Take a look at the pieces, among the range of jackets, skirts, shirts and dresses that caught our attention... (photographs courtesy: stylista.com)

The Final Cut Pallazos

Graphic Traffic Dhoti Skirt

Knife to know if shirt 

Sharp shooter jacket 

Taxi Cab Shirt 

Flutter and Flatter Jumpsuit

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR THINKING AND... WALKING TOO :)

Boots featuring upcycled italian vintage shawl with regal pattern
 in black / gold / Ferrari red

Can you make a pair of sturdy boots with a flouncy 50-year-old ball gown? Or stilettos out of vintage carpet? You can, if you are a talented designer that go by the name Anna Zaboeva — shoe designer/founder of Pleasemachine Style Lab

This spunky designer handcrafts gorgeous artisanal footwear, because she wants you to contemplate your contribution to the environment. "Are you adding to the colossal waste that is swallowing the world or are you being a responsible citizen of this world?" she asks. The footwear is sold under the banner Pleasemachine, founded by Zaboeva. Pleasemachine is based on the concept of sustainable living by recycling or up-cycling discarded materials. Each shoe has a unique character.


Born in East Siberia in erstwhile USSR, where her parents (a geologist father and telephone mechanic mother) went to build a town called Ust-Ilimsk, Zaboeva grew up in a household where recycling was a necessity. She remembers making a bunch of accessories out of blood infusion pipes when she was admitted to a local hospital for a brief period.

Recycled textile plus leather boots

At 16, Zaboeva went to study "light industry engineering" in Novosibirsk University, but discovered a passion for "visual works". She discontinued her engineering course — just before final exams — to attend a "cameraman course" and began exploring the world of documentary films. The journey eventually brought her to Budapest, Hungary as part of a young filmmakers' workshop. She decided to stay in Europe to pursue her dreams. When in 2007 she won a scholarship to study at the University of Applied Arts and design, she chose to study about leather. By the end of the academic year Zaboeva was making basic footwear — "flat sandals and shoes of cemented construction" — but she was hooked on to shoemaking; a trade that would later become a tool to promote ideas of conservation and sustainability. 

"When I came to Europe I witnessed tremendous household waste," she says. "I noticed the growing irrationality of mass market consumption and lack of choice for those who were aware of its short and long term effects." 

In Europe Zaboeva encountered huge piles of discarded clothing and home furnishings in dumpsters. She began collecting cast-off materials — vintage carpets, colourful nylon dresses with funky patterns, upholsteries. She was addicted to dumpster diving.

Recyled vintage fabric

"It was an abundant source of material supply," she says. "You never knew what you'll find in it, and it was fun to dig dumpsters with friends." Over the years Zaboeva's collection pile kept growing in size. And she says, she knew she was going to use them in making shoes. She made her first pair — flat sandals with leather soles — out of a vintage nylon dress. Shoes made out of recycled material became a good medium to communicate her ideas about the environment and conservation. By 2008 her shoes made out of shelved textiles sold right off the shelves at lightning speed. 

Zaboeva's passion for filmmaking has led her to record the 'before and after' history of the shoes that she creates. "It is a great storytelling tool and the shoes are only a part of a long story of transformation of an object. I think people want to participate in this process of sustainability and conservation much beyond just being consumers of these shoes; keeping a visual diary of the process of recycling gives them something to relate to. And hopefully reconsider their decisions about wastage." 

It takes Zaboeva anywhere between a week to two months to make a pair of shoes. Once a shoe is made, she detaches herself from it. "It goes on to live its own life," she says.  Zaboeva's creations are inspired by being in the moment and the oddities of this world. And she prefers "spontaneous designs that praise chance and randomness". And her boots...they are made for thinking!

NEW SPRING-SUMMER COLLECTION 2015 FROM FUSION BEATS IS FOR THE FREE SPIRITED

 What can we say! We simply love the spring-summer 2015 collection of Fusion Beats, from the house of Creative Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd.  It's all free-spirited and bohemian. Here's a look at the collection:

 The Denim Studio: key staples of the season in traditional denim.  Vests, gypsy skirts, dungarees in shades of true blue denim - stonewash blues to dark indigos. What makes it different? Prints and motifs from paisley floral to Aztec influences.

 The Truck Art inspired by the indigenous Indian art. Funky and gypsy  — with embroidery, Kutch quilting and a tinkle of smocked skirt with detailed handwork in  ochre yellow with highlights of scarlet reds and cobalt blue. We love the floral, stripes and truck motifs.

Chalkboard Tribe collection takes inspiration from the classic black and white, done in tribal pattern. Flowy dresses in monochrome palette to Ikat inspired swirls and Aztec placements with lace trims. 

Club Tropicana collection: Chic dresses, bold embroideries and placement prints in resort style. Jades and fern greens are trimmed with bold colours —  yellows, corals and midnight sea-blues. Prints are tropical with bold geometrics supporting the beach palm trees. There’s a mix-n-match at play of tropical florals.

The Shibori collection: Traditional Japanese Shibori blended with rhythmical baroque. Bright indigos highlighted with hints of yellow.

 

The Earth Deco collection: Inspired by earth and has flattering cuts which are constructed out of panels of organic linens and viscose. Metal tassels, attractive Aztec tapes, traditional pom-poms and beadwork offer interesting details.

 

The Tribal Mix: The famous Aztec influence mixed with geometric ikat continues to stand out. This collection has shades of bright rouge and turquoise with accent of jades and navy.

The collection is priced at Rs.1500 onwards. 

Ps: This is NOT a paid write - up. 

PINCHED WAISTS, BIG BUSTS AND BIGGER HIPS — BRING ON THE CORSETS

 Lace Corset with ruffles Rs. 2295

I didn't know (and I bet your last herringbone that you didn't either) till I began researching the subject of corsets that men too wore corsets to change the appearance of their bodies. Why they wanted pinched waists? Beats me! 

Corsets reached 'rock-star' status during Queen Victoria's time. It did take the corset a long time (longer than it took Jim Carrey to achieve stardom) to reach its zenith from the time it made its first appearance circa 2000 BC. However initially, it was worn as an outer garment and slowly made its way 'under' — it was first worn as an under garment in Italy and the women of the French court embraced it. Oh, these stylish French women, I tell you! They always get to it first :)

By mid-sixteenth century the British too began using corsets to appear pinched in all the right places. So what if it cut off the windpipes of some, their waists looked 'small'. 

Pen.ny Satin Corset with ruffles Rs. 2295

As years passed by the corset lost out to the bra and then the bras lost out to the hippies and the feminists. Before the latter was adopted (along with shoulder pads), with zest, by 'office girls'. But the corset remained at the back of the closet — all but forgotten, until now.

It seems there is a sort of a revival of the corset — maybe not as a daily wear, but still it is making its presence felt. Could it be because of some 50 shades of grey that seems to have taken over the world? 

But, all said and done, corsets make foreplay fun and adventurous. Admit it, okay. We know. We have been there and done that :)

Pen.ny Classic Satin Corset Rs. 1995

We came across a glamorous range of corsets (the photos ain't doing justice to the 'glamour' quotient) from Pen.ny a private label of Zivame.com . Pick the one you wish to pinch your waist and exaggerate that bust and hips of yours — lo behold... you have an hourglass figure. We liked the ornate lace ones, the diamante crystal encrusted ones are pretty and the satin ones luxurious. 

Classic Satin Corset Rs. 1995

 Satin Corset with Diamante Crystals Rs. 2295 

Rich Jacquard Corset Grey Rs. 2195

Pen.ny  Satin Corset with Diamante Crystals. Rs. 2295

TRENDSETTER — YASIN DENMAMODE, FASHION DESIGNER FROM MAURITIUS

TRENDSETTERS is a new series in Nila Tamaraa Fashion that focuses on people who march to their own drumbeat. Kick-starting the series is the ebullient Yasin Denmamode, a young fashion designer, of menswear, from Mauritius. 

From Boy Groove collection. All photographs in this blogpost is courtesy BOY GROOVE

Yasin Denmamode grew up in the beautiful island nation of Mauritius where his mother was a stylist. When Yasin was only 14, his mother decided to open a shop of her own. Since then fabrics and embroideries have been a part of Yasin’s life. “I grew up in this environment — watching and silently learning from her,” Yasin tells us from Mauritius, where he is now a young and ‘rocking-the-island’ kinda fashion designer with his own brand of clothing called BOY GROOVE.

Necessity is the mother of all inventions, might be a cliché, but in Yasin’s case, it is true to his leather soles. In September 2012, when he returned home after completing his education abroad, he met his longtime friend David Stafford. “I started complaining that I couldn’t find clothes for me here (in Mauritius),” recalls Yasin. “Everything seemed to be insipid or mass produced or both. David too had the same problem.” The duo decided to do something about it — two months later, on the 12th December 2012, they opened the doors of Boy Groove to the world. “Basically, Boy Groove started over coffee and complaints…” laughs Yasin.

Yasin is not too kind about men’s fashion in Mauritius. “Men’s fashion is highly limited here. There’s a tendency for uniformity and practicality; there’s very little creativity for menswear here.”

He and David, along with  Boy Groove, plan to change all that. “People should understand that dressing up like everyone else is NOT fashion,” says Yasin who always stood out in a crowd. (Read what was written about him a few years ago HERE).

Originality is the mission statement of Boy Groove. “When anyone walks into the shop, he should be able to find at least a pair of jeans and something to go with it for an affordable price — and he should be able to be different from the masses." (At BOY GROOVE the price range is between Rs.350-1200)

The signature style of Boy Groove is a blend of Yasin’s and David’s “totally different and diametrically opposed tastes”. David is more pop - rock (think Jeremy Scott, coco Rocha and Naomi Campbell; “He swears by them, day and night.”) and Yasin is glam- chic (think Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Collins). Yes, Yasin’s inspirations and fashion icons are timeless WOMEN. Inspired by the warp and weave of their style he designs MENSWEAR. Now, how cool is that!

 “We do get inspired (by what’s on the international fashion ramps) but we hate trends,” says Yasin. Thank god, for small mercies!

 Boy Groove makes it a point to have only limited editions of all their clothing. “We never make more than five pieces of a model,” says Yasin. This season, Boy Groove is focusing on their new line of kurtas — light, airy, with embroidery and sober. The line would be out in June. By December, they are planning a Jeremy Scott inspired collection.

Ask Yasin what’s the one thing about fashion that sticks out for him and he will have you know that it is the ability of the fashion industry being the only industry which still offers possibilities to create. “And has space for originality without many constraints. New ideas, blends, fabrics and methods are always coming up. Also, for ages, fashion has been a way of changing society, helping it move forward. The fashion industry even expressed and supported some movements that have directed the course of history. It is one of the rare domains where influences of many cultures clash to give birth to beauty. All these aspects of the fashion world show that it has many faces and goals than just ‘dressing up people’.”

And in their own way, Yasin and David are making their contribution to men’s fashion in their homeland. They have cast a lil’ stone in this island nation, which is bound to have a ripple effect in times to come.

BOY GROOVE, 10, Dr.Hassen Sakir St (Ex Pagoda St), Plaine Verte, Port Louis, Mauritius.

TEL: +230 5 9710855/ 5 4733798

ON THE SIDELINE WITH Yasin Denmamode

Yasin De Nmamode

Favourite fashion icon:  The greatest fashion icon of all times is and will always be Elizabeth Taylor. She was fashion, fashion was her. She could wear everything and carry it off. In case of doubt, just overload everything with diamonds and it works. Who else would have dared so that? Whatever her look was, whatever she was wearing was instantly a hit of her personality.

Joan Collins also falls in that category, and I admire her for the same reasons. She was the one who made shoulder pads a thing in the 80’s. Without shoulder pads, vintage couldn’t exist today and it’s all due to her…

Then of course, there’s the very under-rated Elsa Schiaparelli. In a time when fashion was rather conventional, she brought the “shocking pink”; she was the first one to have a theme collection. She overturned many rules and imposed her new ones which are still being respected today. Sadly, very little credit is given to her for her contribution…

Favourite garment: My Cashmere cape, without any doubt! It goes with absolutely everything!

One piece of clothing I cannot live without: The day I lose my Courrèges-cut turquoise raincoat, I think my life would be over. I stumbled across it in a thrift shop at a time when my wardrobe was quite limited, and finding it was a sign that the situation wouldn’t last for long. It really has brought me luck!

Favourite accessory: Right now, it is my phone and its various casings.

Favourite designer: Right now, it is Ron Dutta.

One piece of fashion statement men shouldn’t shy away from: Low cut slim or skinny jeans. How come it hasn’t yet become THE modern man iconic wear?

One piece of clothing men shouldn't be caught dead in: Baggy jeans. Never, EVER, EVER, EVER wear those if you want to have your respectability intact. And forget the coloured jeans. It’s ‘has-been’ now.

Right corporate attire that is not boring would be: Classic with a touch of flashy. Once, I advised the Editor-in-chief of a newspaper to wear a black suit, white shirt, fuchsia tie and laces of his black shoes matching the tie. It worked wonders.

The right date outfit for a guy: Skinny jeans. Paired with anything ranging from a slim cut shirt with flowery prints or a body fit T-shirt. Throw on a blazer, depending on where you will be…

Current trend in men’s fashion: Cartoons and video-games characters printed on over-sized T-Shirts. THE look to sport this season.

You’d like to be born again as: Elsa Schiaparelli just to be able to impose new ideas and new trends.

For Yasin’s Native Insight on Mauritius, click here

HAND-PAINTED SLIP-ON CANVAS SHOES ARE A FASHION RAGE NOW

Move over customised T-shirts and bags. Make way for hand-painted canvas shoes. It seems the latest trend in the fashion marquee is to let your shoes do the talking. So, if you are an ardent fan of F1 or ManU or an Angry Bird enthusiast or a superhero movie buff, flaunt your love for them — on your shoes. Hand-painted shoes are all a rage with the urban youth. We dug out some exclusive, quirky collection of hand-painted slip-on canvas shoes. 

F-Gali Hand Printed Customized Michael Jackson Slip-on Shoes. Rs 1899

Hand Printed Customized Barcelona Slip-on Shoes. Rs 1899

 

Hand Printed Minion Slip-on Shoes Rs 1899

Hand Printed Captain America Slip-on Shoes Rs 1899

You can check out the entire collection at Fashionara

JEWELRY TO CELEBRATE LOVE

Swarovski studded, gold-plated knuckle ring. Rs.2300

February continues to be the month of love (not that we need a time frame for love). It also continues to be the season of giving — to your girlfriends (it's always so much easier to buy gifts for the fairer sex and there's much more to choose from for them; hey, don't blame me!).

Here are some fabulous pieces of jewellery from Tribe by Amrapali , which your lady love might dig in. And ladies, don't wait for anyone to gift

ETERNAL LOVE COMES IN RED LEATHER — PERFECT VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT

A beautiful bag called Ayana from Hidesign. Rs.6495

Red is the colour of the season. After all it's the month of Valentines. Love and leather are a thing of beauty and age very well. They make perfect gifts. Especially the latter.

These bags are from that contemporary institution called Hidesign — a name that has been baffling many for eons now. Is it "Hide-sign" or is it "Hi-design". Clever, clever, clever word play. 

Back to the stunning leather collection. Handcrafted with buckle designs and handle details the collection has shoulder bags and totes and go by attractive names like