My Favourite Show from Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2016

A lot of people are going to say that their favourite shows were the ones by the bigger designers like Tarun Tahiliani or Manish Malhotra or Sabyasachi. These shows were great and gorgeous as usual. They showcased beautiful clothes and on display was the vision of each of these legendary designers.

But none of these were my favourite. Why you ask? Let me tell you, but some highlights from these shows - only because they deserve respect.

Tarun Tahiliani

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

My favourite show? The All Plus Size show that was styled by Little Shilpa (you see the contradiction here already?!). The show itself was amazing because of the over the top vision of Little Shilpa.

After all, what is the point of a fashion show if not to delve into the mind of the designer. The clothes are part of the vision, but that is just one part. The theatre and drama are equally important.

Now, does this mean that plus size is now going to be the norm on Indian catwalks and in India? Far from it. I think this is a good first step. But it has to be clear that this is just that - a first step. It is going to take a long time for perceptions to change. And perhaps far longer for acceptance by the general public of the concept of plus size fashion.

Traditionally this segment has been ignored, shunned and even swept under the rug. But this is the first breaking out. And I loved the show for showing the courage to actually address this segment. May there be lots more shows and even more stylish looks to come!

Beautiful Indian wedding venues

A lot of my friends are getting married over the next year, so I though I'd take a quick breather from fashion and dive into wedding season.

Gone are the days when Indian weddings were a humble affair organised at the ancestral home, farmhouse or at a marriage palace. Nowadays people prefer to make their wedding an event to remember and cherish for a lifetime. Some like to take their vows at sandy beaches while others prefer saying ‘I Do’ amidst mountains.  Some like to go overboard by celebrating this once in a lifetime affair at a regal Indian wedding venue and make the most of it. 

On this note, let’s have a look at some of the best Indian wedding venues that will materialise your dream wedding fantasy into reality.

Neemrana Fort Delhi-Jaipur Highway

If you want an over-the-top and insanely grand wedding, look no further than Neemrana Fort on Delhi-Jaipur highway.  This 15^th century old majestic fort is one of the oldest palaces in India and is converted into heritage hotel. Spread over more than five acres, Neemrana Fort offers a picturesque venue for beautiful Indian wedding. Its gorgeous gazebos, courtyards and huge lawns make a perfect backdrop for any wedding.  Whether you choose a sunset view or a star-lit night, Neemrana happens to be a breathtaking and ethereal venue.

UmaidBhawan Palace Udaipur

Royalty and Rajasthan go hand-in-hand.  Royalty and regality are the very essence of Rajasthan. This princely state offers a variety of Indian wedding halls, UmaidBhawan Palace in Udaipur being one of the most prominent wedding venues.  This 15^th century palace offers you authentic Rajasthani flair and ambience. This gorgeous heritage hotel symbolizes grandeur at its best. One can inculcate the elements of Rajasthan like the colourful Rajasthani culture, puppet-show, elephant-ride, finger-licking good Rajasthani food and Rajasthani folk music at one’s wedding ceremony at UmaidBhawan. Calling it a fine example of affluence won’t be an exaggeration. So, make your special day even more special by booking UmaidBhawan as your wedding venue and feel like a Maharaja.

Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur

Another star attraction of Rajasthan state is Jai Mahal Palace situated at the Pink City, Jaipur. This heritage property evokes opulence and luxury.  Its jaw-dropping beautiful architecture and 18 acres of Mughal Gardens makes it a perfect spot for an Indian wedding.  This Indian wedding location gives you the liberty of choosing indoor or outdoor venue for your D-Day. If you are looking for a Rajputana style wedding, this is the right choice.Make your wedding day, an unforgettable event by making reservations at Jai Mahal Palace.

Park Hyatt, Goa

If you have always dreamt of a wedding with a beach backdrop, Park Hyatt Goa will give wings to your imagination.  Park Hyatt has the most stunning Indian wedding halls and enchanting landscapes. Other highlights of this venue include lush green seaside lawns, the gorgeous boathouse and artistically decorated indoors. The tastefully done architecture of the hotel along with the serene nature of Goa,together creates nothing but the magic. Soak your soul in tropical ecstasy at Park Hyatt. 

Palace Grounds, Bangalore

Owned and managed by the Royal family of Mysore, the Palace Grounds in Bangalore is one of the most sought-after wedding venues down south.  This is an ideal spot for those you want an elaborate wedding without going too far from the main city.  The place screams lavishness and sophistication with its beautifully done lawns, Durbar hall and ballroom. Apart from extravagant weddings, the Palace Grounds are also ideal for other private parties, office conferences and cultural events.

The Leela Resorts,Kovalam

The beauty of Kerala state needs no introduction. Everyone is familiar with the fact that this state oozes tranquillity. No wonder why it is called ‘God’s own country’.  And if you happen to be a nature-lover and want your wedding amidst peaceful nature, the Leela Resorts at Kovalam is your go-to choice. This exotic resort with palm trees and beautifully manicured lawns is to die-for.  Who wouldn’t want to say ‘I Do’ in the lap of nature where it brings best to the platter in the form of white sand and crystal clear blue water as the backdrop. So, without giving a second thought, book this heaven on earth as your wedding venue.

Taj Falaknuma, Hyderabad

Since wedding day is the most crucial day of one’s life, making it big and memorable is everyone’s dream. We picture ourselves exchanging vows in the most exquisite way. And if you want to convert this fantasy into reality, the venue should be nothing less than the splendid Taj Falaknuma, Hyderabad. Every corner of this historic palace speaks of the charm, flamboyance and glam quotient of Nawabi culture.  Located at 2000 feet above the city, the palace boasts its marble staircases, huge fountains, Venetican-inspired chandeliers, hand-painted Victorian ceiling, big lawns, gold-hued Durbar hall and 101-seater dining hall. No wonder these major highlights make it an ideal choice for a big fat Indian wedding.

City Palace, Udaipur

Amidst the sun-kissed sand-dunes and camel rides, the city of lakes ‘Udaipur’ offers another breathtakingly beautiful wedding venue i.e. City Palace. This centuries old fort now a heritage hotel site happens to be the most romantic wedding venue where you can materialise your dream of a grand wedding. The impressive courtyards, vast lawns and lakeside view are some of the features that differentiate this place from others. Also its capacity to hold large crowd makes it a perfect spot for big weddings.  The fort has ‘ManekChowk’that has the capacity to hold 1000 guests and ‘ZeenaMehal’ can accommodate around 500 guests, making it one of the best venues for nuptial ceremony.

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

If there is an epitome of love, it is Taj Mahal. This historic monument makes us believe in the power of love. And if you have always pictured yourself getting married at a place overlooking Taj Mahal, make reservations at the Oberoi Amarvilas hotel right away. This 5-star property provides you the best view of Taj Mahal along with other excellent facilities. Nothing can be more romantic than exchanging vows with Taj Mahal in the backdrop.

Image sources: www.tripadvisor.in, www.enticingtour.com, www.makemytrip.com, www.travelland.in, in.bookmyfunction.com, www.shaadisaga.com, www.lonelyplanet.com, www.booking.com

Best dressed Bollywood celebrities to Follow on Social Media

We are all fascinated by Bollywood celebrities and what they wear. They are setting us goals and also give us guidance on the styles that are the most fashionable. 

With so many stars, how can you keep up with the most stylish? Sure you are following all of them on Instagram and Twitter, but who should you be paying attention to? Let us help you on that front! Our list includes stars who we think are great and those who are good, but we don't think they are relevant for regular folks like us.

Sonam Kapoor

We love her style and she often wears very edgy things. She is seen on important events both locally and internationally wearing a lot of Indian designers. She also wears a lot of international designers like Ralph and Russo etc.

While we love her style, most of the pieces she wears seem to be custom made for her or otherwise are from very expensive collections. This is great if you have plenty moolah to spend, but not on a budget. 

We recommend following her for inspiration and style direction, but not to identify brands worth buying.

Pernia Qureshi

This "Bollywood actress" is also a fashion designer. She has very good taste and you can also see that on her website Perniaspopupshop. 

While she is also seen in expensive designer clothes all the time, she also wears younger and more affordable designers sometimes. 

We say that you should follow her.

Alia Bhatt

Alia has not traditionally been considered a fashion icon as such, but she is increasingly asserting her style quotient through magazine cover features, editorial features and the like.

She has a quirky and fun style that is often cute and stylish. Mind you, the girl can also bring on the oomph when she wants to impress.

A must follow in our opinion !

Sunny Leone

This Bollywood starlet is usually in the news for the wrong reason. She used to be a porn-star, is no longer, get over it.

This girl gives us serious style goals. She really knows how to carry herself and usually has a very nicely put together look. She is also experimental and wears young Indian designers. Her looks can often be re-created on a budget, and still look stylish. 

Must follow in our opinion.

Travel Light With These Travel Fashion Essentials

Travelling is fun, no doubts about that! But packing for vacation is indeed an uphill task. Generally we end up over packing our stuff, reason being we don’t pack the right things.  

This can be due to a number of different reasons such as not packing for a variety of weathers, or just being unsure of what activities you'll be doing day-by-day. It is essential to check the weather, be prepared for a variety of activities so as not to limit your options and to ignore that incessant need to take everything.

 So, take a look at the following comprehensive list of travel fashion essentials which will hopefully act as a useful guide and ensure you save space and time.

Clothes

The first and foremost important thing that strikes our mind while packing for a vacation is clothes. Since holiday clothes are different from our routine clothes, it does need your attention. There are many factors that are needed to be taken into consideration regarding what to wear when travelling. The first thing that you should keep in mind is the season. Whether you are going during the summer, winter, spring or rainy season, pack accordingly. Second priority must be given to the fabric and colour of the clothes.  For long trips, make sure the clothes you are carrying can be washed and dried quickly and easily. If you are going somewhere sunny, be sure to pack bright coloured clothes as they match with your cheerful mood and holiday photos, and of course will look great in the sun. Let’s have a look at the essential holiday clothes for women.

Tops

Always carry multi-purpose tops that can be paired with denims and skirts alike. Light and breezy tops like noodle straps, tank tops, bardot tops, t-shirts or sleeveless tops are appropriate for summer travelling whereas heavy knitted tops and cardigans are perfect for winters. You can mix and match with denims, skirts, shorts or even palazzos for the right combination.

Bottoms

Taking the right bottoms are as crucial as tops. Wearing a comfortable pair of jeans or shorts on vacation will allow you too fully relax. If you are on a beach destination, a pair of cotton shorts or synthetic shorts will help you enjoy the sea water. Also, capris, flowy skirts and palazzo will make a great option for outdoor activities. Of course if you are going somewhere rainy and will be doing lots of outdoor activities then waterproofs are always advisable. 

Dresses

Women’s holiday clothing is incomplete without dresses. It is very important that you carry the right style and number of dresses while on a vacation.  Start by packing a cotton maxi dress as it not only looks stylish but is comfortable attire too. Other than that, keeping a short knee-length dress is a wise idea. Don’t forget to pack a sundress and a party dress if you have a formal evening get-together planned on your vacation.

Other essentials

Other crucial items that are a must on your packing list includes undergarments, swimsuit and sarong (if you are going on a beach destination), long coat or jacket for the winter season, socks, handkerchief, a night-suit or two and a towel. These things might sound obvious, but they can be easily forgotten

Accessories

Accessories can make or break the look. The amalgamation of the right accessories is a key to looking uber chic on your vacations. You need not carry everything from your wardrobe, but carrying a few things and smartly pairing it up with two or three garments is a better option. For e.g. you can carry a tan or black coloured belt and wear it over your dress or along with your denims as these colours are neutral and therefore go well with almost any outfit.  Also make sure you carry your chunky jewellery like earrings, neckpieces or bracelet to be worn along with your choice of garment. 

Other accessories which you must pack are a summer hat, a pair of googles, a scarf, a wrist watch and of course a nice tote or a handbag.

Footwear

Footwear is perhaps the most important travel essential, because if you don't have the appropriate footwear you could potentially end up miserable and in pain for the duration of your trip. Wearing comfortable shoes while you are on a vacation is a something you can’t ignore. One must keep the right pair of footwear if your travel involves a lot of outdoor activity. For e.g. if you are an adventure-lover traveller and love doing activities like hiking, trekking or cycling you could be prevented from doing these things if you are not appropriately prepared. 

Just as importantly, don’t forget to keep a pair of simple rubber flip-flops and strappy sandals if you are going to a beach destination. Carrying heels or shoes around with you is never as nice! 

Make-up and cosmetics

On holiday you of course want to look your best, which makes having make-up and cosmetics to hand a must. However, you can’t carry your entire make-up box while travelling, so make sure you just pick out your most used and vital products. 

So whatever you do, don't take more than you need because otherwise you will have to spend your whole holiday lugging around a huge case. Take the above mentioned essentials and you'll be more than ready for holiday!