Mulberry: exploring the brand

For one who loves online shopping, flipping through websites before I step out shopping, the design of these websites is very important to me. For some odd reason, I land up cutting slack to a lot of designers and crap outfits for their impressive websites. 

So when I first visited the Mulberry store, I was obviously not very pleased. A very basic website, and a number of dull-looking handbags, all displayed on a dull white background. 

As I turned into the Autumn-Winter '11 section though, I began to develop a liking for the brand. Here's a few favorites: 

- Grey flower dress: 

I love it for accentuating the waist, while adding a bit of fun to the outfit around to an otherwise common dress. Plus points for being warm. 

Link: http://bit.ly/mSQC7Q

- Carter Character Shoe: 

Always a sucker for shoes, classic is the way to go when it comes to heels. I've always believed that fashion changes but style remains the same. And for one who prefers sticking to the classics when it comes to heels, I developed an automatic liking for this pair. Nude is a colour that stands among all changes in trends and styles season after season. And I love the charm on the buckle. 

Link: http://bit.ly/oYQzKV

- Tippi Bow Blouse: 

This is one of those typical tops that a lot many designers add a golden button or a bit of lace to, and sell it for a million bucks. But in its simple form, its a top that goes great with trousers, a high-waisted skirt as well as a skirt or a pair of skinny jeans with heels. 

Link: http://bit.ly/n2Zg9L

- Bayswater: 

As Grazia puts it, "There is nothing in a woman's style arsenal that spells quite so clearly that she gets fashion than carrying a great bag." since white goes with most things, and is a very sought-after colour since the past few seasons, I pick a standard, classic shape and colour. 

Link: http://bit.ly/o9QNta

Taramay: Flats by Nayantara Sood

With numerous designers, working at numerous collections: a certain quality is often expected. While the collection ranges from simple to intricate flats, is lacking much design.
Apart from a particular pair of golden bellies, are shoes you couldn't identify as designer, if you saw them at an all-supplies store. They aren't shoes that stand out for their lovely taste in bows either. A certain black pair of flats with polka-dotted bows are simple to classify as discardable.

Cutting some slack to the young designer is her former inexperience at designing shoes. A first of its kind by the young designer, one hopes to expect better from a designer straight off London School of Fashion.

The golden pair in question, is commendable work with a black sequined strap depicting the Eiffel Tower. 

All things Gucci

Isn't it ironic how all fashion houses have a history of failing, and rising back again? In fact, most brands: Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Dior, Gucci- weren't led to great heights by the people they're named after. Nope, nada. That said, fashion was an art back then. An era of awakening- not only in terms of fashion but also sexuality, fashion was a mix. Today, we find, it is but a market 'gimmick' for anything that might sell. What I'm trying to indicate, is the fact that fashion sells now more than ever. But it has all to do with branding, none with fashion.

All things Gucci in the age of the commercial, 'are all things selling'. Flip through the pages of Vogue, and all you ever find across the first 30 pages is advertisements: Tom Ford, Prada, Versace- its all there. That said, is the section that 'Vogue Loves'. More advertisements, people. Appalling is the fact that in an expected 60-40 ratio to be maintained by all fashion magazines- 60 being content, 40 advertisements, I find, that in effect, are actually quite the opposite. 

Fashion houses and designers, exorbitantly priced- can we honestly vouch for originality and quality? Where is the reason for the existence of Fashion? The essence of creating clothes that are artistic, is all but non-existent. Of course there is the need for creating a brand and hence necessary to price all style at unattainable prices. How many of the clothes we see today- all designer, can we actually wear out to the streets or to parties? Few, I'd say. For a lot of clothes 'created' by these designers are but unwearable for their bizarre cuts and stitches. 

In a world that has gone commercial- be it food, water, life: is fashion not prey to the same? 

Food for thought.

Leather and Denim: This summer

 Leathers and Denims: both the clothing of a deep-set winter. Experimenting with these in the summer is an unlikely possibility. For the love of the evergreen: Denims and leather, here's how they're used best this summer!

1. Baggy boyfriend pants:

 Summer's next up, but we aren't done with our share of jeans yet. Baggy is the way to go, on a casual day with a couple of errands to run. They're light-denim capris, with a light blue top: feel cool, indeed. 

Capri-length and a thin material, for the hot summer day. Who wants a great fit without the hassle of the crazy heat? There are the pants for you. 

Couple it up with a simple tee or a tank top. Experiment at leisure with the shoes: they're all a safe bet, depending on your choice of tee. For the baggies cause no harm to fashion shoe police. 

Where: The Diesel online store, http://bit.ly/eeVRmL

2. Textured leather chest belt: 

Chest belts are a new fad we love. It's crisp, smart dressing. 

Be it formals, or a plain long tee: change the style, turn it dressy. You'd think with winter gone, the leathers are all packed and tucked away. Not this season, no. Diesel gives leather a new look- in fact, a new season. 

A tie-back chest belt, first of it's kind. Turn it gangster, match it with a pair of black leather boots. Or use it formally: accessorizing a dull white shirt. 

Where: The Diesel online store, http://bit.ly/h65i7r

3. Faded Denim Bermudas: 

Come summer and the first thing you'd want to do is run out in a pair of comfy shorts. But comfy goes stylish this summer with the faded, worn-out effect. Rips and threads make it to the leggings and jeans, but with shorts: faded is the way to go. The light-coloured denims gel right into the light colours of the 

season. A button and a stitch, and you're done for the season. Flaps and pockets add to the charm, a very old-school pair of shorts!

Where: Zara online store, http://bit.ly/gE552N



4. Leather wallet: 

Wallets are a mark of one's taste. And what better than to have rich tastes in leather? Cute and tiny, it's a square wallet in black, with a silver ring- a mark of Esprit.

Carry it in your hand, or buckle a chain up to it for convenience and style: use it as a sling bag, or just a tiny trinklet box. It's just another wallet, with just another fab statement.

Where: Esprit e-online store, http://bit.ly/exemyJ

Zara: People Campaign

Zara: Think fashion and here's a name you can't skip. A leading fashion garments house, but what do we think of it's new PEOPLE! Campaign?

The campaign, as Zara would like to put it, is a means of "collaborating with people who are interested in fashion." As per the campaign, it's a must to create at least two looks from Zara's Spring Summer 2011 Collection. But here's the catch: You must upload picture of yourself in the outfits. Implying, you must buy these outfits.

Every week, a different selection of photographs are published on the web, with those selected, paid 300€.

To register/sign up: http://bit.ly/evdmtf Sign up to begin!

Zara, Marketing strategy- cheeky much? 

LV: Spring fashion

Lv: Louis Vuitton spring fashion can't do without a mention. Spring 2011, the peak of spring fashion- and LV makes it hotter. There isn't a collection with the exact colours and the best designes. Even before honeysuckle was declared the colour of the year, this collection had it part of it's floral patterns.

So what's the best of Louis Vuitton this season? Take a look: The best of Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection 2011!


1. Printed Silk and Linen Sleeveless Dress:

You've seen the outfit everywhere: Magazine covers, advertisements, all over the internet- For the collection is known by it! What's so great about the dress? It's got the perfect colours, the perfect florals and patterns, that collar and the belt: All that crisp dressing we follow!

This outfit is style in a million bucks: Wear it to the sunday brunch, the evening party and the gazebo, that very important meeting: or just out to a day of expensive shopping. It appeals for a million occasions!

What: Printed silk and linen sleeveless dress

Worn with: (Photo) Flower Field Pump in Printed Textile and Patent Calf Leather, Fingerless glover in lamskin

Where: Louis Vuitton


2. Silk Knit Dress: 

Dresses are the love for most all of us. What kind is the dress we dig? In simple words: it's this. This year's collection is far from typical evening dresses. It's one of formal style. The belts and the sleeveless cuts: the 70's are back it seems: and for good. Pink and white: A great combo, with lovable lady-like cuts and flowing knee-length folds.

Wear with flats or just heels- they're sure to compliment the season any which way!

What: Silk Knit Dress, Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection 2011

Worn with: (photo) Monogram Sabbia tote, Flower Fields Ballerina

Where: Louis Vuitton, http://bit.ly/abrFke



3. New Denim Square Scarves: 

Taking complete advantage of the formals & the silks of the season, are these scarves. Available in five different colours, the baby pink is the best. Browns and blacks also make the colour-styles of this trend of scarves. They're all-rounders when it comes to day & evening wear.

What: New Denim Square Scarves, Louis Vuitton Cruise collection 2011

Where: Louis Vuitton, http://bit.ly/abrFke


4. Swimsuit, Cruise 2011: 

So this is the only swimsuit of the season. But what style. There's nothing it isn't! An epitome of style and much of class, a gorgeous mix of colours and a super chic fit: It's all you need? You know just what you want if you're going for designer swimwear.

What: Swimsuit, Cruise Collection 2011

Where: Louis Vuitton


5. Save it Bracelet:

The save- it bracelet, definitely something you're saving for! Toping all wish-lists this year, the bracelet is a charm. It spells smart like nothing else of it's style. It's up for grabs, pun intended!

What: Save it bracelet

Where: Louis Vuitton

Spring 2011

Spring trends 2011 bring so many light colours around: The frills, colours and floral prints are all such a pleasant change from the dull winter fashion.

Designers often give one collection for spring and summer. Surprisingly though, summer fashion is always different from spring fashion. Summer always brings along a frenzy of bright and bold colours. Spring, on the other hand, marks light colours, subtle and soft.
So obviously, spring fashion differs from summer fashion.

Here's what you must know of Spring 2011 Trends- The basics as well as the designers: 


Basics: Street style this spring!


1. Scarves: So the winter is out, but theres that chill in the air. Besides, the mufflers are replaced with those scarves. Scarves are essential to spring, even though they're all but forgotten in summer!


2. Plain White Tee: Plain white t-shirts are an essential spring item. Choose a style that fits you best. The reason these tees are a must is that they're used as a base. Spring calls for loads of accessories, which only look best on plain t-shirts! 

3. Thin knee-length skirt: We need something for that casual lunch with the girls don't we? Knee-length skirts that are thin and printed look great with a smart top and scarf. They're ideal for they're great with flip-flops as well!

4. Bellies: Bellies are the shoe for spring. They're pretty and girly. Subtle colours go well with everyday clothing. They look ideal with those airy, free clothes!

5. Accessories: Spring fashion, especially Spring fashion 2011 is all about accessories! Whether theyre scarves or handbags, shoes or beads- they're all in! Light colours, of course.

Designers: Spring-Summer designer collections 2011 were a complete contrast from this year's spring street wear and style. In fact, designers were usually the first to excite over evening wear and dresses. Not this year! his year's a whole new deal!

1. Formals: Formals dominated all spring collections this year. The craze for formal attire only struck this season and every designers had certain looks devoted entirely to formals. If you're up for some designer clothing shopping, you ought to know you're in for some serious confusion! They're in much abundance,
you just wouldn't be able to make up your mind! Louise Vouitton has a great formal outfits collection this year!

2. Bold colours: Surprisingly, the bold colours were a big demand. Most designers preferred bright colours over the lighter ones. All up for the fiery reds and the blaring blues, most collections were a riot of strong colours! Gucci's Spring- Summer 2011 collection has strong use of blue, gold, orange and green! C'est bold for the bold woman!

3. Sharp cuts: Sharp cuts found their way in, this year. Everybody was up for some crisp dressing. Tight cuts made for edgy dresses and skirts. Baggy is out, cuts are in! Gucci's collection, as with many other designers, went all-out for sharp cuts and corners.