With warmer temperatures comes higher hemlines. And we’re not just talking about your pants and skirts.
Crop tops are making a comeback from their 90s heyday. This isn’t a look for the timid, but if you’re willing to experiment, the crop top promises some va-va-voom for your spring wardrobe. Poppin’ trendsetters like Miley Cyrus and Diane Kruger have stepped out in this trend, and you can too!
And here’s a novel idea: we’re thinking our sari blouses are so gorgeous, why limit them to your special events? Get some extra use out of ‘em and put an ethnic flair on this trend for something equal parts chic and head-turning. Luxemi has shared tips in the past for how to pull this look off, but here’s some fresh inspiration and advice.
TIP 1: BLAZE SOME TRAILS WITH A BLAZER.
Button up that blazer if you’re feeling some chills, or let it hang carelessly open for some sass.
Yes, that workplace staple is a savior come sundown. Whether it’s happy hour or a date with that special someone, err on the side of sophistication with a simple blazer and jeans. Alternate ideas: a shawl or well-tied scarf can be a trendy, unique take on this look.
TIP 2: OPPOSITES ATTRACT.
Get some extra mileage with slouchy clothing partners.
You’ve got tons of choices when pairing tops with potential bottoms, but aim to not overexpose with a mini-skirt or your skimpiest shorts. A little coverage goes a long way in being sexy without looking like you’re going to a rave. This might be a good time to pull out those MC Hammer pants you can’t get rid of or those slouchy gauchos. P.S.: Fitted crop tops couple beautifully with baggier pieces. Just ask Miley.
TIP 3: WHICH WAY TO THE GUN SHOW?
Doutzen Kroes knows how to do it: enough skin to scintillate without getting scandalous.
As in: check out your arms. If you have a sleeve on that crop top, you can afford to go higher on your hemline. Shorter sleeves means a maxi can be your go-to. Think balance: you’re cutting hemlines on one piece, so consider lowering the other.
Here are a few pieces we’re keeping in mind for our next night out. Search “blouses” at luxemi.com for a complete selection of blouses for your next saree and/or soiree!
Mute the rest of your outfit with this bright bubblegum pop of color.
We’re dreaming of pairing this golden wonder with a flowy embroidered skirt for a glam hippie vibe.
A crop top can be tastefully sensual when paired with the right supporting clothing.
Images courtesy of Glamour Magazine and StyleBistro.
It’s spring, and you know what that means, Luxe fans – it’s time for a fashion overhaul! Sunshine means bright colors, shorter hemlines and experimentation galore. Luckily, last week’s Lakme Fashion Week turned out some real trendsetters. Here’s Luxemi’s exclusive glimpse into what you should be wearing this spring – and how to get the look.
TURBANS/HEADGEAR
Maybe this is because of the unbearable heat of a sticky, humid Indian summer. Or maybe the head is the next frontier of fashion. Whatever the case, Lakme churned out some creative ways to dress up your noggin – from vibrant turbans that recall desert shepherds to stick-on halos to fishermen-inspired straw hats. Top your mop for an easy way to dress up a lazy day or take your outfit to a whole new level.
Tarun Tahiliani’s collection featured origami-inspired turbans that looked like flames. Take that, Katniss.
Lazy Sundays require only a straw hat to be chic. Simple, effortless, and easy peasy.
Feeling royal and princess-y? Dress up a gown with regal headpiece studded with jewels and become the belle of the ball.
Toughen up a girly sari and braids with a halo that’s more funky fashionista than demure angelic.
Karishma Shahani’s show featured a turquoise turban to offset a gypsy chic flowy dress.
SARI BLOUSES – REINVENTED
Blouses have continued a cycle of reinvention this year. Designers have refocused attention from sleeves to include different lengths that go from tunic inspired to accessorizing with a bling-y belt. Or how about working just a single, sheer sleeve? From bikini tops favored by the latest Bollywood siren to proper collared shirts any office would be lucky to hire, the blouse is getting a mad makeover.
Why do dresses get all the belt love? Snap on this encrusted piece just below a high-cut blouse and you’ve got a belly chain that’s moved your sari from the trenches of drabness.
Grab a polo instead of your standard blouse and pull on your go-to geek specs for a look that screams chic nerd.
Sexy doesn’t mean showing as much skin as possible. A single, sheer sleeve is even more tantalizing without getting tawdry.
New-age saris take an otherworldly approach with a fishnet blouse that shows off a strapless blouse. Two blouses in one and fearless – we love the clash of demure and seductive.
Who said a sari has to go over your shoulder? Cradle the pallu and show off a spiffy tunic for a cool version of a skirt and top.
URBAN ELEGANCE
Indian street fashion has usually been relegated to two types: the sari or a jeans/kurti combo. Only recently has street fashion become more diversified – we’re talking fusion ensembles that pair parachute pants with Nehru-collared tops, floral embroidered shifts, and a prints-a-palooza. Whether your style veers retro or goth, there’s a little Indian sentiment that can be infused into your outfit.
Don’t think gold and silver can live together? Pile them on as a sewn in necklace on a fiery red dress and watch the magic.
So you have a basic pencil skirt and a top. How to jazz it up? With a fringed and studded belt plus a statement necklace, of course.
Pantsuit, meet jumpsuit. Prevent this from looking like a onesie with minimalistic, strong colors and a statement bag.
Shorts and a tank become dressy when splattered with sequins.
Top a maxi dress with a sequined cap-sleeved top to take an outfit from daytime casual to nighttime elegance.
BLACK AND WHITE
That most classic of pairings evokes films from another era, zebras, and high contrast. Make it a neutral this season for an adventure in fashion. Layer on color through statement jewelry, or try texturizing with lace, brocade, or velvet. Keeping it basic is anything but this season.
Punch up black and white with a red accent!
Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn with a white top tucked into ankle baring pants. Plus points for interesting shirt architecture.
Go from boring to stunning with this simple update to the summer staple shift.
Saris get glam with banarasi work in gleaming thread set against a black background. Simply elegant.
Your nani might have insisted that white saris were for older people. But white saris are fresh, clean, and – with swoops of black – disarmingly chic.
THE EYES HAVE IT
Eyewear isn’t just for nerds and those shielding their eyes from the sun anymore. We’re talking doodads that have rhinestones plastered on them or gold aviators that take the classic into chic territory. Feeling a little adventurous? The runways featured masks and eye patches, but we’re reaching for the nearest neon eyeliners for pupils that pop. Dress up those peepers and see the world differently.
Where in the world are my glasses? No worries – they have a map on them. We’ll stand by eyewear with funky prints like this, no prescription necessary.
Ok, so we won’t be walking out in a mask. But this inspires us to try some thick black eye makeup come summer night for some drama with a slinky dress.
Spice up your sunglasses with red shades, cathedral-esque stained glass, and big jewels for a surefire statement.
We may not reach for an eye patch. But let’s admire how she takes an elegant outfit to edgy new heights with this sparkly accessory.
Put a little mystique with a summery ensemble with some black eyewear; perhaps a dramatic fascinator will help?
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All photos courtesy of Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013.
With wedding season just around the corner, here are some 2013 wedding trends that you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
1. East Meets West
We’re loving the bold juxtaposition of Indian tradition and Western flair when brides pair a modern heel with their traditional Indian salwars and sarees. This trend isn’t limited to women: men are turning to TOMS to complete their traditional Indian wedding day looks. This trend also goes the other way: wearing a traditional white wedding gown but want to infuse it with some Indian flair? Use Indian-inspired jewelry to give your wedding day look an ethnic boost.
2. Creative Floral Centerpieces
Sure, vases filled with roses make a classic statement, but this wedding season, flowers are going to get remixed. Lately, Indian weddings are taking a cue from the famed Rose Parade and using flowers to create elaborate, decorative centerpieces. From orchid peacocks to a daisy Ganesh, this trend is all about using your imagination to create exotic luxury.
3. A Little Bit of Luxemi
There are many ways that Luxemi can help you have your dream wedding. Luxemi’s Wedding Concierge Service makes it easy for you and your guests to coordinate your fashion choices – all at a special discount. Luxemi’s Bridesmaids Collection is the perfect way to cut the fuss out of dressing your bridesmaids. With multiple colors and styles available, we know we can create a custom look you and your bridesmaids will love. Who said finding a bridesmaid saree needs to be difficult or make fashion compromises?
Shital Vora (pictured above) turned to Luxemi to dress her bridesmaids and here’s what she had to say about her experience:
“I had the fortunate opportunity to outfit my leading ladies with Luxemi’s Bridesmaids Collection. I could not have asked for such an easy, stress free, and quality experience. All of the saris in the collection were beautiful, it was hard to narrow it down to one! The one that I chose for the wedding party was beautiful and made of extremely wonderful material. All of the bridesmaids felt that the process was very simple and they were happy with the prices and results. As the bride, this was the easiest aspect of wedding planning with the best results. I highly recommend for any bride to work with Luxemi to contribute to the success of your wedding planning!”
If you are getting married this summer, or know someone who is, contact us at to see how we can help you get ready for your big day. For more information, email weddings@luxemi.com, or call 1.773.770.LUXE (5893).
Hot on the heels of the 2013 Golden Globes, this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards was definitely all about Old Hollywood glamour. Here are the SAG Red Carpet looks we’re awing over.
Is it just us, or are we having a case of Dior déjà vu? Jennifer Lawrence and Marion Cotillard, who both rocked red Dior gowns at the Golden Globes, wore dresses by their fav designer again last night.
Jennifer Lawrence, who won Best Actress at SAG and the Globes for Silver Linings Playbook, wore a strapless navy blue Dior Couture dress paired with a stunning Chopard necklace.
And Marion Cotillard (Rust & Bone) was a complete showstopper in her strapless Dior Couture gown, which featured an elegant bow at the waist, a white bodice and a full skirt that made her the belle of the ball.
Another A-Lister who rocked navy blue was Amanda Seyfried, who was nominated for her role in Les Miserables. Her mermaid-cut Zac Posen dress was gorgeous, but the real statement here was her long Lorraine Schwartz necklace. Also wearing bold blue was Nicole Kidman, whose lacy Vivienne Westwood gown added some much-needed embellishments to the Red Carpet!
If you’re feeling this navy blue trend, we recommend you borrow Luxemi’s tonal saree with a sequin border. It’s got just the right combination of subdued bling and rich color. And if you’re in a salwar mood, try the ultra sophisticated bell sleeve zari salwar. It will have you feeling blue in the best way possible.
We’re always searching for Naeem Khan on the Red Carpet, so we were psyched to see Homeland’s Morgan Saylor wearing one of his Pre-Fall 2013 gowns, which features hand-beaded embellishments throughout its bodice. We would’ve loved to see her in silver heels, though!
Between all the navy blue and black (Anne Hathaway and Tina Fey both wore LBDs), we were really craving some vibrancy. Freida Pinto gave the Red Carpet a much-needed pop of color in her fuchsia Roland Mouret gown. We’re crazy about this dress’ flattering draping and cute black bow detailing. Between this fashion-forward fuchsia and her highlighter yellow dress at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Freida is quickly becoming our favorite color icons. Looking to make a hot pink statement of your own? Try Luxemi’s bhandhani saree with a gota border.
And ladies, in case you haven’t noticed (or heard the new single, Suit & Tie), Justin Timberlake is back! The singer rocked a silk linen Tom Ford suit with a checkered pattern we totally love.
With the 2013 Golden Globes and the 2013 SAG Awards now over, we’re counting down the days until the Oscars. Be sure to check back for our coverage on the 85th Annual Academy Awards, and until then, get in the Oscars spirit by checking out our top fashion and jewelry picks from last year’s show.
If this season’s runways are any indication, we’ve got a year of fashion globetrotting ahead of us. Here are the edgy, Eastern-inspired print and textile looks that have us wanting to pack our bags to take a world fashion tour.
We fell in love when we saw all the brocade on Fall 2012 runways, but we’re digging this new trend even more. For Spring 2013, designers are mixing and matching print and textiles in an eclectic, ethnic way that’s a major nod to Indian fashion. Derek Lam, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Tory Burch, Elizabeth & James, Vera Wang are just a few of the designers who have sent layered print and textile looks down the runway for spring.
One of Luxemi’s favorite globetrotting looks is this Altuzarra Spring 2013 runway dress. We love how the designer mixes a blue and yellow textile (which looks like it may be embellished with zari) with a perfectly draped gold and white embellished print. And did we mention the fringe?
We’re also loving the Neeru Kumar-esque vibe of this striped knit skirt in Derek Lam’s Spring 2013 collection. By pairing the skirt with a cutout short-sleeve top in racecar red, Derek Lam gives knit a funky, playful twist for the New Year.
The best thing about the mix and match textile trend is that the options are endless! The zari work, buttas, mirror work, bandhani and traditional weaves we love are all getting a new appreciation in Western runway looks this spring, so if you haven’t already been rocking your print and embellished sarees, now’s the perfect time.
Have you spotted any other Indian inspired fashion statements on the runway lately? We love when our Luxe fans drop us a line and share their favorite fashion obsessions!
With a new year of fashion just around the corner, Luxemi has been doing a lot of reminiscing about our favorite fashion trends of the last 12 months. Here are the 2012 trends we couldn’t live without.
Florals
From the moment this trend started blooming, Luxemi was totally enthralled with all things floral. Whether it was Valentino’s flowery romance or Proenza Schouler’s modern, graphic take on floral, we loved seeing how our fave designers put their touch on this staple print.
Memorable moments: Oscar de la Renta’s iconic poppie and daffodil gown and Sonam Kapoor’s Dolce & Gabbana flower and onion dress.
Luxemi’s take: Our Floral Cotton Gota Salwar features gorgeous embroidered flowers that add a soft touch to this Indian shift dress’ stunning magenta hue.
Burgundy
In case you haven’t noticed, burgundy (also called oxblood or wine) is definitely the “it” color for Fall and Winter 2012. With designers like Jason Wu, Zac Posen and Tibi bringing this hue front and center in high-impact runway collections, burgundy has been on every girl’s fashion radar — including ours!
Memorable moments: Jason Wu’s killer burgundy coats, which totally stole the show at New York Fashion Week.
Luxemi’s take: With fine metallic embroidery and a rich red hue, Luxemi’s Scarlett Saree with Rich Gold Border will make you the belle of this season’s burgundy ball.
Neon Everything
Pantone’s Color of the Year was Tangerine Tango, but given the amount of highlighter yellow we spotted on runways, Red Carpets and the streets in our favorite fashion cities, it was definitely the summer of neon.
Memorable moments: Frieda Pinto’s Atelier Versace dress at Cannes Film Festival and Oscar de la Renta’s neon yellow runway creations.
We fell in love when we saw designers like Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana work metallic brocade into their runway looks for Fall 2012. It’s an opulent, Indian-inspired touch that made a major splash in both the East and West this year.
Memorable moments: Dolce & Gabbana’s black, crème and gold brocade collection (especially those knee-high brocade boots!).
Luxemi’s take: Our Red and Gold Brocade Salwar showcases brocade at its most beautiful from its elegant scoop neck down to its metallic gold border.
Even though we’re still holding our breath for the new Great Gatsby flick, we’ve gotten a gorgeous dose of 1920s-inspired bows, headbands and heavy pearl necklaces this year from celebs like Nicole Richie, Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams. This is one trend we don’t see going anywhere anytime soon!
Memorable moments: Michelle Williams’ vintage bow brooch at the 2012 Oscars and Nicole Richie’s deco headband love affair.
Did we forget any of your favorite 2012 trends? Drop Luxemi a line — we always love hearing from our Luxe Fans! And be sure to check the Luxe Report, your favorite Indian fashion blog, in the coming weeks for our take on the 2013 fashion that’s capturing our hearts.
Ever since Rodarte sent its models down the New York Fashion Week runway wearing matching dragon ear wraps, we’ve been spotting a lot of intricate ear jewelry on the street and the Red Carpet. Here’s how to wrap a little Indian influence into the ethnic ear cuff trend.
The Rodarte sisters won rave reviews for their Spring 2013 Collection, which featured their signature mix of bold textures, fabrics and color. But what we loved was the duo’s use of ear wraps. Although Rodarte created a “medieval fantasy world” vibe with their metal dragon ear cuffs, the celebs and street stylers who have been rocking the cuff since have taken a softer, more eclectic approach to this statement ear jewelry.
We love how socialite Lara Bingle wore this megawatt crystal ear cuff last week to a Red Carpet event in Melbourne. The ear cuff was custom made for Lara by designer Sarina Suriano featuring Swarovski crystals (one of our absolute favorite embellishments!). If this Australian “it girl” wasn’t on our fashion radars before, she definitely is now. How chic is that ear cuff paired with a classic black Camilla and Marc dress?
Another one of our favorite actresses, The Town’s Rebecca Hall, also took an elegant twist on the ear cuff at the Moet British Independent Film Awards. She wore her unconventional diamond drop cuff along with a classic black blazer and top.
Where celebs go, street style often follows. We’re really feeling the earthy twist these street stylers put on the ear cuff. The flower motifs create a feminine, eclectic feel.
For us Indian fashionistas, our version of the ear cuff is the Kashmiri earring. With an elegant wrap-around chain that connects two charms (one dangles in front of your ear, another behind it), these earrings are definitely a vision of eccentric ethnic jewelry at its best.
For a bold Kashmiri statement, Luxemi loves our Kashmiri Kundan Wrap Around Earrings. This pair is stunning all the way from its jhumka bell charms to its delicate flower-inspired kundan motif. The pearls that line the length of this chain add even more elegance to this statement piece.
Luxemi’s other wrap earrings, these Tiny Pearl Kashmiri Style Earrings, have a more festive vibe. With three jhumka charms dangling behind the ear and kundan work in the front, this pair is chic from every angle!
Want more Indian influence in your jewelry box? Check out Luxemi’s accessory collection for earrings, collars, tikkas, hand chains and other ethnic chic jewelry statements.
We like to think of India International Jewellery Week as the Lakme Fashion Week of the Indian accessory world — a chic celebration of the gorgeous jewelry Indian designers have been dreaming up this year. Want to work the best IIJW 2012 looks into your everyday accessory wardrobe? Let Luxemi help!
Emerald Everything
If there’s one stone that reigned supreme during IIJW 2012, it’s the emerald. Between AmraPali Jewels’ Panna collection, Saboo Fine Jewels’ stunning emerald collar and cuff in the Best of the Best finale, and Vijay Golecha’s mega-watt pear-shaped necklace, the emerald is definitely the “it” look for Fall/Winter 2012.
The summer floral trend has definitely migrated from clothing to accessories, as seen by the flower motif necklaces from IIJW 2012 designers like YS 18 and Kashi Jewellers. To rock floral jewelry for fall and winter, try Luxemi’s Pearl, Faux Rubies and Green Onyx Set. With intricate burgundy and green stonework and a chic floral motif, this East-meets-West necklace embodies the Fall 2012 fashion aesthetic.
Killer Kundan and Powerful Polki
Kundan and polki work are some of the most iconic techniques in Indian fashion, so we were psyched to see them get the 21st Century treatment at IIJW. Although many designers showcased stunning polki work at Day 5’s Best of the Best finale, the most memorable piece was the statement necklace Sonam Kapoor, the event’s brand ambassador, wore to close out the runway show. Between its tassel pendant and three rows of oversized stones, this polki necklace is getting major buzz in the fashion world (and for good reason)!
Want more ways to update your jewelry box for Fall/Winter 2012? Check out Luxemi’s accessories collection, which features necklaces, bracelets, tikkas and hand chains that will add runway-worthy flair to your favorite saree or salwar.
Forget Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week (well, maybe not entirely): For us, the most exciting fashion show of the year is Lakme Fashion Week. Five days and dozens of designers later, we’re still in awe over how much gorgeous, cutting-edge Indian fashion hit the Lakme runway this week. Here are our picks for the best of the best from Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012.
We’ve been loving Anita Dongre for awhile now, but her Lakme Winter Festive 2012 collection is definitely the best we’ve seen from her since her Grassroots line hit the runway. Our favorite part of Anita’s new collection is its strong East-meets-West vibe. We can’t remember the last time we saw modern Western silhouettes paired so perfectly with traditional Indian embroidery work. We could easily imagine Frieda Pinto wearing the royal blue full-skirt gown on the Red Carpet.
If you saw the July issue of Glamour, you already know that a major Fall 2012 trend is pairing denim with Indian jewelry (did you catch the Luxemi piece profiled in that issue?). Judging from Ritu Beri’s innovative, avante garde Lakme Winter/Festive 2012 collection, the eclectic denim trend isn’t going away anytime soon. Ritu made denim instantly chic by mixing it with lace, knit, ruffles, and punchy patterns — an artsy, textured look we’ll definitely be rocking for fall!
While we’re on the topic of texture: Did you see the way the metallic, houndstooth-inspired embroidery shimmered in Sailex Ngairangbam’s Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 looks? And then there was his ingenious twist on the saree: The simple addition of that oversized metallic collar immediately puts a Great Gatsby twist on the silhouette we already love.
Our pick for the most wearable line of Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 is Pia Pauro. With high-impact tribal prints and daywear silhouettes that would look good on any girl, the Pia Pauro collection is definitely one worth keeping on your radar for Fall 2012.
Sometimes simplicity makes a stronger statement than prints or embellishments. Case in point: Wendell Rodricks’ gorgeous, easy-breezy Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 line. With airy silks draped in free-flowing silhouettes, these floor-length dresses and wraps prove that the mod aesthetic is back for Fall 2012. Our favorite look is definitely Wendell’s fluid dress and pants set, which looked like liquid metal as it moved down the runway.
What were your favorite fashion moments from Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012? We’d love to hear what silhouettes, colors and textures will be influencing your Fall 2012 wardrobe. And for a look at the best of Lakme Fashion Week’s Gen Next designers, check back with the Luxe Report later this week!
We’ve got a fashion confession to make: we’ve been counting down the days to Krishna Mehta’s runway show ever since we saw her name on the designer list for Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012. And Krishna’s latest collection reminds us why we’ve been crazy about her since she first hit the Indian fashion scene: her clothes are the epitome of everyday elegance.
From the rosy colors and romantic silhouettes to the carefully hand-crafted textiles and beehive-inspired up-dos, each look in Krishna Mehta’s new Encore collection had us feeling her unique take on retro elegance. It’s not easy to create a composed collection with colors as scattered on the color wheel as crème, peach, red, purple and black, but Krishna manages to tie each look together effortlessly. The common threads are her signature textiles, luscious layering, and those gorgeous headpieces wrapped throughout each model’s modified beehive hairdo.
One of the looks we’re dying to wear from the Encore collection is this super chic separates pairing featuring an ethereal white lace dress, voluminous pants and an embroidered gold cap-sleeve jacket. It’s a gorgeous layered look that reminds us of Chanel in the best way possible. We’re also feeling the slimming, modern silhouette on this floor-length red jacket. From its mandarin neckline to its intricate embroidery, it’s an absolute stunner for Fall 2012.
You definitely get a sense of Krishna’s versatility from the colors and textures in her Encore collection, but her talent doesn’t stop there: Not only does she make stunning women’s garments, but she keeps Indian men looking sharp, too! Her sherwanis and kurtas use embellishment and color to transition these traditional menswear looks handsomely into the 21st Century.
And in case you need another reason to add Krishna Mehta to your designer radar, there’s her activism. Her block printing organization teaches disabled individuals the art of hand printing and embroidery so they can gain employment closer to home. Talk about fashion with a conscience.
To be honest, the pictures simply do not do this luscious collection justice. Take a moment and watch the video to get swept away by Kirshna Mehta.
Krishna Mehta Video – Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012
Stay tuned later this week for the Luxe Report’s official Lakme recap post, where we’ll tell you all you need to know about the week’s best designers and chicest collections.
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