by luxemi | April 4, 2013 · 11:16 am
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Filed under Indian-Inspired, Killer Accessories, Luxemi Style, Runway Shows, Style Secrets, Trend Alert, Trend Update, Uncategorized, Weddings
Tagged as 2013, 2013 accessory, 2013 fashion, 2013 fashion accessory, Aarti, Aarti Vijaygupta, accessory trends, anarkali, ankle pants, Ashdeen, atlas, Audrey Hepburn, aviators, bag, Balhara, Banarasi, bare, beige, bejeweled, belt, Benaras, benarasi, big, bikini, black, black and white, black/white, bling, block, blouse, blouses, bollywood, border, bow, bracelet, braids, bright, brocade, brown, button, cartographer, cartography, cathedral, celebrity, chandelier earrings, chiffon, collared shirt, coral, crop top, cuff, Daniel Syiem, deep neck, dhruv, dress, Drvv, dye, edging, embroidered, embroidery, eye patch, eyeliner, eyepatch, eyeshadow, Farah, Farah and Firdos, feather, Firdos, fishnet, floral, flower, foil, fresh, fringe, full sleeve, GARO, GARO Priyangsu Sweta, geek, gingham, glass, glasses, glitter, gold, goth, gown, graduated color, graphic, halo, halter, hat, headgear, heels, hindi, ILK, ILK by Shikha Vinita, jeans, jeweled, jewels, kameez, Karishma Shahani, KHEM, KHEM by Khushboo and Prem, Khushboo, Khushboo and Prem, kurti, lace, Lakme Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort, Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013, Manish Malhotra, ManpexencaRS, ManpexencaRS by Riddh Siddhi, map, maroon, mask, masquerade, maxi, maxi dress, metal, midriff, mixed, mixed print, monogrammed, mustard, nani, natural, neon, nerd, net, neutral, Nikhil Thampi, Nitya, Nitya Arora, ombre, one sleeve, orange, pant, pantsuit, peter pan, peter pan collar, pink, plaid, pleats, polo, Prem, print, Priyangsu Sweta, purple, Rajat K Tangri, red dress, red lipstick, reinvented, Resort, retro, Riddh Siddhi, Rocky, Rocky Star, Ryindia, Ryindia by Daniel Syiem, salwar, sandals, saree, sari, sequin, sequined, shades, shift, Shikha Vinita, short hemlines, shorts, Shruti Sancheti, siren, skirt, skull, sleeveless, Sonam Kapoor, soup, soup sougat paul, sparkle, spectacles, split, stained, stained glass, Star, statement necklace, stones, strapless, straw, stripes, stud, studded, Summer, Summer/Resort, sunglasses, swans, Tarun Tahiliani, texture, tie, tie-dye, Tiffany, tinted, top, tunic, turban, turquoise, v neck, Valliyan, Valliyan Nitya, Varanasi, velvet, Vijay, Vijay Balhara, Vijaygupta, Vikram Phadnis, white, yellow tights
by luxemi | April 1, 2013 · 12:01 pm
Payal Singhal is making waves in Indian fashion circles
It’s a hard world for Indian fashion out there: you’re walking a tightrope between traditionally intricate motifs and embroidery with minimalistic Western lines and cuts. But Payal Singhal seems to have gotten the balance just perfectly, with industry insiders at Lakme Fashion Week excited about her take on modern Indian fashion.
This isn’t your standard saree shop collection, Luxe fans. We’re talking edgy takes on traditional salwars & anarkalis with tons of lehengas thrown in, all with a healthy dose of traditional “jaali” and filigree work (floral designs dating back to the Mughal empire) for bold global statements.
We’re totally digging the long-sleeve saree blouse (we wrote a how-to-wear guide here before) and Payal’s effortless way to make a saree everyday accessible with a tunic and statement jewelry, as seen below.
So what’s Payal’s thought process in making these effortlessly glam getups? Here’s what the designer had to say about the influences behind her most recent collection, tips for accessorizing outfits, and her uniform for hanging out in the city.
Luxemi: Tell us about your inspiration for this year’s LFW collection and why you felt it was important to integrate swadeshi (locally made) textiles?
Payal: The inspiration started from a book I was referencing for work. It was a book on Islamic architecture where all the textures and patterns were inspired from monuments; the Taj Mahal is the epitome of that. We always use a lot of Indian textiles in our collections because the brand motto is to make Indian clothes with Indian textile, but in a global context.
Luxemi: Describe the Payal Singhal girl – Who is she? Where does she live? What’s her style?
Payal: The Payal Singhal girl can live anywhere, but she’s confident and not afraid to experiment with her style.
Luxemi: What do you think the trends will be for spring/summer wedding fashion this year?
Payal: I think minimalistic, earthy glamour is what will be in fashion this year for the summer brides: cool colors like sand, cream and grey with pops of warm colors like red and yellow and gold tones. It will be more about style than embroidery.
Luxemi: You split your time in New York and Mumbai. What’s your go-to outfit for a night out on the town in New York? Do you change it up when you’re in Mumbai?
Payal: In New York, it’s easy. I usually put on leggings and Frye boots and any wrinkle-free tunic from DVF (something that doesn’t need to be ironed!). I don’t do much different in Mumbai, except switch out the boots for some peep-toe pumps.
Luxemi: Your name is Payal, which refers to the Sanskrit word for “anklet.” What are your rules for accessorizing Indian outfits?
Payal: I always have one focal accessory and don’t over accessorize, so either a statement earring or necklace or ring – but never all 3 together.
Looking to inject a little Payal playfulness in your weary wardrobe? Try pairing an ornate blouse with high-waisted pants. Or drape your salwar in pretty patterns that are elegant yet chic. Neutrals in black, gold and white are anything but boring when your inspiration is the Taj Mahal!
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Tagged as 2013, 2013 fashion, accessory, accessory trends, Aditi Rao Hydari, anarkali, anklet, architecture, bangles, black and yellow, black and yellow saree, black and yellow sari, blue, bollywood, Bombay, boots, bride, brides, British Vogue Editor, brocade, chandelier earrings, collar, confident, cool, cream, crop top, designer, designer lehenga saree, designer lehengas, dhoti, Diane von Furstenberg, Dinesh Singhal, Dolly Jones, dupatta, dvf, earring, earthy, embroidery, filigree, filigree work, focal, fringe, Frye, global, going out, gold, gold edging, grandfather, grey, hot, india, Indian fashion, Indian textiles, iron, jaali, jaali work, jodhpuris, lace, Lakme Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week Spring Summer Resort 2013, leggings, lehenga, lemon, London Fashion, March 25, MC Hammer, minimalism, minimalistic, Mughal, Mumbai, Muslim, Nehru jacket, New York, NYC, outfit, parachute pants, payal, Payal Singhal, payalsinghal.com, peep-toe, pops, profile, ramp, red, red and black, Resort, ring, sand, sandals, saree, sari, shawl, sheer, shiny, showstopper, silk, silk saree, silver, spring, spring/summer, statement, Summer, swadeshi, Taj, Taj Mahal, tunic, velour, walk, wedding, white, Wills Fashion Week 2013, wrinkle-free
by luxemi | February 25, 2013 · 11:07 am
Luxe fans, if you’re anything like us, you’re always blown away by how toned — and energetic! — your favorite Bollywood actors and actresses look during their musical numbers. That’s why we’re loving the new Doonya: The Bollywood Dance Workout DVD. If you’re looking for a fun new way to get your heart pumping and your body in shape, you’ve got to check this out.
Inspired by the vibrant dances of Bollywood, creators Kajal Desai and Priya Pandya designed this cardio and strength-building workout to keep you smiling and having fun — and we couldn’t agree more! It’s available now on Amazon or Doonya’s website. Oh, and did we mention Doonya’s La Wellness Weekend giveaway, which could whisk you away to Los Angeles for a weekend-long fitness adventure?
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