Sari gets makeover, new look lures Hollywood

That magical drape called sari is spotted not just in the Indian woman`s wardrobe, it has international connoisseurs too. From Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen to heiress Paris Hilton, they have all sported it, though like a dress.

One of the most talked about socialites, Hilton is known for sporting high-end Western wear. But she turned desi when she draped a sari for the cover shoot of an Indian fashion magazine and said that she adored the six-yard wonder by designer Malini Ramani.

Not only that. For her first formal appearance during her three-day visit to Mumbai, the 30-year-old wore a coral pink Grecian sari-inspired gown.

Bundchen too wore sari for a magazine cover.

Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Melody Thornton, Jessica Sutta, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt from the American pop girl group Pussycat Dolls flaunted heavily embellished black sequin saris during the New York fashion week in 2008.

One wonders how these international stars manage to carry off a sari, originally a nine-yard cloth that takes some skill to pleat and drape!

Very simple. Stylists have found an easy way out for them by putting pleats in place and setting pallus -- one just has to slip into it.

Designer Anand Kabra, known for making a beautiful sari-inspired collection, was perhaps the first one to introduce Concept Saris on ramp.

"The Concept Sari is easy to wear, especially if you have never worn a sari before. It is ready to wear with just one wrap around and the pallu over your shoulder. I have used it in both Indian and contemporary ways," said Kabra.

"Fabrics like tulle, chiffon, silk and muslin are very much in vogue and can do wonders in bright hues like neon, crimson and purple," he added.

These days Concept Sari is being popularised by Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor -- she is seen sporting one in the ‘Chammak Challo’ song in her forthcoming sci-fi mega budget ‘RA.One’.

Another form is a well-fitted sari with pre-stitched pleats and pallu and designers Gaurav Gupta and Raakesh Agarvwal presented them at Delhi Couture Week this year.

"A Gaurav Gupta sari compliments the modern woman who is open to transformation and embraces the flow from one style of hers into another," said Gupta.

Young designer Nida Mehmood feels the sari "accentuates a woman`s hour-glass figure and that`s why most Hollywood celebrities try wearing it."

"Also, what can be the best way to add a touch of class and sensuality in a country like India where every girl wants to wear a sari at some point in her life?" Mehmood told reporters.

For years, the sari was worn in a traditional way but designer Bhanu Rajopadhye Athaiya, India`s first Oscar winner, was perhaps the first to experiment with the nine yards, doing away with pleats and giving it a skirt-like look - as sported by Mumtaz.

Mahmood, along with designers like Tarun Tahiliani, too gave a makeover to sari and made models sashay in it on the ramp at fashion shows. A sari, according to them, can be worn over a pair of jeans or jazzed up with a sexy slim belt for a trendy look.

"I used belts emphasising the waist, adding more sexiness, style and youthfulness to the entire personality. I think young girls really liked these innovative styles. This idea of wearing saris over jeans is the interpretation of wearing a sari in a trendy manner. This is a trend that youngsters can follow for any casual party," Mahmood said.

Designers like Anamika Khanna, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Wendell Rodricks and Meera and Muzaffar Ali have done their interpretations of the sari.

Khanna invented sari pyjamas where she used crushed muslin fabric combining the sari drape with casual pyjamas replacing petticoats. Next comes Mukherjee who created the "chhotu" or cropped sari that is worn just above the ankle.

Anupama Dayal says, "Today saris are given more prominence than blouses and people take that extra pain to make the look perfect. Colour blocking, long pallus or very short pallus, and handloom fabrics are making a great comeback."

International designers also take inspiration from the sari -- in the 1950s, Italian designer Valentino designed a sari dress for Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of John F. Kennedy.

About five decades later in 2008, French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier showed a line of sari dresses in his spring summer collection.

Women wearing skirts at workplace ‘more successful’

Women who wear skirts in the workplace are more likely to make a good impression and get a promotion, according to a new study.

Professor Karen Pine, who co-led the research at the University of Hertfordshire, said that the results contradicted previous studies that suggested women should dress more like men to succeed in business.

  

Scientists showed 300 people pictures of women dressed in navy blue skirt suits and pant suits. The clothing was identical in everyway except for the bottoms.

Within three seconds, the majority perceived that the women wearing skirts were more confident, successful and powerful than their trouser clad sisters.

The results concluded that the option women have to wear such attire creates a competitive advantage within the workplace.

“People are judged on their overall head-to-toe appearance and the fundamental role that a dress plays in creating a positive first impression cannot be underestimated,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Professor Pine as telling the Daily Mail.

“Women still have to maintain an identity that balances professionalism with attractiveness. The skirt suit may achieve that balance without appearing provocative,” he added

Simply Outrageous!

Kansas City, Missouri-born, fashion designer Jeremy Scott, known for dressing Britney Spears and Rihanna, has a penchant for the outrageous. How else would one explain Wednesday's Spring 2012 collection that he debuted at New York City's Milk Studios in front of the likes of Michael Stipe, Ellie Goulding, Peaches Geldolf, Sky Ferreira, Patricia Field and Waris Ahluwalia? 

Set against the revving motorcycle engine background of Mötley Crüe's "Girls, Girls, Girls," Scott showcased a rocker-meets-western collection complete with cow prints, printed chain mail, bleached denim, bra tops and most importantly, barely-there chaps paired with thongs. All in all, it was a clever exercise in fun.

New York Fashion Week Begins Today

Designers showing collections at New York Fashion Week, which starts on Thursday, will likely feature bright colors including neon pinks, greens and yellows and polished yet casual styles, say top US department store buyers.

"Dressing up is the new cool, dressing down is old school," said Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing.

Almost 100 designers are due to show collections for spring/summer 2012 to retail buyers, media and celebrities during New York Fashion Week, with dozens more showing at other venues around the city to coincide with the semi-annual event.

Amid fears that the United States could slip back into recession, department stores want to see fashion for the warmer months that will excite and entice consumers to spend when the collections hit the shops early next year.

"Designers are thinking about what does the customer not have and what ultimately will do well at retail, and customers respond to color," Downing said of what he expected to see at New York Fashion Week.

"I'm loving that contrast of neon, fluorescent color on top of bold, bright color," Downing said. "I hope that we do see more of it ... this accent of neon has a real newness."

While the US economic recovery is wavering and consumer confidence wallows at a two-year low, people are still buying clothes. High-end department stores have earned the largest gains in sales and US retail sales posted the biggest increase in four months in July.

Buyers from Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom are also expecting to see a sportswear influence on the New York runways. But Gregg Andrews, a Nordstrom fashion director, said that sportswear doesn't mean sweat pants and T-shirts.

"It really just means separates. It means separates that can be mixed and matched together," Andrews said. "Women no longer have separate wardrobes. ... They want pieces that do multiple things in their lives."

"We definitely think the whole idea of minimalism is going to continue with very clean streamlined pieces," he said.

Saks Senior Fashion Director Colleen Sherin said she was calling the sportswear trend "urban sport."

"It's this idea of clothes that fit a woman's more casual lifestyle, more active lifestyle, but that are still appropriate in an urban environment for city wear," she said.

When it comes to lengths, Sherin said there does not appear to be one "right length" and she said collections could have everything from mini to maxi lengths.

Runway looks will be "clean, sleek and modern," said Fashion expert Jill Martin, author of "I Have Nothing to Wear!"

"Designers are concentrating on the details of their lines to show the importance of cut as well as color and print," she said. "You'll see subtle hues, neutrals, earthy tones, and monochromatic looks with accents of vibrant colors."

Fashion Week in New York is followed by events in London, Paris and Milan.

( Courtesy: Reuters)

Manish Malhotra brings curtains down on LFW in style

Mumbai: Three giant wooden frames hung from the ceiling edged with hundreds of bulbs, a long glass ramp gleamed under the lights, the stage framed in ornate silver with long sheer curtains and a strong Bollywood presence - designer Manish Malhotra left no stone unturned to end the Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 with glitz, glamour and glitterati.

The grand finale show, which was inspired by Lakme`s new Absolute make-up line, displayed garments that were glamorous and sophisticated, with a soul that was Indian.

It saw an impressive line-up of stars gracing the first row, including Deepika Padukone, Imran Khan, Karan Johar, Karisma Kapoor, Amrita Arora, Shabana Azmi and Katrina Kaif.

Kareena Kapoor was the showstopper for the show, and sashayed down the ramp in a white layered lace, silk, net gown with a shimmer.

"I loved walking the ramp because I`m wearing an amazing outfit and the show is Manish`s, whose like family to me. So I was more than happy and confident. Manish is one of the best designers that we have. He has an amazing understanding of style. His sense of colour is so brilliant. He is truly a great talent," Kareena told reporters here.

Manish was too excited to have Kareena as his showstopper for the grand finale collection.

"Kareena is like a younger sister to me, so it was great having her as the showstopper for this show. Although she is an actor and has no experience of modeling but she walks the ramp like an expert. She is a timeless beauty, ethereal, modern and classic," he said.

Along with Kareena and Manish, others present at the show were also truly in a joyous mood. They even stepped on the ramp at the end of the show for a brief jig with the designer, the showstopper and the models.

Karan, Imran, Katrina, Karisma - all shook a leg to bring the event to a grand end.

"It was a fantastic show and I danced in the end because this show is very special to me. My best friend was showcasing his collection and my sister was walking the ramp, so I was very happy," Karisma said.

As far as the collection was concerned, the line showcased Indian and western creations comprising swirling panelled lehengas, cholis, saris and gowns. Silver and resham embroidery covered the ensembles.

Fabrics like lace, chiffon, silk, net, velvet in primary shades of white and candy floss pink were teamed with black, wine, gold, pale grey, metallics and cherry red were used for the line.

Men`s wear was formal with sherwanis, some with wide cuffs, long smock coats at times pleated or gathered - were at others times lean and layered over kurtas. The colour story was masculine with black grey, white and wine with a hint of fuchsia for collars and cuffs.

Hair & Care

You needn't spend hours grooming your hair or spend sleepless nights counting the number of hair strands on your pillow, nor spend hundreds at a salon every month. A smart hair cut (chosen with your lifestyle and personality in mind), 10 minutes of daily fuss-free grooming and some diet changes can promise you hair that looks chic. Here's some expert advice.

5 commandments

•Keep your hair clean. Shampoo every day if need be but remember to rinse it off carefully

•Choose a shampoo that suits your hair type. If in doubt, consult your hair stylist.

•Use a wide-toothed comb and comb the hair in parts. Don't comb from the roots downwards, but start from the strand ends and gradually move up, detangling the hair length.

•Experts now say that you try to should use a conditioner whenever you shampoo your hair. It's best to use a separate conditioner rather than a shampoo-plus-conditioner.

•Have plenty of fruits and water, and a vitamin E capsule for 15 days every month.

Long and curly

Choose it because: Long curls look great when layers grow out, allowing you enough time between trims.

Quick tip: When the hair is 80 percent dry, apply gel, hold a part of your hair and squeeze it with your hands. Scrunch all the hair in a similar way.

Great for: Curly and wavy hair.

Salon commitment: A trim every three months is enough to get rid of split ends.

Choose it because: The length flatters the neckline and the face-framing layers enhance facial features.

Long Straight Hair

Quick tip: Clasp the semi-dried hair with a clutch clip away from the face. When you take off the clip, this gives the hair a natural bounce.

Great for: All textures, but best for straight hair.

Salon commitment: Trim every 8-10 weeks and setting with heated rollers for special occasions.

Classic Bob

Choose it because: It's a wash-and-go style and so is easy to maintain. Add extra dimension to this sleek silhouette with highlights.

Quick tip: For an instant bounce, put your head down and brush down your hair.

Great for: Straight and wavy hair.

Salon commitment: A trim after your hair reaches the shoulders; highlights 3-4 times a year.

Blouse Gets A Retro Look

Remember the days when a blouse meant going to the nearest 'matching centre' to pick up rubia or cotton yardage to go with that new sari. Not any more. From being a mere supplement, blouses have gone glam with a vengeance with long sleeves, low backs, bows, strings, tassels and what have you.

In a recall to the high-fashion era of Sharmila Tagore and Hema Malini in the 1960s, trendy cholis in brocade, net and velvet, not-so-long-ago considered old-fashioned, are once again adding glamour to a woman's wardrobe.

Muzaffar Ali, known for his ethnic collections, said: "The new trend is long sleeves with a vintage or Victorian crossover look. Also, corset blouses with a variety in embroidery can add volume to the entire wardrobe. Blouses in fabrics like net, velvet and crepe playing with transparency on bright colours are perfect for Indian attire."

From designer studios to silver screen, the new trend is catching on. Priyanka Chopra was seen in a long sleeved blouse in 7 Khoon Maaf, while Deepika Padukone sported deep cut blouses with strings at the back in Aarakhsan.

Predicting more interesting traditional trends, ace designer J.J. Valaya said clean empire cuts (blouses with deep cuts in front) and keyhole necklines will make a huge comeback.

"The blouse is an integral part of the Indian psyche. Personally, I believe in sophistication, sensuality and simplicity. For me, clean empire cuts, keyhole necklines with deep backs can accentuate looks," he said.

Also, strapless blouses with a back knot and one shoulder beaded blouses, something that yesteryear diva Mumtaz was often seen wearing in her films, are some of the most in vogue styles.

"Blouses play a very important role, whether you want to look sexy, hot or classical. A lot has been introduced and tried in cholis to achieve the most sensuous look. Now women concentrate more on choosing the perfect blouse for the special occasion than they do the sari," designer Abdul Halder said.

A well-designed and properly stitched blouse can enhance the overall look of the sari or lehenga. Stylist Pam Mehta suggests that women should go for flattering cuts to enhance their overall look.

"Sensual and flattering cuts are in. The empire line could be embellished with cutwork and the sleeves could be short with accents of the embroidery from the sari. Low backs with intricate embroideries help highlight the saris and give a younger feel," she said.

"One should be aware of different aspects of blouse like fabric, colour, cut and designing to complete the attire and complement the look. Sleeves can add zing and oomph factor to a blouse. Round shape necklines are most common," she added.

Muzaffar Ali suggests minimal accessories if you are going in for an over-embellished blouse.

Most garments are very decadent and often over embellished. The wise thing would be is to downplay the added glitter of jewellery! Big pearls are a good add on. They go with most things and bring in an additional elegance factor," he said.