DESIGNER MODE: Vikram Phadnis Cream and Gold Mughal Collection

I'm a big fan of Mughal-style designs, and I thought this collection by Vikram Phadnis in the Lakme Fashion Week catwalk show earlier this year captured the look wonderful - golds and creams, accented with beautiful floral prints.

I like the fact that this is not all purely traditional, theres a Western splash here and there which really work with the designs without taking any of it away - the funky hair styles, the golden hems, the pretty boleros. There a mix of Nehru-collars with beautifully draped saris, kurtas and jackets over lengha skirts, and white lace at the end of a lot of outfits which look very similar to the styles worn by my mother's generation years ago!

I love how wearable these designs are, and how classic they look. Cream and gold are a colour combination which will always be wearable and which look great together, and the fact that these designs have a really elegant style to them which look flattering. I'm a fan of long flowy designs, and it's easy to see how the designer has incorporated this trend into these outfits, and makes them look really wearable.

What do you think of this Mughal-era-style trend?

 

 

  

 

 

 Images belong to Vikram Phadnis

Amy Atlas' Beautiful Candy Bars

Candy bars, or dessert tables, are an increasingly popular feature to have at weddings, parties or various occasions, and often make a beautiful decorational feature too. My sisters and I have tried our hands at making our own 'candy bars' at our mehndi parties and Eid parties, and they have always gone down a treat, both children and adults love them, and they always look pretty in the room or hall. 

Amy Atlas is a US-based 'Sweets Stylist', who does a pretty amazing job for catering candy bars and dessert tables for all sorts of events - birthdays, bridal showers, weddings, even corporate events - and it's easy to see why she is so popular. Amy will really personalise the bar according to the event and the theme, and every layout I've seen of her always looks unique and immaculately done.

These are just a few of her amazing designs, which really show how much personal detail, colour co-ordination and innovation go into them. I find these designs really inspiring, and really, with it all looking so delicious, can you blame me?

 

All images belong to Amy Atlas Events

KAPRAY SHAPRAY: Sequinned Mink-Nude Sari by Rabani & Rakha

I'm not a huge fan of sequins on outfits, especially when there's lots of them, because it's very easy for it to look like overkill and tends to make it look cheap if not done well.
So I was pleasantly surprised by this sparkly sari by Indian designers Rabani & Rakha, with this design, a pretty mink-coloured sari with silver sequins, which manages to give a pretty sparkly without it having a heavy feel for it.

Although I think the blouse is not very wearable for some people (it feels a little skimpy up top) which some women may not feel comfortable with, I think this sari would look just as nice with a plain blouse as well, made in a more longer fit. I like the fact that this is in a classic colour and it really looks wearable for a lot of occasions - I can really imagine this being worn to a party and having a different look in the daytime as well as in the evening!

Images taken from Rabani & Rakha FB group

Bollywood Art Project in Mumbai

I thought these Bollywood murals in Mumbai by the Bollywood Art Project were an interesting version of street art, which has proved quite popular and is a great idea for representing iconic Bollywood culture. I've seen different examples of retro and classical films represented in art several times, and I think these large murals are certainly eye-catching pieces which look great, especially because of the famous scenes, actors and eras depicted.

There doesn't seem to be many that have been completed because it's still an ongoing work in progress, but I'll be looking out for more!

Image Source

Ramadan Mubarak!

Have a good month everyone, and hope it's a productive and blessed month for you all! - Curly Fries xx

OUTFIT Of The Day: Purple & Velvet Trimmed RDC Dress

Here's something I wore to an engagement a few days ago, which was bought from RDC last Eid and has remained a very useful dress in my wardrobe! The dress code was kept pretty simple, so I ended up wearing this outfit as it was one of my plainer suits which also can be dressed up without looking too much.

I have a few outfits from RDC's store (and not just because it's very local for me!) and even though some of their pieces are pricey, I've been quite happy with their designs and the style of their work. This is a long kameez in a royal purple colour, with velvet trim and churidar trousers, which has prettily embellished work along the neckline area. I love the fact that the work stands out and isn't hidden when I wear my hijab, as this is a big no-no for me when choosing outfits.

I paired this outfit with a plain scarf, plain black heels and a black clutch, and instead of bangles, a black sparkly cuff - it came together pretty well for me!

Outfit - RDC London

Clutch Bag - New Look

Black sparkly cuff - Queen's Market!

Black heels - Barratts

Aaand this is me wearing the dress! It always seems to look like I'm wearing a long kaftan in pictures for some reason, but I like this look anyway.

This is one of my comfortable outfits, the work doesn't catch on anything, the colours are very flattering and it's something which is quite flowy, which is how I prefer my outfits. I think the price for this outfit was just a teensy bit more than I would have liked to have paid, but it's something I've worn a few times and which usually gets compliments - it also seems to be one of the more popular outfits at the RDC shop.

I think my black sparkly cuff was my favourite piece of the whole outfit, although they would have gone perfectly with these shoes (which I also don't own!). The event I went to was also an evening one, so it was nice to have something elegant and subtle to wear without feeling too blinged up or OTT. And of course, it allowed for plenty of running around!

GLAMOROUS ACCESSORIES: Bayeen Bangle Cuffs

I've only heard of these recently, and I love how beautiful these look! I've seen a lot of cuffs for the hand and not all of them are easy to carry off, so I loved these bracelets which are half cuff and half beaded strands. This is something which is worn by itself and is definitely a statement piece (although the example worn by Aishwarya Rai in Umrao Jaan is worn with a lot of other jewellery as well!), and I really think this is a classic look which looks beautiful on.

Image belongs to Artesia Photography

I've not been able to find many other examples of these other than the ones below, but I really like how well made a lot of these pieces are - my guess is that a lot of them are made from real gold, which would be why they are so well crafted. I think this is a great alternative to bangles on a wedding day, especially when you're looking for a piece which is easy work wear but still makes a statement - and I think these definitely do!

All images above belong to Naureen Bohari Photography

BOLLYWOOD ISHTYLE: Aishwarya's Bejewelled Elegance in 'Umrao Jaan'

I thought I'd take a quick peep at Ash's remake of Umrao Jaan from a few years back (which makes a change from all that backlash she's getting at the moment!), a film which I think has some beautifully done costumes and some even more astoundingly beautiful jewellery.

Firstly, is this gorgeous blue outfit, complete with the 'fez' hat and some blue stone and pearl jewellery. I love how this all works together, rather than looking too matchy-matchy with all of the blue - although I do think that it does help if you have a beautiful face like Ash to set it off!

Next is this lovely white outfit, which I thought was really pretty as inspiration for a bridal outfit. I like the fact that it  is not too heavily embellished yet still goes well with the jewellery and the silvery work.

I particularly liked this outfit because of how much it reminded me of a lot of styles of Pakistani designers (think Bunto Kazmi, Dr Haroon and so on!), especially with the more traditional jewellery and the slightly-bridal look here. Also, it's my opinion that pink is one of those colours which flatters anyone, when done well!

Next is this gold number, which is accentuated with striking, yet very simple make-up and again, some luxurious jewellery. Although I think that the jewellery with this outfit is not as beautiful as the ones in the other scenes, it's still very well put together and shows how easy it is to use flashes of colour with an outfit in this gold shade.

I also love the fact that there is so much ornate detail in the film set itself, which is beautifully made and looks like the inside of a palace. Even when Ash looks like she's just lounging about in her casual, comfy wear, she still looks super-glamorous in a scene which looks like it could be lifted right out of the Mughal area.

This is another one of my favourites, because it looks slightly Punjabi due to the fitting of the kameez and the old-fashioned style of it. I also like the fact that there are long necklaces which embellish an otherwise plain top which looks quite modest, yet flattering.

Throughout the whole film, there is a diverse range of beautifully made outfits which are completed with rich, luxurious jewellery pieces.  I also love the fact that Aishwarya's make-up style is kept simple and classic, emphasising her natural beauty and also letting her dancing, style (and eyes!) do the talking, without it looking too much.

This is such a great inspiration for brides to be as well as people looking for a different look, and there's an appeal to it which is down to the detail of the sets, outfits and beautiful styling, which looks easy to replicate with the large market of accessories which are available, as well as the classic looking designs.

All images belong to producers/directors of Umrao Jaan