The Boulevard (Pakistan Fashion Design Council) ushers in the wedding season with a wide range of wedding couture.

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On display at PFDC are unique saris, gowns, blouses and dresses by Hassan Sheheryar Yasin. The colour combinations are tasteful and promise a beautiful balance of the ethnic and the contemporary.

 Fluid silhouettes with an emphasis on the structure of the hip-line and detailed crafted straight jackets and blouses, with a strong emphasis on silk velvets, gauzy, delicate fabrics and hand-woven jacquard all create a luxurious and opulent look. The team of creative artisans ensures their signature look with intricate detailing & fine finishes, imparting a classic and timeless look to the fine assortment. The collection is a mélange of colours, with gold-plated threads of silver intricately woven into the rich fabric adding elegance to one’s wardrobe.

 Prêt Collection: Rs. 25,000 – Rs. 40,000

 Bridal Collection: Rs. 1, 00,000 – Rs. 15, 00,000

Shop at PFDC – The Boulevard, M-4 South Extension Part 2, New Delhi- 110049.

The French luxury crystal house has created a limited edition chess set that embodies elite craftsmanship and years of glass-making skills. All pieces of this hand-cut 32 piece set are inspired by Baccarat’s iconic Harcourt drinking glass design known for its distinctive stem shape. The pieces are made from clear and midnight blue crystals with contrast cuts reflecting light to make them come alive on the artistic board designed by Japanese design studio Nendo. The signature red color is represented via a ruby square placed at the base of the chessboard. The limited edition of 50 units will sport a price tag of nearly $30,000 and be a part of the yearlong exhibition at the brand’s museum in Paris.

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LES PERLES DE CHANEL

The latest high jewelry line from the house of Chanel epitomizes the image of its founder, Mademoiselle Chanel who is inseparable from pearls. The exquisite collection pairs pearls with diamonds, sapphires and amethysts. It depicts some of the themes from the brand’s signature themes such as camellias, majestic lions, constellations and even the inaugural fine jewelry collection of 1932.  This 87 piece collection consists of necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and brooches made with different cultured pearls in varying shapes, sizes and colors.

DIAMOND ROSE : NEW FRANGRANCE BY EMPORIO ARMANI

The newest fragrance by Emporio Armani spins a womans best friend in a fresh and irresistible take. Diamond Rose is inspired by the power and mystery of the rough stone that becomes magical in its radiance when cut and polished to perfection.  It embodies the Emporio Armani woman who follows trends, defines her own style – ultra feminine, seductive and free spirited. The bottle is multi-faceted like a diamond with rose tinted reflections. The brand’s logo is engraved at the centre and is placed in the fabric-textured paper box accentuated with printed diamond studs.

In 1974, a then-26-year-old Diane von Furstenberg created a fashion phenomenon when she introduced her wrap dress to the world. V-necked, feminine, easy to wear and figure flattering for all, the dress that made the Belgian-born US designer a star has just turned 40 years. Within two years, she sold five million copies and von Furstenberg, 29 at the time, was hailed in 1976 by Newsweek magazine as “the most remarkable woman since Coco Chanel.”

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The first advertisement for the dress featured the designer herself clad in one of the wrap styles, sitting on a white cube on which she wrote: ‘Feel like a Woman, Wear a Dress.’ “I was in my 20s when I made the dress, and it was my American dream, the wrap dress is really what helped me to become the woman I wanted to be, this little dress changed my life. It paid my bills, for my children’s education. But it also changed the lives of women in ways I had no idea about.” She told The New York Times recently. Unveiling her fall/winter 2014 collection on the New York catwalk with a shower of golden confetti, von Furstenberg gave the dress a starring role. Her latest collection, titled “Bohemian Wrapsody”, referenced “glamorous vagabonds”. Really, it was pure Diane von Furstenberg: easy, poppy 70’s stuff, a mash-up of Art Nouveau and Art Deco prints, billowing chiffons, psychedelic embroideries and a finale of glitzy, glittery gold wrap-dresses. Take a look.

The elegant & graceful Vandana Shrikanth hosted an exclusive, indulgent evening at Luxxe Box,Chennai’s first multi-designer concept store,and also the city’s first foray into luxury retail. The event was a special preview of the spring/summer collection brands such as Furla, Tumi and Armani.

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The elegant soiree was graced by the upper echelon of Chennai’s society ladies who were seen enjoying the evening, admiring the latest collection showcased whilst indulging themselves on a palate of delectable Hors d’oeuvres and sipping on summery cocktails until late evening.

On preview from Furla was their collection titled “up in the air”, embodying the lightness and freedom of nature, refinement and grace. The color palatewas predominantly shades of blue, such as Dew and Atlantic, and pastel nuances of Dawn and Apricot.

Meanhwile, TUMI  had the very groovy and limited edition collection in collaboration with the American potter Jonathan Adler, whose iconic prints and cheeky sayings land on TUMI’s best-selling styles.The assortment make a statement with a bright pink or blue chevron print suitcase, a novel “Are We There Yet?” carry-on case or packing in a “This is Mine” travel bag, definitely makes travel fun.

Armani Jeans spring summer collection for women showcased Italian-made garments and accessories, identified by distinguishing features such as a leather eagle. Bright summer shades like Copper Sulphate blue, Orange and Peach, were a dominant part of the collection-with patent leather accessories perfect for every occasion.

The LUXXEBOX boutique:

Express Avenue, 50L Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai.  +91-44-28464544/88

Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world. We can’t get enough of shoes despite the fact that we own a lot of them.  We are raving about the new SS’14 range launched by Jimmy Choo. The range is vibrant, sensual and adds a sophisticated glam touch to even a simple wardrobe choice.

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Jimmy Choo is available at BERGAMO, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Chennai.  + 91 44 42050953

 Kirtilals, a premium fine diamond and gold jewellery brand launched a first-of-its-kind iPad application, to enhance the customers buying experience at the store. With the new iPad application customers can explore and browse the designs available at Kirtilals data bank, select the jewellery of their liking and opt to virtually “try on” the pieces. The customers can experience numerous look and closely analyze the design using this app and buy jewellery that complements their personality.

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If a customer wants to create unique and customized jewellery then Kirtilals Lounge is the place to be. The customers’ can come up with their own design concept and have a one on one interactive session with a designer at Kirtilals. The Designer will help in converting the ideas of the customers’ into a complete design; this image will be rendered, and then it would be portrayed through the iPad feature, which would help the customer to virtually experience the jewellery on them. The final design chosen by the customer will then be manufactured and delivered to the customer.

Mr. Suraj Shantakumar, Director – Business Strategy, Kirtilals said, “Our 75th anniversary is a time to celebrate our accomplishments. We at Kirtilals are constantly working towards meeting our customers’ expectations and inventing ways to enhance their experience. It is our commitment, dedication and willingness to create trends that has made Kirtilals what it is today and paves the way for future.”

“Witnessing a paradigm shift in consumer buying trends and the need for customized service, we are now offering the innovative iPad application at Kirtilals Lounge. We are confident that our services will take jewellery buying experience to a whole new level.”

‘Kirtilals Lounge’ is an ideal place to let your imagination run free as it offers you the chance to create a unique design for oneself. Besides the designs, the customer will also be able to customize the diamond settings, flexibility etc., and be personally involved with the making of their jewellery at various stages. Overall the Kirtilals Lounge and the innovative iPad application will make jewellery designing and buying experience memorable for their customers.

Sharan Apparao tells how an idea is formed by an artist and what lies in their deep perception behind each of their art forms when they execute it.

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One often looks at art that puzzles. One begins to wonder what the artist is saying and why. Sometimes the message is shrouded in layers of symbols and images. At other times a viewer does not connect.
Recently a collection of Benitha Perciyal, a young talented artist’s work set me thinking of the line between the absurd and actual art.
In this exhibition she had enamel jewellery with images of dogs and squirrels.
She had a bracelet with something organic that turned out to be the teeth of a squirrel.
She had a miniature dress resembling a squirrel embroidered by none other than Jean Francois Lesage the renowned embroiderer for Chanel and many other famous French couture houses.
Was this absurd? What did this mean? Why was a renowned couturier indulging this artist?
Did she have a point?
What did she want to convey?
What was the meaning of these images?
What is her place in art?
What does she have in common with Marcel Duchamp and Mark Rothko and Pablo Picasso or Robert Rauschenberg?
Did she? Or did she not?
Was she making a point somewhere?
Similarly why is this Subodh Gupta making waves? He was picking up vessels in bulk from Ratna Stores in Pondy Bazaar and welding them together!
What was he saying?
Who was Alexis Kersey and what was he saying?
Why did Dayanita’s room full of chairs move people?
Who was Pushpamala and what was she parading in different costumes?
What was this creation called princess pea?
Why was Vivek Vilasini dressing up ladies in burkhas and making them sit around a dining table?
Were all the above crazy? Were they absurd? Why were they relevant?
What was the point?
They made news sure, but did they go beyond that?
Yes, they made news and each of them crossed that like to make a point that was relevant in the layers of imagery they presented. They thought differently. Yes they were all differently baled in their thinking, they were on that line that could make or break their presentations. They all had a deep-rooted need to say something… and their defense catapulted them into art. Their narratives were so strong and perceptive it was hard not to be convinced.
Yes in some cases history will be the judge; in many cases society is too close for them to see the point immediately.
When Marcel Duchamp took a commode and signed it, he was not just being an enfant terrible. He was challenging the system. He was creating history. He believed art was in the hands of the maker and not in the craft. He believed the thinking had to change and thus was born Dadaism.
Robert Rauschenberg walked around the block near his home in New York and collected pieces from garbage dumps that he put into his artworks. When he did not find anything while walking around a block he walked another and if he did not find anything he did not create for that day. The point was his way of seeing! Someone’s garbage in his hands became what today are priceless assemblages that he had created in the 60’s/70’s when few knew what recycled was in terms of materials used in the artworks.
Picasso and Rothko both in different ways went against the grain of their time and created works on their own terms creating histories that the art world will never be able to erase.
Closer home, Subodh Gupta’s vessels spoke of symbols of migration to countless people whose histories visited the symbol and relevance stainless steel vessels held just as marble monuments held relevance to the Rajas of the past. They were and are icons of a time.
The narrative the artists conveyed in their works in their worlds, when defended moved them from one realm to another. They awakened in their expressions ideas that were relevant, histories that were waiting to be awakened and concepts that one day might activate a revolution in thinking.

Benitha had a pet squirrel that disappeared and this exhibition was not about Jerry, her pet but about the environment and its degradation. As a silent warrior, she was crying out loud at the devastation of nature. Her association with animals was the bond of life. It was not about a cute squirrel but about the frightening reality of a world that was being lost.
So going back to the line between the absurd and the real, most real artists see it. All courageous artists address this line. It is this line that eventually makes history.

Designer Pawan Sachdeva’s Spring Summer’14 collection, “The Urban Glam” draws inspiration from today’s woman, a woman who is dynamic, light-hearted, loves fun and is not distressed with life.

The collection conveys a positive frame of mind, which is expressed through floral and abstract prints in vivacious summery colors like orange, mint & curacao blue etc in using fluid and light weight fabrics like georgettes and cottons.  The collection has mix and match of prints like printed fabrics are combined with stripes or check fabrics to lend a distinct style.

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Pawan’s SS’14 Collection is all about evening wear outfits with varied silhouettes like tunics, A- line dresses, palazzo pants, jump suits, short-tops & shirts etc.  The designer has played with styles and cuts and minimal use of embellishments.  The designs and the patterns are differentiated through solid color fabrics, plain georgette frills, which not only add a look to the garment but they also play a major role in adding feminity to a woman’s body. Lot of appliqués and patch works are visible in designer’s collection.

We are rhapsodizing all the lovely bags from Viari and we can’t stop raving about them. Pop out colours, trendy designs and great pricing, Viari is keen on one thing: let you have your world on the go.

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