Girl with the blue scarf

More so, by desi designer Rahul Mishra’s Maheshwari collection showcased in 2008. Here are some striking similarities... Surely, we’ve all heard of Indian designers ripping off international designs and reinventing them here. But it’s seldom that one gets to see a reverse inspiration in place. And so, when actress Sonam Kapoor made her debut at the Cannes film festival recently, looking absolutely elegant in a black and white Jean Paul Gaultier gown with a French tulle sheer drape waist down, fashionistas back home in India felt a definite designer Rahul Mishra’s touch in it. Incidentally, Rahul had showcased similar designs in Maheshwari textile in the year 2008 at the Spring/Summer season of the Mumbai Fashion Week. Incidentally, Gaultier’s Summer couture line in 2009 had similar offerings. And finally, when Sonam walked the red carpet at Cannes in a white and black bordered French tulle sheer drape gown, the ‘Indian borders’ inspiration was evident. Rahul, a promising designer based...

It was Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor's debut at Cannes Film Festival. And she sure floored the audiences there with her smile, clothes and style. RED CARPET CALL: Walking tall in a Jean Paul Gaultier couture gown, Chopard earrings, Amrapali ring and Ferragamo shoes, Sonam looked elegant and well turned out. Hair and make-up looked very prim and chic. 9/10 is what we give her. EVENING INDIAN STYLE: Sonam opted for young designer Masaba Gupta's design and chose a bull sleeve black blouse with funky cut at the back. Large polkas on the saree defined her slim, tall figure. Masaba said that, "Basically Sonam's sister Rhea and me had a few meetings on the look, we were aiming for a nice chic feminine but vintage inspired look. The saree is very conventional but the blouse is shirt inspired. We tried on almost 5-6 options on Sonam and settled for the Polka dot since she carried it off beautifully." Sonam wore the saree too high on the waist, but the saree and blouse we...

10th appearance but looks not 10/10 enough This is actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's tenth year at the Cannes Film Festival 2011 and for some reason, this lady never completely sweeps us with her choice of red carpet ensembles. Beautiful that she is, she also commands a great fan following there with fans stumbling all over each other to catch a glimpse of this Indian celebrity. Her light eyes emphasised with a hint of mascara and her glossy red lips were outlined by L'Oreal Paris, the official make-up experts at the fest. However, her dress sense still didn't strike a buzz, this time around as well. MORNING GLORY: For the screening of the film Sleeping Beauty, Aishwarya came wearing a corset like off-white top with a fishtail dark hued skirt. Not too tight but fitting enough, this Indian Bollywood actress looked nice and elegant, considering it was during the day hours at Cannes Film Festival there. Don't miss her big statement bracelet. Score: 8/10 is what we give her...

Aishwarya, Freida and Sonam at Cannes Film festival together Making it a fashionable first and a testimony to India's growing influence on the world stage, three Indian beauties — Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Freida Pinto, who are the brand ambassadors of L'Oreal Paris will light up the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival to be held from the 11th – 22nd of May 2011. This Festival is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious and L’Oreal Paris has been the official make-up artist of it for 14 years. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan , who till last year did not want any Indian celeb to share this platform with her had a different view this time and said that she was happy to attend for the tenth consecutive year. Sonam and Freida, both beautiful women, are also being invited to the festival this year, India will have a stronger presence, which is a clear sign of the growing importance of the country. Slumdog Millionaire star, Freida Pinto and Sonam Kapoor too are excited...

Choreographer and IPL fashion show coordinator Prasad Bidappa defends his expression of art — a calender of nude men, which leaked out in the public recently Prasad Bidappa was a hassled man recently as he prepared for the Indian Premier League 2011 show in Mumbai. Reason being: His hobby of exotic photography was costing him his reputation and ruining his sleep. Some of the pictures he had shot of nude males, which were sent to an exclusive friend list on email were mysteriously leaked out to in the public eye. Apart from hushed talks amongst the modelling circuit who are participating in Bidappa's own IPL fashion shows, a fashion blogsite too posted this incident as a scandal. Bidappa was unhappy, worried and restless. THE TALE: It was Sri Lankan photographer and artist late Lionel Wendt who's work inspired Bidappa for years. So, last year, Bidappa shot pictures of nude males in different sexual positions and compiled it for a select invitee list of friends. It was done wi...

My maiden visit to the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2011 in Delhi was buzzing in more ways than one. At Jantar-Mantar, social activist Anna Hazare broke his fast on Friday April 8 and many socialites and actors made a beeline to serve him nimbu paani . And right next to it at The Park Hotel, models including Hemangi Parte, Minu Verghese and Bhawna Sharma and designers like Anamika Khanna , lined up sans make-up to make their way to Pragati Maidan where the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2011 was taking place. I was put up there too, so all the action was delighting me to no end. For starters, I was immediately consumed by the humongous size of the venue where two show areas kept switching fashion shows in gaps of 30 minutes. The buyers area was thick with transactional activity with designers. Yes, I witnessed some real buying and selling there. Pradeep Hirani of Kimaya was placing orders for horse hair handbags. Alka Nishar of Aza , was happy to do her buying...

In-your-face sexy silhouettes are out, longer hemlines, sheer kurtas and clothes that give hint of suggestion, is the 'new sexy' Bare legs and plunging necklines are passe. Internationally, sheer blouses, longer hemlines are making a comeback on the ramp. The entire perception is now - sexiness is in the suggestion. Indian designers too feel that wearing your attitude is what is considered sexy. And it's no longer about just revealing clothes that make you stand out. Firing the imagination is the new buzz word for the modern-day fashionista. So, dig into your wardrobe and rediscover clothes that are not in-your-face sexy. What remains covered and yet gives a hint of what's inside (read fit bod) is what’s making news these days. Manish Malhotra who's LFW show recently had sheer kurtas for men and sheer blousons for women, says, "Everyone's fit and aware now. Being comfortable in your skin is integral thus sheer is in. But it's a niche trend and not every...