What are in mom's closet

Three years ago, I remember making fun of the bell-bottoms, corduroy trousers and glitzy jackets that make an appearance in my mum's photos from the '70s and '80s. I never imagined I'd too live through an era in which 18-inch flares and fringe ruled the fashion scene. And just like that, those styles have boomeranged back to the runways of 2015. There's never been a better time to raid your mother's wardrobe, and Vogue India's stylish girls show you why.

VINTAGE MODERN
Chandni Sehgal, Copy editor

"I paired my mum's blue ruffled shirt with flared jeans from Mango and retro-style shades to complete the vintage-inspired look — the ruffles are so retro, while the colour is cool and contemporary."

DENIM DAZE
Priyanka Parkash, Fashion coordinator

"I can tell from photographs and memories that my mom really took to the '80s. She was a big fan of denim – especially high waist jeans, oversized shirts and midi skirts. I share that obsession, and love this oversized denim shirt because it's super versatile. I don't think I'm giving it back!"

EASY EMBELLISHMENT
Ria Kamat, Junior fashion stylist

"I chose a '70s embellished jacket that my mom gave to me several years ago while we were cleaning out her closet. What I like about the piece is its oversized silhouette and its ability to give the most basic outfit a glam lift."ৃ

Rani Mukerji: The reign of flashback

It was 1998; June 1998 to be precise. A relative newcomer was travelling to the capital for the premiere of what would become her breakout film. A song from the movie had just gained traction, sung as it was by the nation's heartthrob, Aamir Khan. The girl opposite him in the song was pretty, had beautiful big eyes and wore a short white dress. In the aircraft, a few passengers recognised the actress, dressed in a simple Indian outfit. They were circling her very famous co-star who, for some reason (likely the infamous frugality of producer Mukesh Bhatt), was also flying coach.

Bored, impatient and possibly feeling a tad unloved, the young lady began humming the recent chartbuster—'Aati kya Khandala?' Heads turned; within minutes she'd been identified as the girl from the song. The cabin erupted in a chorus, encouraging her to sing with them. A round of applause went up when the song ended. Even before she got to the premiere of Ghulam, Rani Mukerji had been declared a star—by the travellers in that economy-class cabin that morning and by half the country that weekend.

At her spacious office in the Yash Raj Films studio, there is no trace of that ingénue. Sporting a flowing yellow dress, vertigo-inducing heels and multiple rings on her fingers, Mukerji looks every bit the cliché—the pampered wife of the moneybags producer. Mention this to her and she laughs. She doesn't take affront to that description. "At this moment, when I'm not working on a new film, I am the rich producer's wife. It's something I'm very comfortable with," she says. It takes a cursory glance at the wall on the opposite side of the room to see why Mukerji doesn't feel threatened being identified as Mrs Aditya Chopra.

Large, framed images from practically every one of the roughly 45 films she has made over her 20-year career cover the length and breadth of the wall. You cannot take that away from her. That fiery performance as a woman who marries her rapist in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997)—her first Hindi film; her teary turn as the dying mum who leaves nine letters for her young daughter in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998); the impulsive romantic who discovers that marriage takes hard work, in Saathiya (2002); the feisty con-woman in Bunty Aur Babli (2005), the committed newshound in No One Killed Jessica (2011); the tough cop in Mardaani (2014) and, of course, her most enduring performance as a deaf-mute girl pushed to achieve her full potential by a teacher with unconventional methods in Black (2005).

Few female actors in recent times have displayed the range or the versatility that Mukerji has. For years measured against her more famous cousin, she stood her own. Sure, there have been missteps too—the string of tortured characters she played in everything from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) and Babul (2006) to Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007)—but good luck finding another actress willing to take such bold risks as the truly bizarre Aiyyaa (2012). Good luck finding another actress unafraid to risk ridicule playing the clueless wife of a 'confused' husband in Bombay Talkies (2013).

Edited excerpts from the interview:

You were barely 17 when your first film released. What was the movie set like to a teenager?

It was actually very strange. The only comforting thing was that the producer was someone my parents knew for a long time. I grew up calling him Salim uncle (Salim Akhtar). And my mother was by my side throughout.

I never truly wanted to become an actor. My cousin Kajol had debuted in Bekhudi (1992) about four years ago, but there was this belief that the Mukerji girls cannot be in the movie business. But my mother's younger sister (Debashree Roy) was an artiste in Bengal, so it wasn't looked down upon in her family. My mother was always keen that I become an actress.

What gave you the confidence to finally join films?

My father had his first bypass surgery when I was in class 8. That was a huge setback for my family. When I was in class 10, Salim uncle offered me Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1994), which eventually Urmila (Matondkar) did. I remember crying as if he'd offered me this really nasty thing. I looked down upon acting. In school I used to hide the fact that I was from a film family.

Wearing the midi like celebrity

Long enough to stay put on a windy day, but stopping short of the puddle-covered streets, the midi is a wardrobe superhero. Still unconvinced? Get inspired by the scores of celebrities championing the silhouette for every occasion.

Date night: Give your trusted mini dresses a break. Despite the extended length, a sheer panelled midi skirt like Priyanka Chopra's is instantly sexy. Emma Stone and Rose Byrne paired their black calf-length skirts with peekaboo lace blouses, for a playful evening look.

Post-work cocktails: Take your midi from boardroom to bar in no time and just a few steps. Take cues from Taylor Schilling and Lupita Nyong'o and stick to a simple sheath in a punchy hue, which can easily be toned down with a crisp blazer while at work. Love Victoria Beckham's high-necked midi dress, cut-outs and all? Make it office-appropriate by wearing it with a sleeveless blazer.

Black-tie dinner: Want a slimmer waist instantly? Put down that kale juice and adopt one of this season's full-skirted midis, loved by Sonam Kapoor and Keira Knightley alike. This upgraded '50s favourite creates the illusion of an hourglass figure, making us feel less guilty about skipping that last Pilates lesson.

After-party: Layering is the key here. You can go monochrome and edgy like Beyoncé, who pairs a cropped biker jacket with her simple tank and skirt, or feminine like Blake Lively and wear your full, printed midi skirt with a trench. Add a pop of colour with your shoes.

Weekend brunch: Take a lesson from Deepika Padukone's pretty pastel ensemble or Freida Pinto's micro-checked day dress for a lazy Sunday afternoon with the girls. Chrissy Teigen's cropped top and culottes combo—complete with that sun-kissed tan—is the kind of look you can easily take from brunch to a rooftop sundowner.

Trends: Indian bride's guide for summer

Summer weddings are for garden mehendis and open-air sangeets. And if you're one of the brave brides ready to party it up in mango season, you're going to need an army of pretty-meets-pared-down ensembles.

Keep your colours cool—pick hues like mint green, dusky rose and ivory.

If you absolutely must go darker, skip traditional reds and gold for orange, blue or pink.

A sprinkling of sequins (be it on the hem of your lehenga or an embellished blouse) will always spruce things up.

And when it comes to your trousseau, never forget the power of the sari.

This summer, invest in pieces that are as comfortable and light as they are adaptable.

A lehenga will always grab eyes, but your wardrobe will forever be incomplete without the six yard staple.

Keep your colours cool—pick hues like mint green, dusky rose and ivory.

If you absolutely must go darker, skip traditional reds and gold for orange, blue or pink.

 A sprinkling of sequins (be it on the hem of your lehenga or an embellished blouse) will always spruce things up.

And when it comes to your trousseau, never forget the power of the sari.

This summer, invest in pieces that are as comfortable and light as they are adaptable.


A lehenga will always grab eyes, but your wardrobe will forever be incomplete without the six yard staple.

Deepika, Kareena, Priayanka & Jacqueline's best dressed on June

Bollywood's biggest annual event IIFA Awards kicked off with this month and it's hardly a surprise that Deepika Padukone topped the event's best dressed list. The actor walked the green carpet in a shimmering red Sabyasachi sari, followed by Jacqueline Fernandez in Anamika Khanna and Bipasha Basu in a Sabyasachi anarkali—both close sartorial seconds. Another Indian-ethnic look worn well: Aditi Rao Hydari in a polka dot Masaba sari.

Solid washes of colour emerged as a favourite this month. While Kareena Kapoor Khan and Lisa Haydon chose white dresses, Kangana Ranaut, Priyanka Chopra and Malaika Arora Khan stepped out in shades of dusky rose.

Going darker, Anushka Sharma paired her black Michael Kors dress with burgundy lips, while Sonam Kapoor picked smoky eyes with her Ralph & Russo ensemble. Nargis Fakhri's best look this month? A navy blue cape gown by Samuel Dougal worn with her short new hairdo.

From the ladies who went bright, Shraddha Kapoor and Neha Dhupia favoured bright yellows. Internationally, stars were painting the town red: While Kendall Jenner chose scarlet, Kate Hudson opted for a reddish copper. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's brick-hued gown was another winner.

Big Impression Malone Souliers for Fall 2015

It’ll soon be a year since I had the chance to chat with the London-based designer Mary Alice Malone about her first collection when it arrived at Bergdorf Goodman, and ever since, I’ve been following the brand with interest. For Fall 2015 Malone Souliers captivates us with luscious suede, more contrasting color, and the return of interesting mules.

You’re all familiar with one of the brands we included among 2015‘s shoe designers to watch, Malone Souliers.

The brand loves to play with juxtaposing colors, and the results feel much more sophisticated and natural than other colorblocked shoes I’ve seen on the market.

The rich contrasting colors are sleek and look ultra luxurious, especially in suede. The brand continues to reinvent the controversial mule, and its signature lace-up sandal makes another seasonal appearance.

The ankle boot is a new style being added for Fall 2015, and it is one of my all-time favorites from the brand. It’s modern, innovative and sleek, which perfectly captivates the Malone Souliers brand.

10 purses & bags in Modern History

When you look back at fashion history, It's become trendy for designer brands to emphasize their histories and heritages in an attempt to add value to their products and convince consumers that their prices are worth it, but, there are a few modern handbags that stand out for the ways that their existences have shaped the accessories industry and how women (and men!) perceive, carry and shop for bags. As part of our continuing countdown to National Handbag Day, we've made a case for the best and brightest below.


1. THE CHANEL 2.55 FLAP BAG

There's no other way to start this list. In February 1955 (hence the name), Coco Chanel created a bag that changed the accessories industry forever. The innovation? Shoulder straps. Those of us who ride the subway every day owe her an enormous debt.

2. THE HERMÈS BIRKIN

By now, the story of the Birkin's creation is well-known. Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas sat next to Jane Birkin on an airplane once, and when he noticed the trouble she was having with her carry-on, he asked her what might make for a better bag. That was in 1981, and in 1984, the Birkin was born, eventually creating waitlists and credit card debts the world over. Three and a half decades in, it's still widely considered the world's ultimate bag.

3. THE LOUIS VUITTON NOÉ BAG
$1,440 via Louis Vuitton

Although it's not Vuitton's most famous or popular bag, the Noé, originally designed to carry champagne, paved the way for a zillion drawstring and bucket bags after it.

4. THE FENDI BAGUETTE
$3,990 via Bergdorf Goodman

Over a decade ago, the Baguette was the world's first It Bag. It became such a cultural touchstone that it was even used as an extended metaphor in an episode of Sex and the City; in the intervening years, Fendi's accessories influence has only strengthened.

5. CHLOÉ PADDINGTON
$2,150 via Nordstrom

The Paddington will probably always stand as the ultimate It Bag. The design showed up at exactly the right time; Internet shopping and social networking were starting to make it easier than ever for people to obsess over hard-to-find items, and obsess they did.

6. CÉLINE LUGGAGE TOTE

In the years after the Chloé Paddington craze had waned, a lot of industry people wondered publicly if the age of the It Bag was over. It was not; the Luggage Tote came on the scene in 2010 and almost immediately changed the proportion and structure of everything around it, inspiring Paddington-style wait lists (often with full payment required up front) six months in advance.

7. BALENCIAGA MOTORCYCLE BAG
$1,835 via Neiman Marcus

No other line of bags has so clearly demonstrated the importance of developing the perfect, logo-free signature hardware. Balenciaga's sparse mix of studs and buckles can fit neatly on a nearly unlimited number of bag shapes and sizes, which makes consumers far more likely to buy multiple pieces from a line instead of just one. Since the bag's debut, a lot of other brands have tried their hand at it, but none as successfully as the original.

8. GUCCI BAMBOO BAGS
$3,800 via Gucci

Gucci's bamboo-adorned bags were developed and released in an era long before celebrity fashion culture existed as we know it today, and they were arguably the first big celeb favorite, gracing the arms of famous women from Elizabeth Taylor to Vanessa Redgrave.

9. HERMÈS KELLY BAG

While pregnant, Grace Kelly regularly used her favorite Hermès bag to obscure her stomach from photographers. Not only did the move earn the beloved bag its name, but it got the Kelly a place in both fashion and celebrity history. In the modern era of endless paparazzi, the maneuver is still a favorite of press-addled stars.

10. JUDITH LEIBER CRYSTAL MINAUDIERES
$5,695 via Neiman Marcus

Now that we live in a world full of bags made in the images of cereal boxes, cartoons, zodiac symbols and books, it can be difficult to remember that novelty luxury bags were once basically the lone province of one woman: Judith Leiber. The brand has turned everything from chihuahuas to bundles of asparagus into crystal-studded status clutches, and without all of that wonderful weirdness, the handbag world would likely be far more dull.