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.

History of Ladies gadgets & purses

Purse, is a great item of fashion. 

Purses and handbags have their origins in early pouches used to carry seeds, religious items and medicine. Early on, both men and women carried pouches. In the 15th century, a purse was a traditional gift from a groom to his bride. The bags typically were elaborately embroidered with an illustration of a love story. In New Guinea, centuries ago, both men and women carry large knit bags which looked like nets decorated with feathers, seashells and other mementos. The more shells a person had was a sign that they had many people who lived by the sea.

Chenoune says that the similarity between an haute couture tote and a satchel belonging to an African witch is that both bags hold a secret of some sort. He says bags are very personal, it holds the things you need for the day and the things you want to have, just for comfort or hobby. People began carrying items from home when the traveled, even on short trips. Items such as a deck of cards, knitting, a diary as well as beauty and personal items could be brought along.

Traditional wallets began as early as the 16th century, as small leather pouches which a drawstring tie could loop through a belt. Also in the 16th century there were ‘sweet’ bags that women used often as lavender bags to scent their handkerchiefs. Pockets, called bagges were also introduced into clothes around the same time and allowed people to carry small personal belongings.

By the late 18th century, women’s clothing was more form fitting and pockets ere not easily accommodated into the garment. Women began carrying small, often silk embroidered drawstring bags or purses called reticules, or 'ridicules'. These bags often carried a handkerchief, fan, dance card, perfume, or face powder. Reticules were smaller version of what women used to carry their needlework. This is likely the origin of the Dorothy bag which has since emerged as shoe bags, dress bags, laundry bags and today, gym bags.

The Victorian period brought a large variety of bags. Bags often were made t coordinate with the outfit and were now made of many different fabrics. By the mid 1800’s, bags changed from simply drawstring styles, to a popular flat style, that could be made in either a circular or square shape and was generally heavily decorated with beading and needlework. Patterns and directions for making these types of purses became popular in ladies magazines at that time.

There were also smaller versions, used as coin purses which often included a metal fastener.
By the early 20th century, women were carry bags every time they left home, even for short periods while hats were popular accessories that began to loose popularity by the early 20th century, handbags became increasingly popular. The success of the handbag has much to do with the fact that it has adapted to the needs of the time. Handbags held cigarettes, sunglasses rather than seeds and medicines. Years ago, it was ladylike to carry as little as possible. A small bag was typical. Today women are gone form home for longer periods of time, frequently working or if not, often with children along . The size of the typical bag has increased to meet the need. Eleanor Roosevelt is noted as a sing of the time as a very busy and active woman herself, she carried a large leather handbag not necessarily typical of the time.

What is Aanarkoli dress?

In India and Pakistan along with south asian women, every one like anarkoli dress.

What is this Aanarkoli?

An Anarkali suit is a combination of a long flowing kurta and tight fitted churidaar (leggings) with sheer chunni or stole completing the look. The kurta is fitted on the bust and normally features large pleats flowing around the legs like an umbrella.

The origin of Anarkali suits dates back to the Mughal Era. These suits are named after Anarkali (which means pomegranate blossom), a famous courtesan of the Great Emperor Akbar’s court. She was known for her great beauty and pomegranate like complexion.

According to the legend, Anarkali was very beautiful and everybody was dazzled by her  beauty. The crown prince Salim (Jahangir) fell in love with her at the first sight. But their love incurred the wrath of the King Akbar and their love story ended in a tragedy. She was buried alive by the order of the Emperor Akbar for having an affair with his son. Not only her love story but also her time less costume got immortalized by epic movies like Mughal-e-Azam. Nobody can forget how beautiful and graceful Madhubala looked in the movie. She started the trend of anarkali suits. This style went out of the fashion for some time but came back with a bang last year and is here to stay with most of the leading Bollywood divas making their red carpet presence and looking gorgeous in these suits.

The positive side of an Anarkali outfit is that it flatters every body type. It accentuates at the top and cover up any flaws in the waist and hips making them disappear in their long pleats. These dresses are now made of variety of materials like satin, net, silk or pure cotton and are embellished with heavy embroidery, glittering gota patti or intricate zari or stone work and are available in different styles and cuts.

Neck:

The ‘V’ neck Anarkali suits are good for short and medium height women as V neck lengthens the neck and avoids making short or medium height women look shabby. Tall women can go for any type of neck designs.

Flair:

Tall and women with hourglass figure can go for heavy flare but short and petite women should go for less flare, plump women should go for kalis starting from the top instead of waist as it gives them illusion of height and hides all the flaws.

Length:

Tall women should avoid wearing knee length anarkali suits and short and petite women look graceful with high heels.

Accessories:

If your anarkali is heavily embellished, it’s a statement piece by itself and you don’t have to worry about accessorizing it. If there is a heavy work on the neck of your outfit than you can go for a nice pair of long ethnic earrings like jhumkas.

The type of work on the anarkali dress varies making it an immensely versatile garment. Anarkali outfits with some elaborate neck cut and heavy brocade or gota patti work are perfect for a wedding party and contemporary anarkalis in pleasant colours with light embroidery look elegant at any dinner party or formal function.