Every Day is Your Day

I was reading through a couple of articles earlier today when I embarked upon one that was particularly furious. Furious with the fact that we are marking today in history as International Women's Day, and while we continue to talk and promote it, things like inequality, gender pay gap and harassment continue to happen. Not just today but everyday. 

The things that surround us are bleak many a times, I will agree, but we continue to celebrate and stand for 8th of March as an important day anyway. And unlike the furious author, I don't see why we should not either.

 Women, young and old and strong and ferocious and several times in history even men, have continued to stand up and raise their voices against what is not right. Why should we stop now, when the world needs our voices more than ever?

 Great women and men have strived so that we can be who we are today. That they had to strive is itself a sad fact, but imagine if they had given up and thrown their hands up in the air.

Every day is your day if you wish it to be. Do your bit and make it count. I, for one, believe that we might have come a long way but there is a longer road that lies ahead, and even if one day is all I have to talk about equality and spread it far and wide, I will gladly take my chances.

Oh So Black: The most Iconic LBDs of all times

Hectic days and endless soirees often leave us standing and staring at the deepest corners of our wardrobes for choices, but here's a long-known fact: from ages between Audrey Hepburn to Jennifer Aniston, the ‘little black dress’ is always in vogue.

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The Designer: Coco Chanel

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous”, said the woman who is also accredited with having made the LBD famous. Her sketch for what would become a celebrated symbol, debuted in Vogue in the 1920s, and Chanel herself would later be seen in the outfit that became a staple.

                                     Grace Kelly                                             Audrey Hepburn
   

The Actresses: Audrey Hepburn & Grace Kelly

Who can forget the slightly eccentric Holly Golightly in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’?  Hepburn’s entire presence in the movie consisted of some of the most fashionable LBDs till date, with her Givenchy attire on the opening scene being recreated on several occasions.

Her American counterpart was not far behind. Before she became the Princess of Monaco, Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’ saw Grace Kelly adorn a pleated number with sheer panels contributing in the torso; a new epitome of style. 

                                                                       Princess Diana

The Royalty: Princess Diana

Soon after news of her separation, Princess Diana wore an off-shoulder dress with a plunging neckline, making waves with her alluring selection. Designed three years prior by Christina Stambolian, and termed afterwards as the “revenge dress”, the LBD made sure everyone’s eyes remained on the Princess of Wales.

Jacqueline Kennedy

The First Lady: Jackie Kennedy

She was one of the most popular First Ladies, known for her demure yet sophisticated sartorial choices. Widely photographed, Jackie Kennedy’s choice of LBD, though subtle, was no less iconic than that of screen icons.

Kate Moss in an appearance

The Supermodel: Kate Moss

There is something about Kate Moss that exudes an effortless charm. Seen on numerous occasions in the wardrobe ‘must-have’, her most exemplary look was an off-shoulder sheath with a plumage, almost synonymous with Miuccia Prada’s SS 17 collection showcased more than two decades later. Now that’s some vision.

 

                                                                       Jennifer Aniston in FRIENDS

The TV Star: Jennifer Aniston

The Little Black dress and television have some shared iconic moments too. Case in point: Jennifer Aniston in ‘Friends’. Though she is seen donning the LBD for most of her public appearances, we are still hung over on the sleeveless black number that she wore as Rachel Greene in the memorable sitcom.

The LBD is one attire that continues to gain popularity as the years progress.  Like Karl Lagerfeld said, “One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress.” Take note, ladies. 

The By-lanes of Art

I like to believe that humans walked. Long before the invention of automobiles that have taken over in the most 'Transformers' like way, they liked to walk. Here and there and up the mountains and long, long strolls on the beaches. I am all for automobiles of course, but do you remember the last time you contemplated about life while walking?

(If you did, give me a ring because I feel I am the only one to do it in this decade and its reallllly creepy, come to think of it.)

Recently while I was out doing several things all at once, I encountered upon a series of wall art, graffiti if you may, in the New Delhi area. Who did them is a little tricky but, boy, these are beautiful ideas sprayed upon out in the open. 

The rest were taken around the same time few years ago, spanning over Goa, Chennai and the urban mess of Gurgaon. 

That's all for now, but lets hope all of us catch up on more art, and all that the heart desires. For me, preferably whilst I walk.

Making things: Part 1

In a prolonged hiatus from blogging over the past couple of months, I was immersed in a series of other jobs. One of them happened to be this: a series of doodles made out of whims, fancies, and wishful thinking. Almost all of them were made in the most unconventional of places possible; while commuting, waiting in the line to use the loo (you heard me), at a pub... well you get the idea. 

There could be more of this to come, so you could just as well follow me here for regular updates.
Until then!

That Time Again

Unsurprisingly enough, its THAT time of the year again. No, I am serious, it is. You might really try to escape but it is almost as hard as the new language I am learning (but more on that later). So V-day, and I don't think I am saying Voldemort's day so you kind of know what I am saying here, is here. Back again. That bastard.

Well, if you are one to have found the looouve, good for you, eh?

But if you are just planning to sit and sulk there, I have something to cheer you up *slightly*

So, getting this out of the archives was itself a big deal, and in case you are wondering, more of the new stuff later (i mean stuff not stufff). 

The Many Reveries of Alessandro Michele

Alessandro Michele loves to dream.  Unapologetically himself, the 43 year creative director at the helm of Gucci has churned out intense collections, forcing even street style enthusiasts to scatter all over Milan in Michele’s artistic deliverables. For one, nobody seems to be over the Pre Fall 16 collection which had embroidered snakes and garden in full bloom.

It wasn’t really all that surprising when almost every street style enthusiast at Milan Fashion Week endorsed a Gucci:  a Dionysus bag here, the staple white sneaker (with the Gucci twist!) there and of course all those bomber jackets all over the place. Shall I just say it out loud then? : I love Gucci.

Something about Michele’s embroidered reveries pulls me closer. There are snakes, tigers and flowers, painstakingly crafted under a watchful eye; somebody’s who knows his art.

Coming from the man who has long before proclaimed his love for Rome and discovering new embroidery stitches, collections yet to come are bound to be eventful and futuristic, to say the least. I, for one, am waiting for it, because if Alessandro Michele loves to dream, I love what he dreams of.

Image Courtesy: Vogue Runway, Shutterstock

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