Femina's Style Watch

Dos & Don'ts
Pooja Bedi
She has a way with style! Don't use attention-grabbing trims on flabby thighs!

Dos & Don'ts

Amrita Rao
Do team mythological prints with denim, they look smart. But avoid it in excess!

Dos

Sushmita Sen
Do the denim-pouches-on-black number right. It looks cool!

Don'ts

Nandana Sen
Don't club a mismatched bag with a sleek dress. It kills the style!

Don'ts

Aarti Surendranath
Don't go the West-way if it doesn't complement your shape.

A Style Count - Grab What You Want!
If you want to know more about colours that rule this season, Tencel, New York, has a few answers. The Innovation Asia 2004 (a much-awaited textile exhibition organised by Tencel) saw a cool forecast. They showcased three moods that create unique identities!

Isn't this worth knowing? Just pluck a few shades out of the palettes shown and fashion yourself... Radiance (R) - An expression of bright inner confidence. Colours are bold, energetic, happy and visible; Muted (M) - Serene and tranquil. Colours are quiet and underplayed. They go light, classic, playful and honest.

Studied (S) - Dark contrasts mixed with strong tones and neutrals. These are graphic, intimate, hard and soft.

Amazing B(r)and Width!
Do brands, retail, markets and selling strategies bombard your heads more than needed? Here's a cue. Just see the visuals!

Lee has a range of jackets (Rs 1,299 and Rs 1,999), sweaters and jerseys (Rs 749 to Rs 1,499) in denim, fleece, knit, poly and corduroy. Available at Lee's exclusive outlets and other multi-brand stores across the country.

From London to India, Pepe Jeans has travelled a long way. Now it has its store in Phoenix Mills in Mumbai. Grab the '70s look, perfumes, duffle bags, caps and pens stocked here at varied prices.

Corduroys are in, even for men! Zodiac has a range of polycotton versions in steel grey (a must-have colour in your wardrobe), navy, crème and olive priced at Rs 1,595 each.

The famous Burberry checks are all over and they can be a little heavy on the pocket! But if you still dig checks and its variations, Carlton London is the place for you. The brand has some bags and shoes with interesting details for you at moderate prices. The stilettoes are priced between Rs 595 and Rs 3,995 and the party sandals start from Rs 1,895 and go upto Rs 3,995.
Available at Carlton London, Metropolitan Mall, Gurgaon


Heard of the Derby? For the fashion-bug-bitten, they mean soft shoes! And Lee Cooper has a range of derbies and loafers for pretty femmes this time. Priced between Rs 945 and Rs 1,385, the collection is in bright suede and leather! And their classy men's leather footwear is priced between Rs 1,685 and Rs 4,285. Take a look!
Available at Lee Cooper outlets across the country

Walk on the streets of Chennai or Mumbai and you'd find massive hand-painted hoardings of films. Now imagine them on T-shirts, handbags, jeans, trays, coasters and frames. Sounds cool after all the hype of Bollywood iconography on clothes, right? Inspired from this, Apparao Galleries and The Park Hotel have created a range of lifestyle products called Take One. Picture this!
Available at The Box, The Park Hotel, Chennai

We know Scottish fabrics, tartan and gingham checks are a rage. And a smart kilt is a must-have this season.

Worn with knee-high boots or soft roll-up suede boots, it can be a great statement.

Find these trendy skirts, boots and more at Nextt 2000 for a snazzy wardrobe.


Available at Nextt 2000, Greater Kailash Part 1, New Delhi

Brimming With Style
It's a serious trend, and Dior is taking it seriously. "I see the definite shift towards luxury, and high end goods," says Valerie Lachaux (left), CEO, LVMH Watch and Jewellery. Valerie who was in Mumbai following the launch of the Dior Girly watch in Delhi added that she was sure the 'young in spirit' watch would go down well with the urban Indian woman.

"She knows her mind and is willing to express herself, and it shows in what she wears and how she wears it," she observed. There is no doubt that she will find this new offering from Dior very feminine and innovative.

The Dior Girly watch comes as a complement to the new energy, that John Galliano has brought to Dior couture... "Dior couture has never been as strong as it is now for long" she says, "and the watch has all the elements of beauty, dependability and fashion."

The interchangeable straps, the soft feminine colours and the clear face make it a classic that will "outlive the short life cycle that trendy accessories usually experience". "The interchangeability of straps and looks makes the purchase last longer, takes away the risk.

The Dior Girly watch hits Indian shores almost at the same time as in other main markets in the world. "It's what the fashion conscious woman wants to wear," according to Valerie... and yes, she was wearing a satin bedecked model on her own wrist.

Fizz Runneth Over
Event: Kingfisher Fashion Awards 2004
Venue: Kingfisher Villa, Sinquerim, Goa

Talk about flamboyance and Dr Vijay Mallya comes to mind. A recently held mega event by the beer baron proves this. Fashion show choreographed by Prasad Bidappa and a dance performance by artistes from Kerala captured attention.

Even with slippery catwalks and delays (though both are a big no-no for any event) the show carried on for three hours! Manoviraj Khosla presented his eclectic club wear inspired by the fizz of Kingfisher and the Bohemian glamour of Goa's flea markets.

Satya Paul had six-yard glory (an exquisite art!) draped sensually on well-toned bodies. Designers Abhishek Gupta & Nandita Basu had a very New York-on-the-edge fashion.

Anamika Khanna had sultry attitude reminiscent of a hyperactive Kamasutra bordello with low cut itsy-bitsy cholis, bondage chains on embroidered ankle skimming skirts, mirrors and sequins on ghagras, lehengas. There were a few awards and winners too!