Lakmé Fashion Week

The collection for Garo, by fashion designer Priyangsu Maji pulsated sensuality mixed with a sense of strong Indian traditional culture in his recent collection at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2012. The label, which is known for its Indian wear, showcased a collection inspired by Chinese pilgrim clothing, mixed with traditional Indian outfits for cross cultural influences.
Fabrics like printed Kalamkari, cotton khadi, cotton jacquard, cotton Narayanpet and kothi came in a plethora of designs-being printed; textures on the fabric along with tie-dye techniques and leheriyas were simply stunning.

Highly embellished torsos, which gradually spread out into flares of luxurious fabric with piping at the bottom; added an Indian heritage touch to the pieces! Whilst hand embroidered sequins jazzed up the outfits and left chunky neckpieces in metal and beads to add an air of authentic beauty. The colour palette had red, purple and took the form of dhoti saris, waist coats, pants and dresses.

Garo by Priyangsu Maji is one collection that aimed for the modern Indian woman who isn't afraid to experiment and makes a style statement.

About Lakmé:
Contemporary Indian beauty expert Lakmé continuously innovates to offer a wide range of high performance and world class color cosmetics, skincare products, and beauty salons. In addition to leveraging Unilever's worldwide expertise, Lakmé also partners with the leading cosmetic house Milan-based Intercos Italia, Schwann Stabilo Germany and Paris-based Fiabila. Combining international cosmetic technology with an indepth understanding of the Indian woman's needs, Lakmé also offers its consumers a comprehensive beauty experience through its products and services at the Lakmé Salons and Studios.

About IMG Reliance:
In 2010 Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), India's largest and most recognized private sector company headed by Chairman Mukesh Ambani, and IMG Worldwide (IMG), the world's leading sports marketing and management company headed by Chairman and CEO Ted Forstmann, announced the formation of an equal joint venture to develop, market and manage sports and entertainment in India. The joint venture company, IMG Reliance Pvt. Ltd., will create and operate major sports and entertainment assets in the country. In its first initiative, IMG Reliance entered into an agreement with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to create a new professional basketball league and manage all aspects of the commercial rights to the game in India. IMG Reliance signed a 15-year agreement with the AIFF, to improve, popularize and promote the game of football throughout India, from the grassroots to the professional level. IMG Reliance has also created a scholarship program to identify and train talented young Indians from sports including - basketball, soccer and tennis at IMG's world-class sports training facilities at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.

About IMG Fashion:
IMG Fashion is dedicated to facilitating a gateway to the fashion world - from creation to consumer. We offer solutions that seamlessly connect and associate fashion's key constituents and corporate brands using IMG's global resources, influence and expertise. Within the fashion industry IMG represents the world's top models, leading designers and the most influential photographers, art directors and stylists. The division produces the leading fashion events around the globe and represents many of the industry's top organizations and federations as well as works with various local and national governments, creating regional and international fashion platforms.

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Buy a new coat

We never know the right time to buy a new coat for fall but we do know the wrong time.  Every year without fail we wait until the mercury drops to buy a new topper for the season and every year without fail the selection of coats left on store floors is subpar.  That’s why this month we’re getting our hands on something warm yet stylish before we actually need it.  And what exactly will we be looking for in terms of trends?  Something plaid (at Joe Fresh!) or furry (at Topshop), minimal or moto, vested (at American Eagle) or wild (at Old Navy) – basically so long as it’s cute and $200 or less, we want to wrap it around our body.  So even though the thermometer still reads 20°C you can bet you’ll spot us shopping for a new coat this week because rumour has it we’ll need it sooner than we think!

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The LOOK Fashion Team Hits Barbados!

To shoot our gorgeous spring fashion stories, the LOOK fashion team were lucky enough to jet off to the Caribbean island of Barbados. The team stayed on the island for eight days at the beautiful Almond Casuarina Beach Resort in St Lawrence Gap. After much location scouting, we decided to shoot our Sport Report story around the hotels amazing swimming pool. 

Kenneth Soh, our make-up artist for the shoot, created a strong red lip for our model, which isn't easy in 30 degree heat. Here are his top tips on how to get the look in hot weather.   Kenneth recommends going for a stain that lasts, then topping it off with a gloss for comfort and sheen. Brands such as Stila and Susan Posnick have great lip stains in a variety of colours. If you’re not a fan of gloss, try a tinted balm in a strong colour.   For skin, go for a tinted moisturiser or try a blemish balm (BB cream). They combine skincare properties with make-up and usually contain an SPF. Bonus!   A seven-night stay at the four-star premium all-inclusive Almond Casuarina Beach Resort in Barbados with Almond Holidays based on departure on 16 April–15 May 2012 (www.almondresorts.co.uk; 0844 411 7181) with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to Barbados, on an all-inclusive basis with transfers included, starts from just £1,059 per person. This is a whopping saving of up to £1,280 for a couple. Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing and include all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change.

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Mens Fashion

It's a man's world, as we explore what it takes to be a man of style and substance in our special "Gentlemen's Guide" this month.

But you know what they say...about that great woman behind every great man?
 

Gentlemen, meet Daisy Lewellyn, style expert, author and self-professed "Queen of Effortless Chic," who's worked her makeover magic on shows like Nate Berkus, Rachel Ray and Good Morning America.

"I love a stylish guy," Lewellyn says. "And I adore when men take the simple things and deems them strong, stylish and suitable."

Here, she brings her personal affects for a well-dressed man to a roundup of stylish items that she says should be at the top of every guy's fashion list this spring.

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Toronto Fashion Week

With things finally winding down, post-Fashion Month, we figured it was time to take a look to our friends to the north, who have also just wrapped up World Mastercard Toronto Fashion Week. With emerging talent lighting up the runways, this city earns the right to boast that they are the fifth buzz spot in the line up (following New York, London, Milan, and Paris, of course).

It was a week filled with androgyny, early-to-mid-century classics, and gothic-grunge. And, in case you missed it, we’ve highlighted five teams of talent that are getting us hot for the upcoming Canadian fall. Consider this the closest thing next to a nice, fresh gulp of Canadian air, as we dish out the collections that topped our list of of all things fit for next season.

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Wresting and Fashion go together

Who says wrestling and fashion don’t go together? Ask the Bella Twins, the WWE’s female tag team. The identical twins went from modeling to pro, or “Diva,” as the women wrestlers are known, in 2008. Now you can see them kick butt live every Monday night at 9 p.m. on USA’s “Raw.” On Sunday, the Bella Twins make an appearance at WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, when The Rock takes on John Cena live in Miami. In the run-up, they took some questions, with Brie jumping in the ring first.

So who was born first?

Nikki, by 16 minutes . . . my mom had no idea she was having twins.

Did you fight on the way out?

Ha! How did you know? Nikki kicked me in there so she could have her own entrance — but I made sure the doctors knew they saved the best for last!
How did you both get into wrestling?
We both were huge athletes. We were on a competitive traveling soccer team for nine years. Nikki then went on and played two more years in college. We both started getting into modeling and commercial work. Loving entertainment, but having our athletic talent, WWE seemed like the perfect fit for us. We went on their Diva Search, and the rest is history.

How did you learn wrestling?
We joined WWE’s developmental program FCW, Florida Championship Wrestling, in Tampa, Fla. We spent six to eight hours a day training. It paid off 14 months later when we debuted on “Friday Night SmackDown.”

Do you fight each other?
Behind the scenes? Yes! No, we used to fight growing up, like any siblings. Now Nikki and I save that for our opponents.

Did you ever pretend to be one person?
Oh yeah! To all the boys growing up. It was easier when it came time to break up. I would do it for her and her for me.

Do you use twin telepathy in the ring?
Definitely! We both can sense each other very well. When one twin is in need or hurt, the other twin definitely knows it. It really helps us being a successful tag team.

How did you learn your signature move — the Bella Buster, in which you smash your opponent’s face into the mat? A shoe sale?
Actually, at any sale you’ll more than likely see a Bella. But that didn’t teach us the Bella Buster. Face-smashing is what we feel we do best. We are Mexican and Italian; it’s in our blood!

What have you won?
I have been Diva’s Champion and Nikki likes to call herself Champ’s Assistant. I couldn’t have won the title
without the help of my sister.

What is not allowed in women’s wrestling that is in men’s?
We have the same rules as the Superstars. Our referees are tough, they don’t let us slide when we’re trying to break the rules.

If a guy walked up to you and tried to steal your Chanel and Chloé bags on the street, what would happen?
He would feel two drop kicks in his back. Don’t touch the Chanel or Chloé unless you want a Bella Buster!

Do you dress alike?

Nikki: We do and we don’t. We both appreciate all fashion. Brie will dress more towards a hippie, free-spirit style, whereas I like to dress more fitted and showy. When you’ve got curves — you need to show them and I love showing mine!

Who is more boy crazy?
Brie: Nikki! Nikki is single and ready to mingle! I’ve always found myself the more relationship type, the hopeless romantic. Nikki’s a romantic, but loves all the different boys. She loves adventures.

Do guys hit on you a lot? What are the worst pickup lines guys have tried?
They do, but we are twins. To some, we are hot women, to others, circus freaks. There have been some bad pickup lines: “You must be hurting from falling from heaven.” Eww! We hate cheesy pickups.

Have you taken a guy down?
Oh yes! A few. And not all were playful. Men at times don’t believe we’re tough. Challenging a Bella can be a mistake. Nikki once let a man know exactly how the figure-four leg-lock feels. I believe he’s still hurting.

Do women wrestlers get along, or is it one big girl fight?
At WWE we are a big family. We travel so much that we see our co-workers more then our own families. You build a strong trust and respect. Now that doesn’t mean there aren’t catfights — there definitely are, but we always make up.

Did you ever fight Stacy Keibler (George Clooney’s girlfriend) or Torrie Wilson (Alex Rodriguez’s girlfriend)?
We weren’t around when Stacy was there, but we were with Torrie. We never got in the ring and challenged her, but we’d be willing to tag against them.

Do people recognize you?
Yes. It’s funny, too, how Hollywood celebrities will recognize us. One time, I was getting my hair done and Kristin Chenoweth was sitting next to me. “Are you a wrestler?” she asked. Another time, Jonah Hill wanted a picture with us. You never know who’s a WWE fan.

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Our Predictions For What's Gonna Be Huge In 2012

In the past few years, we've placed bets on nail art, maxi skirts, sheer shirts, ombre hair, whimsical prints, cat-eye glasses, clogs, pajama dressing, and thick braids… and voilà! Those things all had their major moments. For 2012, we're going to gaze into that crystal ball once more and make our predictions for what the upcoming year holds. Looking back, 2011 was a volatile year for fashion, and we think that 2012 will be even more dynamic, with more risks, more throwbacks, and more unconventional silhouettes to shake up the status quo. And if you find any of these trends strange, just remember — most of you thought nail art was tacky the first time we reported on it. Just sayin'.

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Fashion 2012

Though 2012 started just two weeks ago, Scottish-born designer Jonathan Saunders has had a busy year. Having presented his first official pre-fall collection in New York earlier this month, he also just debuted his first full menswear range in Milan. In a few more weeks, he'll show his new women's runway collection at London Fashion Week, and, in about a week, he'll find out if he's won the British Fashion Council/Vogue Fashion Fund (for which he’s been nominated a second time after losing to Christopher Kane last year). Saunders's traditional silk-screened colors and prints (famously commissioned by Alexander McQueen) include fans like Sarah Jessica Parker, Sienna Miller, and Michelle Obama, while collaborations with Topshop and Target have kept him in touch with the average fast-fashion shopper. We met with Saunders when he showed his pre-fall line in New York to talk about the Fashion Week scheduling debacle, what makes a young label succeed today, and more.

You’re nominated for the British Fashion Council/Vogue Fashion fund this year again, along with Marios Schwab, who was also nominated in 2010, and Nicholas Kirkwood, who's been nominated every year since the Fund's inception three years ago.

People do that every year. Basically there’s about ten of us and we all go up for everything.

Right, the CFDA here repeats nominees for these awards, too. It would be nice to have newer designers recognized.

But I think you need to get to a certain point in your business so that you can deal with that kind of growth, you know? I think that’s what the British version of your CFDA awards, this Vogue Fashion Fund, is designed around — designers who have gone to the next level and established their businesses and they need to take it again to the next step. And, I think British designers are all very close to each other and we’re all kind of behind each other and there’s a good community. We all exchange manufacturers and suppliers and there’s a really good energy between us all, so that’s good. We’re always patting each other on the back, whoever gets it.

What do you think about the issue with Milan and London Fashion Week dates? [Ed. note: Saunders answered before today's resolution was announced.]

I think it’s fine. I think that people will come to London anyway. I think Milan needs to be more worried, to be honest. I think London design has changed a lot in the last couple years. I think [in the past] everybody looked at London for new ideas and a younger kind of energy and for [new] concepts to start. But then they looked to other cities for brands in which to invest in and brands which are businesses.That’s changed dramatically in the last couple years. I think a lot of British [designers] are now not only coming up with new and original ideas, being at the forefront of developing new things, but they also have a business to back it up. I think that that’s what’s exciting about London.

What British designers excite you these days?

Well, I think that Christopher Kane’s always done an amazing collection; he’s always at the forefront of newness. Roksanda [Ilincic] has got a great business these days and is really in touch with who her customer is. There’s Ben and Ed, who are Meadham Kirchhoff, who do an amazing job. Louise Gray is an exciting new designer; she just started quite recently.

Do you like coming back to New York at least?

I love New York — I think it’s an amazing city. And I see so many similarities between New York and London in terms of how inspiring it is here. There are loads of bookstores, great bookstores; there are loads of great things to see here. But also the young designers, I love quite a few of [them]. [The] people from Creatures of the Wind – I love them. And SUNO — they’re really really good. They’re fun.

What's the inspiration behind your first pre-fall line?

I usually work with a lot of color and pattern and textures and that’s kind of always been at the core of what we do in the collection. [For] Pre-fall, the silhouettes are quite feminine and soft so it’s kind of like early sixties, which feels good after spring being very bright colors – this is a good move forward. The prints are interior-inspired. Charlotte Perigon is an amazing furniture designer from the fifties and sixties, and she did a lot of basket weave and textures and things like that, so a lot of the inspiration comes from [her]. Sweaters are always really key in terms of what we sell in the collection. [There’s a] ladies-who-lunch feel.

How will your patterns and prints translate to menswear?

I think because menswear is about a balance of detail and fabrication, the silhouettes and the shapes [from womenswear] can carry on through, can be repeated for menswear. It’s a more subtle approach for sure. It still maintains that kind of pattern and texture and color, but it’s done in a more subtle way. There’s a simplicity to it.

You’ve been showing in London (and in New York, briefly) for eight years. Do you feel like an established label?

I think so, I think we’ve definitely established who our customer is. I think having four seasons a year really makes sure you’re providing your customer with what she wants — what he wants — now. I think we’re getting there. There’s always stuff to learn — there’s always room for improvement.

What are your goals as a designer?

It’s very difficult to see how you are perceived from the outside, I think, internally. The goal is always to have a successful product that people love to wear. At my last show, it was really encouraging for me to see how many editors were wearing my collection on the front row. And I think seeing people wearing the collection is as gratifying as a great editorial, you know? I think it’s really important that, not only do you have ideas, but it can translate into something that women want to wear. I know it sounds obvious but it’s something that doesn’t always happen. So that was really encouraging, but, you know, there are always things to improve on. I think it’s about pushing it so [I’m] not stopping at just doing prints, it needs [to be] more.

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