experts advice
For a fitter and fabulous you
The fashion scene of 2013 will be an interesting amalgamation of styles new and old, of contemporary and classic, of peplum and polka dots. The inflow of foreign investments will herald more change in the glamour industry
Fashion Fiesta
Ashima Batish

Rahul Mishra swears by khadi and handloom  Jenjum Gadi collection is the perfect balance of bling and beauty

fashion is hardly an invention. It's more of evolution. Because each trend repeats itself roughly after 20 years, comes back a full circle. The fashion scene of year 2013 will again be an interesting amalgamation of styles new and old, of contemporary and classic, of peplum and polka dots.A preview of the same was presented through the spring summer collections at the two major fashion events of India, Wills Lifestyle Indian Fashion Week and Lakme Fashion Week. The changes, however, will be still be made, because fashion has to evolve.

More than the usual elements — cuts, silhouettes, drapes, embroideries, motifs — inflow of FDIs will be the defining factor of fashion. It's expected that top-of-the-line international designers and labels will set up their stores in India or retail through established multi-label stores. Rumours have it that by next year some 40 stores of Louis Vuitton will open here.Now that's causing jitters to some Indian fashion designers, who fear that international designers might foray into the ethnic designer wear of India. On the other hand, Raghavendra Rathore feels that it might instill healthy competition in the Indian fashion Industry.

It will happen when it has to, as of now, what looks certain is the dominance of colour coral throughout the year. Who didn't present a creation in coral on the ramp! If Joy Mitra used it in ethnic prêt, designer duo Shivan and Naresh sculpted swim suits using the brighter hue of cherry red.Fashion followers will be able to take off the blinkers as neon shades will be out, so will be the done-to-death animal prints and metallic shades. The recently concluded New York Fashion Week confirmed the same.Subtle bling will be in, make it over-the-top and you might be tagged as fashion outcast. Take a cue from Jenjum Gadi's An Ode To Gota collection, which is the perfect balance of bling and beauty.

A designer who will reaffirm that fashion follows a cycle with her collection will be Aneeth Arora. She is working on polka dots that she believes will dot the summer next year. Post that, the subject of her interest will be psychedelic prints, once the pattern property of Manish Arora, though not literally. It seems like the designers took a pledge to dedicate their spring summer creations to Mother Nature. It is made evident either in terms of theme or the fabric that designers picked to construct their collections. Rahul Mishra swears by khadi and handloom and Gaurav Gupta's creations are inspired from the jungles of Sequoia in California.

Trend spotting just as a year begins might be mandatory but in the end, what makes more sense, as Nachiket Barve says is, democratisation of fashion, which gives liberty to people to wear what they want to. Year 2013 might just push the cause but there is a long way to go for sure. 

New techniques like ViPRs, Jacobs ladder and many more are taking fitness to a whole new level
Workouts that work wonders
Sonali Seth

more and more gym aficionados are taking to innovative ways of keeping fit.

Innovative fitness device

A new versatile training system called the ViPR (Vitality, Performance and Reconditioning) being hailed as a new-age innovative fitness device. It is a hollow weighted tube with openings in the middle that you can grab onto. Usually, various weights are inserted into the tube and you have to use it completely freestyle, mimicking every action you would make in real life. The device combines resistance with physical agility making it an optimal fitness enhancer.

Some of the new techniques involve lifting, pulling dragging, jumping and lunges says fitness trainer Deepak Asthana.

Boot camp

For those who do not like epileptic trainers, there are the boot camps which are held in parks or any open space. The military-style exercise routine earlier thought to be a passing fad among civilians, is here to stay because of its instant and amazing results.

A typical boot camp blends tough cardio workouts with calisthenics and strength training. An important aspect here is interval training whereby the instructor alternatively pushes people to their limits of power and stamina and then makes them ease off only to pick up speed again.

Pilates

The fitness regimen caught the imagination of the world in the 1990s but fizzled out in the new millennium. It has started trending again ever since Kate Middleton's sister Pippa attributed her well-rounded figure to it.

Pilates is a total mind-body experience. Fitness gurus say it builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body with slender thighs and a flat abdomen. It teaches body awareness, good posture and easy, graceful movement.

Jacob's ladder

Another technological innovation in the international fitness market is the Jacob's ladder. It is like walking up the stairs on all your fours which provides low-impact but high intensity cardio work-out that consumes twice the calories burnt on a treadmill.

Fusion fitness

A new fusion workout rocking the gyms is the high energy jazzercise, a dance fitness programme set to jazz music.It combines elements of jazz dance, resistance training, yoga and kick-boxing .

Another dance fitness programme, the Columbian dance Zumba was created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez during the 1990s. It is still popular worldwide as it blends Latin dance moves with gym workouts.The result is a fun training session which feels like a night out dancing.

So, whether it is a ViPR or a Jacob'sladder or even the Zumba dance, fitness is taking an all-new meaning as aficionados try out new and novel concepts. 

Jewellery cuffs are the style mantra this season. You can choose from materials like leather, rexine and go right up to diamonds and platinum
All on the wrist
Surekha Kadapa-Bose

Make a statement this season. No, don’t resemble a walking jewellery shop. Just flick your wrist. Wear a cuff on a well-styled dress. No need for earrings or necklaces. And you will proclaim to the world that you are ready to be noticed and heard. Yes, jewellery cuffs are the style mantra this season. The broader you can flaunt, the bigger statement will you be making.

The best part of these cuffs is that you can choose from materials like leather, rexine and go right up to diamonds and platinum. All it has to be is broad with open ends so that one can clasp on the wrist — minimum width should be 1½ inches, and you can go up to four inches broad.

The broader these are, higher is the style quotient. Normally cuffs are one plain broad band of any material — fabric, plastic, beads, leather, wood, ceramic, rexine, ordinary metals like copper, brass, or even oxidised metal. Or very high-end cuffs in precious metals like gold, silver, and very rarely in ivory. These can either be plain band of metal or have a central motif of stone — precious or semi-precious.

Generally, because of their width, cuffs are worn on their own and only on one wrist. But there are some women, who prefer to wear two of high-end cuffs on each wrist or team with some chunky bracelets. It can be a display of style and grace. Even First Lady of America late Jackie Kennedy, who was the epitome of elegance, grace teamed cuffs with bustier dresses. In the 1960s, it was she who made Van Cleef & Arpel’s hammered gold cuffs famous by wearing them almost at every event she attended.

It is said Coco Chanel, pioneer French fashionist and founder of brand Chanel, rarely left the house without her cuff bracelet. Her favourite was an enamel cuff, decorated with a gold Maltese cross illuminated with cabochons of precious stones.

Historically cuffs were worn even during the ninth century Byzantium. Since then, it has been very popular across cultures and has for some reason been associated with Inca jewellery. Several of Hollywood actors flaunt it and back home star celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu and others, too, wear it. However, don’t mistake cuffs with large kadas or bracelets as worn by Bengali women during Puja and weddings.

According to Sulish Verma from Vikas Chain & Jewellery, Delhi, trends are changing from time to time with more of international designs coming in.

“Women should opt for statement jewellery pieces following the trend rather than padding oneself with loads of it. One standalone piece makes an impact. A cuff not only helps in brightening up your ensemble but also makes you feel comfortable in your attire,” is his advice to women.

The universality of cuffs this season can be gauged from the fact that the leather-look cuffs by Versace, Nicholas King and Chanel cuff, wood-carved bangles by Belmacz and bang-on-trend coloured lizard skin cuffs by Kara Ross have become hot accessories this season.

It is also true that cuffs can be worn by women all ages. These best suit western attire but sarees can never be left behind for making any fashion statements.

Mumbai-based Priyanshu Shah, executive director of A’Star Jewellery, says, “Though cuffs as a rule are big in size, the final design will decide if the piece would look elegant or flamboyant. An elegant interlaced design would definitely look better on a fine-boned wrist.”

Preranaa Makhariaa, manager product development at Tara Jewellers, commented, “Cuffs could be worn by any woman but they could choose designs and sizes best suited for their wrist — round, more flattened or wide. One must look for a cuff that mirrors the shape of one’s wrist. The size of the cuff should be decided on an individual body frame, and not height or weight.”

Further, she advised, “If one has a round wrist, one should opt for a cuff bracelet that has a round “C” shape. For a petite frame, large cuffs appear to swallow you whole and, thus, the smaller size can be opted for. If one has dramatic shoulders and defined arms, bolder pieces will show appropriately against the skin. A cuff is a great accessory for an occasional wear — formal, festive or party. One must avoid cuffs for office wear. And it certainly is a big no for household work.”

Another plus point for cuffs is that you can pick one up from a street vendor or go for a designer cuff. Depends on your budget and the occasion you want to wear it. So this season, be happy to be handcuffed.

Ruby delight

Best way to look dressy without looking garish is to dress in heavy cuffs. Made in 18K gold and studded with diamond, rubies and emeralds, this cuff by Tara Jewellers of Delhi, will make you the envy of all your friends. Wear it on Western or Indian outfit, you will not go wrong

price: Rs 6, 78,000

Scaly look

Pure glamour! This unique rhodium-plated Swarovski cuff is adorned with clear crystals and crystal silver shade in the navette cut, creating a snakeskin look. Add the matching necklace to create an ensemble fit for the red carpet.

price: Rs 10,500

set for party

Have an evening out with a boyfriend? Or a college get together? This black and silver coloured pearl cuff from Ayesha, held together in white metal, will add a dash of party mood to your attire. It will go well with any formal attire.

price: Rs 590

Arty collection

When you say style, it has to be Yves Saint Laurent. The 'Arty' jewellery collection has fast become a cult classic and fans of the designs are sure to adore this large gold-plated cuff with a cream glass stone. Wear it to add instant glamour to your off-duty look, or with a party dress as your signature adornment.

price: Rs 33,800

Brass art

Work a dose of urban cool into every look with Kelly Wearstler's hard-hitting brass and 18-karat gold-plated cuff. This modern art-inspired piece will make a sartorial statement at your next event.

Price on request

filigree artwork

Handcrafted using a time-honoured technique passed down through generations of artisans, Mallarino’s intricate filigree cuff will instantly elevate your jewellery portfolio. Wear this Mallarino Cielo’s 24-carat gold-vermeil filigree style cuff to lend a touch of opulence to your sophisticated looks.

price: Rs 1,00,000

Pearl finis

A collegian will find this cuff from Ayesha, very fascinating. It looks stylish but at the same time is young and hep. Small pearls on suede strips attached with golden plates adds a jing to the accessories. Flaunt it in a dress, ankle length skirts as well as a pair of jeans.

price: Rs 590

evening opulence

Inspired by South American ornamentation, Aurelie Biderman Mendoza’s designs the beautiful bracelet cuff. Delicately dotted with blue enamel, this 18-karat gold-plated piece will infuse modern evening wear with instant goddess appeal. Wear it with a jewel-toned shift dress for evening opulence.

price: Rs 1, 43,000

Modern chic

Opulent jewels were a highlight of Oscar de la Renta’s FW12 collection, and this rich 24-karat gold-plated leaf cuff is simple yet sophisticated, it’s an effortless way to work the brand’s signature Park Avenue chic for day or night.

price: Rs 37,500

Swarovski style

Elegance and edge seamlessly combine in Tom Binns’ silver-plated cuff where dazzling Swarovski crystals shimmer alongside a snake and skull motif.

price: Rs 44,500

unique designs

The bronze and silver-plated cuff. Pamela Love’s unique jewellery designs have won the hearts of everyone from editors to the A-list, so make like those in the know and invest in this bronze cuff. Finished with an intricately engraved silver-plated panel, this statement accessory promises to imbue every look with signature rock ’n’ roll appeal.

price: Rs 59,800

Diamond elegance

Set in Pristinium, with diamonds and onyx, this is a dream cuff for new-age woman. Best suited for evening parties. This cuff from Delhi-based Tara jewelers will look great on a dark coloured drape gown.

price: Rs 3,48,000

crystal charm

Taking inspiration from Byzantine adornments, Erickson Beamon’s gold-plated cuff will give each and every look a hit of show-stopping opulence. Swarovski crystals accentuate the intricate design, so be sure to wear yours solo for maximum effect.

price: Rs 67,000

Gucci glamour

Gucci is the personification of elegance. This glamorous chunky gold-plated and leather cuff from the international fashion brand is sure to make an instant style statement. You will look an modern chic with this.

price: Rs 90,000

Know your cuffs

Currently the cuff jewellery, especially for women, may be the trendiest and a statement piece. But it isn’t a new phenomenon at all. Women in our mythology, too, adorned their wrists with cuffs made of flowers! Mogras or any other sweet smelling gajras of flowers were wound around the wrists as one of the most popular adornments.

Later, these flower garlands found a way into different materials like leather, metal, etc. by men as protection gear once waging wars, brutally conquering enemies became the normal way of life of several civilisations. As rulers became more bloodthirsty and started waging more and more hand-to-hand combat, the need to have protective armory, too, increased. This resulted in having strong and large-sized cuffs, sometimes encompassing entire forearms.

It turned into jewellery form using different materials from the times of Incan, Aztec, Etruscan, Persian, Greek, Asian and Egyptian history. Of course, before all these, was the Mayan civilisation during the classic period of 200AD-900 AD, which was highly developed and started the trend of ornamentation. During this period, metal was beaten into fine sheets, and, then, embossed with different material to enhance the metal. Though several other ornaments made an appearance, basic concepts of cuffs, by and large, have remained the same.

Though these are trendy, when selecting a cuff, one should keep some points in mind. These pointers apply to men as well as women.

1 Many cuff pieces are adjustable. These can be opened or closed accordingly. If it has stones or beads on it, make sure when you adjust the size by pressing, you don’t do it at this point as otherwise the stone or the bead may just pop out.

2 Make sure you wear a soft cuff which should act as a second skin and not hurt your arm by its size or contact. As a cuff is broader in size, it might press into your upper wrist which, in the long run, may hurt you. So a soft one, round edged and one which is conical shaped is better than a cylindrical one.

3 Even while wearing a cuff, don’t just push your hand into it as you would do in a bracelet. If you are wearing it on your left hand, then curve it over the top of the bracelet. In one movement, press the lower edge of the bracelet into the soft area on the underside of your wrist. Then roll the bracelet over the top of your wrist.

4 Every cuff has a gap that allows one to put it on and take it off with ease. Ideally the gap should be nearly 3/4” to 1” wide. This will see that you put it on properly and it also doesn’t fall off easily even when you are travelling in a crowded public transport.

5 Choose the right size. If you have small delicate wrists, don’t go for large-sized cuffs hoping that you can press these into small size. This will spoil the shape of the cuff. Similarly, if you have a large wrist, don't opt for a small cuff, however, endearing it might look to you. 

Bling it on

TIME OF THE SNAKE

Serpents will be big business from February 10, 2013 which by the Chinese calendar is start of the Year of the Snake. Leading the sting is Swiss luxury watch maker Vacheron Constantin with a special watch dedicated to the serpent’s year. The dial of the watch has a vivid snake engraving and it is available in two versions — crafted from platinum or 18-carat rose gold, with 22-carat gold oscillating weight. Both the stunning versions are available in a limited edition of 12 each. In case, you want a piece of this time, you better hurry as they are expected to be snapped up by the uber rich Chinese!

price: On request

LOT TO WRITE HOME ABOUT

What is it about auto companies that attracts them to writing instruments? Perhaps it’s the experience of writing with a luxury pen which is as exalting as that of riding a great automobile. It’s all about power and control. The latest to join the bandwagon is luxury car maker Bentley, which in collaboration with Tibaldi has introduced its latest limited edition collections of luxe writing instruments: the Tibaldi for Bentley Muslanne. The collection reflects the masterpiece 1930 8-litre vehicle owned by W.O. Bentley himself. Just a word of caution….this is no ordinary pen so don’t leave it in your glove compartment. You’ll probably never see it again.

price: $5,500 (Rs 3,02,500)

STYLISH BAGGAGE

What is the distinguishing feature of a sharp, fashion-conscious, globe-trotting businessman? The answer: A stylish handbag. Men’s wear company Louis Philippe has brought out a range of specially designed bags which fuse style, substance and finesse. The look of the bags is matched by its tangibly soft construction, and its specially designed compartments are handy and purposeful. The striking features of the collection are the duffle bags and business bags which are an arm charm for the truly discerning.

price: Rs 14,000 for the Duffle Bag & Rs 12,000 for the Business Bag

PLATINUM-RIMMED STEMWARE

Platinum rim glasses are associated with gracious entertaining, gift-giving and stylish drinking. They are a wine booster and connoisseurs believe they enhance the taste of the bubbly. Luxury home store Elvy Lifestyle has introduced a series of German-made platinum rim glasses. The range includes martini glasses, champagne flutes, white and red wine glasses and high ball glasses decked with a shiny platinum strip along the rim which emphasises a sense of elegant liveliness. Classics with a contemporary twist, this collection is just right for your favourite vintage bubbly or cocktails.

price: Rs 3,995 onwards

CAVALLI STYLES A BIKE

There are two things that you can safely expect from a Roberto Cavalli creation. It will be frightfully expensive and it will be hep and happening. The celebrated Italian designer who recently set up shop in Delhi has collaborated with bike maker Ciclotte to create a unique mono-wheel limited edition exercise bike. Besides the unique design, this bike is said to burn calories extra fast. As with other Cavalli products, this unique bike, too, smacks of attitude and style.

price: $11,000 (Rs 6.05 lakh)

CLUTCH OF LUXURY

Clutches are the flavour of the New Year. Veev, the luxury handbag designer company has launched Fiona by Veev, a convenient shell clutch made of powder burnishable leather with textile lining which is crafted entirely in leather appliqué and has a reinforced compartment to keep the essentials. This elegant clutch exudes a look of pure luxury and will definitely make you stand apart. So go for the ‘clutch’ look this winter and enhance your style quotient.

price: Rs 14,200

IT’S A SONY

Enjoy the sound of music with Sony’s new home theatre system quite unimaginatively called BDV-N990W. It defines the next generation of home entertainment with richer and powerful sound, sharper and clearer picture and wireless connectivity to a wide range of online entertainment content. The system enhances video content immensely, thereby creating a 3-D viewing experience in full high-definition audio and video. It has wireless surround amplifiers and wi-fi connectivity for convenient access to Internet and online content. A stylish design and feather touch buttons make it a treat for music and video lovers.

price: Rs 40,000

JEWELS FIT FOR A QUEEN

They are by far the world’s most dazzling royal jewels. The Duchess of Windsor jewellery collection which is expected to go up for auction sometimes in the New Year has an interesting history behind it. British King Edward Vlll who abdicated the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson and became Duke and Duchess of Windsor bought her some of the most exclusive jewellery ever crafted. The collection, comprising 214 pieces, was first auctioned in 1987—after her death in 1986 — for a record $53.5 million. When the auction happens again in 2013, it would probably fetch more than double that price. So, if you have a few million lying idle in your bank account, this is your chance of making your wife feel like a queen!

price: Expected to fetch over $100 million

CHEERS TO THIS BUBBLY

As far as wines and champagnes go, it has been called one of the most important collections of the century. In a rare masterstroke Moet & Chandon have released 11 limited-edition sets of six bottles of Grand Vintage Collection presented in custom black leather chest with elegant brass fittings. The over 100-year-old champagne is supposed to be the best vintage of the twentieth century. It has been preserved for a century in cellars and the result is a superb yellowish champagne elegantly matured and deliciously lively.

price: $100,000 for a set of six bottles (Rs 55 lakh)

PACESETTER Tripura Kashyap
India’s first dance therapist, Tripura Kashyap believes it is effective in healing
She channels the power of dance 
M Khosla

Feeling low? Need to lose weight? Just check into a dance class. It burns calories the way no other exercise does. Besides being an entertaining activity, dance today is also being seen as therapeutic.

Tripura Kashyap will tell you that dance has healing powers and a mood-stability function and works wonderfully on patients with psychosomatic problems.

India’s first dance therapist, Kashyap uses the dance form to help people find an emotional expression through especially designed rhythmic movements. She works with special educators and mental health professionals to use creative dance for healing.

She says dance, like yoga, effectively heals even where traditional medicine does not work. She feels more research should go into its therapeutic aspect. Founder of Rainbow Inc that runs training programmes and workshops on dance, music, drama and visual art therapies in different parts of India, Kashyap has also authored of My Body My Wisdom…A Handbook of Creative Dance Therapy.

Kashyap has also conducted training programmes in dance therapy and dance-in-education in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and England, besides performing at the Grey Festival, Singapore. She has been trained in dance from Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts, Chennai and received the two-year senior fellowship from the Ministry of Culture for research into contemporary Indian dance

Starting off as a part of several dance-dramas choreographed by late Rukmini Devi Arundale, she was a performing artiste in the Chandralekha Dance Company, Chennai. She went did an advanced course in dance therapy from the Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy in Madison, Wisconsin. Kashyap has been designing special programmes for educators, teachers and social workers demonstrating how dance can be used to help disabled children. “These workshops facilitate teachers to use therapeutic dance activities in educational curricula and treatment programmes.”

She recalls preparing a specially choreographed piece for a group of vision-impaired Bharatnatyam dancers. “I was pleasantly surprised that they picked up the footwork immediately and started to dance with body and mind in tandem. It was as if they were in a trance, free of all fears. It was the most rewarding moment of my career.” Tripura’s mantra is, “Go ahead and dance your blues away.”