Combined with grey, black, blue, green and beige, the pink flaunted its glory, gaining a sharp edge it's often denied. Here are some of my favorites from the Fashion Week.
What do you think of the trend?
Fashion. Lifestyle. Food.
Showing posts with label VJ Balhara. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VJ Balhara. Show all posts
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Lakme Fashion Week - Fall Trends - Color - Pink Passion
It has red as a parent, but it's softer, less violent. Pink is reformed red, as the designers would have you believe. Pink was a recurring theme at the Lakme Fashion Week in all its sweet and sophisticated avatars. From Archana Kochhar and Rina Dhaka, to Drashta, Vivek Kumar and Vj Balhara, the designers unleashed Pink Power in all its hues. Blush, coral, flesh, flush, fuchsia, hot pink, magenta, raspberry, rose, and salmon strutted down the ramp, displaying the versatile side of pink, from playful to glamorous.
Combined with grey, black, blue, green and beige, the pink flaunted its glory, gaining a sharp edge it's often denied. Here are some of my favorites from the Fashion Week.
What do you think of the trend?
Combined with grey, black, blue, green and beige, the pink flaunted its glory, gaining a sharp edge it's often denied. Here are some of my favorites from the Fashion Week.
What do you think of the trend?
Friday, August 19, 2011
Lakme Fashion Week – Day 3 – Vj Balhara
I am thinking cupcakes and cheese cakes. And dreamy, flowing silhouettes in ethereal, form defying details. Vj unveiled 25 stunning creations from his collection “Age of Innocence”, and celebrated defiantly, the return to honest-to-goodness designing. Making a tongue-in-cheek styling statement, by adorning the models’ hair with colorful cupcakes and cheesecake slices, (his stylist wife Cynthia’s contribution) Vj brought out his characteristic drama, never taking himself too seriously, yet knowing what women want from his fashion statements.
A welcome trend that I have seen in Indian fashion, at least in collections created by designers determined to take Indian fashion to new grounds, is the lack of “bling”. Usually, you take heavy fabrics, put tons of embroidery, sequins, thread work, and you have a collection. Fortunately, Vj does not take that path. Sure, there was cut daana, pipe work and mukaish in her collection. But they were there merely to complement the elaborate fabric detailing that has become Vj’s forte.
Using Chanderi and brocade with ethnic motifs, Vj enthralled the potential buyers and fashion followers alike, with aqua, hot pink, and vibrant green mixed with grey, olive and cream. Silhouettes varied from floor length dresses and smocks to long skirts, chogas and tiered diaphanous tunics. Sheer and fluid fabrics like chiffon, cotton, mull and plisse materials with hints of gold motifs made this a collection every woman would go to bed dreaming of.
The show opened with a white tiered gown with brocade bodice and a patched hem. A grey tiered mini with green lining, drop crotch pants with a flaring top and cropped jacket, a flowing grey and fuchsia outfit, a powder blue full length floor-sweeper teamed with a bolero, and a fluid, vibrant green outfit were among my favorites. Waistcoats with interesting lapels and detailing in soft pastels were recurrent in the collection, teamed with kurtas, gowns, and dresses. The show-stopper was a shimmering gold cape over a plisse smock gown, a fitting finale to a dazzling collection.
So, Day 3 of the Lakme Fashion Week is over. I know I am really behind on the reviews, but madness has unfolded, and you all will soon have all the Indian fashion trends reports soon. For now, I am craving one of Cynthia’s super-adorable cupcakes. For my hair!
A welcome trend that I have seen in Indian fashion, at least in collections created by designers determined to take Indian fashion to new grounds, is the lack of “bling”. Usually, you take heavy fabrics, put tons of embroidery, sequins, thread work, and you have a collection. Fortunately, Vj does not take that path. Sure, there was cut daana, pipe work and mukaish in her collection. But they were there merely to complement the elaborate fabric detailing that has become Vj’s forte.
Using Chanderi and brocade with ethnic motifs, Vj enthralled the potential buyers and fashion followers alike, with aqua, hot pink, and vibrant green mixed with grey, olive and cream. Silhouettes varied from floor length dresses and smocks to long skirts, chogas and tiered diaphanous tunics. Sheer and fluid fabrics like chiffon, cotton, mull and plisse materials with hints of gold motifs made this a collection every woman would go to bed dreaming of.
The show opened with a white tiered gown with brocade bodice and a patched hem. A grey tiered mini with green lining, drop crotch pants with a flaring top and cropped jacket, a flowing grey and fuchsia outfit, a powder blue full length floor-sweeper teamed with a bolero, and a fluid, vibrant green outfit were among my favorites. Waistcoats with interesting lapels and detailing in soft pastels were recurrent in the collection, teamed with kurtas, gowns, and dresses. The show-stopper was a shimmering gold cape over a plisse smock gown, a fitting finale to a dazzling collection.
So, Day 3 of the Lakme Fashion Week is over. I know I am really behind on the reviews, but madness has unfolded, and you all will soon have all the Indian fashion trends reports soon. For now, I am craving one of Cynthia’s super-adorable cupcakes. For my hair!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Vj and Cynthia Lim Balhara - Creating "The Age Of Innocence"
He is as energetic and flamboyant as his collections. She sort of hides behind her silken soft hair, and smiles like a little girl in Wonderland. They are one of my favorite couples in fashion. She is the driving force behind his creative vision. He is the young, good-looking fashion designer known for juxtaposing classic silhouettes with an unique contemporary edge. Vj Balhara and Cynthia Lim Blahara work together yet again to bring out a collection that in the designer’s opinion, made him strip his creative core to the bare basics – The Age Of Innocence.
Vj with Cynthia (In black)
Typically, a fashion show is no big deal. Take a sheet of paper, cut open a vein, and slowly bleed to death. Well, kidding! A designer collection is a result of months of grueling labour, late nights, galleons of coffee, frustration, false starts, and apprehensions. For Vj and Cynthia, it’s just another day at the workshop.
For the uninitiated, Vj is one of my favorite Indian designers, and is fast becoming a force to reckon with in Indian fashion. I admire him for the unique brand of fiery panache that he brings to an otherwise slightly clichéd Indian couture. While Vj toils to bring his creative vision to life, Cynthia’s inputs are what gives his collections their unique identity. Whether it’s the colorful birds adorning the models’ hairdo, or silver plates and Oriental hairstyles for an ethnic Indian collection, Cynthia’s styling of Vj’s runway collections gives them the drama and extravagance that is essential and integral to fashion.
But what makes this designer’s work close to my heart is that he lends a part of himself to his collections. Vj is real, and grounded, yet suffers no fools quietly. And Cynthia, despite her quiet and reserved demeanor, is a freewheeling thinker, and explorer. Which is why even the most hard-wired critics cannot dismiss Vj’s collections as glorified “bridals”. If designing for an Indian woman, and drawing from Indian influences, rather can steal “western trends” can tackily and hastily be labeled as bridal, then Vj surely is a culprit. For he designs for a woman who isn’t afraid of flaunting her heritage and culture. In true fashion sense, Vj Balhara is a bit of a rebel.
For his Winter-Festive collection, Vj has played with Aristocratic influences fused with Bohemian playfulness to create full length tiered dresses, cocktail dresses, skirts, blouses, and wide legged pants. Throwing caution, and strait-jacketed designing rules, to the wind, Vj has created anti-fit garments replete with bizarre color-blocking. This time, he went on a destructive mode, driving his team up the wall when he refused to settle for anything that did not perfectly match his vision. He states sheepishly, “I’d like a design for a dress, and then after a couple of days, I could not bear to look at it. I would rework it, and transform it into a completely different design.” He adds that he has eventually ended up with as many designs in his storage as he will have on the runway. Some creative process, that!
It’s a sign of his own brand of innocence that Vj still gets anxious about his collections. Having spent countless hours over the 25 creations that will be unveiled on the runway this Friday, knowing Vj, he is perhaps already in two minds whether he has done the best he could have. And knowing Cynthia, she is just quietly busy styling the collection with her own mark of raw quirkiness. And you all know me; I am waiting in anticipation, wondering what this duo’s emotional power, fuelled by fantasy and rebellion, has in store for the fashion hungry.
Cynthia's creative influence can be seen in the unusual styling of Vj's collections
Vj with Cynthia (In black)
Typically, a fashion show is no big deal. Take a sheet of paper, cut open a vein, and slowly bleed to death. Well, kidding! A designer collection is a result of months of grueling labour, late nights, galleons of coffee, frustration, false starts, and apprehensions. For Vj and Cynthia, it’s just another day at the workshop.
For the uninitiated, Vj is one of my favorite Indian designers, and is fast becoming a force to reckon with in Indian fashion. I admire him for the unique brand of fiery panache that he brings to an otherwise slightly clichéd Indian couture. While Vj toils to bring his creative vision to life, Cynthia’s inputs are what gives his collections their unique identity. Whether it’s the colorful birds adorning the models’ hairdo, or silver plates and Oriental hairstyles for an ethnic Indian collection, Cynthia’s styling of Vj’s runway collections gives them the drama and extravagance that is essential and integral to fashion.
But what makes this designer’s work close to my heart is that he lends a part of himself to his collections. Vj is real, and grounded, yet suffers no fools quietly. And Cynthia, despite her quiet and reserved demeanor, is a freewheeling thinker, and explorer. Which is why even the most hard-wired critics cannot dismiss Vj’s collections as glorified “bridals”. If designing for an Indian woman, and drawing from Indian influences, rather can steal “western trends” can tackily and hastily be labeled as bridal, then Vj surely is a culprit. For he designs for a woman who isn’t afraid of flaunting her heritage and culture. In true fashion sense, Vj Balhara is a bit of a rebel.
For his Winter-Festive collection, Vj has played with Aristocratic influences fused with Bohemian playfulness to create full length tiered dresses, cocktail dresses, skirts, blouses, and wide legged pants. Throwing caution, and strait-jacketed designing rules, to the wind, Vj has created anti-fit garments replete with bizarre color-blocking. This time, he went on a destructive mode, driving his team up the wall when he refused to settle for anything that did not perfectly match his vision. He states sheepishly, “I’d like a design for a dress, and then after a couple of days, I could not bear to look at it. I would rework it, and transform it into a completely different design.” He adds that he has eventually ended up with as many designs in his storage as he will have on the runway. Some creative process, that!
It’s a sign of his own brand of innocence that Vj still gets anxious about his collections. Having spent countless hours over the 25 creations that will be unveiled on the runway this Friday, knowing Vj, he is perhaps already in two minds whether he has done the best he could have. And knowing Cynthia, she is just quietly busy styling the collection with her own mark of raw quirkiness. And you all know me; I am waiting in anticipation, wondering what this duo’s emotional power, fuelled by fantasy and rebellion, has in store for the fashion hungry.
Cynthia's creative influence can be seen in the unusual styling of Vj's collections
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Lakme Fashion Week Day 5 - VJ Balhara
The 5th day of the Lakme Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2011, and I finally made it to the venue. I still can’t get over it. My favorite five days of the fashion season, and I missed them! Well, almost. I did make it to the 1.30 show where VJ sent his collection down the runway. I have already given you a preview of the collection, so won’t go into that again. All I can say is that from the very first strain of the music, it was a collection that had the audience swinging and applauding. VJ’s penchant for controlled drama was at play, as “Rustic Sophistication”, a collection in 100% cotton and chanderi unfolded in an inspired palette of lavender, fuchsia, turquoise, white, ivory and olive among other colors. Empire line smocks, cool summer pants, tunics with gathered hems, full pleated tents, drop crotch linen churidars, flared mul blouses, gypsy dresses, paisley embroidered skirts were all unusually styled with colorful birds in models’ hair, and exquisite, understated accessories that complimented the outfits, the collection bore the VJ Balhara stamp of edgy originality through and through. That the show was styled by VJ’s extremely talented wife Cynthia added a special touch to the event.
But what truly took everyone’s breath away was the showstopper, VJ’s muse Carol Gracias in a melon and taupe tiered circular Angarakha had the audience let out a collective gasp. And then, my favorite moment of every VJ show when the ex-model turned designer walked the ramp for a final bow, as the applause kept getting louder. When I first saw VJ’s designs, I saw in them a promise that finds substance with every new collection. Unfortunately, the show has left me with a dilemma. I am weighed down with the urgent need to lose ample weight to fit into one of VJ’s breathtaking designs. That, I hope will happen before his next collection.
All Photos Courtesy: Nitesh Square Photography
But what truly took everyone’s breath away was the showstopper, VJ’s muse Carol Gracias in a melon and taupe tiered circular Angarakha had the audience let out a collective gasp. And then, my favorite moment of every VJ show when the ex-model turned designer walked the ramp for a final bow, as the applause kept getting louder. When I first saw VJ’s designs, I saw in them a promise that finds substance with every new collection. Unfortunately, the show has left me with a dilemma. I am weighed down with the urgent need to lose ample weight to fit into one of VJ’s breathtaking designs. That, I hope will happen before his next collection.
All Photos Courtesy: Nitesh Square Photography
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011
The last time I saw VJ, he was minutes away from his Fashion Week show. Hyper-energetic and ever warm, he was full of anticipation and not a trace of nervousness. Confident and with the poise of the super-model that he was before he turned to designing, he stood in the lounge of the Grand Hyatt, looking every bit the emerging star in the world of style that he is. That, to me, defines VJ's fashion brand: confident, contemporary, rooted.
And now, the not so new kid on the block is about to make another collection go down the runway history. Titled “Rustic Sophistication”, his signature style Neo Traditional Resort wear will see its audience at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2011.
It is fast becoming VJ’s forte to give a contemporary twist to a rural story. This time, he brings his fairy dust to traditional block prints enhanced with rural embellishments and unusual silhouettes.
The designs find their root in the traditional clothing women from Zamindaar (Landlords) community of Haryana. These are fused with the European glamour from the late 1950’s & early 1960’s to create a collection that primarily aims to find common grounds between the raw sensuality of the villages and the modern city chic.
With “Rustic Sophistication”, VJ continues to promote 100% cotton as a luxury fashion Fabric, another reason why I love his designs. Other fabrics which feature in the collection are Chanderi, “Satin Cotton” and chiffon. A rich palette of Ivory, Olive, Lavender, Fuschia, Shocking Pink, Yellow and Turquoise promise to make this collection stand out. VJ’s show is scheduled for March 15th at The Garnd Hyatt, Mumbai.
And now, the not so new kid on the block is about to make another collection go down the runway history. Titled “Rustic Sophistication”, his signature style Neo Traditional Resort wear will see its audience at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2011.
It is fast becoming VJ’s forte to give a contemporary twist to a rural story. This time, he brings his fairy dust to traditional block prints enhanced with rural embellishments and unusual silhouettes.
The designs find their root in the traditional clothing women from Zamindaar (Landlords) community of Haryana. These are fused with the European glamour from the late 1950’s & early 1960’s to create a collection that primarily aims to find common grounds between the raw sensuality of the villages and the modern city chic.
With “Rustic Sophistication”, VJ continues to promote 100% cotton as a luxury fashion Fabric, another reason why I love his designs. Other fabrics which feature in the collection are Chanderi, “Satin Cotton” and chiffon. A rich palette of Ivory, Olive, Lavender, Fuschia, Shocking Pink, Yellow and Turquoise promise to make this collection stand out. VJ’s show is scheduled for March 15th at The Garnd Hyatt, Mumbai.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Here Comes The Bride! – V J Balhara Winter Festive 2010
I love it when the ramp lights up with drama and talent. I love it when I see Indian inspirations take new flight and touch a global aesthetics. And I love to see young blood infuse new colors, new silhouettes, new lines into old genres of fashion. What a delight fashion week is, when all these happen together. Each year, the Lakme fashion Week throws up some pleasant surprises. And most of them come from the GenNext and Emerging designers categories, where a new vocabulary of fashion is being written.
Today was no exception, as V J Balhara presented his “Bridal Renaissance” collection for the modern day bride. Here is a collection for the bride who captures every heart as she walks down the aisle. With inspirations freely drawn from the royal traditions of Punjab, Cooch Behar and Rajputana, the collection had it all: chogas, Anarkali Ensembles, Dresses, Sherwanis, saris, jackets, Skirts, and tunics. Reviving the ancient “Mashru” silk from the Mughal era, VJ has woven bridal dreams from fabrics as varied as brocade, pure crepe, silk organza, net, lace, silk and satin cotton in vibrant red, green, orange, purple, royal blue and black. VJ’s favorite flower, rose, made its presence felt in the collection through motifs in zardozi, aari work, sequins, Jaipur stones and crystal embroidery. VJ even introduced an innovative way of draping the dupatta in a grand yet comfortable manner.
VJ’s showstopper, an opulent red Mashru silk anarkali creation with zardozi and gotta border teamed with organza choga and crepe churidars, had the audience in awe.
Though titled Bridal Renaissance, the collection is not for the conventional bride looking for a run of the mill trousseau. This is no designer for the faint hearted. The collection that VJ’s models strutted down the runway today is for the feisty, beautiful bride, for whom a wedding is a celebration of eternal love. A bride who revels in her individuality, and is radiant and free-spirited.
All Photographs By The Very Talented Nitesh N Nitesh
Click HERE For More Of Nitesh's work
Today was no exception, as V J Balhara presented his “Bridal Renaissance” collection for the modern day bride. Here is a collection for the bride who captures every heart as she walks down the aisle. With inspirations freely drawn from the royal traditions of Punjab, Cooch Behar and Rajputana, the collection had it all: chogas, Anarkali Ensembles, Dresses, Sherwanis, saris, jackets, Skirts, and tunics. Reviving the ancient “Mashru” silk from the Mughal era, VJ has woven bridal dreams from fabrics as varied as brocade, pure crepe, silk organza, net, lace, silk and satin cotton in vibrant red, green, orange, purple, royal blue and black. VJ’s favorite flower, rose, made its presence felt in the collection through motifs in zardozi, aari work, sequins, Jaipur stones and crystal embroidery. VJ even introduced an innovative way of draping the dupatta in a grand yet comfortable manner.
VJ’s showstopper, an opulent red Mashru silk anarkali creation with zardozi and gotta border teamed with organza choga and crepe churidars, had the audience in awe.
Though titled Bridal Renaissance, the collection is not for the conventional bride looking for a run of the mill trousseau. This is no designer for the faint hearted. The collection that VJ’s models strutted down the runway today is for the feisty, beautiful bride, for whom a wedding is a celebration of eternal love. A bride who revels in her individuality, and is radiant and free-spirited.
All Photographs By The Very Talented Nitesh N Nitesh
Click HERE For More Of Nitesh's work
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)