Hearting LBD

Hearting LBD by pratishtha featuring Jil Sander

Talking about the Hepburns of the world... I now have a sudden craving for over-sized accessories and LBDs.

Style Icons - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

In her book “How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World,” author Jordan Christy laments the modern day loss of polite, well-spoken, gracious, charming and thoughtful women, like the yesteryear icons, Kate and Audery Hepburn. In a celebrity obsessed world, where Paris and Lindsay are emulated everywhere, she talks about the grace and charm that women from a bygone era exuded. As she goes on to talk about "real women with brains, beauty and self-respect", I start thinking about India’s own style queens of yesterday – Leela Naidu, and Gayatri Devi. Vogue chose them as being among the most beautiful women in the world. Ironically, and tragically, Gayatri Devi passed away just a day after actress Leela Naidu died in Mumbai.

Gayatri Devi was celebrated for her classical beauty and was a prominent fashion icon in her adulthood, Born a Rajput princess, she regaled the world with her intellect, beauty and regal charm. As Maharani Gayatri Devi she was an icon for her generation. A head-turner with her bobbed brown hair, chiffon saree, and understated, elegant jewellery, she was the quintessential fairy tale princess. Despite her life’s ups and downs, the doe eyed Maharani’s fabled beauty and grace stayed with her, till the very end. It comes as no surprise that she was often compared to former US first lady and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy.



Gayatri Devi


Leela Naidu, on the other hand, was an Indian actress. Her ethereal, mesmerizing looks and subtle, effortless style, tinged with the glamour of her profession made her a timeless beauty. As the world moves on to size zero, chic glamour, one can’t help but hang on to the fleeting memory of the women who truly embodied style and elegance.



Leela Naidu

Biker Chic - To Be Or Not To Be

To think of Biker Chic in Mumbai weather is akin to committing fashion suicide. Imagine. Me. On a local train in Mumbai. Twelve women rubbing against me (Don’t ask how that happens. You don’t want to know). And my leather jacket making me sweat gallons of liquid out of my system. I arrive in office drenched in sweat, smelling, cranky. Not sexy!

So biker Chic is, let’s just face it and throw in the towel, not for Mumbai women. We live out our life in airy cotton tunics, and tees. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t drool over the chains and zippers galore that the fall fashion is bringing back into our life.

I saw these lovelies on Glamour Magazine’s website and shed tears. My favourite is the Alex McQueen Biker Rings Clutch Bag. Super! The Satin and Chain High Sandals by Camilla Skovgaard bring sexy back, and the Miss Selfridge Leather Biker Jacket, along with the Studded Bangles will do any fashion goddess proud.Desires, I say. Maybe some other city, some other life. Meanwhile Angelina Jolie can slip into her leather shifts and look gorgeous. I’ll have a cotton tunic, on the rocks, please.

Nick Knight - Beasting

I recently rediscovered BEASTING, an arresting body of work from ace photographer Nick Knight, a result of his decade long professional relationship with John Galliano. An intense shoot for Arena Homme +, Beasting features the Autumn Winter 2007 collection of John Galliano’s menswear line. Nick Knight, who calls his association with Galliano a source of ‘continual stimulation’, has
captured a visually powerful brawny spectacle.

Knight’s reputation for pushing technical and creative boundaries is on full display here. After having worked on several controversial issues, ranging from racism, disability, ageism and fat-ism, Knight’s shots of the brawny males depict militaristic ritual and untamed pagan energy.



The cover image shows an intimidating man-beast with six arms, a fascinating symbol of hyper-masculinity. The brawny beast wears the headpieces, and garments of John Galliano’ menswear collection. The shots are a disturbing and fascinating blend of combative and sexual frenzy, where limbs and bodies seem to merge into one another. It’s indomitably a man’s space, with overtones of war and rough-play.




The man behind the shoot, celebrated photographer Nick Knight, refers to his body of work as ‘an ongoing communication, a response to events’. Nick’s work for publications includes i-D, Vogue, Dazed & Confused, The Face and Visionaire. His list of clients features Yohji Yamamoto, Christian Dior, YSL, Björk, Alexander McQueen, Massive Attack, and Calvin Klein. Apart from these big names, he has also worked with Jil Sander, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood, and Comme des Garçons’ Rei Kawakubo.

Remembering The Flowers - Phulkari From Punjab

Growing up in the Northern part of India, colour was an integral part of my life. Yellow draped mustard fields swayed in early summer winds; spring brought in trees laden heavily with flowers of colors so vibrant, we could spend hours looking at them, as we rode our bicycles through verdant gardens that were such a common part of our small town life. Those were simple times, when recession and lay-offs were unheard of, and women sang as they sat together, embroidering rich dreams into simple fabrics. And no embroidery was as colourful as Phulkari, a Punjabi embroidery technique, which literally means flower working. Using darn stitch on the wrong side of coarse cotton cloth with colored silken thread, Punjabi women sat creating intricate, alluring patterns inspired by nature and daily life.


Over a decade later, Phulkari has not only stood the test of time, but seems to be thriving. Especially in the ‘Darjiya Wali Gali’ (Tailors’ Lane) in old Patiala, Phulkari has found its connoisseurs as buyers from across the world flock to own a piece of this coveted Indian Art. My last visit to Punjab saw me walk through a colour-filled wonderland, where beautiful shawls, scarves, tunics, and shoes brought back fond memories of a time when all was right with the world. The original hand-made Phulkari is now rare, and comes for a price. But with colours that last for years, and exotic patterns that appeal to Indian and off-shore buyers alike, it’s an investment worth making. A well-made Phulkari scarf or a tunic keeps the compliments flowing in after several repeat outings. The patterns have now been modernized, but I prefer the old, classic designs. For those who find the traditional colours too bright, there are now softer pastels available.


If a visit to India is not on the cards anytime soon, online shops are a good option. Many online suppliers offer a variety of colour and pattern options suited for Western tastes. With its warm colours, and striking patterns, Phulkari makes a lasting impression. Much like the country of its origin – rooted in tradition, but with modern sensibilities.

Image: Indiamart.com

Long Time...

I haven't posted in a really long time. Over a month, actually. Some of you might be wondering if I have finally gone off blogging. I haven't. A lot has happened in the past one month. And it has given me a new perspective. Style for me is being redefined. New things are emerging on my personal landscape that demand attention. And the old SHOTCOUTURE seems to be asking for a change. So, I guess, this period of absence is what I needed to put things into place, and determine where I wanted this blog to go.

Currently, I am in London, discovering the various aspects of this beautiful city that will, no doubt, add more depth to the way I percieve fashion and style. It will, I believe, bring me closer to discovering my 'voice'.

Please wait for SHOTCOUTURE to emerge in its new Avatar. I hope I will be able to make it worth the long wait.

Searching For A Muse - Pravin Talan

Fashion photography is a mould in which many a photographers’ talent has gotten trapped, labeled, made predictable. No so for Pravin Talan. With his deep set eyes searching for an ever elusive muse, and his towering personality, you’d be forgiven for thinking that he is a poet. For he does capture poetry in motion. After having dabbled in this and that, and that and this for a change, he is now quite comfortably reunited with his first love – Photography.
I love Pravin’s pictures for the visual textures and unusual themes. He captures the essence of his subjects, rather than just posing them against a pretty background. And then, he adds a twist. Here are a few of my favorite pictures. For more of Pravin’s pictures, visit his facebook profile by clicking here