The Sign: Physically Challenged

The Sign: Physically Challenged

Physically Challenged

It was a fluke how I tore a ligament in my ankle. I twisted my leg when I got off the car. But the pain was unbearable and my foot was swollen like a watermelon in no time. After the usual x-rays and orthopedic consultation it was diagnosed as a sever ligament tear and I had to wear a removable cast ( hard cast on one side and velcrove straps on the other) for a month.

Initially I was in a lot of pain and bed rest for me to give this a second thought, but as I got better and started moving around, with the cast of course, I realized how people were looking at me, became conscious of how strangers gave a pitiful look. I understood what that look meant only after a few days. Then I started becoming conscious and I didn’t want to go out in public in my cast. After a couple of more days, I got angry and realized I don’t care. This whole process lasted 10 days and started me thinking how a physically challenged person feels all the time.

Every step was a challenge, as walking on the road itself is dangerous because it was difficult to maneuver on the mud road, incase I slip, because there was no footpath. While attending an event in a business centre, the entrance was 15 steps away with no alternative but for me to take a friends help and scramble up very slowly while everyone else watched or felt sorry for me.

Why aren’t we doing something about this? Why isn’t the government making ramps mandatory in public places? How can the physically challenged be independent if there are so many hurdles?

I really thank god for small mercies and this experience has taught me instead of whinging about being in this situation for a week i am glad i can walk normally the rest of the time...

I have renewed respect for everyone in this situation. I will be fine in a couple of weeks and go back to my arrogant self and strut around in high heels, but the ones that have to live like this all the time, I cannot imagine and hats off to you….

Report on Men's trend!

Common Fashion Errors

Living in London, I see a lot of guys with great style. London culture places a lot of value on having a creative, individual style. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. But just because London is a fashion Mecca, doesn’t mean I don’t see a lot of mistakes. Here are the most common, that I think apply to guys everywhere.

1. Dirty/Wrinkled Clothes

One of the first things women notice about a guy is how clean he is. Women notice shoes and teeth, as a RULE, when they first check a guy out. They are looking to see if he takes care of the things that are important to him, and also that he is clean, which probably indicates that he is disease-free ! It’s OK to throw on a white t-shirt that’s a little wrinkled, but generally your shirts should be clean and wrinkle-free. Also be diligent about your shoes and pants. Nothing looks worse than wrinkled or stained clothes on a guy.

2. Not Matching

 I don’t recommend that you color-coordinate every item of clothing. You don’t need to match your orange baseball cap, orange jacket, and orange Nikes like I see some guys doing. But if you’re wearing brown shoes, wear a brown belt. If you have a baseball cap with green trim, wear a shirt that has a little green in it. Try not to wear more than three colors, and maybe a fourth for trim, e.g. blue jeans, a green shirt, brown shoes, with a brown belt. If you have some cool sneakers, see if you can find a belt that includes the color of the trim on the shoes.

3. Boring/Out of Date Gear

Guys play it safe too much. I have a great pair of shoes and I get a lot of women checking them out! I update my shirts pretty regularly. You won’t catch me with a Gap sweatshirt from 1995. I pay special attention to my jeans though jean styles change pretty frequently a classic Levi 501’s always looks great, which brings me to my next point.

4. Overly Trendy 

Ed Hardy dudes

 Thank God the Ed Hardy/crazy skull/dragon thing is coming to an end. I admit women found those t-shirts hot, at first. But more and more I hear women saying that they can’t stand it when a guy dresses like he’s on the Jersey Shore. I don’t see many guys wearing the dragon/skull shirts anymore, but I do see guys trying too hard to be trendy. Think about classic style, stuff that hasn’t gone out of style in decades. And make sure it actually looks good on you instead of just wearing it because everyone else is.

5. Not Fitting Right

 Make sure your clothes fit you. Don’t wear skin-tight t-shirts if you have a belly. Don’t wear baggy jeans that make you look like a little kid. Make sure the sleeves on your button-down shirts start at the top of your shoulders, not at your triceps. Not only will wearing good-fitting clothes make your physique look better, it shows women that you are a man who knows how to dress make himself look good!

Filmfare Awards!

It is that time of the year and I am all excited about what we are going to see on the red carpet. Our stars will get to shine on this nite. Though I love the saree it is nice to see the younger heroines wearing couture gowns and working the red carpet in Louboutin heels. Out of my best 3 not suprisingly, two were wearing sarees. First was Shonali Bendre, she won hands down for best dressed, she wore a stunning saree and an interesting blouse and carried it off with elan. I think the younger actresses can take a leaf out of her book! next would be the Kapoor sisters, both Karishma and Kareena were a treat to the eyes. Everytime Karishma is around, Kareena has a very loving expression on her face which makes her so much more prettier. Finally it will have to be Adhuna Akthar for going completely the opposite direction and wearing a man suit and making it work totally. She was the perfect example on how to carry off androgyny without losing your femininity.

Worth mentioning is Sophie Chaudry for her figure hugging sexy ensemble. Manasvi Mamgai for her bold frock in a weird color, she sure stood out if that was her idea. Vidya Balan looked lovely as predicted in a silk saree. Madhuri was her beautiful self with hubby in a saree. I wish Deepika would wear a long gown for a change, I am a little tired of seeing her in a saree all the time. And not worth mentioning is Priyanka Chopra. What was she trying to hide in that loose grecian inspired outfit? she has a beautiful bod, I say show it!

Who got the awards finally? oh, I don't know I am only interested in the red carpet, who cares who won?!

Fashion Forward

And so it goes... some days is crazy fun, some days it is crazy busy and some days it is just plain crazy at Work! Today was all of the above and much more at Crimson house. Wedding gown fittings, designing, style assessments, and on and on...But loving every minute of it. You know what they say ( whoever they are;-)) When you wake up every morning, you should be excited to go to work or at least not feeling depressed to get outta  bed and finding mundane excuses to miss work. Well, that is not the case with me. I feel guilty when I don't go to work! I must absolutely love what I am doing or I am an alien! I think it is the former in my case, though sometimes I do feel alien! My friends would surely say the latter:-)
The hardest customers I find are the Brides or worse their families! Very hard to satisfy a bride who doesn't know what she wants. I gave about a 100 different ideas but she still wasn't sure. Well, can't really blame them as it is the day every girl dreams of and when it is finally there you are so confused with the choices. Come to think of it, maybe I gave too many choices? But some of them come knowing exactly what they want and that makes my job a lot easier. They tell me what they want, I sketch and they are pleased. We are done! It is that simple, well sometimes but not always, though I would like it to be more often than not.

I look at all the Brides to be and see the excitement, nervousness and apprehension and feel sorry for the poor souls who will be married soon and they have no idea what is in store for them!!

Personality Dressing

As a stylist I have always advised my clients to dress according to their personality and not according to the trends. What might suit one's body type might not be on trend but it is very important to be comfortable in what you wear. For example polka dots are very in this season and if its not worn properly it will make you look bigger than you are. Depending on the cuts and how it is placed in a dress polka dots can make you look very chic or blah!!
Like this illustration of a baby doll polka dot dress would be perfect on anyone who has an hourglass figure ( waist smaller than bust and hips) but need the right attitude to carry it off.

Fashion Icon - Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor- the fashion icon

South India needs a Sonam Kapoor. All the actresses here are so comfortable in their own style that they don’t experiment.  The younger generations don’t have any fashion trendsetters to follow and hence we don’t have a distinct new craze for the style enthusiasts.

Sonam is so versatile and almost like a chameleon with her dressing, you can never predict what she will wear the next day, that is so exciting as a stylist for me. It is a dream come true when you get a client who is willing to wear anything you suggest and carries off all she wears with such panache!

As for my favorite look of hers it would have to be her androgyny men’s suit with tied back hair and grandma pearls. She looked like a million dollars in that. I can't think of anyone else who would wear that with such confidence and ease.