FASHION FEST 356

Payal Pratap Singh is big on two things. Women embracing their own skin and eco-sensitivity. This reflects in her eponymous label Payal Pratap. Rooted in exuberance and encapsulating our rich heritage subtly, her brand captures the essence of the modern Indian woman. With silhouettes that double up as collectibles and everyday essentials simultaneously, her sartorial roster lends ample credibility to her expertise. Here, Payal shares more about her brand. ELLE: Describe your label in three words. Payal Pratap Singh (PPS): Real, responsible, relevant. ELLE: If you could dress a celebrity in your label, who would it be and why? PPS: Meryl Streep. An amazing talent, a perfectionist in her craft and versatile in myriad roles. She is fiercely passionate, and has used her position to bring awareness and drive positive change. ELLE: What in your opinion is the biggest problem faced by the fashion industry today? PPS: As the fashion calendar gets more and more compressed, collections h...

A timeless partnership is built [SG2] as Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif becomes the new face of Rado, a Swiss luxury watchmaker delivering on its promise of crafting eternal memories with its new Centrix collection. Renowned globally for being masters of materials, Rado kicked off this exciting partnership with the launch of an exciting campaign with Katrina as the new Global Brand Ambassador, transporting us to a mystical and breath-taking desert landscape where glimmering sand dunes seamlessly merge into one another. If you’re already drawn to the allure of the dessert, discover Katrina’s svelte and sophisticated look as she embodies the essence of Rado and the spirit of the new Centrix collection.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ELLE India (@elleindia) A partnership of charisma and perfection Similar to Katrina Kaif’s illustrious and versatile Bollywood career, Rado’s latest collection, Centrix, offers a diverse r...

The colours, the fireworks, the music, the diyas – festivals are the ideal backdrop for romance. With Navratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra, India’s festive season has commenced. While some like to spend this time going shopping, indulging in delicious authentic food or simply engaging in the excitement of festive activities with their loved ones, all the singles are keen to look for someone to burn those fulljaris with. Bumble’s new nationwide study reveals a significant trend of dating during the festivals as 63% of Indians surveyed confess they will embrace festival dating and want to date someone during this time. While a major chunk of the population prefers to spend the festive season with their friends and family, others like to keep it cosy with their partners. According to a survey conducted by Bumble, 27% of Indians surveyed prefer to enjoy festivities with their partners whereas 18% prefer enjoying festivals by finding themselves a date for all the festive parties/festivities w...

From growing up in India to becoming a renowned and celebrated artist world-wide, Radhika Gupta-Buckley has always been transcending conventional boundaries. Her journey, from a successful legal career to a transformative artist, showcases a unique fusion of personal style and artistry that challenges the norm. Radhika has done a number of showcases, including a prestigious appearance at Art Basel in Miami (Dec 2022). Most recently she was one of the several artists chosen to showcase her work at the Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery “Where The Wild Roses Grow” exhibition in Schloss Görne, Germany. However much of her artistic expression extends beyond the canvas. Her art is deeply rooted in her Indian heritage which she aims to infuse in all aspects of her life, including her personal style. Radhika’s personal style and artwork become dual channels of self-expression. She describes her style as a fearless commitment to her identity, resulting in bold, exaggerated silhouettes and vibran...

As the neighbourhood glints with Diwali lights and the air is filled with the spirit of celebration, everyone is rushing to buy gifts for their loved ones. And while traditional sweet boxes have their own charm, we all want to make Diwali gifts more special and personal.  Enter Kama Ayurveda’s meticulously curated gift boxes. Packed with authentic Ayurvedic essentials, these offerings are sure to make those you hold dear smile. Radiance Box The Radiance Box holds glow essentials including the Kumkumadi Brightening Ayurvedic Face Scrub, Kumkumadi Biphase Brightening Bi-Phase Essence, Kokum Almond Body Butter, Rejuvenating & Brightening Night Cream and Turmeric & Myrrh Skin Brightening Soap. Rose Essentials Box The Rose Essentials Box has a selection of face and body treatments made from the purest Kannauj Rose essential oils including Rose Cinnamon and Orange Soap, Rose and Jasmine Bath and Body Oil, Rose Lip Balm, Rose and Jasmine Face Cleanser and Pure Rosewater. G...

A screeching car. An impatient driver leaning aggressively on his horn. An eager seller loudly declaring the lure of his wares. The din of a train. The incessant chatter of weary office travellers. Living in a city can be tremendously overwhelming for your senses. It’s loud, chaotic, unruly. And despite my resolute commitment to noise cancellation headphones, the world seems to seep in. I often tell myself that an escape to a quiet place, one that’s tucked away, would be just the salve I need. Six Senses Vana in Dehradun what exactly what I was seeking, and so much more. After an uneventful flight to Dehradun, I was whisked away by a friendly chauffeur to the cooler confines of Six Senses Vana. The experience begins much earlier though. The ride is in a capacious car, and with the mountains passing by, I am lulled into a gentle sense of calmness. Of course, my stomach had other plans, expressing fierce protest at the topography and engaging in a offkey rumbling which prompted the chau...

The House of Neeta Lulla has been an established name in Indian couture for nearly three decades. The veteran designer deftly combines handloom techniques with craftsmanship from the Edwardian era to give you the finest of both worlds. Here, she talks to us about her career, and future ambitions. ELLE: Who has inspired you creatively in your design journey? Neeta Lulla (NL): In the ‘80s, as a fashion student, I drew inspiration from trends, international magazines, and pop culture. As students, we experimented with materials like foils, plastic, and lycra, and juxtaposed Indian fabric with western silhouettes. Inspiration comes from everyday life, as life is the best teacher. Growth starts with personal perspectiv es and converting challenges into opportunities. Frida Kahlo served as a role model. She challenged her creativity from time to time with a positive attitude in all situations and pursued her passion against all odds, embracing her own skin. ELLE: How do you strike a ba...

Released in 2008, this year marks 15 glorious years of Fashion , the highly acclaimed Madhur Bhandarkar gem chronicling the vicissitudes of the glamour industry. Known for reigniting Priyanka’s career and highlighting the inner workings of an industry tainted by vices aplenty (debatable), the movie also gave real models and industry insiders a platform by casting them in the same. Kanishtha Dhankhar, Sucheta Sharma, Alesia Raut, Daman Chaudhary you name it, the faces we see toil backstage to this very day, were an integral part of the movie and nothing makes me, a fashion journalist happier than this. And so I hopped on a re-watch marathon, revisiting the movie after years to evaluate its standing today. Spoiler: I wasn’t disappointed. So, here are 15 things I think Fashion got right about our industry, now that I’m a part of it and qualified enough to formulate an opinion about. Kangana Kangana Ranaut GIF from Kangana GIFs 1. Bias Towards The Profession 15 years may have passed...

Every conversation with Manish Malhotra draws us to the genre-defining impact of the couturier, both on and off the big screen and on the runway. He effortlessly straddles contemporary elegance and timeless glamour for global relevance. The designer who has seamlessly woven fashion and films together through decades sheds light on his passion for the craft. ELLE: How do you strike a balance between being distinctive and being marketable? Manish Malhotra (MM): I believe in staying true to my unique vision while understanding the market’s pulse. One example of achieving this delicate balance was when I introduced the concept of ombré bridal wear through my recent collections and dressed the stunning Kiara Advani in one, complemented by our modern heirlooms of diamond jewellery. It created a sensation among brides-tobe. The marriage of contemporary elegance and timeless glamour strikes the perfect balance of uniqueness and market appeal. ELLE: Tell us a bit about your recent collect...

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Indian weather equals desperate times when it comes to hair. Sweaty hair, dehydrated hair, flat hair – the problems are many. But believe it or not, leave-in conditioners – an oft-forgotten hair product – can really work wonders for your crowning glory. What do leave-in conditioners really do? We often shampoo and condition the hair (or use a mask once in a while) and then the hair is left to its own devices barring that quick swipe of serum. That’s where hardworking leave-ins come into the picture. So, if you’ve looked at these bottles and wondered what is their purpose even? Fret not, we’ve got some answers. Nilesh Kadam, Creative Stylist at Looks Salon says, “Leave-in conditioners are usually intended to be applied to damp, towel-dried hair. This is due to the fact that they operate best when they can penetrate the hair shaft and seal in moisture when it is still damp.” Leave-in conditioners also come in different consistencies, t...