Style File

I grew up in the sleepy village of Malhausi, some 83 kms from Kanpur City. I set out in life armed with a degree in Physics. But, the scholastic facts that stimulated the mind of a young man, did not compare to the grandmothers’ stories that nourished the soul of a young boy. What was simply a delightful recreational activity in childhood, became a precious treasure trove of inspiration to deal with existential philosophies of adulthood. The artistic genesis of life, the spirituality in its pre-ordained symphony, the role of change in igniting its versatility – they all began to captivate me. This collection looks back on a decade-long journey, that began with the exploration of an important fact of life – metamorphosis. I didn’t consciously intend to make the concept a brand signature, when I launched ‘The Butterfly Effect’ back in 2010. Maybe, it has become one, because that first exploration was honest, straight from the heart; and steeped in the metamorphosis of the Artist from the Physicist. Since I’m learning something new every day, this metamorphosis is continuous – both within me and within the brand. I have tried my best to progressively build a crafts-based lineage that empowers the artisan. This lineage, at the heart of my brand DNA, is in turn a tribute to the universal DNA that has created a kaleidoscopic lineage of thriving life on this planet. In elevating the artisanal spirit and honouring the creative spark that gives it shape and form, I hope I am paying my dues to a beautiful life. Embroideries hold instinctive appeal for me. I feel the holy forces of creation become meditative, magical poetry in the way the artisan’s needle and thread moves through fabric. This celebratory collection would be incomplete without a tribute to embroideries. They have come alive through intelligent separates. The separates themselves have a strong aura of dynamism because of the interplay between architectural silhouettes, vibrant colours; as well as prints and motifs inspired by the unapologetic, unbridled beauty of Nature. My sacred relationship with metamorphic memories fuelled the shape-shifting level embroidery that defined my debut collection. Inspired by the tessellated prints of MC Escher’s woodcuts, these changing embroidery patterns seem to give the garment a life of its own. The depiction of life in motion remains to tell the tale of the hands that made them. As time passed, I found that the Physicist within me awoke from his deep slumber and produced the 2018 Spectral Forest Doppler dress. The Physicist-turned-Artist also metamorphosed into a Father. Growing up, I knew little of the world I saw and more of the world I imagined. I want my daughter Aarna to develop a fertile imagination too. I teach her how, through the only way I learned myself – spending time in Nature. Once, Aarna and I sat sketching in a village near Nainital. Bold blue hydrangeas of varying sizes and distinctive tints inspired me to create life-like renditions for the 2019 Spring/Summer collection. It took months of arduous research and development to achieve a refined surface. But, the hand-embroidered organza petals in shades of blue, appliquéd onto light fabrics and embellished with Swarovski crystals are a story in themselves, of  how the flawed perfection of the human hand can imitate and imbibe divine perfection. A private tour of Musée d’Orsay in 2016 brought me closer to the surrealist magic of Van Gogh. His ‘Sunflowers’ series reminded me of the flowers growing wild and free in Malhausi. The sweet nostalgia manifests itself in the diaphanous silk gown from Fall 2017-18 gracing the runway tonight. Many of the looks in this collection have never been showcased in India. They are reminiscent of the 10 Paris Fashion Week collections, that have given me the privilege of presenting the best of Indian handicrafts on an international platform. The collection includes a range of fabrics and techniques, from gossamer tulle and organza to plush velvets; and traditional aari work with resham threads, to French knots inspired by pointillism art. The idea is to combine Eastern mysticism with Western meticulousness and highlight the overlap; so as to demonstrate that the world shares common ideas of timeless intricacy and elegance in fashion. With the ‘Rahul Mishra in Retrospect’ essence of this collection, I wish to share with you a message that is very close to my heart – coming full circle and returning to the source is a celebration of our roots and a testament to our ever-evolving aesthetic. As Rumi once said, “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”

As we call our collection “DECODE” which means to decipher, this collection as it moves towards the end breaks down into different styles and decode it completely. Decode as we term it is an infusion of asymmetrical cuts, belted garments and structured fits amalgamating with different prints diffusing into an array of color palette. The colors range from neon hues like orange, green and yellow. The color story includes a palette ranging from rust, brown to neon’s and blacks. It’s more of the colors that we see in and around. The collection begins as athleisure and ends towards formal structured garments keeping in mind the current demand of comfort and style.

Ensemble ideas for every occasion during your best friend’s wedding festivities! Here’s decoding the ultimate style guide for the #BridesmaidSquad for all wedding rituals and festivities!   The only underrated group of individuals who can change a Brideszilla to a total Bridechilla are her squad of loyal bridesmaids! And we do know the importance for all bridesmaids to match up to the charm and charisma of the bride, while not completely outshining her!   But if you’re caught between the madness of organizing wedding favours and planning activities and overlooking details of various functions, you shouldn’t have to fret about one more thing, that is looking your best during all the ceremonies.   It is for this reason, we present to you the ultimate list of outfit ideas that all bridesmaids can take cues from for every occasion during your best friend’s wedding!     EVENING OF THE ENGAGEMENT Kickstart the wedding festivities with romantic colours, flowy fabrics and dainty embroideries in contemporary silhouettes, such as Ridhi Mehra’s. Style your regal ensemble with minimal jewellery and clean pulled-back hair to complete the posh avatar!     HALDI CEREMONY Serve some serious fashion goals with warm tones, lehariya prints and immaculate floral embroidery for the auspicious haldi ceremony by designers Sukriti & Aakriti and Gulabo Jaipur. Add that remarkable touch to your traditional ensemble by styling your dupatta over the shoulders for a demure look.     RITUAL OF MEHNDI Channel a vivacious vibe for the ritual as you are caught between collating all the mehndi favours and other wedding frenzy! Gulabo Jaipur’s bright pastels with floral detailing and intricate thread-work reflects the essence of traditional chic while Sukriti & Aakriti ‘s revival of phulkari evokes a sense of pride in our hearts – both of which are apt for the merriment around the mehndi ceremony.     SANGEET SHENANIGANS What can be more breathtaking than a sari or a lehenga for your bestie’s sangeet ceremony? An opulent pre-draped pant or lehenga sari by Ridhi Mehra! Beautiful pearl embroidered blouses, ruffled hems and chiffon plush fabrics in rich hues embody all the dreamy and fun shenanigans of the sangeet or cocktail evening.     THE SACRED VOWS Be it dolling up in the prettiest of lehengas or adorning the most gorgeous floral jewellery, bridesmaids today are all game for making spectacular style statements, (sometimes even co-ordinated) ofr their close friend’s pheras. Sukriti & Aakriti ‘s resuscitation of the intricate craft of phulkari commemorates this special occasion while being an absolute treat for the bohemia admirers.     RECEPTION UNDER THE STARS As you save the best for the last, the evening of the reception demands a certain amount of extravagance, so no shying away! Instead, slip into those gorgeous jewel-toned lehengas, embellished blouses and elaborately embroidered saris and shararas to complement the grandeur of the night. Even better, pair your minimal looks with navratna ornate belts like Ridhi Mehra’s or strikingly magnificent dupattas by Sukriti & Aakriti!   So go big or go home for your best friend’s wedding festivities this wonderful winter season, as there is no time for it, such as now!  

Bollywood celebrities are always in the news of their style and there are always so much written about how they carry off whatever they wear so well! In the recent years, these Bollywood celebrities have started hiring stylists whose primary job is to understand the personality of these celebrities and pick out outfits that go best with their attitudes. Our favorite Bollywood divas are achieving so much and breaking every stereotype there is, be it with unconventional roles and even taking stands against sexism that’s so rampant in Bollywood. Even when it comes to dressing, these celebs leave no stone unturned in taking the unconventional route. Here are our favourite Bollywood divas who ditched taking the feminine route by rocking suits that ended up redefining power dressing for all of us. If you’re at a position of authority at your workplace and want to dress like you mean business, let these Bollywood celebs inspire you with some amazing power dressing tips!   Kangana Ranaut Love her or hate her, but you just can’t ignore her! That’s the presence this queen of Bollywood has and her dressing shows exactly that. We love Kangana in this striped pantsuit that she’s sporting with a gorgeous red lip. This sure looks like the trend she loves.   Alia Bhatt There’s nothing in this world Alia Bhatt can’t pull off, and we’re especially talking about her stunning Emporio Armani pantsuit that she wore recently. Her style was edgy and we love the sleek hair too! Hope you’re taking some tips, ladies.   Anushka Sharma Anushka Sharma showed everyone who the real boss is when she rocked in this powder blue pantsuit from Ermanno Scervino and a black bustier. She was the ‘Woman of the Year’ and looks every bit like it.   Katrina Kaif Kat is a vision in white in this Isabel Marant pantsuit, isn’t she? With understated makeup and sleek hair, she seems to have cracked the code to power dressing and how. She’s the Bollywood celeb who can rock any kind of pantsuit, be it flared, or even straight cut.   Sonam Kapoor Sonam Kapoor is hands down the one of most fashionable Bollywood celebrities ever. She loves and adores fashion and is invested in every outfit she wears, no wonder why she can pull of even the most basic piece of clothing with so much finesse. She made our jaws drop when she showed up in this androgynous monochrome tux !   Aishwarya Rai Aish all black pant suit is giving us major power dressing goals. She knows her clothes and does an amazing job, as always, with pulling them off like the ultimate boss lady!   Parineeti Chopra We’re loving Parineeti’s solid colour play going on with this pantsuit. Her strappies add an element of edge to look. She looks fierce and definitely like someone who you don’t want to mess with!   Yami Gautam Yami Gautam looked like a dream in this solid red pantsuit at an event. She managed to maintain the perfect balance between fierce, yet feminine. We’re also loving her wavy hairstyle that’s giving her look a very corporate touch. So these were our favourite Bollywood celebrities that made power dressing look like a cakewalk by pulling off pant suits in the most fashionable way ever. This fashion style is here to stay for the women and we would love for you to take tips from these divas and implement them in your wardrobe!

Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday so – quote by Bill Cunningham   Rightly said! Fashion is surely about making people dream about making exquisite transpose to their personality and ‘Angelic’ is a brand that strives hard to deliver this very aspect to their clients! The brand’s tfeu revolves around originating mesmerizing fashionable designs as per the latest and emerging fashion trends. Its expertise lies in turning the clients’ ideas into awesome themes to make sure that the end product is nothing less than being fantabulous. As they say, every rising brand has some inspiration to look forward to and ‘Angelic’ is no exception to the rule. They have been soaring high in the skies of fashion while getting their dose of inspiration from some renowned players of the industry, such as Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Tarun Tahiliani, Neeta Lulla, Anita Dongre, Manish Malhotra, Zama by Anjali Sahni. This inspiration has not only helped Angelic stay strong but also remains focused on earning the reputation of being only the best!   Angelic’s journey has been something humbling from a beginner to being a pro while facing diverse challenges along the way. But, ‘Angelic’ is a brand that has never looked back and has always stood up and risen again! In fact, the idea behind ‘Angelic’ has always been to overcome challenges and reach the supreme height of professionalism by building the right kind of dresses! Angelic as a brand works hard to develop coherent understanding of the market constraints and work around the client’s budget to give the best within the perfect price. Also, Angelic’s USP has always been in proffering every dress endowed with detailing and perfection in almost every aspect. After all, the brand takes pride in providing flawless designs that will make a mark for themselves wherever they are viewed.   Also, Angelic has always kept their clients at a priority and all their efforts are spent in beautifying their clients as per their choices and requisites. As per them, the latest fashion trends of the present season portrays intrepid vogue styles comprehending bold shoulders, oversized drapes, embellished belts, Sorbet Pastel tones as well as floral prints. And when asked to offer their precious fashion tips of the beautiful brides-in-making, Angelic asked them to stay classy and go for the colors that make them stand apart from the crowd.   For more follow-https://instagram.com/angeliccloset_by_pam?igshid=71b1or7kwew1  

ROSEROOM BY ISHA   Tthe ardent aspiration of modern women and narrate a unique story that resonates with them. Their statement yet delicately detailed ensembles transition effortlessly from day to night, connecting one with the strong, confident and independent woman within.     ‘THE AVANT GARDE AFFAIR’   Hailing from a business family, Isha has always been mesmerized by fashion since her early years. Crafting an authentic trajectory for herself, she has curated an Avant- Garde vision for her label Roseroom, that pays reverence to the woman she creates for. Isha initiated her journey step by step with her master’s degree from NIFT, New Delhi. She then went forward with her major’s degree in Garment Making Technology (GMT),  followed by a Fashion Design specialisation from FIT, New York. Experiencing success with patience and perseverance with her family-owned garment export house, she finally found her calling within the Indian fashion fraternity with Roseroom, launched in 2014.     The brand recently launched its first flagship store at New Delhi’s Ambawatta, One Mehrauli. The store is designed keeping in mind ‘luxury meets modernity’, bringing in rays of light, positivity, and hope. The store has European white and gold interiors adorned with grand chandeliers and a glimpse of floral tints that connect with a classic, timeless and unique woman.   Their recent collection is done keeping in mind ‘day to dinner’ as a key focus. The exquisite craftsmanship which is the essence of Roseroom remains an axis of the collection. Each individual garment speaks volumes of the amalgamation of limitless inspirations, mood boards, and creativity born from travel, art, architecture, and history.   Meticulous detailing and timeless silhouettes are showcased with tiers & ruffles, dainty necklines, and dramatic sleeves. Reams of feminine drapes in layers of sheer fabrics are carefully selected with subtle hints of lurex which makes an outfit perfect for celebrating special occasions!   Furthermore, their powerful pantsuit range is done tastefully keeping in mind the independent women of today.     If there is an adjective that sums up the brand’s aesthetic in all facets, it is ‘exclusive’. The choice of fabric and intricate craftsmanship truly celebrates the Indian heritage clubbed with the modern-day silhouette, and their vision to maintain the equilibrium between the different ages, world, and cultures.

The world knows Kusum Jain the entrepreneur in the jewellery and fashion arena with her brand K Jewels N More. The compassionate and empathetic business woman has been working behind the scenes to fight the recent Corona virus pandemic. She has been vocal about taking the fight to the front lines.   The business woman has ensured that her employees are looked after and paid in these uncertain times. Kusum has a view that charity begins at home. Her workers are engaged in awareness programmes and keep social distancing as a part of life. In the broader perspective she has been spreading awareness about how to protect yourself from this deadly virus.   The Jain organization, JITO that she is a part of has been doing an exemplary job of helping people access food and other relief materials. It has always been in the news for helping the underprivileged class with education and vocation needs. The recent distress has seen the initiative spearheaded by Kusum in helping with necessities too. The frontline workers have also seen the demise of a volunteer due to the disease. But, the Corona warriors are fighting bravely with all precautions in place.   The faith driven entrepreneur urges all to keep hope alive in these difficult times. Help all whom you can and keep safe while doing it is the message of perseverance that Kusum Jain spreads.

The beautiful Doctor with a big heart and bouquet of skills creates smiles everywhere. The globally acclaimed dentist is the CEO of the famed Art of Smile group. The brand is synonymous with advanced dental treatments, skin and hair transplant and weight loss miracles in the beauteous city of Chandigarh. Dr. Harleen Oberoi has been instrumental in changing the life of many. The celebrity is a Doctor first and claims fame as a model and actress in recent times. Her celebrity clinic has the patronage of many known faces from the glamour industry.     The entrepreneur is always abreast of the latest technology that can make advanced cosmetology solutions available to people who want to regain their self-esteem through looks. The superlative products and service in her arsenal has been received with aplomb. The award winning doctor has always guaranteed customer delight.     The recent Covid 19 pandemic has turned Dr Oberoi into a Corona warrior in the true sense. The Doctor, who has been a champion of women’s empowerment since the very beginning of her career has taken her social service efforts to a new level. The on-going crisis has seen her plunge into the middle of the medical efforts to save lives.     She is a doctor of aesthetic medicine. She has used her considerable knowledge in aiding the medical fraternity battle the onslaught of the virus. She has not feared for her life, but saved many who deserve care and help. The true story of empowerment finds fruition when a woman uses all the resources available to her, education, wealth and time in the service of mankind. Dr Harleen Oberoi has a heart of gold and is fearless as a lioness in these difficult times. More strength to her and her team!

With the ongoing trend in the Indian fashion industry created by the readymade vogue, bespoke tailoring was surely thumping its way back. But now as the high-street shopping are in toss, custom made & bespoke tailoring marks a comeback in Indian fashion.   Says fashion designer Rachel J Amirtharaj of La Fantaisie, “Bespoke designers use the best of fabrics from around the world and these fabrics and the tailoring came at a premium price which makes the category an extension of luxury line. And with the growth of luxury segment in India, bespoke clothing is getting more and more organized. Moreover, as the mall hopping and shopping and demand for ready to wear clothes are in toss these days because of worldwide pandemic, people are actually looking for custom made, well fitted outfits, which they can order easily without going out frequently.”   As Rachel J Amirtharaj adds further, “Today with the middle class becoming more affluent, bespoke services are seeing higher demand. More and more people are becoming aware of bespoke clothing and getting impressed by the outcome of it. Bespoke clothing makes an individual look sharp and comfortable in their own skin at the same time. As time is ticking, we can see a wide number of audiences opting for it. The bespoke clothing, with its exquisite detail and luxurious fabrics, was once reserved for only wealthy style connoisseurs, but custom tailoring is becoming a growing trend among professional entrepreneurs, as prices fall and awareness grows.” There has been a boom in the number of bespoke houses in India as more and more gentlemen become aware about the perks of bespoke garments.  Weddings too have contributed to this segment as most of the grooms prefer bespoke suits that have perfect fit and desired fabric quality as well as design. Says Rachel, “Bespoke clothing has evolved over the years to become more experience oriented rather than just being product specific. The main driver for this has being the explosion of the wedding market in India over the past decade and bespoke has made a huge come back. While fit still remains the biggest reason why people prefer bespoke, design has been getting a lot of relevance.”   The In-Thing Change is constant and same is true in case of trends in bespoke segment as well. With constant up-gradation from the fashion house of the world like Milan, Paris, New York, etc., accompanied with growing urge for experimentation, bespoke segment has witnessed changing trends time and again.   Rachel J Amirtharaj asserts, “In the world of tailored dressing for men & women we can see a transition happening with people opting for powder blues, camel, taupe and teal to stand out from the crowd. Moving forward, bespoke clothing segment is to become a rage soon with more and more people especially brides opting for cleaner, custom- made apparel for their special occasions rather than readymade garments. There is a high potential for exponential development of bespoke services in upper mid market ‘affordable luxury category’. It’s just matter of time, concludes Rachel J Amirtharaj of the designer label La Fantaisie.

Born into a Punjabi household. Beauty and grooming has always been a part and parcel of entrepreneur Geetaa Paul’s life. An inbuilt instinct and a 30-year-long passion which she has turned into a successful career and business.   Today, Sculpt by Geetaa Paul is one of the biggest names in the beauty business. It has won numerous accolades including the “Best Slimming Clinic in Customer Satisfaction” at the Cosme India Awards 2017 by ASSOCHAM India and “The Most Trusted Slimming Beauty and Aesthetic Clinic in India” at the International Quality Awards 2019. She credits her in-depth knowledge of beauty and wellness as the reason for her success.   Her goal with Sculpt by Geetaa Paul was to bring premium health and wellness services to all at competitive rates, using latest technologies to fulfill her purpose. Three decades into the beauty industry, she remains as committed as ever to encouraging women to bring out their best selves around the world. She recently received the “Pratigya Social Impact Award” for her work in supporting Laxmi Agarwal, an acid attack survivor and activist. Her motto in life is “behind every successful women is herself.”   Major Achievements and Awards Sculpt by Geetaa Paul received the “Best Slimming Clinic in Customer Satisfaction” award at The ASSOCHAM Excellence Awards 2018 in the category of Beauty, Wellness and Personal Care Certification and Awards ASSOCHAM India declared Sculpt by Geetaa Paul as the “Best Slimming Clinic in Customer Satisfaction” at the Cosme India Awards 2017 Recognized as “The Most Trusted Slimming Beauty and Aesthetic Clinic in India” at the International Quality Awards 2019 Ms Geetaa Paul has been covered in the international issue of the “Beauty and the Best” magazine under the title “Indians of Global Influence: Special International Edition”. The magazine was unveiled in the UK parliament on 25th June 2019 in front of diplomats, Lords, politicians, and ambassadors. Ms Geetaa Paul was featured in the forbes India 2019 August Issue as “India’s Beauty Magnate”. Brands Impact presented Ms. Paul with the “Pratigya Social Impact Award” in 2019. Paul was conferred the title “Woman Entrepreneur Supporting Social Causes”     Giving back to the world has always been a thought with her. Today as India and the rest of the globe goes through these tough and trying times Ms Geetaa has taken initiatives in her own little way to help the less privileged.   Besides contributing to the Prime Minister’s fund she has worked towards distribution of groceries and essentials to her staff as also to various Orphanages and Old age homes.   As wearing a mask becomes compulsory she is also participating in “Create your own Mask” campaign. A group of ladies have come together to collect bed sheets from households and have taken help from certain house helps who can stitch. Besides making masks cost effective and readily available this drive is also helping a few with an opportunity to make money that helps them run their show with dignity.   Keeping in mind the importance of sanitisers, she has donated hand sanitisers at densely populated poor areas.   Geetaa is also taking this time as an opportunity along with the others in many societies to educate the workers discussing points like: Importance of social distancing. Importance of hygiene. Simple steps to maintain hygiene and more.   These sessions are being periodically repeated. Besides the learning imparted these are occasions to thank them all .As a small gesture at the end of every session a small product is gifted to each one of the attendees. Till now they have distributed hand washes, masks, dupattas, handkerchiefs and the alikes.   “At this point of time whatever we may do might look small but remind yourselves that it adds on. So however small, however insignificant it may look we should all come forward to do our bit,” says Geetaa.   We are all in it together and together we must strive and survive. When asked if she wants to leave a message she is spontaneous-“This is the time to think as WE and not ME”… Stay home…Stay safe…Stay blessed. Love always…