Category: PR Things

Fashion’s ‘IT’ Instagram Girls You Must Follow

by Swati Jain, posted in PR Things, Whimsical Chatters

From the days we were posting really hazy pictures of cupcakes with a million filters, to going the extra step to find the “perfect” aesthetic and colour scheme – I think you would agree Instagram as we perceive it has changed. With the rise (and retail) of Instagram posts and influencers – its become a VIP pass – to get us access to the best fashion shows, parties, behind-the-scenes and most importantly on what to wear.

But, while that is the basic, it is often difficult to identify who to follow and who to believe. And while fashion is about personal sense of style, a little inspiration goes a long way. In the simplest of words, in today world, where we are influenced easily (pun-intended).

We’ve pulled some our favourite fashion girls from all over the world who you should definitely be following – whether it’s for their personal IG stories, the ‘aspiration’ privileged access to the best designers or obviously, their fashion sense.

Chiara Ferragni (@chiaraferragni)

The name sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Chiara is an Italian blogger, designer and entrepreneur. She’s known for her blog and book, ‘The Blonde Salad’. Her wedding was exclusively covered by Vogue just last year and she wore the most beautiful wedding dress by Dior. She lives this stunning aspiration life – the hands-on fun mom, super hot, probably on caller ID for brands including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and LOEWE. I mean, she’s even for her own Barbie Doll version of herself that Mattel created!

View this post on Instagram

My Milano 💘

A post shared by Chiara Ferragni ✨ (@chiaraferragni) on


Camilla Coelho (@camilacoelho)

A large following on both Instagram and Youtube, it’s fair game to say Camila holds some influencer in the world of Fashion. Well, that and the fact she just launched her own fashion line with the giant e-retailer, Revolve. Playing with colours and presenting a take on the happiest chic, she isn’t one you want to miss.

Aimee Song (aimeesong)

I’ve been following ‘Song of Style’ for as long as I can remember it. She talks about fashion, jewellery, Interior design and boasts of just the most aesthetic feed. She’s got her own jewelry line and recently launched her own clothing brand named after her blog – Song of Style. In true Californian vibe, whether its her travel posts or the play of colour – she always remains chic.

Susie Lau (@susiebubble)

London-based Susie, one of the original fashion bloggers has been secretly playing out the modus operandi on fashion. She has always been a leading voice in spotlighting young and unknown new designers. Follow her for her writing, her fashion and her fun ensembles.

Pernille Teisbaek (@pernilleteisbaek)

Scandinavians are known for their clean aesthetic and taste – imagine getting this right in the mix of fashion – a hard job, but one that Pernille makes it look like its easy. She combines classic and informal silhouettes – from the smallest tweaks to the latest fads – all while waving her flag for sustainability in fashion.

Leandra Medine – (@ManRepeller)

The fiercly funny New Yorker behind one of my favourite blogs – Man Repeller, Leandra deserves her special mention. Keeping it light, her ironic fashion-addict asides and comical conversations while shopping – and the way she does her story telling – its an intellectual’s art.

Karen Wazen Bakhazi

A familiar name in the region, Karen and her family have quickly become everyone’s favourites. Adding her two cents to the world of fashion – whether it’s through launching her new eye wear line, sitting front row in every show or dancing at her happiest with her kids (obviously wearing something you’d want to buy, probably right away). She keeps it real and happy – which makes it easy to find a connect.

Masoom Minawala, Style Fiesta

If you’ve been reading my fashion stories for Masala, you’ll see her mentioned often – its mostly because she is stunning. Petite and Indian – which makes an easy connect, she keeps the perfect mix of fun everyday inspirations and of course, Indian wear that would be the envy of many (if not all).

View this post on Instagram

// If someone had told me 8 years ago I would be walking the red carpet at Cannes, I would have never believed them. You probably wouldn’t have either. 8 years ago when I started blogging, the only Indian blogger I knew of while setting up that domain name was @arushikhosla. For years, nobody believed in what I was doing, nobody understood what I was doing, I knew of so many stories of people imitating me, making fun of my voice, criticising how I could spend my time taking photographs of my outfits. It wasn’t the ‘cool’ thing to do back then. But I wore my blinders & focused on what ‘I’ loved doing, whether the world approved of it or not. So this one’s dedicated to all those of you who can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet – I assure you it’s there. But I also assure you it doesn’t come easy, it’s going to need you to fight through, it’s going to need you to work at hours & times that nobody will understand & it’s going to need you to accept your failures. But one day you will arrive at your very own red carpet, at your very own version of the Cannes Film Festival, and it will all finally come together😊

A post shared by Masoom Minawala Mehta (@masoomminawala) on

Fall Winter 19 Trends

by Swati Jain, posted in PR Things, Whimsical Chatters

A lot of time, mostly for work (I’m a PR, if you didn’t know), I end up researching a lot about upcoming trends, things that might or might not work for the clients I work on and ways to keep the brands we represent on top of all editorial minds. And since most international brands do not allow regional press releases, we work on press blasts.

One such press release that I worked on most recently was a collection of upcoming FW19 trends.

Welcoming the Fall/Winter 2019 season, there is a whole host of new trends to have on your radar – from purple hues to fluorescent flashes, and dark florals to checks on checks and more checks. The roundup includes this season’s top trends, with selections from fashion, beauty and interior brands. including LOEWE, Moynat Paris, PAULE KA, de Grisogono, Givenchy Beauty, Silsal Design House, Tutus Kurniati and The Rug Company

PURPLE REIGN

It’s time to make room for a new hue. Purple is the color of the future as seen on the runways of FW 2019. From light pastels to deep plums, mauves, and magenta variations, embrace the color that is making its presence known.

DARK ROMANCE

Think of this trend as a less obvious take on Victorian. Floral prints, laces and frills – totally worth it for this season’s wardrobe.

CHECKS ON CHECKS

Boucle, Tweed and Checks are back on the fashion menu and particularly in bigger jacket and bag form. If you’re in love with check and tartan prints, you won’t resist to a checked printed coat’s timeless charm.

FLUORESCENT FLASHES

Neon might have been a big trend for summer 2019 but is certainly not leaving autumn and winter. So, don’t go packing away your summer brights when the colder weather comes.

OTT FLUFF

“It’s so fluffy” …Undoubtedly the most prominent trend to come out of the autumn/winter 2019. Alternative fur trend is generating fluffy things for every part of your look. Hairbands, coats or shoes – it’s all fluffy!

POWER-PUFF SHOULDERS

There is a puff-sleeve personality for everyone. Puffy sleeves were a big trend but now they are bigger than ever. It invited all of us to feel like princesses—or at least, to dress in a way through our dresses, our blouses and our sweaters.

SEASONAL SPARKLE

Sparkles, glitter and sequins are all must-haves for the 2019’s party wardrobe. Think Christmas-party-dressing looks even if it’s only a September dinner you are planning for.

SUPERSIZED BAGS

Tiny totes are nice but enormous totes are on trend! This is probably one of the most useful trends of the season – for once, you will be able to house everything you need.

Make it Beige!

by Swati Jain, posted in Fashion, PR Things, Whimsical Chatters

In the recent years, all the prominent fashion colour trends that have emerged, including millennial pink and a bubbling yellow, were bright, bold and unashamedly loud. But, its whole nude world, and beige is making a comeback in the rounds of all Fall Winter collections. Maybe it’s a subconscious version of #nofilter and a plea to return to simplicity.

Beige works as a building block in any wardrobe – whether you are a neutral novice or seasoned in mastering the fifty shades of sand. Embracing it as the colour of the season, we researched on incorporating beige to the many occasion wardrobes of the day. Whether it’s for work-wear or a wedding, here’s what is inspiring us.

Indian Wear in Beige

It’s always interesting to see how versatile traditional wear is becoming when it comes to contemporary trends. While my mummy will argue that khadi has been around a long time – Indian designers are adding their touch of beige to that isn’t just khadi. One of my favourite prêt couture brands, Paulmi and Harsh has some interesting pieces – pairing the colour with a touch of botanical hues. 

Workwear in Beige

We spend a lot of time at work – so, it is slowly becoming my fashion trial session – especially when there are no meetings on the agenda. I try out something different to test if it will work and see the reactions/opinions I get. And while Zara and Mango are my personal go-tos for workwear, I looked at how international fashion influencers and celebrities are wearing the trend without blending in the background. Beige, you would agree, makes the best option for workwear. From beige tops to beige pants – this muted shade is all kinds of chic.

Flower By Kenzo – The Poppy Story

by Swati Jain, posted in Fashion, Perceived Perfection, PR Things, Story Time, Whimsical Chatters

I know, another fragrance story, what’s going on, Swati? But, as I mentioned in my previous post about the LOEWE 001 Perfumes, it’s very often that I end up reading about stories or inspirations behind different things. This time, it was the Poppy – of KENZO Parfum’s Flower By Kenzo.

 

Not many know, but, the flower Poppy doesn’t actually have a smell. It is a flower that is scentless – can you imagine that? I mean a flower usually stands for two things: pretty colours and an amazing sweet smell. But, here’s one flower, that looks really delicate, really pretty and really simple – and there is no smell.

The KENZO Parfum team briefed their noses (people who create the scent), that here’s this flower – that doesn’t have a smell – your job today, is to give it a scent. Create a perfume that depicts the flower. The kind of smell that when it’s in the air, people automatically associate it with the Poppy. Now, I’m not saying that was the exact conversation, it must have been in French, or Japanese – I’m not sure. But, this is how it went in my head.

And with that, here we are. They create a scent – exclusive to the poppy. I, genuinely, came across it as a kid – I always had this really thin, tall bottle that smelled like flowers. Even the bottle design, is delicate and shaped like a poppy.

 

Since then, the brand has launched several distinct scents that remind of a different aspect of a poppy.

Screen Shot 2018-03-16 at 12.29.26 PM

LOEWE – Half of you, half of me, half of us

by Swati Jain, posted in Fashion, Perceived Perfection, PR Things, Story Time, Whimsical Chatters

I work as PR in a luxury firm in Dubai, and often in my work, I come across lovely little stories of brands. Don’t get me wrong- I’m not trying to make a pitch here. It’s something very simple, but it easily calls to my heart – especially if there is a little bit of love in this story involved.

It started something like this – we were gifting a few things, and we included the LOEWE 001 fragrances in it. In the bags, we put men and women’s. Curiosity (and frugality) got the best of me and I asked why did we need to put both? We could conquer much more gifting if we just gifted based on the receiver’s gender. I really didn’t think there’d be a story to it. But, here goes:

The fragrant pair is both notable for their freshness and calming scents. After a little reading, I read that the brand says that, “Two unique fragrances, Man and Woman, created at the same time. Two accomplice fragrances, non-existent one without the other, in constant conversation … Perfectly complementary, when they are combined together, the two fragrances create a third scent.”

Picture1

So, in simpler words – both the scents share 50% of the same ingredients and 50% different ingredients – just like how a couple is – similar but different, but together, they compliment each other.

Screen Shot 2018-03-16 at 12.29.26 PM

 

What are some ‘natural’ beauty brands?

by Swati Jain, posted in Perceived Perfection, PR Things, Whimsical Chatters

Why is it that often with a skincare regime, when an acne breakout happens our immediate response is something out of our grandma’s books – which is more often than not something very simple, basic and natural? Till date, I trust in the powers of this ancient Indian moisturizer called ‘Vicco Turmeric’, most of it because it smells like my grandma.

This transition of moving to things that are more organic, refined and natural has been gradually gaining immense popularity, whether it’s our food, skincare and, even, makeup.  Detoxing has come a long way from just green juices, with people looking at detoxing their beauty cabinets and makeup bags.

Most natural beauty brands produce tinted lip balms, muddy eyeshadows, and even the occasional diminishing blush. We understand that it isn’t easy to find green beauty brands that produce vivid colours and formulas that could really work. Helping you along with your research, we have gathered a few out of favourite brands that use either all-organic ingredients or use a combination of natural and organic ingredients.  It is what they don’t use that counts: unnecessary chemicals, parabens, additives, etc.

A few products that we recommend:

Uncover Up - RMS Beauty.jpg

‘Uncover Up’ Foundations by RMS Beauty

They might not have as many foundations as Fenty Beauty, but all their 8 varied shades of foundation help in enhancing your skin. The formulas make for a flawless looking skin, but with sheer coverage.

 

Strike That Lipstick by Ilia Beauty

Lipsticks by ILIA Beauty

The brand’s ideology of simplicity and transparency is visible through their products. They use high-quality ingredients sourced from organic farmers around the world. Their lipsticks are probably the most popular of the range. The brand is popular for the organic classic true red. The formula just melts into your lips and builds a beautiful satin finish with a creamy texture.

Pure Pressed Blush - Jane Iredale

Pure Pressed Blush by Jane Iredale

Committed to enhancing beauty through natural products that nurture your skin, Jane Iredale’s blushes add as a supplement for healthy skin. There isn’t just one or two, but a whole of 11 colours to choose from! The colours stay on your cheek and add a colour of natural glow that complements the skin.

Emotional Brilliance by LushEyeliners and Eyeshadows from Lush Cosmetics

Lush has been the pioneer of natural products, so it was quite pleasing when they expanded into makeup. They’ve got a huge selection of eyeliners and eyeshadows to pick from. The colours are very pigmented and vivid and make great additions to the make-up bag.

 

Mascara Super Volume by The Body ShopMascaras by The Body Shop

Mascaras can be where most beauty brands might fail to deliver. But with at least 7 types of mascaras to select from, you can add a little definition to your lashes, whether it’s dramatic or vintage.

 

Written originally for Masala! Magazine (February 2018)