Carrie Bradshaw – New Quarantine Muse?

I always thought I was a Charlotte – despite my career is basically what Samantha does – I was convinced between the either – at least I wasn’t a Miranda. Maybe a Carrie – since I do like to write, especially when I’m sitting by my window, staring out and writing.

But this whole quarantine situation seems to have thrown everything in the gutter. After living in my rotating set of PJs for three weeks straight, I’m starting to really get bored and want to dress up – even if it’s for myself and my parents. And while I’m still doing the work that Samantha does (professionally, not you know what she mostly did on the show), I’m looking at fashion’s late 90s muse – Carrie Bradshaw on the secrets of quarantine dressing.

Carrie was a risk-taker when it came to her outfits – she dared combinations I still wouldn’t exactly wear – but as a freelance writer working from her Upper East Side apartment, she was often at home in from of her MacBook – and dressed to the toe. While her problems revolved around what to wear to brunch and when would Big come around and not social distancing and self-quarantine, there is still inspiration to be found in her wardrobe.  

With very little casual moments in everything that Carrie wore – even if it was for a grocery run or sitting down by the window to write her column. In an effort to find some joy in the new normal – here’s to embracing dressing up like Carrie.

For the Balcony:

While it’s no Parisian balcony with the Eiffel Tower in view, it’s a balcony – in the wild outdoors. Mix it up, put on a dress, maybe colour – and brush that beautiful mane.

For the Kitchen:

Bring out the checkered-shirts that you haven’t worn, matched unmatched PJs or add a pair of red heels to the outfit to make the drinking, I mean – cooking more fun!

For the Virtual Dinners in the living room:

Adding a little effort – maybe breaking in the big gowns, something with glitter, poofy sleeves, a giant flower broach or a tutu-skirt number for the surprise virtual dancing!

For the grocery runs:

Sure it might not be Manolo-s that you are going out for, but the grocery run every other day – could be the time to shine. Even elevate the simple capri and loose top with a pair of heels and a bandana. Bring out the pattern on pattern and the shiny belts you saved for some reason!

For the working out or athe-leisure dressing:

For someone who looked the way she did, Carrie didn’t do a lot of working out. So off-shoulder sweat shirt with pearls and mascara it is.

For the work video conferences:

I have seen those unfortunate videos of toilet sitting and no-pants *cringe* so, make a little desk – perhaps by the window. Add in a (faux) fur jacket, a headband or a bandana, a pearl necklace or just a cozy knit – add the chic in conferences that could be an email.

What do PRs do at Fashion Week?

Growing up, I followed fashion closely, maybe that’s why I ended up working in PR in luxury fashion. What really did happen at Fashion Week? I always wondered. If you grew up in India – ‘Lakme Fashion Week’ comes to mind. But this wasn’t just that – this was the real leagues; I’m talking Paris Fashion Week. A dream come true? I would think so!

Taking you through the before, during and after of show – I’m here to tell you what I really do at a show in Fashion Week.

Before the show:

Our preparations easily begin a month and a half before the actual show. We look after the market we represent – so we start collecting names and details of people traveling to Fashion Week. Our lists are extensive – we ask our usual suspects and others. Obviously, not everyone gets a seat or an invite – but for our information – we keep building the list.

Now, most international brands work this way: the first day is the show and the second day is the resee. The ‘Re-see’ is like a presentation of what was presented at the show and everything else that will be launching next season.

The seat allocation for the show mostly comes about 10 days before the actual show – and the number of seats depend on the brand’s presence in the market. There’s three rows – and usually who we put on the second row is where most of our trouble begins with the egos. It’s critical and crucial to not bruise anyone’s ego – yet get most out of the deliverables.

Since most shows now offer live streaming – we pitch and secure key titles – think Vogue, Harper’s, and more – to live stream the show on the day of.

Relentless followups, receiving of angry (influencer) managers, getting them dressed in the brand for the show and all of that after – we get to the actual show. Yes, at a show, it is quite important that the influencer be dressed in the brand – and trust me most of the time I spend hours trying to get looks decided, or fittings booked and then getting them picked up from the hotels.

At the show:

Say a show starts at 9.30 AM, do you know what our reporting time ideally is? 6 AM. The setups are really massive, so we look for our seats, make sure they have name cards and the minute that is done, we (translation: me) are like kids in a candy store. There are models getting ready and practicing the runway walk, there’s people running around with those big headphones like in movies, there’s camera people setting up, and other PRs – like me- wandering around with twinkle in their eyes. There’s a beautiful breakfast set up of my favourite 3 Cs- cake, croissant and coffee. All the while, we watch everything slowly come to life just before the show.

Before the show starts, we go near the doors and look for our guests – media and influencers to take them to their seats. And within minute the show begins. I huddled behind the camera crews, with other global PRs and marketing teams – I will tell you this – it sucks to be a short girl – all my videos from the show of are of the back of people’s heads and the non-stop clicks of the camera. But, that music, the ambience, the clicking of cameras, and that the murmurs of ‘wow’ – warm my Fashion PR soul.

Just as the show finishes, I rush to my guests to make small talk about the show and ask how they liked the new collection. Obviously, since I saw the back of people’s heads – I saw through the many IG lives that were happening while I was huddled behind the sea of heads and photographers. I make sure the media knows I’m sending the assets of the show shortly and that the influencers took content for permanent posts, and after that – head to the hotel.

After the show:

It doesn’t end at the show – we wait for the brand to send the assets, releases, runway images, exclusive backstage images, first row (FROW) guest images and more to secure coverage. Then there’s a detailed post-event report that is submitted after the Resees – compiling all the coverage we secured for the said show & resees.

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Got my heartbeat skipping down 16th Avenue 💗 Straight after the morning at the @loewe show – on my little scooter drive to the hotel 🛴 #Paris #loewe #parisfashionweek #loverlyrics

A post shared by Swati 🧿 (@swatsiie) on Oct 3, 2019 at 6:02am PDT

Me –whizzing back to the hotel in my little scooter below after the LOEWE Spring Summer 2020 show in September 2019.

Fashion’s ‘IT’ Instagram Girls You Must Follow

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!

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My Milano 💘

A post shared by Chiara Ferragni ✨ (@chiaraferragni) on Apr 18, 2019 at 1:09pm PDT

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.

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Bonjour Pariiiii🖤 @giambattistavalliparis Bom diaaaaaa quarta! Ainda em Paris, usando look #giambattistavalli

A post shared by CAMILA COELHO (@camilacoelho) on Jul 3, 2019 at 5:14am PDT

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.

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Coachella 2019 Day One. Came for #BlackPink, did not disappoint! 💙

A post shared by Aimee Song (@aimeesong) on Apr 13, 2019 at 9:11am PDT

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.

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Very much into this billowing, gathered sleeved @Loewe dress shape (wore the same silhouette printed with an Aubrey Beardsley illustration for the show back in March) Now it’s been Paula-ified for #LoeweIbiza

A post shared by Susie Lau (@susiebubble) on Jul 13, 2019 at 2:26am PDT

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.

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Best kind of blues💙 Exclusive @therow capsule available at @netaporter #netaporterxtherow #ad

A post shared by Pernille Teisbaek (@pernilleteisbaek) on Jul 28, 2019 at 9:04am PDT

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.

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The latest edition of @manrepeller’s Trust Me, Try It appraises a shoe that’s also a foot massage

A post shared by Leandra (Medine) Cohen (@leandramcohen) on Aug 2, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT

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.

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Can you tell I love sunset photos ❤️ – Sunset in Rio, Bologna, Beirut, Paris, Tyre ❤️

A post shared by Karen Wazen Bakhazi كارن وازن (@karenwazen) on Jul 25, 2019 at 5:22am PDT

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).

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// 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 May 26, 2019 at 2:27am PDT

Make it Beige!

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.

Shopping: Contemporary Cotton Dresses from Indian-Based Brands

Summer clothing very easily translated into colourful cotton dresses that have the perfect flow and ease the pain of (not) putting on trousers. Especially when it comes to work wear (and let me remind you, I live in Dubai where it’s at least 40* Celsius), there is nothing more I love than just putting on an easily fitted dress that is soft, comfortable and looks nice.

Since you don’t know me too well, and I’d like really like you to, I’m a shopaholic – I can shop in stores and online – you know how everyone has that one friend who is exactly like the lead of Confession of a Shopaholic? I’m literally that friend for all my friends. But, that’s a whole other post and coming back to the point, I started researching and well, shopping.

I stumbled upon these incredible Indian brands that do amazing contemporary summer dresses that look good and make you feel good.

Flower By Kenzo – The Poppy Story

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.

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

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.”

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.

 

Spring Accessories

In Dubai, the winter season is usually our spring, and our spring, summer and fall is all summer. Which makes pretty much the entire year to be beach-friendly. Pulling together my (some-wish) list of all the favourite Spring accessories to spot this season – here’s my selection. (Warning- there’s a lot of straw!)

One –Soludos Ciao Bella Smoking Espadrilles • Soludos • $75

Two- Straw Circle Bag • $75

Three- CULT GAIA Mini-Ark Handbag • Cult Gaia • $128

Four – All Things Mochi Aitana Earrings • $60

Five – Kate Spade New York Indi Slides • Kate Spade • $78

Six – Loewe Barcelona Small Grain Leather Crossbody Bag • Loewe • $1,750

Seven –Loeffler Randall Lulu Block Heel Mule • Loeffler Randall • $350

Eight – Castañer – Carina Canvas Wedge Espadrilles – Ivory • Castaner • $120

What are some ‘natural’ beauty brands?

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’ 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.

 

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 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.

Eyeliners 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.

 

Mascaras 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)

Confessions (of some kind) of a Clothes Hoarder

Imagine it is a cold, windy day, and you are walking around the stores and then suddenly you see something on one of the store windows that calls your name. You look at that item of clothing – I’m not going to get too specific here- and you know it belongs in your wardrobe. You go in, and ‘click-click’, ‘swiiish’ and a very mental ‘kachiiiiing’ later, it’s yours. Packed in a bag, sometimes wrapped in tissue, that item is yours. Sounds exactly like the first scene of Confessions of a Shopaholic? Well, welcome to my life.

‘The Confessions of Shopaholic Swati‘ will be saved for another time, but today, we discuss a very dire problem at hand – my out of control habit of hoarding clothes that are absolutely unnecessary, completely out of style and don’t even fit me properly. In many normal cases, this wouldn’t be a problem, but here- I’m a shopaholic who continues to buy clothes, likes not to get rid of the things she already has, therefore, continues to dig herself a larger hole to fall into with her clothes.

You would think that writing this post would make me realize that I have a problem and probably do something about it, like – I don’t know, clear my closet out? I am sincerely hoping for a similar outcome.

In this day and age, everyone tends to clean out their wardrobes, donate to the poor and wear out what they own. This way, every year, if not every season, most (normal) people tend to get rid of what they haven’t worn in a while. I’ve often tried to do the same- and with a lot of determination, but most of the time, I’ve gotten rid of maybe 5, at most 9 things – which were mostly clothes that were getting too hole-y for my benefit. And for me to get rid of that many things in a single sitting is a lot.

I guess that would have been fine had I been wearing them alternatively, but there are a some that just sit in a huge lot- taking up space and never being touched – except when I’m cleaning my closet (which is a full day task, btw) and they need to be refolded and colour coded.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a very serious mental debate over and over again about this. And the only sound reasoning (I use the term ‘sound reasoning’ very loosely in this sense) that I could probably relate to was that I get emotionally to attached to my clothes.

Have you seen the episode from The Middle (Season 2, Episode 18) where the Hecks are spring cleaning, and there is a broken set of hair curlers that Sue owns but refuses to throw them because (gulp) they might have had feelings? Now, I not saying my clothes have feelings, but I bought them with so much feeling and love that I really, really don’t want to part with them – nevermind the fact that they still have their tag on and I only bought them because the salesgirl was too nice or too mean.

I have a friend, Nicole who is a stylist and a fellow shopaholic. I don’t even need to prove the fact that she for sure shops more than I do. But, as a rule, she always clears out (donate what she doesn’t need or wear) her closet every season. And recommends doing the same.

 

Would you do it? Would you throw away the clothes you handpicked with a lot of love? Do you get emotionally attached to your clothes? Do you have nothing to wear? Tell me I’m not alone…

Blair Waldorf: Headbands you would steal!

It might have been 5 years since the last of Gossip Girl aired, but Blair Waldorf still comes in every conversation. The show might have started with all headlights on Serena Van der Woodsen, but Leighton Meester’s character easily stole the show and became everyone’s favourite character and reason to sticking till the end.

She easily won over people through her scheming, sad puppy eyes, biting one-liners, her raw vulnerability and love for Chuck. Not one to blend in a crowd, every single outfit stood out and became a statement piece. And boy, oh boy, could she pull a headband – any headband.

Shop similar looks here:

 

Source: Jennifer Behr Nova Bandeaux embellished headband by Jennifer Behr

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Unskilled Worker silk headband by Gucci

 

 

 

Source: Rosantica Corte Gold-Tone Brass and Pearl Headband by Rosantica

 

 

 

Source: Gucci Silk satin headband by Gucci

 

 

 

 

Source: Anthropologie Rose Headband by Anthropologie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: BENOÎT MISSOLIN Seville headband by Benoit Missolin

Walk-in Wardrobes you can live in!

Day-dreaming and looking for interior goals seem to be my favourite hobby, that I didn’t know I was so fond of. So while looking for inspirations of what my wardrobe would like, if you know I had the money to turn a whole room (or two) into a wardrobe, I stumbled upon some beautiful walk-in wardrobes that you could literally live in.

Keep it clean and simple: 

A little island with a lot of neatly hung racks. But, where do I put my shoes?

This super white work/closet space. 

A little royal ambience might just be the way to do it. 

Something like this totally works for me. 

A little goth never hurt anyone! 

This is very lovely on the light! 

This is one for the dreams:

Dark and sexy!

Pastel haven?

I love how much colour there is. 

This might be too small for my impromptu dances, but still bigger than the one I’m working with.

This is perfeccccct. 

This is so super organized, I doubt mine will look this way very long.