Category: What’s trending

Would you like to know about the trending topics across India and world? Apart from bringing what’s trending in fashion and lifestyle, our what’s trending segment celebrates uniqueness. We bring everything the audiences need to know about what’s happening online, all in one place.

New in the city – Fashion label ‘I.AM.ME’ by Akanksha Gupta

Meet Akanksha Gupta, an architect-turned-designer who is set to launch her fashion label, I.AM.ME. The collection takes inspiration from the fact that every individual has a unique take on style. The label promises to enable every woman to embrace her innate flair for dressing with confidence and panache. Launching in December this year, I.AM.ME merchandise will be available at South Court Mall, Saket, New Delhi. Here are some excerpts from our conversation with the designer.

Former architect turned fashion designer Akanksha Gupta talks about her label ‘I.AM.ME’ and how it’s a confluence of her love for design, be it in architectural spaces or in fashion.

Akanksha Gupta: I’ve always been keen on designing, on designing everything that comes in my way and designing basically is a way of life for me. So I always wanted to combine different paradigms of design and see what all one field of design can offer to the other and how all of them can marry and how all of them can go together hand in hand.

Catering to a market that’s confident yet comfortable in its own skin, the designer believes that her collection cannot be stereotyped. It is simply an everyday celebration of a woman’s identity and personal style.

Akanksha Gupta: Each piece is unique by itself. Like every individual is unique by itself, like the attitude is so unique and the inherent style of everybody is unique; similarly each outfit from I.AM.ME is unique and we do not want to do copies of any of the styles.

I.AM.ME takes pride in offering an exceptional and inimitable way of turning a day dress into nightwear in less than a minute.

The Reversible Dress

Akanksha Gupta: Right now the collection we will launch with will have a few ranges of sub collections if I could say, one of them being a reversible dress which is for those women who work hard and party harder. For those who go to office and then they go to party directly after office. So it’s a simple dress where in you go to office wearing a nice color which is soothing and when you are working it will put you in the frame there and when you want to go to a party right after that you just unzip it, reverse it and you are ready to go.

Launching in December this year, the brand promises to be a one stop destination that will capture the exuberance of a woman’s everyday life.

Akanksha Gupta: We will be launching through our first flagship store in South court mall, Saket. So around New Year we’ll launch our first flagship store with our first collection as well.

November 24, 2014
Fashion trends for men – Autumn/Winter 2014
Every season comes with a list of trends that makes the transition into different weather more exciting. Here’s a curated list of winter fashion trends for men that must be followed to stay ahead in the dressing game.
1. Patterned jackets
Jackets have always been an indispensable part of a man’s winter wardrobe and this season is like any other. However, a little experimental twist in terms of patterns and prints on jackets can really add that something extra to your ensemble, creating a look that promises to grab eye-balls wherever you go.
1. Movember moustache and beard
Who says that the Movember moustache and beard cannot continue in December? Or even January for that matter! That scruffy look goes perfectly with the winter attire, plus all that facial hair is the most natural shelter to brave the cold wintery winds. How about growing a beard this winter if you haven’t already?
1. Quilted/Bomber jackets
These jackets look cool and make for one of the safest fashion trends for men. And they keep you warm. Also, they never go out of style. Those are reasons enough to strut quilted/bomber jackets around the winter.
1. Corduroy Suits/Shirts
Ah! The classic look! Winters are all about subtle shades and these colours when paired with a fabric like corduroy, the look stands apart. Suits, shirts and trousers in corduroy are meant for the cold weather. Wear them.
1. Layering
Layering different types of clothes to get a whole new look is the best thing about winters. A few pieces clubbed together in different combinations can result in multiple looks for a man’s attire. Scarves, mufflers, sweaters, jackets, shirts etc. can all be layered in various ways for getting that dapper look!
1. Wintery bag
Sling bags, messenger bags, duffle bags etc. in colours of tan and grey would make for a perfect accessory to go with a man’s winter ensemble. Completing the look, these bags are not just an aesthetic addition but they also provide great utility for keeping your belongings safe.
1. Shearling
For those who don’t know what a shearling is, it is fluffy animal wool derived from sheep or lambs mostly used in jackets. Most commonly found around the inner linings and collars in a man’s jacket, shearling is going to be one of the biggest recurring trend for this season.
1. Monochromes
Well, that’s just a winter thing! Experiment with the blacks and whites or just add a touch of a bright shade with your monochromes and voila you’re the perfect winter guy!

All product images sourced from – Jabong.com, Myntra.com, Zara, Koovs.com, Forever21, Snapdeal.com and Elitify.com
November 21, 2014
DIY Gift Wrapping for Christmas: Make your gift stand out!

Christmas is all about making your loved ones feel special. And great gift wrapping ideas for Christmas presents add that extra element to your gift. This simple DIY tutorial will help you add that special something to your Christmas gifts and make them stand out. Learn gift wrapping for Chistmas with this video and spread the holiday cheer.

Things you need: Coloured craft paper, ribbon, a pair of scissors and a pencil

Step 1: Draw a feather on the coloured paper and cut it out.

Step 2: Now take the feather and bend it slightly inwards towards the center.

Step 3: Cut the sides into a feather-like shape.

Step 4: Tie a ribbon around the present and fix the feather like this.

You may add more feathers of different colours if you feel like.

November 21, 2014
Muffler days are here and so is the #MufflerMan

Are you ready for the next assembly elections in Delhi? Be prepared for a déjà vu moment when our one and only ‘Muffler Man’, Arvind Kejriwal, who caused a sensation earlier this year is all set to become the headline on every newspaper and radio channel….well almost! Catching a lot of ‘Aam Aadmi’’ attention, the Muffler Man has caused quite a stir on social media portals. Take a look at the funny yet interesting memes that have been circulating in the web space lately with his grand comeback!

1. ‘The knot of trust’ – Perhaps THIS should have been the symbol of the political party. Isn’t ‘Jhaadu’ too mainstream? We bet a lot of men’s wear brands are thanking Mr. Kejriwal for bringing back the trend of the ‘Knotted look’ resulting in a spike in muffler sales!

2. Impersonating Nicki Minaj it seems? Or should we just call it a not-so-great-attempt at Photoshop? Either way,this ‘Versace monk’ forgot the most essential accessory in his outfit, we wonder what it is? …a muffler maybe?!

3. Yes, our new ‘Singham’ is back and it’s not very hard to notice that somebody’s been working out lately! We hope this sequel is better than the previous one!

4. And then there are series on ‘The return of the Muffler Man’, giving the entire depiction a spooky feel. The message for Delhiites is to watch out as the Corruption Fighter gears up for winter with his almost-lethal weapon – The Jhaadu.

This.

And This.

And This.

5. We wonder what costume that is! Please comment below in case somebody knows who the real character is (that’s just for our knowledge). But let’s admit, the picture looks border line cool. Way to go Muffler man!

6. Delhiites, listen up!We need to file a petition and get this iconic symbol out there! I mean, come on, if we are supporting something, why not make it sassier than a broom!

7. And the epochal ‘Khaansi’ comes with the Muffler man! After a long hibernation in the dark-woods of Giza we believe the power of the muffler has regained its strength.

8. Not even you Jon Snow! Not even you!

November 21, 2014
Designer Pankaj from the label ‘Pankaj & Nidhi’ on their collection ‘House of Cards’

Designers Pankaj and Nidhi launched their label in 2006 and have been a part the Indian fashion industry for almost two decades. They have many international accolades to their credit like the iconic International Woolmark Prize, Elle Style Awards and much more. The designer duo showcased their breath-taking collection ‘House of Cards’ for the A/W’14 edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. Designer Pankaj Ahuja talks all about the collection that took its inspiration from Spanish elements. Here are the excerpts.

Pankaj Ahuja: Fashion weeks in India have really come of age now from the time they were when they first started out; fewer designers, much smaller scale but it was an idea that had finally arrived. Thanks to sponsorship umbrellas, I think we’ve been able to put fashion week under one roof. Buyers get to come and see all designers in one location which doesn’t generally happen in London or Paris so it’s obviously a great place to be in right now.

Pankaj Ahuja: The collection is called ‘House of Cards’. These are two parallel things actually, the cards obviously are from playing cards, deck of cards, 52 cards, hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds, we love the motifs, we love what they represent.

Pankaj Ahuja: So we’ve done the collection by way of prints, we’ve done it by way of embroidered motifs which have been formed by the four suits of cards. And there is also a very strong Spanish inspiration which is running through this which has inspired the silhouettes, bolero jackets, capes, very strong colours, very Spanish vibes, and matador actually. There’s lots of gold which we’ve used in our collection for the first time. So it’s an interesting combination of two unusual ideas.

November 20, 2014
Unique Christmas gifting ideas – Make your Christmas special with these simple hacks

That time of the year is here! The days are shorter, the air is getting crisper and you will soon start noticing people putting gifts under the Christmas tree. Christmas is all about traditions that help you create memories with your family and loved ones and Christmas gifts make up the most important part of this cherished time. While everyone usually gets the Christmas gifts ideas right, the festival demands for them to be presented in a certain manner. Spruce things up this season by using these unique Christmas gift ideas and add special little elements to your presents. We have put together a list of simple DIY hacks that can turn your Christmas gifting experience into a whole lot of fun.

#1 Add a customised pillow with your gifts

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/416371928024252172/

Add a pillow with a personalised message with your gifts. Get a plain white pillow and write your Christmas message with a permanent marker. Or turn it into a postcard pillow if you can’t be with your friends or family just like the one shown above.

#2 An oven mitt full of kitchen accessories

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/57843176439803593/

All mothers love new accessories for the kitchen. This Christmas fill an oven mitt with kitchen gadgets like a knife, kitchen spatulas, a timer, rolling pins and more. Tie a ribbon around it and be prepared to receive some mother lovin’!

#3 Personalised mugs

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/548805904561936576/

Simple Christmas gift ideas to please your parents; buy two plain mugs and write personalised messages on them. You may add their tea/coffee preferences on them and voila, there’s that special affordable add-on with your presents.

#4 Manicure kit in a jar

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/452822937507490435/

Looking for unique Christmas gift ideas for your sister/girlfriend is a difficult task. Here’s something that could help. Buy manicure essentials like cotton balls, nail paint, nail paint remover, a nail clipper etc. Get a mason jar or an old jam jar and fill it up with cotton first and then the other products. Tie a ribbon across the lid. You may also add a small message card on the side and you’re done.

#5 Rudolph gift card envelopes

http://puertabella.blogspot.in/2009/12/rudolphs-gift-card.html

A perfect add-on for kids, these Rudolph gift envelopes are very easy to make. Put small personal handwritten messages in these envelopes and make Christmas gifts special!

November 20, 2014
App of the week: Cropic

Tired of cropping your original pictures to fit Instagram dimensions? You don’t need to do that anymore! Post your entire picture from your picture gallery on Instagram using Cropic. Here’s how it works.

For all you Insta-lovers who are sick of cropping their original pictures, here’s a fix. Get the Cropic app on your iPhone and share the complete picture of your special moments.Through this app you can crop, scale, rotate and flip your pictures vertically and horizontally without losing any part of it to fit the Instagram dimensions.

You can turn your pictures into a collage or add colourful borders and various patterns to it.It also comes with added filters to make your pictures look more appealing. Share your pictures with your friends and family or save them on your phone with Cropic.

You can download the app here – https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/cropic-post-entire-photos/id662802077?mt=8

November 18, 2014
8 quirks you know you may have but are too embarrassed to admit!
Admit it! We all have our little quirks and sometimes you wonder whether you may actually have a crazy person inside you, responsible for all your … well… ‘laughable’ behaviour. Here’s a list of 8 quirks you know you harbour but have never confessed!
1. You start watching a new television series and finish two seasons in two days
We call it addiction! Like a couch potato, all you love doing is watching that new series you heard about from somewhere. The sh*t gets serious when you realise you may have finished the first two seasons way sooner than you know imagined!
1. Two drinks is never a possibility for you
The phrase ‘Hold your drink’ doesn’t exist in your dictionary. Every time you go out for drinks, it’s a mental challenge from you – to you. A challenge about your drinking capacity!
1. If you hear a new song – it’s on loop for two months and then you never listen to it again
Another form of a lethal addiction! You just can’t stop listening to this new song. And when you’re not really listening to it, there’s a great chance you’re probably humming it! But things take a proverbial ‘about turn’ in a couple of months when you reach a stage where you can’t stand it anymore!
1. When you’re at a party – people never want to be around you, dreading you might get your crazy on, anytime!
We all have our crazy signature dance moves. Everyone does it and at some point we are mocked for it. The only differentiator of borderline craziness here is when people at parties start avoiding you before you rope them into your crazy land!
1. When you ‘LOL’d’ during an emotional movie while everyone else was reaching out for tissues.
Your girlfriend and you decide to watch Titanic and during an intense, sentimental scene her waterworks begin. Now you’re sitting there wondering how to react to such a situation and suddenly come up with a sarcastic one-liner that has you in splits. All we’d say is: Get up, pick up your stuff and LEAVE!
1. You love to climb an escalator that’s going down! (Unless you’re 12)
Again – ONLY if you’re 12. Enough said.
1. When you try to open a bottle of beer with your teeth and chip one a little and never learn!
Can’t find the bottle opener? How about moving your lazy a** and getting one from the grocery store? Remember the last time you tried opening that beer bottle with your teeth and accidentally chipped one? Learn from it!
1. You have an imaginary friend you talk to in public.
It’s good to always have company around. A company of REAL people or animals. Trust us, you don’t want to be that creepy guy sitting at a café making conversation with himself while being judged by everyone around.

Image Source: All images sourced from giphy.com
November 18, 2014
The Truth about online shopping!

Online shopping offers comfort, convenience, choices and great discounts especially when you’re planning festival shopping like Christmas. Every person who shops online in India has a preferred set of websites from the popular online shopping sites. Contrary to common perception online shopping also functions the way normal walk-in stores do. It comes with its target segments and customers. Here’s a list of digital marketplace offerings you must know before you finish your Christmas shopping.

#1 Marketplace shopping

If you have ever shopped from any popular online shopping sites in India like Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal or ShopClues, you’ve shopped at a comprehensive marketplace. Websites like these have a seller-based model where sellers put their products for sale online. So if you get a faulty product, your product goes back to the seller and not the web entity itself.

#2 Brand-based shops

Online shops like Myntra, Jabong and Koovs work on a brand based model wherein they sell products from various brands through a single portal. These portals offer a great blend of domestic as well as international brands that fit every consumer’s preference and pockets.

#3 Flash sale websites

Flash sale websites offer the excitement of a bulk sale at your fingertip. Websites like FashionAndYou, 99Labels and Styletag offer these sales where you can buy products at competitive pricing.

#4 E-commerce labels

Labels born out of E-commerce are gaining immense popularity. These are in-house brands that offer products exclusively only through their own web portal. Bhane, Stalk Buy Love and Candidly Couture are some such examples.

#5 Deal shopping

These are websites that only offer deals. The most popular example of such a portal is Groupon.

#6 Niche online shopping

Niche online stores offer specialty products that are hard to find on other portals. Products like customised eyewear, furniture, upholstery and customised gifts are some such examples. Web shopping places like FabFurnish, Lenskart, Pepperfry and PrintVenue offer speciality products.

#7 Luxury online shopping

If luxury gives you the adrenaline rush then this online shopping type is designed for you. Elitify, PerniasPopUpShop, Exclusively.in offer luxury clothing, accessories, footwear, bags and more such products.

Image Source: Screenshots from the respective websites.

November 17, 2014
DIY: Tips to organise a man’s travel bag

If your girlfriend or wife isn’t around to help you pack, then here is a simple way of packing your vacation bag in less than 5 minutes. Take a look at a quick tutorial that helps you organize your travel bag and make your life easy!

Starting with the clothes. Carefully roll your trousers like this and let it be the first item of clothing that goes inside the bag. Your shorts go next. Now roll your shirts like the trousers ensuring the collar remains on the outside so it doesn’t get crushed. This method saves you a lot of space and the clothes remain wrinkle free.

Your rolled t-shirt goes in next like this. You can now cover the items with your hand towel on the top so it comes in handy. Don’t forget your socks, fold them like this and place them in the side pocket.

About the essential bath & grooming products, they can be clubbed together in a small wash bag. You fill this bag with necessary items like your perfume, tissue papers and other toiletries. Carefully place the wash bag in one corner inside the travel bag.

For the travel accessories like your belt and sunglasses here’s what you need to do. Zip up your bag and ensure that its safe and tight and enjoy your vacation!

November 14, 2014
Ogaan celebrates 25 years of its fashionable journey!

The pioneer of multi-designer stores in India, ‘Ogaan’, celebrated its 25th anniversary this week and the event brought the best of Indian fashion together. The extravaganza kicked off with a brunch organised by Elle magazine on the 9th of November followed by an exhibition of exclusive collections created by 25 select designers especially for the silver jubilee. Here’s a sneak peek into the elite affair.

The pioneer of multi-designer stores in India ‘Ogaan’ marked its 25th anniversary this week. For this occasion, celebrated designers like Abraham and Thakore, Gaurav Jai Gupta and Aneeth Arora amongst many others created specific collections themed around ‘reflections’.

The event also included a panel discussion on the key moments in the history of fashion in India by honoured members of the Indian fashion industry Mayank Mansingh Kaul, Bandana Tiwari, David Abraham, Ruchika Sachdeva and Thukral & Tagra.

Here’s what designer Kavita Bhartia, the owner of Ogaan had to say at this proud moment.

Kavita Bhartia: It’s been a very exciting journey, Ogaan was the second store in Delhi and the first store in India to open its door and it’s been wonderful that we have had this opportunity to kind of pioneer this fashion movement in India. Fashion is so organised now with the fashion weeks and businesses have been growing from strength to strength and it actually is only 25 years old, the fashion industry in India. I really feel happy that it all started.

Designer Kavita Bhartia

November 14, 2014
FabFurnish.com and CRY join hands to spread joy on Children’s Day

Children’s Day has always been an occasion to reach out to kids and make the day special for them. FabFurnish.com has led the way by celebrating it with a difference this year. The FabFurnish.com Team, went all out to spread cheer among the kids at ‘Pahal’, one of the project partner of Child Rights & You (CRY). The children were presented with furniture items that can help them to build a bigger and brighter future for themselves.

On the occasion of Children’s Day, FabFurnish.com spreads smiles amongst the kids at CRY supported project PAHAL.

FabFurnish.com presented kids with study workstations. Every child deserves a bright future. Every child deserves a smile. Gift a smile this Children’s Day #GiftASmile

An initiative by FabFurnish.com in association with Child Rights & You (CRY)

November 13, 2014
5 Reasons why you should be a Movember man!
To qualify as a part of the Movember movement here are some commandments that you must follow:

Step 1: Be clean shaven on November 1^st.

Step2: Must not touch a razor till December 1^st.

Step 3: Must click before/after pictures to compare.

And here’s a list of amazing reasons why one must say goodbye to shaving for the entire month.
1. Your beard is a cool new accessory!
People will have their opinions. Some will like it on you, some won’t. But hey! Who cares? At the end of the day you’re the one who has to carry it off right?
1. You support a cause!
For those who don’t know. ‘Movember’ aka ‘No-Shave-November’ involves growing a moustache in order to highlight men’s health issues, primarily prostate cancer. There isn’t a better reason for you to avoid the hassle of shaving every morning for thirty days! (And your boss can’t even stop you!)
1. It’s the most natural shelter to brave the cold November winds.
Yes, it might get itchy after a while but wait! It also provides warmth like no woolens ever can!
1. The women dig it!
We say this out of experience – The chicas love it. Yes! Enough said. Period #okbye
1. All the cool celebrities are doing it!
From Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper to Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor and John Abraham – They’re all doing it, year after year… even Miley Cyrus.

Image Source: All Images sourced from Giphy.com
November 11, 2014
What Whatsapp’s ‘Blue Ticks’ mean for different sets of people in your life
Are you also struggling to accept the changes that were automatically introduced into your life on Tuesday night in the form of those evil Blue ticks? So are we! Here’s a list of interpretations for those evil ticks for different people in your life.

For people who are not familiar with the purpose of these blue ticks, the blue ticks are essentially read receipts for your whatsapp messages. Not just an acknowledgement of the fact that the message was read, these ticks also tell you the time when the message was delivered and the time it was read.
1. For your best friend
Your best friend probably won’t even bother to check those blue ticks when it comes to you. If you don’t reply to your best friend’s message, you know a call is coming your way.
1. For your parents
The only super power your mom needed comes in the form of these blue ticks. Finding out how long it took for you to reply to her message will now come in the form of a screenshot that will be shoved into your face during the why-are-you-so-late conversation.
1. For your girlfriend/wife
This feature is a blessing for your girlfriend especially for all those times you were too busy playing your video game or dodging her messages. We are sorry to break this to you, but your happy there-was-a-network-connectivity-issue life is over. Expect a spreadsheet with details of the time difference between the time the message was delivered and the message was read coming your way soon.
1. For your boyfriend
Boyfriend to girlfriend: Babe, I don’t use whatsapp anymore *finds another messaging app*
1. For your boss
If you have a whatsapp-friendly boss, time to take things over text messages or emails. It won’t be very easy to outsmart him on whatsapp now that there are read receipts as proof of your negligence for that performance review meeting.
1. For your stalker
One word – BLOCK! Can’t be the please-everyone person anymore. If you have a stalker on Whatsapp things might get messier knowing the fact that the other party knows their messages are getting delivered to you and in some cases even read by you.

Image source: All images sourced from www.giphy.com
November 7, 2014
Urvashi Kaur’s SS’15 collection ‘Ziran’ at Neel Sutra by Deepika Govind

Designer Urvashi Kaur, known for redefining prêt wear in India through her bohemian interpretation, recently launched her new collection titled ‘Ziran’. This Spring Summer 2015 line had an exclusive launch at the Neel Sutra store at The Oberoi, Gurgaon. Here’s what Deepika and Urvashi had to say about the collection.

Deepika: I met Urvashi a year ago and from the day I met her I always knew we would do this one day so it was just a matter of time and I think this is the first time Neel Sutra has done that given a whole space to a solo designer, it’s usually a muti-designer store.

Urvashi: I think there’s such a natural synergy between what Neel Sutra stands for and what Deepika herself stands for and I think my label and my aesthetic is just the same language, it’s the same emotion and that translates into everything from the space.

L-R: Designers Deepika Govind and Uravshi Kaur

Urvashi Kaur’s Spring Summer 2015 collection titled ‘Ziran’ stands for everything modern and contemporary while keeping its base in the cultural roots of India.

Urvashi: For me what was really fantastic is this great amalgamation of what India in my terms what we stand for and how we want to take this forward in fashion. The new collection, it’s called Ziran and Ziran means to exist in its natural state without intent, without any intention.

Pieces from Urvashi Kaur’s SS’15 collection titled Ziran

Strutting through the event donning outfits from Urvashi’s latest collection was actress Tisca Chopra and models Sonalika Sahay and Lakshmi Rana. The models were styled with accessories from Urvashi’s collections that were especially handcrafted by Risa.

Urvashi: That’s Sonalika and of course she is beautiful in everything she wears but I think this outfit is tremendously beautiful. I’ve tried to translate everything I do in clothes on to accessories everything from shoes to clutches and they’re super comfortable so the idea is to go modern, chic and use the India techniques.

L-R: Lakshmi Rana, Tisca Chopra, Sonalika Sahay

November 7, 2014