• Amy Billimoria presents ?The Walk of Pride?

    Submitted by ITV Production on Oct 30

    Designer Amy Billimoria celebrates her 40th birthday over a charity fundraiser. The designer, in collaboration with Nargis Dutt Memorial Charitable Trust (NDMCT) hosted a fund-raiser at her store in Juhu, Mumbai, where some of the illustrious names from the film industry walked to support the cause.

    Power women from the movie industry took to the ramp with little girls in much style and aplomb ? Dia Mirza, Mini Mathur, Maria Goretti, Madhoo, Rhea Pillai, Queenie Singh, Urvashi Sharma, Akanksha Agarwal, Reshma Merchant and actor Zayed Khan came together to support this great cause.

    On this occasion Amy Billimoria says, ?To me the idea of celebration is doing something that triggers real happiness within, and what better way to mark a milestone in your life, than seeing little children light up their faces with a smile. To me my 40th birthday will reinstate my endeavour to always strive to make a difference. With this charity event, my dearest friend Jyoti Mukherjee and I will be empowering women and children in a village in Palghar and we are eagerly looking forward to a great show?.

    Focusing on both tradition and change, Amy Billimoria has interpreted ornate hand embroidery on varied silhouettes from indo-western drapes, bridal lehengas and her ever green saris for the show. The colour palette for this collection ranges from ferns, peaches and champagne gold to different shades of blue.

    For the fund-raiser, Amy Billimoria?s dear friend, designer Jyoti Mukherjee has designed outfits for the little girls who walked side by side with the influencers. The collection is a modern twist to vintage styles and silhouettes, and complements the outfits of the ladies who the little girls walked with.

    Jyoti Mukherji says, ?I am thrilled to be a part of this great cause, where Amy and myself will get to do out bit to empower women and children of Palghar.?

    Priya Dutt, Trustee NDMCT in her support says, ?On behalf of our NGO, Nargis Dutt Memorial Charitable Trust, I hereby would like to express my gratitude for your initiative, The Walk of Pride to support our effort with this fundraiser. The proceeds from this initiative will go towards women and child empowerment of Sonave Village, Palghar, Maharashtra.?

    Actor Dia Mirza comments, ?I am proud of Amy Billimoria and Jyoti Mukherjee for putting together this wonderful show this festive season. I am happy and very pleased that people from civil society are taking such decision and contributing towards the society?.

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    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • Priyanka Chopra signs with WME talent agency

    NEW DELHI: Actress Priyanka Chopra, who stars as the lead i

  • What made Shahid and Alia look "Shaandaar"

    Submitted by ITV Production on Oct 23

    By Jigar Ganatra

    This year?s much awaited film Shaandaar has caught many eyeballs already, especially due to the amazing outfits worn by the lead star cast ? Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. 

    Indiantelevision.com?s Exec Life got in touch with Archana Walavalkar, Co-founder and Creative Director at StyleCracker and Shahid and Alia's stylist from the film, to get a lowdown on the wardrobe trends from the film.

    Read on:

     

    Shahid Kapoor

    Look 1:

                                                                                          
    You see Shahid in cool, urban staples throughout the film. Expect basic tees, neutral coloured shirts and blazers and worn-in denims. His first exudes an understated sexy vibe as he enters in a rugged leather jacket, with wind-swept hair, on a bike. 

    Invest in a pre-washed linen shirt to get Shahid?s style. Breathable, easy to work with and super suave ? it?s a wardrobe investment that will take you a long way. 

    Look 2: 

                                                                                             
    In the film, Shahid is a complete charmer when it comes to work. Classic blazers, tartan ties, well fitted trousers, and boarding school-like sweatshirts ? we went for separates that are standout pieces by themselves but also complemented each other perfectly when put together. 

    You may not need a jacket for daily use but a well-tailored blazer is a must-have. To start off, go for navy. Throw it over cuffed chinos for a day brunch or pair it with tweed/patterned trousers for an evening out.

    Look 3: 

                                                                                             
    For his formal look in the song ?Nazdikiyan,? we went for a vanilla tuxedo by Kunal Rawal. It is colour play that makes the look a winner - the black satin lapel complements off-white well. Keeping the front clean, we went for a concealed placket shirt (instead of a pleated one).

    Don?t shy away from experimenting with pantones. If washed colours are not your thing, go for deeper tones like aubergine and charcoal when choosing your tuxedo.

     

    Alia Bhatt

    Look 1:

                                                                                             

    Alia plays a free spirit in the film and so throughout you see her in laid-back separates. In this shot, she is wearing a sheer cape handcrafted by Nachiket Barve. Embroidered dragonflies have been stitched onto net fabric. 

    It is a very wearable look. Go for a simple tank top over cut-off denims for a casual outing. Swap the boots for practical sneakers and finish the outfit with lightweight summer-friendly layering. 

    Look 2: 

                                                                                            
    In the ?Gulabo? song, her look is inspired by menswear. Seen in a Glenchecks suit and a vintage waistcoat, this is one of the most tailored outfits Alia wears in the film. Though the garment is custom-made, we sourced the accessories from various boutiques in East London. An inside story: We went through over 100 moustaches for her in this sequence!

    Borrow from the boys to add an element of edge to your formal wardrobe. It could be structured co-ords in masculine prints (houndstooth, windowpane checks et al), brogues, or even accessories like a standout bow tie. 

    Look 3:

                                                                                              
    In the song ?Nazdikiyan,? we went for a Shehla Khan dress. The cloud print is essential in the song and so the fabric had to be dyed, printed and tailored to suit very specific requirements. Staying true to Alia?s quirky character, we finished the look with risqu? lace-up heels (as opposed to strappy stilettos).

    Less is more always. For Alia?s effortless elegance, pick a unique silhouette and let it be the focal point of your outfit. Finish the look with basic make-up and a simple hair-do. Beach waves or a messy braid are your go-to styles. Keep the jewellery minimal and go for shimmer shoes instead. Hardware detailing, crystals, studded brooches ? the bolder the embellishments, the better! 

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    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • Myntra to launch Deepika Padukone's apparel brand

    MUMBAI: The m-commerce platform Myntra will be launching actor Deepika Padukone's fashion brand for women called All

  • Yami Gautam launches Titan Raga's Moonlight collection

    Submitted by ITV Production on Oct 16

    MUMBAI: After launching their Celestial Time collection of Moon Phase watches, Titan has now launched the Moonlight collection of watches for the Titan Eaga category.

     

    The watches take inspiration from the beauty of objects captured in the luminescent moonlight. Embellished with Swarovski crystals and pearls, with enamel work, the watches are the perfect accessory for a woman this festive season. Designed for the contemporary woman, the watches are an intricate portrayal of stunning beauty stirred by the silver moonlight.

     

    The collection was unveiled by actress Yami Gautam and Titan Company Limited, Watches and Accessories CEO S Ravi Kant.

     

    The watches are priced from Rs 3995 to Rs 18495.

     

    The Raga Moonlight collection showcases a wide variety of designs and is available in World of Titan stores, Helios stores, multi-brands outlets like Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop and other authorised dealer stores.

     

    Kant said, ?Titan Raga has celebrated beauty in its various forms with exquisite collections every year. The Moonlight watches are an interpretation of the beauty of objects touched by the light of the moon ? the Taj Mahal, the fragrant night flowers, the ethereal moonstone, the mystic lake and the starry night sky. Each Raga watch is a canvas of sheer excellence in design and an illustration of the beauty of a Raga woman ? she is elegant, confident, beautiful, and exudes timeless grace.?

     

    Gautam added, ?The Moonlight collection from Raga is absolutely spectacular and is the perfect accessory for the festive season. Titan Raga is a brand that embodies the modern Indian woman, an epitome of elegance, confidence and refined taste in style. I am so delighted to be a part of the Raga journey and unveiling this collection today. The timepieces will definitely add sophistication and style to an occasion ensemble ? with a wide array of choice for every Raga woman.?

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    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • ?Retail remains a challenge for footwear in India:? Metro Shoes chairman Rafique Malik

    Submitted by ITV Production on Sep 04

    By Papri Das

    Footwear is not only a key factor in fashion and style, but a necessity as well. While some buy shoes based on functionality, for others it?s aesthetic and trends that help them decide. Before the explosion of mall culture in India, an average Indian could name only three to four shoe brands here like Bata, Khadims, Ajanta and Paragon. Buying trends were focused more on functionality and branded shoes as style statement was an alien concept.

    However, with the market invasion of bigger international in India, competition for the home grown brands became tougher, and some couldn?t keep their products up to date with the trends. Metro Shoes is one of the few footwear brand that survived the encroachment by adapting itself to the changing trends and demands.

    Starting with a single store in Mumbai, Metro Shoes has grown into a huge brand operating in over six different states and now successfully competes with international labels. Exec Lifestyle caught up with the Metro Shoes chairman Rafique Malik to find out how the company stays on top of its game.

    Excerpts:

    How did you reinvent the brand to draw in more consumers?

    Metro Shoes has a mass appeal but we are targeting the younger generation with our new campaign ? ?Shoes for a New Race.? This campaign was created keeping in mind the new generation who lives on the edge. India is a young country; Metro needed to induct the youth into its brand and hence, we re-invented the brand and came up with this new proposition.

    However, a 7 - 70 year old can be a customer of Metro and will always find something that will suit their sensibilities. We appeal to the young at heart but never lose track of where we came from and who brought us here. Our loyal customers will always find us willing to service them no matter what their needs.

    Do the international shoe labels pose a threat to Metro Shoes?

    Foreign shoe brands offer varieties to the customers that are distinctly different to the offering by Metro Shoes. Our strong position as a local brand and our experience of 68 years of operations has given us an instinctive understanding of the Indian consumer and their needs. Currently India has an average consumption of 2.5 pairs per person, which is very low as compared to other countries, which average about six pairs per person. 

    Foreign brands will increase the scope of consumption, thereby increasing our opportunity rather than diminishing the same.

    What are the ups and down that you witnessed during your tenure as the company?s chairman and which was the most challenging time?

    Any business will have ups and downs. What is important is to see is the opportunity in the hard times. We had our biggest growth spurt in 2008 when the entire retail market was depressed as we could take advantage of attractive real estate markets. We haven?t been the fastest growing brand on e-commerce, but other footwear brands have had a severe impact on their offline sales due to online discounts. Retail is an ongoing challenge to keep up with a changing environment. 

    What are the new fashion trends in the footwear segment? Are you planning any new product launches keeping that in mind?

    Over the last few years, there has been a very distinct migration from formal wear to semi-formal and casual wear. Gen Y breaks all the rules and would rather go to work in a pair of sneakers than wear stiff and formal attire. Hence lifestyle and sporty footwear is a growing category. Digital prints in footwear is also an upcoming trend.

    Has e-commerce and e retail sites affected your sales?

    Customers have been shopping online but at the cost of deep discounting. We have been very cautious not to get caught up in the madness of sale after sale, thereby diminishing our brand equity. E-commerce is generating revenue for us through our own portal, www.metroshoes.net as well as other online platforms. We are using the online channel more as a seamless interaction of our brand with our consumers.

    How is the e-commerce portal faring?

    Metro is growing its e-commerce business aggressively. Currently we retail on our own website www.metroshoes.net as well as Myntra, Flipkart, Amazon, Jabong and Snapdeal. Soon we will also be active on Paytm & Tata portal. Sales are currently growing at 100 per cent over the same period last year. Engagement on Facebook & other social media portals has also grown significantly. 

    When it comes to fashion in shoes, what is your take?

    Men?s footwear has seen a lot of focus on unusual leather finishes such as burnished or distressed leathers. Brogues in various colours, desert boots, and monkstraps are making a comeback. Colours, especially tan and oxblood are growing more popular with men. Velvet covered smoking shoes are also a new trend.

    Women?s wear has seen a very unusual silhouette emerge in the flat form. This is a platform heel that has no curvature. It is slightly more attention grabbing and chunky that most silhouettes seen thus far. Women are also showing an increasing acceptance of buying premium footwear. Where pricing of women?s shoes once had Rs 3000 as a glass ceiling, today women are buying shoes up to Rs 6000 - 8000, if they see commensurate value in the comfort and quality of the product. In terms of colour, dark autumn colours such as marsala and navy blue are doing well this season and nude is the colour that is showing the fastest growth in formal wear.

    There was a recent announcement on Metro Shoes tying up with Crocs. How will this collaboration impact Metro Shoes?

    India offers significant untapped potential for the Crocs brand, and we see a huge opportunity for growth. We see strong brand awareness, increasing demand for Crocs products, and the desire for consumers to engage with the Crocs brand more deeply. We look forward to connecting with these customers and providing them access to the exciting new Crocs collection.

    We would focus on creating the awareness of the salient features of the brand and its exciting portfolio of shoes. Crocs have a fun and casual brand appeal which we will capitalise on.

    Where and by when will these Crocs outlets be launched? How much is the company investing in it?

    Metro Shoes will be opening 30 stores in the first year and take the tally to 100 stores in the next three years. We opened our first EBOs at the Saharaganj Mall in Lucknow, Elante Mall Chandigarh and Viviana Mall, Thane in August. Initially, the major metro cities would provide the biggest market for the brand, however, there are several Tier II and Tier III cities, which have a brand conscious mindset and are looking for casual and comfortable footwear.

    Metro Shoes will be investing Rs 40 crores over the next three years in opening the stores.

    indiantelevision.com Team
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