Stalk Her Style

Sonam @ IIFA in Anamika Khanna

Sonam Kapoor isn't afraid to be a fashionista. In Bollywood, where the term fashionista would probably mean a lot of bling and chiffon, she's crossed over to the avant garde side, bringing in fashion at it's best to the brocade-heavy award ceremonies. "Fashion to me, is art," she says to me everytime I question her fashion sensibilities. Her choices are very off-beat yet highly stylised, her choice of designers is a mix of both classic and avant-garde. Her room was filled with Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin and more. In an industry where actresses don't make it their business to know what they wear ( except for , hey is there enough clevage showing?) Sonam understands and reads a lot on fashion in turn keeping up with the times. At IIFA, her outfit spelt nothing but class and Anamika Khanna isn't the ideal Bollywood choice but see how Sonam rocks it. The jewellery, though traditional just adds the right bling to the outfit. Her style statement in one sentence: Traditional material, contemporary silouttes.

10 Statement Necklaces that Rock the Runway

If there's anything that tops the list in the accessory department, it's the very stylish statement necklace. It's a one-off piece, one that guards and adds onto the entire dress making it more fashionable and unique. Statement necklaces are not made to make the outfit look more attractive, in fact they're made to overpower the outfit, overrun the fabric and to keep the eyes trained on the prize. The spring-summer has seen more statement necklaces than any other season, so go ahead, take a look at the catwalk choices. In a country like India where accessories are king, it's easy to find anything ethnic or chunky from the street shopping expeditions. It's all about catching the right neclace and teaming it with the right clothes. Caution one: Never go matching-matching. Pink dress with pink shoes, are a big no-no. Caution two: Try primary colours to show off your statement necklaces. Black, brown, blue.... Caution three: Be prepared to rest your chic-ness factor on the necklace, it can actually make or break an outfit.

Now here's a list of my favourite necklaces from the catwalks.

Show: Just Cavalli.
This ombre pink necklace isn't for the faint-hearted. It's my favourite piece in the entire gamut of catwalk trends. Wear it on blacks and neutrals are you're the star of the day.

Show: Moschino

Pearls in a cluster is what I call it. Very interesting, very bold and yet extremely subtle for a statement necklace. The white-ness adds to the classiness of the entire look. Definitely wear with any colour, the piece can pull off even a yellow.

Show: Lanvin

Utter minimalistic, yet glance-worthy, Lanvin has made sure they keep their style chunky and funky. The colour of the necklace doesn't dominate the outfit but yet, at the same time, the outfit can be called crap if it doesn't have an ounce of necklace in it. Such is subtlety.

Show: Catherine Malandrino
We have all seen this beauty strutted out on cardboard-made necks in silver and antique shops in Dilli Haat and Colaba, but we have not understood what it can do for your wardrobe. Wear it big, bold and brazen around your neck and stones always add that little matt glint here just so it doesn't take away the glam of the dress.



Show: Anna Sui
My favourite designer, Anna makes anything look good once the necklaces are on. In fact, her entire collection is made up of very tribal, very indian, very african pieces. I'm sure we see these pieces, with red stones or a wayward green on the pavement shops in Colaba, but we never bother picking up. The blue here, adds that dreaminess to the entire outfit.


Show: Ralph Lauren

Everyone who loves jewellery in India has encountered kundans, polkis and stone jewellery. But we, the modernists are scared of them. While the west embraces the craft, we dwiddle our thumbs and opt for the small tiffany-type chains. No more! Be bold and take on the wild side, with mom's custom-made jewellery. Wear in on a black dress and you're set for the day.



Show: DKNY

A show of metal might make your wardrobe this season. Try mixing a number of chains, a lot of coin junk, metal scraps and a healthy attitude, and lo, you're in statement necklace heaven.


Show: Chanel
Truly spring-summer in their looks, the Chanel necklaces can be recognised a mile away. The foliage with the enamel and the vibrant colours make you remember them long after they're gone into your jewellery box. Mostly a day necklace. Choose a darker one for the night.

Show: Louis Vuitton
Africa-inspired, woody and chunky, Louis Vuitton aced up a notch this summer with the ideal accessory for India. An accessory that can be bought anywhere in primary colours of red, black and brown. The look is mighty, smooth and highly compliment-worthy with minimal effort.

Show: Dries Van Noten
Shiny disco balls are what it is, when you look at it, the first time. But that's what keeps the eyes going back for more of it. The chunky necklace of metallic sheen is out to take over accessiory land, if you're not the one wearing it. So go and grab.

Easy, breezy and blue

Comfortable, high and sexy. That just about describes this Fendi beauty. Straight from the spring-summer collection, it's easy, comfortable and technically well-heeled. Wear on corporate wear, maybe like a vibrant splash of colour on an otherwise boring monday or for a great weekend start on a friday.

Delicious Bites

Oh the delight that is this piece of crockery. I can stare at it, buy it, and love it.

The pictures Sam Javanrouh takes, are worth all my time this week. Truly an artist of our times.

Crime Scene Fashion. How cool is she?

Manolo, Manolo, Manolo....hell, Manolo.

These bookcases are a bookworm's dream. I heart the earthquake one and the Tanagram one.

Want a pizza, a barbie or a jimmychoo....you can buy any painting you want, here. Some artists are damn smart.

This is the first thing on my wishlist. I want, I want, I want

The best thing invented after sliced bread.

I love dirty laundry. Excellent idea.

Lust to Must

Sometimes there are things that wake you up as you're just about to take your chill pill. These lime-green Mango sandals aren't for the faint-hearted. Like black or red, the most primary colours one can wear on any outfit, joins another shade - electrifying lime. You can team it up with your favourite LBD or a really sheer nude skirt or just another white dress. Lime is the most versatile shade to acquire this spring. So go green with Mango: Rs 4,555.

Delicious Bites

For all those looking to land that dream job, here's where you go for a trial run.

Retouching? A tid-bit for all those working in the fashion magazine slot.

The 10 worst foods in your fridge is an eye-opener of sorts. Who would've thunk?

This is exactly what I want for my birthday. Isn't it a dog eat dog day?

Newspapers obviously weren't the same circa 1970. Glad I'm not a part of that, but happy to discover this.

Brock Davis has a mind of his own. Look at his shattered ideas.

Forget dog eat dog day, what about dog eat shoe day? From Marie Claire France

A lecture on why Pepsi's new logo is the Da Vinci Code of Branding.

Change? How does one measure the evolution of the change that you desire?