Being an individual has never been as prominent, or important, as it is now-a-days!

People are putting themselves out there and sharing with the world who they are, and leaving a mark for people who would rather follow to take notice. So if you are a trend setter in whatever you do, and also strongly believe in the power of individualism, then Gossip is meant for you! No boundaries, No limitations. It is just 100% BOLD fashion.

Gossip designs for both, men and women. Trendsetting, Stylish and Global are some of the words that best describes the brand. The clothes have interesting styles and playful little details. The highlight of Gossip is that it brings out a very young, frivolous and vivacious feel, something that everyone is looking for today.

The philosophy of bold fashion applies to the menswear line too, with its vibrant stripes and checks, bold prints and crafty embroidered shirts.  But does bold work with menswear?

Gossip says “Men are more fashion conscious these days. They are aware of the latest trends and though they sometimes deny it, they do love to shop, especially when it reflects who they are and how they want to be perceived: daring and out for fun”.

The ideology of Gossip also reflects in its pricing. Gossip’s range starts from Rs.500 onward. Gossip says “When we began work, our vision was clear; we wanted to create stylish pieces that don’t burn a hole in your pocket. We want you to keep going out, doing whatever you want to do, and always flaunting the individual and always new, You”

Gossip launches a new range every month. You can currently follow them on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gossip-Fashion-Lifestyle/122857497833192

As their Fan page states:

“Your sense, Your style, Your uniqueness
Welcome to GOSSIP:
Trendsetting, Individualistic, Exclusive Bold Fashion for the Bold YOU.”

A look at her collection and you certainly know that designer Shruti Shah belongs to the one such bandwagon that boasts of sophistication and utmost style at its very behest.

A product of the Raffles Design International, she began her career by working with a list of designers and launched her own brand ‘filigree’ in the year 2010.

The brand got just the right kick-start with an array of ventures and shows and is being touted as the next big name on the fashion circuit, with her designs managing the centre stage at the Bangalore Fashion week in the year 2011.

The collection purely strikes a chord between the ethnic Indian wear and contemporary western attires. Shruti uses fusion as a medium to amicably blend the two looks and the final product is an epitome of elegance and finesse.

The designs include a vast range of anarkali Kurtas, a variety of tunics in different sizes, dresses with a contemporary feel yet a hidden touch of heritage.

The USP of her collection is the interplay of bold colours that keeps monotony at bay, she often uses a great deal of fuchsia, reds, shocking pinks, browns and even blacks and the fact that most of her designs are carved out of pure fabrics such as georgette, chiffon and raw silk among others.

What adds wear ability to these designs is the fact that they are not just meant for size zero women, the patterns are very well crafted to suit different body types with silhouettes that flatter every shape. Shruti has a flagship store in Mumbai and a two other stores in Ahmedabad and Pune. Her designs are also sold at upmarket stores like Fuel.

Hyderabad based designer Deepti Reddy was one such name that was became a well-known brand by herself with her excellent portrayal of fashion trends through her label Yaski, In the Bangalore Fashion Week 2011.

Deepti has been making rounds at the fashion circuit only since last 2 years but with a drool worthy collection like hers, she is sure to make a mark soon. Her designs have an understated ethereal quality about them which is extravagantly depicted through her lavish use of jewel tones in silver, golden and copper.
Indian ethnic wear has once again stepped into the once forbidden realm of over the top and opulent designs, and a look at Deepti’s collection and you can feel she epitomises the ultimate feminine Indian spirit through her designs.

The extensive use of applique work, a generous dose of motifs in gold and silver lend a distinct quality to her garments making them a perfect choice for special occasions where you want to shine among the rest.

The garments are sensually crafted with silhouettes and cuts accentuating the curves of the average Indian figure, and emphasising on the detailing of the same. Deepti indulges in a bold and loud colour palette with passionate purples, enchanting oranges, bold greens and muted greys.

The fabrics used for most of designs are pure and refined such as organza, silk and sheer net that bring on the quintessential finesse to her garments.

Most of her designs are boast of grandeur and magnificence of the rich Indian heritage with dollops of intricate craftsmanship and ornate patterns.

Pallavi started her career with the jewellery bigwig Tanishq and had designed some aesthetically appealing pieces for the brand for close to 9 years before setting up her exclusive boutique. Her jewellery is not only visually stimulating but also helps a woman be in touch with her inner beauty by accentuating it in the true sense.
The mood of the boutique’s interiors embodies an underlying spirit of elegance and enigma. Her collection boasts of intricately designed jewellery pieces carved in precious and semi-precious stones and the finishing is done with utmost perfection. The bedazzling collection includes sculpture necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets.

The unconventional touch to these pieces grants them a dramatic feel and a contemporary taste. The necklaces are designed keeping in mind the bold and beautiful aspect of a woman’s persona and exemplify brilliant craftsmanship.
Her accolades include the NID design award in the year 2004, awarded for the collection named ”Aamra” that extensively used the mango motif with a modern twist and was awarded under the “Best Accessory Design” category. Each piece is designed with a theme which is almost like a tell-tale experience converted into an enriching possession. Her credentials also comprise of crown designs for Miss India 2006 and 2007. Recently she was also bestowed with award under the Bead category at the International Saul Bell competition in the year 2010 for her captivating ‘3 space’ necklace that was touted as a unique and dramatic interplay of her imagination, designed by keeping in mind an aesthetical blend of poetry meets geometry.

Her boutique is located at the Leela Galleria, at the Leela Hotels, Bangalore and one can also find her portfolio at www.pallavifoley.com.

Last few years have witnessed an upcoming of fancy fangled designers whose claim to fame are their one time hit runway roll outs, however a few of these talented brigade manage to crave a niche for themselves.

They are  constantly in the crave to innovate and create designs that are not just wearable off the runaway but exude a touch of novelty.
Nida Mahmood may not have spent a decade playing with fabrics, but the erstwhile fashion critic turned fashion designer has quite a knack of doing things a way that can very well be termed as unconventional.

With edgy patterns, sizzling cuts and graphic prints, her designs are essentially modern with a hint of subtle eccentricity, designed for all those who are comfortable in their skin and can flaunt the garb with all its attention.

An amalgamation of contemporary and ethnic wear, her collection boasts of vibrant colours to lend effervescence to your wardrobe.

A quintessential blend of the girl’ next door’s appeal and a diva’s charm is the perfect way to describe her clothes.

Her collection ranges from casual day wear including pants, funky tees, feminine blouses, graphic printed tunics, jeggings, trendy jodphuri, Kurtas, and the graceful evening wear that comprises of fusion wear saris, chic skirts and girly tops with a twist.

Besides gracing the runaway, her collection has been a favourite among the celebrity circuit with the who’s who being spotted in them. From mellow floral motifs in loud shades, to a rickshaw puller drawn on a tee shirt, the jaw dropping versatility turns out to be the USP of her designs.

Interplay of disharmony along with streamlined elements adds an essence of style meets street to the collection.

Check out her collection at

http://www.nidamahmood.com

To ease out the painful dress searching process for the Brides to be, Bangalore based Mr D Souza conceptualised a one of its kind, concept whereby, he established an online portal to let the bride’s browse through his enchanting collection of wedding gowns, pick their favourite one and rent it for an attractive price. Wedding Bells has become synonymous with Bridal wear over the years, and many a young ladies love to adorn themselves in the captivating gowns and dresses from their versatile collection and ditch the hassle of the perfect wedding dress

.The collection boasts of elegant gowns and dresses, crafted in elegant satin, tissue, net, crepe and other fabrics and has been sensualised with layers of net and lace trimmings to appeal to your feminine side.

With a wide range of as much as 300 patterns, choosing the right gown that is perfect for your shape and demeanour is a cakewalk. Mr D Souza also accommodates a special preference or request for any design or customised piece.

Besides the gorgeous wedding gowns, they also boast of a pleasant collection of flower girl dresses, netted wedding gloves, bridal tiaras designed to perfection, first holy communion/confirmation dresses and aesthetically crafted wedding candles too.

One can also browse their webpage to have peak into wedding accessories on the offing, including head gear, flower bouquets, stylish ring holders and gorgeous veils for the lady.
The collection can be browsed at  http://www.weddingbellsbridal.com

Indian royalty has always been an emblem of elegance and class when it comes to lifestyle. Whether it’s the lavishly crafter palaces, the exorbitant clothes or the enticing jewellery worn by the descendants of the great Maharajas, these all have been a claim to fame for the royal clans of the Indian subcontinent.

Preserving the tradition and legacy of her ancestors, Jyostna Singh has managed to enchantingly exhibit her passion for jewels which she considers to be in running in her blood. Being the granddaughter of Maharaja Bhupender Singh (who owned the palace of Patiala), her tryst with jewellery began right from her younger days.

The collection, ”Manjusha” means a treasure chest of jewels and is entirely exemplified by her cherish able art pieces that can be worn with élan and cherished for years to come. A single glimpse at the collection and one can clearly understand the love and passion the jewels exude. The intricate carving and the contemporary patterns make these finest jewels a perfect fusion wear that is perfect for a woman of substance who is bold, outgoing , overpowering and yet in touch with her feminine side

Her jewellery is predominantly carved out of precious and semi-precious stones that can add grace to any outfit. The jewellery is crafted using several colourful stones, lending it a vibrant yet unpredictable touch. There are two broad dimensions to the collection namely Palais de Motibagh Collection that defines the interplay of loud colors and sophistication , with a subtle hint of royalty in every piece, and L’or Noir Collection that widely makes use of the charm of black, gold and grey shades to enchant the onlookers by a serenading appeal. Both the ranges include, earrings, cocktail rings, neckpieces and bracelets that are sensual yet subtle and create a magical aura that is hard to be missed.

You can visit her website http://www.manjushajewels.com/collection for a sneak peek into the collection and exhibition information.

A Sneak Peek Into Rachna Reddy’s Collection

Women’s obsession with handbags in all their forms is eternal, whether it’s a hobo bag that can be swayed around in style, a satchelthat accommodates those college notes or a suave clutch to add that much needed elegance to your evening attire.

The plethora of designers in the market offer a wide selection of bags that are captivating and one such designer who seems to have mastered the art of designing these trendy accessories is Rachna Reddy.

With clean cuts and smart patterns, her bags are an instant winner among the lot. For those who exemplify sophistication with a touch of oomph, her collection is absolutely apt. The wide range of bags on the offing has every possible design to indulge in. Her USP however lies in the quintessential fusion touch by combining the ethereal rustic patterns on contemporary styles that are loved by the modern day women.

The colour palette is wide to cater to different preferences. One can get easily wooed with a tan brown clutch immersed in joys of a wide multi-coloured pattern or choose to be captured by the endearing muted tones that have bold and loud designs claiming their share of attention on your face.

From the aesthetically appealing Jali clutches with a more than perfect finish to the butterfly emblems crafted on tiny pieces, she ranges it all. An enticing blend of the modern era with an undying heritage appeal makes her bags a visual delight and of course the owner’s pride any day.

Her collection is displayed with all its charm at her signature store, and for those who love to browse and choose, one can very well flip through these bags at her website and bag some great deals too.
You can check her collection at http://www.rachanareddy.com/

This two-day extravaganza is adorned by Bangalore’s glitterati at the massive Bowring Institute Club, where beauty and style met.

The event promises to be a bigger and better affair than last year, assuring the usual opulence for the fashionistas. Manoviraj Khosla set the ramp on fire. The grand finale by James Ferreira was an absolute feast of fashion.The event showcases the works of talented new designers such as Nimirta Lalwani, Jason & Anshu, Manish Saxena, Ritu Pande, etc.

The show is choreographed by master choreographer Prasad Bidapa and features the top models of the country to a discerning audience of the ‘A’ List of Bangalore’s society.

The hotness quotient is enhanced by supermodels, Lakshmi Rana and Shawar Ali, Sahil Shroff, Miss India South Shwetha Dolli, Splash supermodel and Pond’s Femina Miss India finalist Dayana Erappa amongst many more! And Diego Schober, the renowned make-up artist, made them even more stunning with the strokes of his make-up brush.

Another highlight of this two-day event is the launch of Make – Up Factory today, the 12th of November, 2011. After successfully marketing the very popular BeYu line of cosmetics in India, Elder Healthcare now announces the launch of Make – Up Factory, one of the most premium – quality cosmetics in Europe and worldwide. This is undoubtedly a major milestone for the Fashion industry.

Dr. Anuj Saxena, Managing Director of Elder Healthcare says, “We are extremely glad to be back for the third time in Bangalore. BeYu Fashion awards give new talent a great platform to showcase their work. And this year we welcome Make – Up Factory, one of the leading cosmetics brand in the world to the Elder Healthcare family.”

Shekha Kandhari, a young and charismatic fashion designer hailing from our Capital city, personifies style and prowess. Her hard-work coupled with zeal and passion have paved way to have her own label named; Shekha K.

She believes, “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”

How and when did you start as a designer?

The Journey to the Fashion industry began by getting enrolled in N.I.F.T as a Fashion Technology Student. After graduating from NIFT in 2006, I started working as a designer under a design label in Delhi. The real fashion industry experience began by working with export houses like U.S.I and T.C.N.S that helped me in understanding various aspects of fashion industry from Designing to merchandising to production. I enrolled in NIFT in 2008 to pursue Masters in Fashion Management and went to Amsterdam Fashion Institute to get insight into Fashion Branding. After coming from Amsterdam I have done a freelance project for Benetton. There are few other freelance projects like Lifestyle, Bangalore and ITC Wills Lifestyle in my work portfolio. In 2010, I started a Design Label “Shekha K” where all the learning’s from NIFT and while working in industry has helped in setting a base for this label. The Key input as a designer lies in giving new Silhouette references that could suit individual body type.

Could you please tell us about your label?

“Shekha K” forte lies in drapes and defining new silhouette. It creates feminine and sensual silhouettes. The Label emphasize on pleating and creating beautiful pieces that are aesthetically appealing and could cater to someone who are independent, love luxury and has beautiful inner and outer personality.

It is noticed that you have very vibrant shades in your colour palette, what is the inspiration behind picking such radiant yet soothing colors?

During Bangalore Fashion Week, my inspiration was “Art Forms in Nature”. As we can see Nature has given us beautiful birds with so many vibrant shades on their feathers that are radiant yet soothing and pleases our eyes. So these vibrant birds were inspiration behind picking such colors. To make the collection apt for Festive season vibrant color palette were used from Blues mixed with hues of blues to red mixed with pinks, purple mixed with light purple and green mixed with purple.

Could you please share your experience during Bangalore Fashion Week 2011?

The experience during Bangalore fashion Week was good as it helped in giving impetus through publicity and media interaction. It was very well planned and organized in terms of models, choreography, media and publicity.BFW tie ups with venue partners and media partners has made it a much known event. The interaction with Bangalore’s 91.9 FM and various other media channels has also given recognition to my Label and me as a designer. Though I expected more buyers. But overall it was an experience to remember.

According to you how strong is Bangalore with regard to fashion?

Bangalore has lot of potential to be a Fashion Hub because big players of Fashion industry are based in Bangalore like Arvind Brands, Madura Garments ,Lifestyle to name a few. With coming up of UB City Mall where big international designers like Paul Smith, Louis Vuitton , Burberry , Lanvin are housed makes Bangalore Strong in terms of availability of international Fashion brands after Delhi and Mumbai. The major population living in Bangalore follows casual dressing and traditional dressing and spends more on widely available fashion labels than buying exclusive designer labels. Therefore Bangalore still has to bridge few gaps to become strong in Fashion.

What are the differences you can spot in Indian fashion scene in comparison to world fashion scene?

Indian Fashion Industry is driven by manufacturers, exporters who in collaboration with designers churn out major revenue to make India known among Europe and U.S. Though India has always been looked as a source of manufacturing and embroideries but with coming up of Fashion weeks like Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week, Indian Designers are getting recognition in World Fashion Scene. The major difference in World Fashion scene and Indian Fashion Scene is that Indian designers cater to huge Indian traditional market whereas World Fashion Designers make more Western clothes that can be catered to major markets.

Please share something about you as a person with our readers

I describe myself as a self – confident artistic driven person who likes to explore new avenues in art, fashion and lifestyle. I always try to explore new aspects in life that I can do and achieve. I am a hard working person who believes that there is nothing that comes through shortcut.

What are your achievements so far?

During Masters in Fashion Management my outstanding academic score helped me bag a scholarship and opportunity to study in AMFI. My
Journey as a designer has just begun but there is still a long list of achievements to come in future.

Could you please share some tips to accentuate a dull looking outfit?

A dull looking outfit can be accentuated by adding accessories like neckpieces or stole in contrast colors that can make the whole outfit complete with footwear that has contrast colors. As color blocking is very much in fashion so play with color block to make a dull looking outfit fashionable.

What are your future projects?

My future projects would involve tie – up with stores in Delhi for selling my label and I am planning to travel to explore new inspirations and gain lot of source and impetus for upcoming fashion weeks.

Rapid Fire:

Your role model: Mother Teresa as she was a giver and true soul

Fashionable City: Milan

Your dream show to showcase your collection: Paris

Most desired show – stopper: Kareena Kapoor