The Uncensored Household
We’re women and we’re feminists. Bunty and I have always identified as feminists and we grew up in feminist households where the men were also feminists. What is International Women’s Day about?
Is it an annual appraisal of ‘women’s issues’ based on progress and regress of women’s rights? Is it about celebration and protest? It it
The gowns were all pretty meh this year so I thought it might be more interesting to concentrate on the hair and make up. After all, how many of us will ever wear a couture gown but we can all afford even the most expensive lipsticks and contouring powders!
The cold undertones of the bubblegum pink lippie is such a beautiful contrast to the nude dress and really flatters JLo’s skin tone.
Thandie Newton and Kerry Washington both demonstrate a perfect classic smoky eyes and rose lips look.
Rohit Bal @ WIFW SS15
Rohit Bal @ WIFW SS15
Wow!
So much beauty, luxury, indulgence, fashion and history all in the most stunning historic Mughal ruins in one of Delhi’s top tourist sites, Rohit Bal raised the bar to tremendous heights for Indian fashion. Even the moon and the weather obeyed the designer’s ode to beauty. The moon shone brightly to the right of one of the tombs at Qutab Minar and the outdoor temperature dropped from Sweaty to Serene.
Rajesh Pratap Singh @ WIFWSS15
Day 3 at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week featured a couple of unmissable designers, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Ashish N Soni. These brands consistently produce collections that would seamlessly fit in to a woman’s wardrobe anywhere in the world being both sophisticated, exceedingly wearable whilst maintaining traces of their Indian DNA.
Rajesh Pratap Singh @ WIFWSS15
Deluded
It is important to have crushes. A fantasy one (Hulk, Brazilian), a real life one (a new friend), an intellectual one (Richard Dawkins) and sometimes, I even fancy my husband!
But I’m here to talk about the sacking of my intellectual crush, Richard Dawkins, who turned from excellent biologist (superseded only by Stephen Jay Gould who wrote in a more “for dummies” way) to monster raving loony.
Since his book The God Delusion concluded that the reason my mother is religious is because she is intellectually inferior, he has continued to offend for
Manish Malhotra 2014
If you’re interested in international fashion, you will be pleased to hear that the dates for India Couture Week have been announced. The revamped six day event will have new partnerships: Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers as title sponsors, and Logix Group as its associate sponsors. The event in New Delhi will showcase India’s finest design talent in exclusive shows by top Indian Couturiers from 15-20 July 2014.
Relationships…dontcha love ’em?? However, the relationship I’m about to ponder isn’t one with a guy…it’s with a country: India. I first travelled to India at the end of 2006 and it’s been a rough and ready ride. I travel there for my business and it just doesn’t seem to be getting easier or more pleasant even though I’ve had the most amazing time there. How does that contradiction work? Well….
I’ve travelled and explored India and my interests have take me to wonderful cities and villages where I have met weavers and wonderful organisations helping creative artisans. I base myself in Delhi and have an apartment there in a lush, quiet, tropical paradise and have created a lovely bubble around myself and yet I am often incredibly lonely there while I get on with my incredibly stressful work.
I hate moaners and expats that arrive in Delhi wanting it to have the
Anita Dongre WIFW AW 2014
A few designers at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week were inspired by the concept of a free spirited bohemian, vintage loving traveller.
Anita Dongre WIFW AW 2014
Anita Dongre’s Jaipur bride muse made Europe her playground for AW 2014. Gorgeous tousled hair, peacock eyes and tassels were the continuing thread in an altogether beautiful collection. The European reference didn’t come across as strong as the designer may have wanted as the prints and overall styling as very Indian ethnic. Perhaps the Jaipur bride decided to park herself in Andalucia?
Soltee by Sulakshana Monga WIFW AW 2014
‘Dark Gives Balance’ was the title of Soltee by Sulakshana Monga’s show for AW 2014. A collection that was dominated by nudes, browns and golden tones, the looks that were presented were glamorous and bold. Including floor sweeping gowns, menswear and flatteringly draped separates, the collection had only good times in mind.
Soltee by Sulakshana Monga WIFW AW 2014
Josh Goraya WIFW AW 2014
Upcoming and talented designer, Josh Goraya showcased his latest collection in a segment called Hi5 where five new designers pick ten looks each for a joint fashion show.
Designing for both men and women, it is the menswear that I was more drawn to simply because the looks were so cosmopolitan and had interesting design elements without losing any masculinity. This is important for lots of men when looking for new designs.
It will come as no surprise to you to hear that “Sex Law & Crimes” was the most popular module during my law degree. I love studying the subject, the academic analysis and historical analysis of sex law in England.
There was a case heard this month by the Canadian Supreme Court that literally sent shivers down my body. It is so shocking that it deserves analysis, and for once, don’t panic reading ahead because the court made the right decision.
My sis sent me the link to a news story covering a free app whereby people can start mini campaigns or vent their anger at companies or products that promote or condone sexism and/or misogyny.
I downloaded the app this evening and I like it but I wish it had more functionality. It is quite straightforward to use, users upload images of things they are annoyed with or campaignin against and others users can
Ashish N Soni SS14 Collection at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Grand Finale
With a live jazz band and a gigantic and glamorous tiered red carpet stage set for the grand finale show, designer Ashish N Soni‘s collection oozed old glamour with all the entrails.
Inspired by ‘La Dolce Vita’ the collection was characterised by understated simplicity, flawless lines, immaculate cuts
WIFW: Samant Chauhan SS14
Young Indian fashion designer, Samant Chauhan designs beautiful clothing for both women and men. He exhibits internationally and is on an upward trajectory after many years of dedication to his art.
Samant was born in Rajasthan and is passionate about working with master weavers from his area. The NIFT graduate embarked upon fashion after first completing a physics degree at Bhagalpur University. Samant consistently selects neutral and softer tones to counter the colourful spectrum typically offered by other designers in India.
So Samant, please tell me about your latest collection.
This is the series of Rajputana and this is the fourth season we are doing the same concept.
What is Rajputana?
Rajputana is about reviving the Rajputana name. Rajasthan’s ancient name is Rajputana and I belong to that place which is one of the reasons I wanted to work on it.
WIFW: Samant Chauhan SS14
The first season we did a collection, the story was based on how the Britishers influenced the entire Rajputana region … so we were inspired by a lot of Victorian motifs and shapes and volume.
Mumbai used to be one of the safest cities for women… in Mumbai women can stay out late without worries. These are a couple of comments I have heard repeatedly on the near blanket coverage of the recent Mumbai gangrape story. A 22 year old photojournalist out on an assignment with a colleague was violently sexually assaulted by five men in the early evening of a central Mumbai area, albeit an abandoned mill.
A wake up call or is there a collective selected memory loss?
Bunty and I have covered the subject of skin lightening creams before (e.g. here: Nice Tan Lines). A new campaign has launched in India with the slogan Dark is Beautiful. Whilst we find this rather patronising, the aim of the campaign is to drum home the message that fair skin is not the only description of beauty and that people should be happy and proud of the colour that they are… in addition, possibly, to educate other Indians to reset their prejudices.
The skin lightening industry in India is worth over a staggering $400 million and the lightening products on offer range from face creams to a fanny wash. Fairness = beauty = success = happiness = a guaranteed place in heaven??
Phew! As Aamby Valley India Bridal Week ended in Delhi PCJ Couture Week 2013 began across the city in a different plush five star hotel… high heels and big smile back on!
Anju Modi kicked off proceedings with her collection inspired by one of the great heroines and goddesses of Indian history. Ms Modi is one of the founding members of the Fashion Design Council of India and I had the pleasure of
If every Englishman’s home is his castle then every Indian’s wardrobe is his or her majestic palace such is the dominance of royal inspiration in Indian design. Couturier Raghvendra Rathore belongs to the royal family of Jodhpur (also known as the blue city) and thus has a vast archive of influences to draw from.
The press notes cite the 1920s as inspiration and this was clear in the pretty and attention-grabbing accessories.
Yours, not Zadie Smith’s…. I’ve become mildly obsessed with teeth whitening these days. This is possibly due to it being Summer and my desire to wear the new peach and pink lippies and my belief that these shades look best paired with white teeth, however, I am generally obsessed with white teeth.
Americans are often appalled by British teeth and we Brits roll our eyes
The Guardian today published a lovely article written by Australian comedian Ben Pobjie addressed to Australian men about the embarrassing sexist attitudes reaching international media attention, particularly as it is directed at Australia’s female prime minister. I was only just gearing up to write about the disgusting menu presented at an Australian fund raiser for their opposition party where the Australian PM’s body parts were described when today another news story broke. This time the Australian PM was asked whether her hair stylist husband was gay.
Whilst the article makes for an interesting read and I’m glad to see Australian men upset at the behaviour of other Australian men, the most interesting part of the article for me was a tiny paragraph in the middle of the article:
But I understand the urge to deny that sexism is happening, because I’m a man and I hate talking about sexism: it makes me feel guilty and self-conscious. It is, frankly, awkward.
So now I turn my post away from Australian men to men in general. Why does sexism make you feel guilty and awkward?
Well done to the Everyday Sexism Project – what incredible women they are.
They have won their battle against Facebook for having pages that glorify and poke fun at “hilarious” topics like “Raping Your Girlfriend Just For Fun” and another one that shows women lying in pools of blood “failing to make a sandwich”.
At first, Facebook came back with free speech arguments
Not another one!!
Dear Diary
I’m in my 30s and single. Yeah, I’m ‘looking for lurve’ but I’m not in the slightest desperate and I’m happy enjoying my life with my friends and family.
Recently, in Delhi, I have been approached by so many married men, one married to a very dear friend of mine, that have tried to kiss me and one even propose to me! Despite being already married. Another married man thought nothing of sharing his sick fantasy – he wanted another two children with me besides his others. Not with me mate!
Laidback rebel without a cause and fashion designer, Nitin Bal Chauhan, presented a collection for his new brand Bhootsavaar last week and it was and injection of youth and freshness in a market saturated by heavy embroidery and ethnic prettiness.
Bhootsavaar encapsulated the darkness of Goths, the human skeletal form
One of my favourite collections so far at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2013 is Shantanu & Nikhil‘s ode to the luxury traveller with reference to The Thar, India’s largest desert.
Did you ever play Sonic the Hedgehog? Or Streetfighter? Oh what wonderful games, fab graphics and with delightful family fun in tow!
Then, like most other teens, I grew up and out of games consoles. I noticed however that my male cousins, ALL of them, continued to play games and still do. Occasionally, like all things we don’t understand, my sister and I will mock them and tell them to get girlfriends/a life/some sunshine.
I recall Lara Croft! What a fab character, I remember thinking, she is a woman that is kicking serious ass.
Have you heard the story of the Cambridge and Edinburgh university undergrads that went to Glasgow university for a debating competition? One of the women, at the adorable age of 20, is apparently a world leader as a debating genius. Hurrah!
Well, first of all they were told before they were up “not to be too funny” … Eh? It gets worse, however, as they were faced with awful heckling.
Delhi Meri Hai… ‘Delhi is mine’ ad campaign currently running on the radio.
The awful Delhi gang rape at the end of last year cast a thick cloud over city and its residents. Regular Chatterboxes will remember I spend half the year in this crazy/amazing city. When I arrived back in the first week of January the media and locals were soul searching and digesting the gravity of what happened.
It’s now the end of February and I have listened to various radio stations every morning whilst doing my yoga moves
Where was the sea of nude, white and gold dresses? Whilst dresses in these shades inevitably came down the red carpet the number was significantly diminished. Instead a rainbow of colors were worn by the Hollywood beauties and it was such a welcome change.
Jennifer Aniston above in Versace and Olivia Munn in Marchesa (literally fresh off the catwalk from last week).
The Telegraph’s etiquette writer seemed to need his smelling salts as award season has started and apparently this means many of the established dress code rules are broken by the new-monied actor class. I’m paraphrasing but that’s the gist of the article. I think it’s great to know how to dress properly and correctly for certain events, however, I think it’s equally important to know when to relax and have some fun with a dress code. After all, they’re actors, they’re meant to be creative.
Men should know how to tie a bow tie, I’m with him on that point wholeheartedly. If you want to know more about dressing for black tie events, you can read the article here. However, in the mean time I thought this was a great excuse to put images of dishy actors up for us to comment and also some images of black tie major no no’s. If you’re in the need of black tie guidance in an emergency situation (I have no idea what I mean by that) but if in doubt, stick on any James Bond movie and you will not go wrong.
OMG this guy is tickling my senses in the way that the Athena posters of the 1980s used to! Before any of you point out…I KNOW he is probably gay this doesn’t mean we can’t admire a fine specimen of a man and enjoy his handsomeness.
I haven’t told you what he is selling yet but as you guessed, a new ‘innovative’ underwear brand
We’re often told by wiser and successful people to never regret anything. However, do our regrets make us human? Does living by someone else’s mantra damage us psychologically? Whilst I can’t think of any regrets in my life so far I often do wonder at the life I might have had if I had gone down a certain path…If I hadn’t ended a relationship, if I had studied another subject at university and so on.
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