'Sexiness for everyone'

This was the tagline featured in an ad by german lingerie store, 'Liason Dangereuse'. It features a woman getting dressed and admiring herself in the mirror for a good 40 seconds before she puts on a burqa and looks into the distance, ready to face the world. Although the depiction is highly controversial, the message is clear: all women want/deserve to feel sexy and attractive to themselves.

"Irrespective of whether one belongs to a conservative or liberal family, even a Muslim woman wants to look beautiful," said designer Zubair Kirmani, who recently launched his clothing line dedicated to muslim women at the Islamic Boutique in Kolkata.

The Quran advocates that a muslim woman should be covered head to toe in front of those beyond her immediate family. This leads to muslim women having a very limited choice of attire. Rubiya was one such woman, who detested her drab wardrobe; she inspired her husband, Zafar to make a difference and thus the Islamic Boutique was founded. This unique store retails designer burqas, hijabs, bonnets, gloves, coats in a variety of colours and designs.

These beautiful, ornate creations when worn immediately make a woman feel attractive, thus improving her confidence and self image. Kirmani has literally filled with colour, the lives of a community of women who were destined to always be in black.

Fashion for everyone.

Clothes in a can

"Ooh what is that you're wearing?"

"Just a little something I sprayed on this morning."

Fashion designer Manel Torres, along with particle scientist Paul Lucklam created a liquid formula consisting of tiny cotton fibres and plastic which solidifies into fabric after it is sprayed onto one's body, and assumes the body shape.

It comes in several colours and can be used throughout seasons, as the thickness of the fabric depends on the number of layers sprayed. And of course its malleable nature allows it to be molded into any item of clothing: a t shirt, a skirt, or even an evening gown. It can be dissolved back into its liquid state and solidified into something else again within minutes.

Whereas the prominent use of this invention is instant fashion, it can also be used as spray on bandages along with other additives to make the wound heal as fast as changing trends.

All tech-ed up

Who said style defies practicality? British fashion Company Cutecircuit has launched a chic jersey dress with a built in mobile phone on the sleeve. All you have to do is insert a sim card and you're ready. At the end of the night when you want to call a cab, all you have to do is lift your hand up to your ear. And the best part is you don't have to keep track of your handbag because you don't have to carry one!

Cutecircuit is known for incorporating technology in clothes. Katy Perry was seen in one of their gowns, which was lit up by thousands of lights. Gadgets and clothes are merging to produce wearable technology.

At this rate, can we soon expect LBDs with LCDs?




(note: LBD - Little black dress, LCD - Liquid crystal display televisions)
www.nydailynews.com/tech_guide/2010/09/01/2010-09-01_dial_m_for_modern_little_black_mdress_has_cell_phone_built_in.html

(Ad) Dressing issues II

Vogue Italia, in their August 2010 issue feature models covered in oil, bearing tortured expressions. Although reminiscent of Shakira's sensual music video, "La Tortura," the picture is far from beautiful. The colourless photographs depict a stark tragic reality.

The sense of disgust some of us would get on seeing these photographs is perhaps the intention of the photographer. The models represent the suffering of marine and wildlife, that have been adversely affected by the recent oil spill. The viewer is compelled into thinking about human nonchalance towards the environment and creatures inhabiting it. Steven Meisel, through his lense seems to be commenting ironically on human detachment from nature.

This shoot manages to brilliantly merge current affairs with fashion- depicting a deeper issue, while at the same time, not compromising on the glossy fashion aspect. These pictures certainly prove that fashion is not only about glamour. Design, like any other form of art can be used as a medium to create social awareness and raise questions pertinent to our times.

This is not the first time that Vogue Italia is attempting to make a social commentary through their magazine. They have previously dealt with the economic recession issue and the Twitter phenomenon.

Sporting the Vibgyor

Tennis has always been synonymous with plain white clothes. However, this year's US Open decided to give the monotony a break as women tennis players were spotted on the court donning vibrant colours. India's Sania Mirza was sizzling in a hot pink tennis dress.

Sports are no longer watched only for the game, but also for the players. Atheletes are as much the celebrities of today , as are filmstars. In such a scenario, it is only natural for sportpersons to groom themselves and look their best, as their every move is captured on camera and viewed by millions.

Sportspersons have also been trying their luck in the glamour industry off the field over the last decade. Anna Kournikova got her big break when she was chosen to feature in Pop singer Enrique's music video "Escape"; and Rafael Nadal in Shakira's "Gypsy."

As more and more atheletes are getting into the music industry and modelling, one cannot help but wonder if it is in fact the end of the skinny model.

http://sports.in.msn.com/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=4326545&vv=800

The Queen-tessential Artiste

Alexander McQueen launches his fall 2010 collection.

This is a moment of jubilation for all his fans. But wait a minute, Queen passed away this February, then where are these designs coming from? Could he be busy at work from beyond the grave?

Have you ever wondered how a designer's label is carried on even after his/her death? Chanel died in 1971, yet her brand 'Coco Chanel' is still as popular and sought after, if not more, than it was when she was living. And we keep hearing about that new Chanel bag that has recently hit the stores. Chanel's label was perpetuated by Karl Lagerfeld, who embellished upon her basic creations. Using her name was a success mantra for him, as she was already a well established designer in the industry. Although he names his collections Lagerfeld-Chanel, it is the latter name that we all recognize.

Although McQueen had already cut his fall designs before taking his life, it was his trusted team that showcased his last works. It is not unlikely that his label will be taken over by another designer, taking his name to greater heights.

Designers may die but their designs and their names go on living and inspiring. Alexander McQueen will always be remembered for his eclectic style, his bold designs and his outrageousness ranging from his Highland Rape collection to the outfits he designed for Lady Gaga's music video, Bad Romance.

Design-ated Artist

Fashion gains recognition, as designer Tarun Tahiliani's application for tax exemption finally gets approved. Although he applied for it in 2000, the debate did not abate (about whether a fashion designer is an artist or not).

This is a major breakthrough for the fashion industry. The gap between the likes of M.F.Hussain and designers like Tahiliani is bridged as clothing and accessories are gaining official acceptance as a form of art, at par with brush strokes on canvas.

Although designing has always demanded as much creativity as painting or sketching, this has not always been acknowledged. The same way Khalil Chistee derives inspiration from Pakistan to produce beautiful sculptures, the late Alexander McQueen launched his Highland Rape Collection to depict the 'rape' of Scotland by Britain. (He also wanted to address the issue of violence inflicted on women, as he witnessed this first hand at home).

The above mentioned breakthrough has helped establish designers more firmly in the world of art and intellect. After all, be it sculpture or painting or fashion design, the creativity and thought processes involved behind the final product is what ultimately brings forward the creation and what should form its basis of judgement. All forms of art reveal a deeper insight into the artist's psyche, and this is precisely what fashion design does through its aesthetically appealing approach.

The end result is always magnificence.

http://www.femefashions.com/feme/news/18121