Approximately four years ago I was introduced to a practice called Nichiren Buddhism, wherein all the members pray for world peace. This practice works on the law of cause and effect –i.e. what you give, you get and what you sow, you reap! It included a lot of self-reflection and expressed that the only change one has to make, is to change you. Even though these changes were all very positive, it was difficult especially when I had to go out of my comfort zone.
With each passing year, couture’s well documented obsession with organic French-girl style has only evolved. When we first discovered that fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world, we knew that something had to change.
Fashion with a purpose, styles that are sustainable. Our mission is to create garments in an ethical manner by paying our workers a fair wage, designing garments that are chic, stylish yet wearable, and using natural fibers throughout the collection.
We have launched a limited-edition, 26-piece capsule collection — including corset dresses, cocktail gowns, ruffled tops, shirt blouses and asymmetrical skirts.
This collection is inspired by the French post-impressionist era, especially cubism, in stressing the structural elements latent in nature. One of my favorite piece is the ROSE dress which is quite literally made up of waste fabric. One hundred and fifteen roses were constructed to create the skirt of this corset dress !
I finished my day at Parsons, ISDI Mumbai, where I teach a Fashion styling course on Saturdays and was extremely eager to head out to my next destination. I had not only researched the accommodation before but also heard a lot of positive things about it, so I was pretty excited to check it out! My boyfriend, who is always on time, was waiting at the school for me and we took off from Mumbai at around 4.30 pm. It was a three and a half hour drive but the view on the way was absolutely spectacular. These resorts in Lonavala, Amby Valley and Khandala are not called hill retreats for no reason. This place though – Hotel Hilton at Shillim, was about an hour further from Amby Valley, amidst the Western Ghats, which is accredited to be a world heritage site by UNESCO – who believe in living in harmony with nature rather than disturbing it. Luckily for us we caught the sunset on the way there as well!!
I’m at that time in my life where my friends are getting married, having babies, settling down, ☺ something I should probably be considering as well. My best friend’s sister was expecting her first child in Goa. Since her husband had gone for Vipasana, one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation), my friend and I went to spend a few days with her sister.
Never would I have ever imagined that I would be going to Stavanger! I have visited Oslo before in the month of February, which also happens to be in Norway, and which of course turned out to be the coldest year in 40 years.
We were waist deep in snow and although I am not used to or particularly fond of the snow, my Norwegian party girls insisted on us wearing stilettos. I was literally being dragged or carried during most of my trip. Anyhow this time, my trip was in September, so it was much more bearable.
When I first started supplying my clothes to multi-designer stores in India in 2010, Goa was the second destination I targeted after Mumbai. A lot of my inspiration comes from nature, and the ocean is one of its main components. Whether it was the underwater world or the changing colours with the different currents and tides, it all played a major role in the design. The first store I stocked at in Goa, is a store, which is still going strong – known as Sosas, and located in Panjim, it is known for resort, pert and cocktail wear.
Another very well-known clothing store, which has recently earned a name for itself is Nana Ki , which is in the compound of the all-famous French restaurant La Plage – at Morjim Beach. My next review is on a hotel in Morjim itself – SurlaMer.
Two thousand and thirteen was a year of changes for me. I was travelling more than ever before; I had just signed a deal with a new company to expand my brand. One of my best friends was performing in Seychelles. Just one quick glance at some pictures of the inspiring shorelines of the world’s best aquatic playground and I was certain that I was going to be on the same flight as her!
What followed were some crazy days! We decided in a heartbeat that we wanted to dive in those topaz waters and so did some impromptu scuba diving training in Mumbai. That was probably the best thing we ever did! As we reached our destination our jaws dropped. I had never seen a more beautiful and serene place in my life! Every aspect of that place was just miraculous and we were beaming all through our stay there!
Jessica Minh Ahh is known for turning the most iconic venues into catwalks. She is the only fashion show organizer who gets permission to some of the most outstanding venues such as the Grand Canyon skywalk, London’s tower bridge, etc. In March 2014, I had the privilege of working with her and for having her walk in my show, at the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. An unusually high catwalk was built at the Bays OCBC skyway and my Underwater collection was launched!