The effervescently creative Nikhil Thampi

I had my OMG moment last month while on a casual shopping sojourn to Hauz Khas Village in Delhi - the OMG moment was all about sighting part of menswear line of the designer Nikhil Thampi at Twist (I picked up a brilliant waistcoatc-cum-tunic - read more about it in my blog-post -> Twist @ Hauz Khas Village)

The brilliant outfit I picked up has a buckled leather strap and a fantastic cut at the back that transforms it into a statement piece! Check me out ->

It took me little less than 5 minutes to realize that the lable Nikhil Thampi has all what it takes to cater to my  sartorial taste buds -the feeling is similar to a Style Aficionado finally meeting with his fashion alma mater!

Nikhil is a Mumbai based designer - touted as the GenNext designer, he is one of the few upcoming designers whose work I truly adore.

His work is a pure treat for sore eyes! Perhaps the best two-tones, deconstructed silhouettes and indo-western fusion clothes I have seen in the recent past from any designer.

Nikhil has debuted at Lakme Fashion Week and his collection for both men and women is fresh, quirky and bold.

I love the androgynous elements in his menswear line and I think the drape, color combination that is soulfully earthy and yet has an ethereal feel to it. His work has a positive vibe of looking like haute couture because of the uniqueness of the style of his designs and yet his work is the epitome of simplicity!

I got a chance to chat with Nikhil few days back and it was one amazing conversation. The best part of our interaction - our belief and wavelength on men's fashion is almost twin-like. Also, check out Nikhil dole out out fashion advice and giving style makeover to men at the end of the blog-post.

Read more  ->

Dreaming of Gucci) You have your own label - what does fashion designing mean to you and what does your label epitomizes? What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label?

Nikhil Thampi) Designing to me is much like liberation. I tend to pour what ever is within me out... all the inhibitions, restrains, restrictions are trespassed and i am me, 100% nude me. 

The label epitomizes the state of mind I am in, which tends to vary and thus one would witnesses a mixture of different emotions in my garments some are mature, some fun, some flirty. Which is how I exactly am. I strongly believe in "Its not about feeling the fabric its about fabricating ones feeling" and my work would always revolve around this mantra. 

Not being formally trained in Fashion the biggest challenge I fear to face is living up to the expectations, after an overwhelming response on my debut everyone has high expectations out of me and I shall strive my best to live up to it. 

As Heidi Klum quotes, "In Fashion one day you are in and next day you are out." so me and the label need to play the cards right, keeping the brands philosophy in mind.

Dreaming of Gucci) What do you think is impacting men’s fashion today from a global perspective?

Nikhil Thampi) I strongly believe one of the major factors which has a huge impact on men's fashion today is the change in their Attitude. Men, then were succumbed, played safe, lived the cliche, they were tangled in the worldly chains... Men, now are fierce, forward , open to experiment and have a break free approach to life. 

They today are more comfortable in their skin than what they were back then, they invest time in taking care of themselves which includes their appearance head to toe, and i ask why not? said that there still is a sect of Men who choose to play safe, we the patrons from the fashion fraternity suggest let loose, live it up.

Dreaming of Gucci) What is motivating Indian men to shop right now? Do you think Indian men are ready to embrace designer wear aka haute couture?

Nikhil Thampi) 'Awareness', it surely is helping and motivating Men in India to shop right now, the world is moving at a fast pace and men being men always want to be either at power or ahead, now may it be technology or fashion we just have to make a mark, what to say we just have huge ego ;)

Dreaming of Gucci) Are men ready to embrace designer wear a.k.a haute couture? 

Nikhil Thampi) hmmmm oh absolutely YES. to my surprise the response to menswear is at power to that of women's , it also could be because we men don't have much options, Indian fashion is women dominated, Men's fashion is in the dwelling stage, so the little that we have the cooler sect of men tend to pounce on them. 

As per my reading it helps them to stand out in a crowd, giving them a distinctive Identity, making them even more confident....age being no bar.

Dreaming of Gucci) Where do you get your design inspiration?

Nikhil Thampi) On this, let me share a personal experience. One morning I wake up irritated, cranky and in a negative frame of mind and had to head out, I walked to my wardrobe picked any thing that came in my hand threw it on and walked out, Next morning I woke up all chirpy, happy, content and before leaving home I invested time in thinking what to wear, what would make me look good... that's when it hit me, its ones state of mind that determines what he or she wears. 

Thus, human emotions ought to be my prime source of inspiration, one can spot a mixture of various emotions in my garments may it be joy, anger, seduction, depression.

Dreaming of Gucci) Wow! I love how you get inspired and you are so right about the state of mind determining what one wears.

My next question is - How do you like living and working in Mumbai? Do you travel a lot?

Nikhil Thampi) Traveling is my passion, I have 3 passports fully stamped haha... I love visiting new places, meeting and interacting with the locals, getting to know their lifestyle and traditions, being a part of them. Life is too short and the world has sooooo much to offer I want to witness it all. 

Saying that, I would want to rephrase Gertrude Stein's quote ," America is my country, but Paris is my hometown" to "the world is my country but Mumbai is my hometown", I am and always will be a Mumbai boy, I may have the passion to travel the world but I want to always come back to my Mumbai. This is home.

Dreaming of Gucci) What is the best perk according to you in being a fashion designer?

Nikhil Thampi) Clothes clothes and more clothes, hmm and wait did I also mention fabulous clothes? Oops I did :) Blame my family to have transferred this virus into me They are shop-o-holics. My dad shops the most amongst any one of us. Lol. Jokes apart as mentioned earlier it liberates me somehow. Clothes have always been an interest with me. Right from the time I was young. Fashion came to me as I grew. So I am doing what I love. What comes with it,the good,the bad. Success,failures etc are all part of some perk to me.

Dreaming of Gucci)What spring/summer trends for menswear do you see making it to men's wardrobe in 2012?

Nikhil Thampi) Spring Summer is the best season to go out there and get that wild child within u awakened again.

As far as silhouettes -I see and suggest a lot of variation in lengths from short cropped pants to long kurtas, from jumpsuits to shorts.

As far as colors - go as wild as possible try teaming up the most outrageous color combinations you would ever imagine of and you will be just fine. 

Pop colors and color blocking are big time in trend this season. Besides try some prints it will just be a twist to the boring wardrobe.

As far as fabrics - keep it as light as possible a lot of cottons, mal, soft fabric which will help you stay cool.

As far as accessories - sunglasses is a must have, a hat would give u just the right amount of glamor, a sun screen lotion, tote bag to make you hassle free.

Dreaming of Gucci) Wow! That's one comprehensive fashion advice to men for spring/summer! Thank you Nikhil!

Nikhil - in his own classy creations ->

At LFW ->

 

Media coverage ->

Watch Nikhil Thampi dishing out fashion wisdom and giving style makeover to men, Courtesy - YouTube, Style Police on UTV Bindaas, Episode 17- Right after Prateik Babbar's interview -

-Amit Anand

Designer Wear & Menswear - On Rent & Rent Out? + Introducing Beluxed Fashion Styling Contest

In the movie, Sex and the City, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) hires an assistant, Louise (Jennifer Hudson) who has a penchant for high-end bags and there is a scene where Carrie asks Louise how she can afford a luxury bag.. Louise tells her about - Bag Borrow or Steal and that her designer bag is actually taken on rent!

As the websites tagline says -

The site is full of the most coveted designer handbags and accessories that can be rented at a fraction of the actual cost that a woman would need to pay for authentic luxury.

Most guys don't enjoy chic flicks as much and even if they do, they might not even remember something so inconsequential as this bit!

But, this triggered a thought and recently when I was contacted by a company venturing into renting out luxury fashion in India - my first thought was - WOW.

And, the second thought that immediately followed was - Wouldn't wearing clothes lent out (especially clothes) mean that other people may have worn those too at some point in time?

I'd come back on this later.

Men have become more aware of fashion (and designer wear is no longer intimidating to them) - there is big renting market out there today and a bigger opportunity for e-tailers to dish out renting/ lending services in addition to selling designer menswear + accessories online or offline!

Groom's outfit - like Wedding Tuxedos, Business/ Casual Suits for men, Clothes for special occasions, events and seasons are already being lent out and the business of renting designer wear/ luxury is not uncommon - Although more popular with women than men.

Infact taking cue from red carpet - Hollywood actresses wear their haute couture gowns and even jewellery on rent! In most cases the designers give them their statement piece for free because of the free publicity the outfit or the accessories will garner in the media!

It's a perfect B2C model - business-to-customer and a win-win situation for both the retailers and their customers.

Although the procedure, stock - the type - designer wear, size availability differs from business to business  - a lot depends on the demographics -like where is the business operating from (region/location) and who are the targeted customers based on factors like age group, sex and even community.

My first tryst of borrowing clothes on rent was way back in school. We used to have our annual day functions held every year and I invariably used to take part in some fancy dress competition and the kind of clothes I took on rent ranged form a Pirate's outfit to Mickey mouse overall :) Costumes mostly.

I know people who live in warmer climes like tropical countries often take winter wear on rent if they are traveling someplace cold.

It's a lot easier and a whole lot practical financially to take on rent than to stock piles of woolens that have no use in their home country!

Ditto with  Maternity Clothing that mothers-to-be can take on rent. 

Leading fashion magazines, stylists regularly borrow designer wear on rent for photo shoots or fashion editorials.

Practicality aside - it is about appreciating environment by not wasting in excess (money and resources) instead recycling and re-using!

Imagine applying the same logic to taking your dream wardrobe (including accessories) on rent rather than buying one?

You can save so much money and live your dream - even though for a while :)

I know this and it's damn right - you don't wear the same clothes over and over again.

Our mentality is such that we are forever looking to adorn something new, something more trendier, something latest!

And this tendency of ours drives the world's businesses!

Owing to recessionary trends around the globe and an increasing interest in fashion - competition, constant pressure to look sharp and presentable - now think over this - wouldn't it be sensible for a change to satisfy our tendencies and urges using the rental route and not the buying one?

The supposed downside

I referred to wearing worn out clothes - people have inhibitions, no one really likes wearing worn out clothes(we are not talking about second hand clothes here).

If a business is lending out designer clothes to customers - they will rent out the same outfit several times to different customers.

I asked several business owners and the reply is as quite simply put - The clothes are worn out by several people but the clothes go through a rigorous cleaning/ sterilization process - similar to used towels/ linen that are cleaned/ dry cleaned and sterilized using updated technology before being put up for use again by guests in hotels.

My next question is also pretty obvious and this is something that customers - people like you and me will have to think over -

Can the customers have access to latest season right from the runway trends that dominate the  fashion weeks around the globe?

The possibility is definitely there that most of the designer wear on rent is probably previous season and mostly designer duds - clothes and designs and even sizes that didn't sell and are now making way into our lives via the rental way.

This may just be an assumption but worth pondering over.

Also, designer wear rentals have not gone global yet. There are very few countries where retailers operate - the designer wear rental business is very location/ country centric. USA and UK lead the way.

Lastly, lot of people think borrowing isn't good - especially borrowing luxury to satisfy your lust and love for luxury.

Don't they just realize that there is nothing shallow in borrowing when you are paying the rent?

Don't people read borrowed books from the library? Don't people who can't afford their own apartment - take it on rent?

There is nothing shallow when you are paying a price to realize your aspirations.

Like I say lot of times -fashion is aspirational - I could be someone who is Zara or Calvin Klein but with Gucci or Louis Vuitton aspirations :)

That's what my blog Dreaming of Gucci - is all about! 

Aim Bigger, Better and Higher!

Buy Back Option

Lot of retailers also offer the option to buy your favorite piece that you borrowed and find difficult to part with - at a reasonable price - often at a fraction of the cost the new item would cost.

The Rental Process

Well the process is as easy as renting a book from your neighborhood library with pretty much all the rules that apply on borrowing a book apply to borrowing designer wear or an accessory! You can hire/rent/borrow in person (in-store) or online. 

There is a formal procedure of course. There is validation where you have to become a member (with the possibility of opening an account - you might have to pay a nominal membership fee or a deposit amount that is refundable) - It's just like taking a new phone connection!

With an exception - you have to give your preferences, size - body stats; Labels, brands, products that you are keen on etc.

The procedure is not rocket science :) 

You can judge the quality (of the products, range, location, and customer service) of a website or a store that deals in designer wear rentals by the testimonials, word of mouth referrals (always works best) and the publicity and media attention it gets.

Remember, the cost of the product you are taking on rent is always higher than the investment you are putting in to borrow it on rent. So you invariably are always in "the comfort zone"!

Links you could checkout - Top online picks for men ->


Tuxedo Rentals @ Menswearhouse


Formal Affair


Moss


Dapper and BlackTie Online

Accessories


Bling Yourself

Rent Out?

Fashionable people also grapple with couture trash - designer clothes or accessories that they don’t wear anymore. 

Thanks to Online Rental Marketplace, you can rent out your wardrobe and even sell designer wear at a price!

There are websites like Zilok that operate locally in several countries.

If you want to sell -you have sites like ASOS Marketplace; iPhone apps like Poshmark. 

You may want to read my blog-posts ->

I like - Poshmark - buy and sell fashion items through a free iPhone app + ASOS Marketplace

 

Now Buy & sell new, pre-owned & vintage fashion at ASOS Marketplace!

 

Your wardrobe's Couture Trash and Do guys use Wardrobe/ Style Management apps?

 

Updated on 12th June 2012 ->Ties on Rent, read more @

 

Mens Fashion Goes Netflix Style

 

Introducing Beluxed Fashion - for the 

discerning women in India

 

A venture by fashion lovers who are trying to build a vibrant fashion community for their upcoming business which is in the online luxury fashion rental space. 

Online luxury fashion rental  exists in India but on a very small, localized scale and Beluxed Fashion plan to bring the most iconic international brands to India and make them available everywhere on lease. 

Their vision is to en­sure that every fashion lover in all cities, big or small, has access to luxury fashion through their service.

Beluxed Fashion are organizing a styling contest with the theme 'Sunday Brunch with the Girls' and participants will have to send them pictures showing how they would make a style statement for the summer and maybe a brief about their inspiration. This will have to be posted on their Facebook page and the most liked picture will win stuff like Mango, Zara and M&S vouchers. Girls can check them out at http://www.facebook.com/BeluxedFashion.

Products	Iconic Luxury Fashion accessories, apparel and more...

Website	http://www.beluxedfashion.com/

Information on the site, Contest details courtesy -> The Beluxed Team

-Amit Anand

Shape It Up Men - All about men's shapewear/Spanx for men

2 of my guy friends who are overweight (I will be slapped if I call them obese) while on a shopping sojourn a little over an year back took me to a women undergarments section @ Marks and Spencer. They were picking up shapewear meant for women and while I was bewildered to see them approach the sales assistant with utmost ease and panache of an experienced shopper - It hit me humorously that it was time for men to embrace shapewear!

The sales assistant was quite oblivious to the fact that 2 men were buying a woman's shapewear since both said it was meant for their sister. Haha! But I'm sure she was as bemused and actually knew what was all this really about and playing along!

Mind it, this was exactly an year back. Since last 1 year shapewear for men has caught on like fire! Its all thanks to Sara Blakely, Spanx inventor touted as the youngest self-made female billionaire.

Today shapewear has many names - Spanx (although it is a product of a company.. but shapewear is popularly also referred to as "Spanx"), Compression garments, Magic knickers, Waist cinchers or corsets, Mirdle etc. etc.

Men are not shying away from shapewear, although a lot of them are not even aware that a man-version of shapewear has been in the market for a long time! Yes, this is true! Inspite of so much press dedicated to shapewear, Men in general seem to be unsure of it's presence and possibly devoid of it's benefits :) (Or, side effects ;))

I managed to convince my friends that they no longer need to scavenge in the women's undergarment section anymore.

While shapewear may not be available in most retail outlets that sell underwear for men, It can comfortably be ordered online.

Both my friends coaxed me into buying and trying shapewear and I politely declined although I have never used shapewear yet but I can vouch for the form contouring and shaping that it provides to any silhouette - man or woman!

Although it's my choice entirely, I will not lie about it - I have had been itching to get into one for quite some time now :)

Who doesn't want to look 2 sizes smaller without excruciating exercises! Be it those annoying belly bulges, love handles, thunder thighs and even man boobs, there is a shapewear for all of these maladies on a man's body!

There is no end to the types of shapewear that's available today for men -

Full Body Shaper

Butt Shaper

Chest Shaper

Thigh Shaper

Waist Shaper

Tummy Shaper

Torso Enhancers

Profile Enhancer

Abs Enhancers

and the list goes on and on!

The obvious fallout that I see using shapewear is that it makes you too comfortable in accepting your bulge as normal while you always know there is alternative available that'll make you look slimmer or toned no matter how much you keep putting on.

This is a red signal in lot of ways.

I have seen that my friends who are religiously wearing shapewear for more than an year seem to be in that mode right now. They have put on exceedingly over the past 1 year and they seem to be confident in believing and accepting it - that it's not wrong!

Yes, dermatologist and the men of science have raised their hands and fingers with reasonable doubt and explanation that shapewear can be very damaging and can cause long term harm leading to scarring, stretch marks etc and health problems. Nothing is proven but it's important to know what side effects may prevail -

Read more @

Dr Oz: Spanx & Shapewear Cause UTI’s & Health Problems

On researching on this subject and talking to people who are using shapewear, I would like to highlight - to counter the constricting ability of shapewear (and irrespective of the side effects), there has been an innovation and the new spanx is actually not constrictingly elastic-y but totally seamless!

Which translates to that it makes you comfortable wearing it like you are slipping it on and is perfectly consistent.

Also, it's much easier to believe that spanx is an upgraded version of an undergarment.

So pretty much all the rules that apply to buying the right underwear apply to spanx as well!

With the only exception that unlike an underwear which can be a sexual novelty, a shapewear can be downright embarrassing to show! 


The new entrants however are countering this downside too. The new shapewear for women atleast looks sexy enough and is as good as any other lingerie product - only with shapewear dualities!

Well, It is or isn't - the debate lives on!

Updated on May 25th 2012 ->

Spanx for men reviews: What Amazon customers has to say about the underwear

Updated on June 20th 2012 ->

Sweating in Spanx: Is Athletic Shapewear a Good Idea?

Read about men's lingerie -

Lust for Lingerie

and,

Lust for Lingerie - Part Deux

  

Buy Online ->

Spanx for Men

-Amit Anand

Saluting Women on International Women's Day + Holi Poetry + Fixated on Cummerbunds, Culottes and Mhrugs aka Shrugs + Mantyhose mayhem!

Gosh! I'm sure the long list of words on the subject line of this post must be one big mind twister ;)

Anyways, this blog-post is dedicated to women we love, women in our lives and their contribution in making our world a better place!

Saluting the spirit of womanhood and women around the world. Jai Ho!

I personally want to mention all the women in my life whom I adore a lot -my Mother, Sisters, my Girl-friends, and my Boss. These women are true role models and I love them! God bless women!

Nothing can be more heartening for men around the world to celebrate International Women's Day today, 8th March 2012 than to embrace women's fashion and embody it as their own! And women hugging menswear wholeheartedly! This fashion bonhomie is here to stay :)

Talking about embodiment, my readers would understand my enthusiasm on how much I love writing about androgynous fashion, borrowed fashion - men from women and vice versa.

Here are a few fashion staples,  I'm totally fixated on - that women swear by and men are keenly looking at, Wearing and zealously Adopting as part of their elaborate fashionable wardrobe.

Women to Men

Man Culottes - The erstwhile knee-breeches that the men proudly wore in the beginning of 18th century became a popular modern day woman's pants cut to resemble a flowing skirt.

Today, Man Culottes are making a comeback and many designers have showcased a wearable version for men in the form of culotte shorts like the ones below.



Richard Chai's Man-Coulotte Picture -> imeanwhat.com



These look stunning paired with slim-fitted t-shirt/ shirt.

A more relaxed and longer version of man culottes looks equally amazing as well. This one is again my favorite ensemble for the summer of 2012 - By,Yoji Yamamoto  an award winning Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris-

Yohji Yamamoto- Spring-2012 Picture -> blog.stylesight.com-men

The skirt like appearance is very important part of the silhouette. It's edgy, breezy and has chic style written all over it!

Mhrugs aka Shrugs and Bolero Jackets - looks as tantalizing on men as it does to a bull that comes charging on the matador de toros.

Picture -> creativeparties.co.uk

A shrug is short, cropped jacket that barely covers the upper torso with long sleeves usually worn by women as an outermost garment over a top.

The man version is often called the bullfighter jackets but Mhrugs as I call them (since the time Murse was invented with an "M") is an amazing piece that men can look equally stunning in - if paired with the right outfit. The right outfit could be pair of jeans or shorts with a collared t-shirt/ shirt underneath.

Kanye West was kicked out by fashion critics post his shrug-like jacket look. But, I believe Kanye was bang on with his fashion sense at that time. This is cool stuff and will be a trend sooner than you expect!

Kanye West at Paris Fashion Week Picture -> letitflow com

Men to women

Cummerbunds - Cummerbunds are a popular choice for men. If you follow Oscar fashion, men would be seen pairing cummerbunds with their tux and bow ties. Cummerbunds are broad waist sash and mostly worn by men in formal affairs paired usually with a dinner suit or wedding tuxedos etc.

A cummerbund is a stand alone piece that is broad and covers the entire waist. It does give the wearer a slimmer, fitted look and especially useful in hiding bustling fleshy bulge on your waistline :)

Cummerbunds need not be worn on formal occasions alone. As women have started wearing cummerbunds like massively thick belts that gives them a contoured look and enhances the appearance of their one-piece outfit that they mostly wear along with.

Cummerbunds can look equally cool paired along with jeans, shirt and a full sleeve jacket giving an appearance of a semi-formal look and can even be causally worn without a jacket.

This trend is definitely going to pick up this season!

Bernhard Willhelm Cummerband Sweatpants Picture -> artschoolvets.com

For both Men and Women - Just Trendy!

Cuffed Jeans -> Big time summer alert for men & women! Ankle lengths are already popular but what's going to be even A Bigger trend this summer is-  cuffed jeans - pegged and rolled up to the ankle.Cuffed Jeans can alternatively come cuffed-up stitched at ankle length so that you just have to slip into them!

From Voi Jeans are these men's cuffed jeans featuring multiple front pockets
 Picture ->scottsmenswear.com

These look awesome paired with goofy loafers. For summers go sock-less!

Burberry Prorsum Pattered Loafers, I Love, Adore and Worship these, Picture -> uk.burberry.com

No Man's land - Mantyhose mayhem!

I know I love androgynous fashion but I vehemently oppose this!This will smother a man's balls! Hahahah!

Frankly why would a man need to wear a Mantyhose when there are better versions of leg-wear available?I have worn winter leg-wear more like a woolen pajama under my pants in chilly winters but this doesn't seem at all fashionable. But again, this is my opinion.

The only usability of Mantyhose I can see (actually) is as Shape-wear. These do give a certain contouring effect. But some guys who would wear them for his purpose may just be tad embarrassed with their pants down! Yup, Men wore silk stockings way back in 18th century and Mantyhose comes quite close to that look.

Read more @

Hose for Bros! Men are snapping up tights, Italian designer Emilio Cavallini says- Article published in NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Some daring dudes are even risking their man cards by showing off silky leggings under shorts

and, an article on Daily Mail

'Brosiery' and 'mantyhose' take off as men seek the warmth, comfort... and 'fashion statement' of patterned tights

Holi Poetry

Happy Holi! For those who are unaware of this Hindu spring festival, Holi is a Holiday in India (Yippee) + a whole lot more - it is the festival of colors, dance, music and bonhomie!

Holi is a festival that celebrates brotherhood, peace in a vibrant and colorful way. Since it's about colors, here is a poem I have penned down that epitomizes this amazing festival celebrating one-ness, laughter and Unity all around. Enjoy!

That, Golden sun

with Yellow lights, a run

on the Purple silent dawn

appears abscond

on the Greenly lawn

The paints meet each other often

to create , idyll view , a full,

Unity is beautiful!

The Chrome adonis

with a Creamy pious mist,

on bright White acanthus

for that Rustic twist.

Rainbow, of a lilting tune

from hot may till rainy june

when drops fall

making a peaceful shady glen

reaching artists' hearts , there and then

The sunsets brilliant Orange hue

brings in the full moon

to form a Silver incandescent Blue

Celebrating a gallant pull,

Unity is beautiful!

The colors festival Holi

where all colors embrace,

artful,bountiful,joyful

Unity is beautiful!

-Amit Anand

Project Divo begins

If you know and understand project Diva, I will be on a project of similar capacity - only this will be a guy version. I have to travel to a certain location later this year where I'd be required to move around in shorts, trunks..it's an outdoorsy, beachy stunning place and  the climate is tropical savanna sweaty kind - so less clothes and more skin!

So I have resolved to look divolicious and this time, inspite of the fact I have accepted my size L, the project divo is all about getting back to Size S. 

This will be no easy breezy stuff. Weight issues have been plaguing me since 2008 and I possibly have tried everything from being on multiple diets, exercising, yoga regime to even shuttling to slimming centres - it's been crazy few years.

The motivation this time is obvious. I need to look it! - for the beachy location. Where any amount of extra flab will be criminal. Secondly, now that I have confessed on my blog that I have a wardrobe full of Size S and M, I need to justify the presence. Afterall, the clothes are still around for a reason ;)

- Amit Anand

Danish the Designer - Fashion's latest poster boy!

It's March of 2012 and a special month in lot of ways for me! It was March last year I started my fashion blog and it feels awesome that it's still around and going strong! It's the passion for fashion (this is so cliche ;)) but so true!) that drives "Dreaming of Gucci"!

Speaking of passion, there is this gentleman I know of who seems to be fashion's latest poster boy! Back in January'12, I had a tete-a-tete session with "Model" - Danish Wakeel.

Now, I present to you the "Designer" - Danish Wakeel. I recently had the chance to catch up again after Danish's very successful fashion show at the closing day of London Fashion Week -official menswear day held on Wednesday, 22nd of February 2012 . Danish is getting lots of attention and rightly so. You could Google his name and watch his talent both as a model and as a designer unfold in countless fashion videos on YouTube.

 Budding and talented fashion designer Danish Wakeel showcased his latest wearable menswear haute-couture collection titled “Draped Modern Kouroi” to celebrate the closing day of recently concluded London Fashion Week 2012.

Danish's collection is as dramatic and ludicrously fashionable as the entire treatment he has orchestrated for the fashion show itself - right from the rose petals on the seats to the presentation of the fashion film at the start of the show - appropriately called “Danish Wakeel’s The Ivory Tower" - that is full of drama and fluctuating emotions analyzing fashion and highlighting the opulence, extravagance and luxury as well as the dark side of the world of fashion.

The collection is modern and sophisticated yet has elements of androgyny, street style with a burst of exotica (and erotica - actually sensuality) of colors, prints, cuts and asymmetric patterns - there is plenty of space for showing off at the right places and attracting loads of attention.

All I can say about the collection is that it's meant for men who can carry the "metro-sexual" and "uber-sexual" and to some extent the "uni-sexual" tag with aplomb - for men (like me) who want to turn heads whenever they intend to make a grand entry at fashion hot spots about town!

In short - I can see myself donning quite a few pieces of his collection - Amazingly impressive! Danish comes close to what I look for in a menswear designer - his own personality that reverberates "Metrosexual Machismo" justifies why he is becoming one of my favorite menswear designer (in the budding talent category) and on top my list of "Designers to watch out for". His collection truly epitomizes the existence of Male Diva!


Here are a few of my favorites from the house of Danish Wakeel -

Danish Wakeel's The Ivory Tower- Short Film  

 

Danish Wakeel - 2012 London Fashion Week Catwalk  

Courtesy of, Danish Wakeel and Sponsors -> Artifex Studios, LMA-London Model Academy, Hair & Makeup: Harvey Luke

-Amit Anand