Spring Crush: A February Wish-List.

Well, going a bit off track for what this blog is supposed to contain, I will make a wish-list. I always want a lot of things. (Yes, I am the average materialistic girl. Who always wants, never needs.) My mum thinks my closet is about to blow up and destroy half of Calcutta. I am the typical impulsive shopper. I adore Rebecca Bloomwood (not only because I relate to her but also because DDAAYYUMM! Luke Brandon is one hell of a catch!)
My head is like a scrapbook. Which is why my blog looks like one too (note: torn paper, paint blotches.) So making a wishlist is actually like organizing my underwear drawer.
So how do I really start hmmm... I guess it's okay to club together a look. It's like a LOOK WISH-LIST.
So keeping in mind the Trends for Spring-Summer 2012 (A NIFT-ian always has this at the back of her mind even when shopping during sale!)

Pleats is one of the major trends happening this Spring. In all forms! Pleated shorts and Trousers. Flowing pleated dresses. Lanvin's Spring 2012 show had some of the best pleated dresses on the runway.

Inspired by which... *drum roll*

The perfect Sodamix pleated dress from House of Fraser. Loved the weave detailing. Nude court shoes and statement cocktail ring, both from Asos. That killer bling clutch in Champagne to cut the monotone-ish effect down: Anya Hindmarch Valorie.

The trend I'm talking about is Black and White. Like the Spring 2012 Gareth Pugh Black and White. Although I love the trend. Black and White is really not my thing. It bores the fizz out of me. To make the look pop, I would add red to it. Be it a red blazer or shoes. Or just anything you like, really!

Basic tank top from Asos. The two finger ring from Erin Wasson. I'm crazy about two finger rings. They set such a statement. Especially the chunky ones. Victoria Beckham black Skinny Denims. Red Louboutins or Cream Steve Maddens. I would wear both if I could, honest! And of course, the best red jackets in town, from Mango. (Seriously, in Calcutta, the perfect red is found only at the Mango store. Not that we have much of a choice. *sniff*)

This particular trend is actually quite risky. It can either make you look like a high class fashionista or a clown. The best tangerines were seen at Paris Fashion Week by Sachin + Babi, Doo.Ri, Rebecca Minkoff, Derek Lam (from Fashionologie).

Color-Blocking this trend makes most sense to me. Plus I can go crazy with the colors! Hint: Tangerine+Fuchsia, Tangerine+Navy, Tangerine+Pink... or play it safe with Tangerine+Black.

I am SO crushing on the lace up booties by Giambatista Valli (one of my favorite designers, by the way), the very 60's Karen Millen Color Block Dress. It's just SO fantastic! I would wear a pair of Warehouse leggings with those booties. And OH! That ring... from WedOne. I want! And that superb oversize bag from Asos would do me no harm!

Chevron's made a huge comeback for Spring 2012. Burberry and Etro had amazing chevron prints. Though the credit goes to Missoni for starting this trend all together!

That's a Chevron Rug from Missoni, by the way. The perfect spring look would have a start zig-zag print complimented by shades of Champagne or Beige.

Now that's something I would wear to college. Damn! The Lycra Chevron print top from Warehouse and the tie up shorts from Reed Krakoff are just perfect for the oncoming of Spring. I am in Love with those metallic brogues from Boutique 9. The fringe necklace from Accessorize would break the overpowering of the print. And what better way to top it off than a fedora from Forever 21?

I know this trend is already fading. But lace was my favorite thing all through Winters. I packed up on lace blouses and dresses and somehow cannot get enough of it. One thing I would love to try are lace biker jackets!

Lace biker jacket from Soaked in Luxury. Killer black suede booties from Bluefly. Animal Print earrings from Accessorize. Grey tank from Asos. I know it's totally 2010 but I'm still crushing on the Leopard Print clutch from Alexander McQueen. Fancy much?

That's it from me for now. Will come up with more looks soon.

Who need airplanes for wishes now? ;)

Love :]

Romancing the Crayon.

I clearly remember getting my first box of crayons.

I was 3 years old ready for my "First Ever Day in School" which was the next day. My mother took me to this little shop right opposite the very very old Park Circus market in Kolkata. Holding my mother's hand, I tried to stand on my toes to see over the dada across the counter searching for the box of Camel Plastic Crayons. As my mom handed me the box, I quickly opened the box of twelve neatly sharpened smooth crayons in all their majesty. The perfumed fragrance of those crayons is the the theme fragrance of my childhood!

I never took any formal training while growing up. Somehow, till date I guess the same 3 year old has managed to take over me ever time I draw or sketch something. I guess NIFT has to be the best thing to have ever happened to me. Not only do I study what I love the most, I also get to explore my second love- Illustrating.

Illustrating garments helps me know exactly what ideas are stored in my brain. It's like freezing my thoughts in paper. So I thought, why not ask my co-students the same? But I didn't need to ask. When I saw their works, I got my answer! :)

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS

Arindam's style of illustrating  remains classic with an amazing sense of details. The faces somehow remind me of  the famous 1930's actress  Madge Evans.

THE ROUGH-IAN

What I loved about Abhishek's sketches were the many millions of strokes that make his illustrations what they are. A sense of unkempt lines with alot of blotches and smudges. Sketching in the true sense of the word.

THE PUNK PHENOMENA

Shubho's sense of  illustrating is something completely opposite of his persona. His work shows men with tattoos and kohl lined eyes and spiked hair- something very dark. Being a student of Leather Design, he creates sketches of beautiful bags and jackets. Shown below is also his remarkable "Shadow Sketch" made with black Chinese ink.

 

THE REALISTIC DREAMER

Soumen is one of the most creative people I have known. Each of his work inspires me. Be it his paintings or his strokes, you would fall in love with the very thought behind everything he does.

Most of his illustrations capture the exact detail of the human figure. A very realistic approach to art, he makes what he sees. His "Shadow Sketches" are one of the best in NIFT.

WEARABLE DELIGHTS

Surabhi's creation don't come under illustrations but I would especially love to mention her as her designing skills are out of this world! The prints she creates are brilliant be it the repeated motifs or the T-Shirt print she made [in collabo with Md.Zubaer of NIFT].

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DRAWINGS

Anurag Paul is famous in NIFT for being unconditionally in love with the Bollywood beauty Priyanka Chopra. So much so that all his illustrations are made with her in mind. According to him even if he wants to sketch out someone else's face he cannot. But that is only (thankfully) limited to his female croquis!

 

DEBAUCHERY

I really try hard not to sound flamboyant when I talk about myself in my posts. I've been trying to find my signature style of illustrations. So here I present that and my "Shadow Illustration".

At first it was the "Lady Long Legs with the  Rosy Cheeks" but then I finally moved to the black croquis with the red lips and the very extravagant hair. The male croquis with the dripping paint is kind of my mockery at racism. Black and White are just colors, right?

Please Read: I have copyrighted the drawings under Monster Ate My Couture. It is just to prevent plagiarism. But the illustrations belong to the person they are mentioned under.

Love :]