When I was summarizing the five looks from my pal Prasad Ramamurthy, I was amazed and happy at the same time realizing how one can stay true to one's personality and yet display an array of vivid and distinct colors. From casual tee and shorts to a tuxedo look, from an ethnic take to a period and cultural statement look, Prasad owns all the looks and totally works it. A lot of time we tie ourselves down to a very set pattern of wearing clothes that we have identified for ourselves as our style. However this might soon become boring and predictable. When you keep experimenting and trying out new things, all keeping with your personal taste and choices, fashion becomes FUN. 

I have said earlier we have different shades to our personality and its so important to recognize that.

The year is coming to an end and I suggest you make this one of  your new year resolutions to keep for life......

Keep Flirting with Fashion and let it flirt back!

Prasad Ramamurthy

Five Days Five Looks One Pal- Prasad Ramamurthy : Making a statement

The final look brought a big content smile to my face. Prasad gives me this 'let's make a fashion statement' look with his distinctly Japanese nobility inspired ensemble.

Prasad wears a classic butterfly silk bow tie in a rich jewel blue on a crisp light blue shirt with subtly contrasted collar in a mild grey and sleeves rolled-up. He wears a version of the traditional Japanese 'hakama' or the Samurai pants as we know it in a gunmetal grey, in linen. These pants are favored and worn by the Japanese Royals, the Nobles and the Samurais and are identified with their distinct knotted waist and pleats representing the 7 virtues of 'bushido' or the samurai life. 

The chunky silver kundals and his choice of footwear black leather mojris add to the aura of this wandering samurai.

Few men can carry off and own this look like Prasad does, he looks powerful, in command and imposing in this garb, his personality still towering above all. He affirms my theory that clothes speak a language of their own. I was totally awestruck and impressed by the power that this image manages to convey. 

 

Samurai pants - Narendra Kumar

Shirt - Zara

Bow Tie - Zara 

Mojris - Colaba Causeway

Five days Five Looks One Pal : Prasad Ramamurthy : Updated Traditional

For the fourth look Prasad chose to don his version of traditional look. The clothes are all his own creations.

Traditional/Ethnic look is one of my eternal favourites for all Indian people. Its one look all of us can carry off without a ever going wrong. Although classic traditional always works but there is nothing more interesting than to see people updating it and making it more contemprory and personalised. It is elegant and stylish look that can be worn from casual do s to festivities to a more formal settings.

The jewel tone green kurta with overlapping front secured with a metal button and an asymmetric hem pairing with the dark grey rolled up hem trouser is divine. Further adding the style quotient is the choice of shoes, brown leather formal.

Wishing you all Merry Christmas. Stay Blessed.

Kurta-My Own

Trousers - My own

Shoes - Zara

Five Days Five Looks One Pal- Prasad Ramamurthy : Formal Work Wear

Day 3 of the 'five day five looks one pal' Prasad Ramamurthy steps out for an editorial meeting at work, not the usual bow-tie affair but he makes it one.

Its 10:55 am and the meeting is in five: but Prasad is all cool, calm and collected not mention his savvy best in his Official meeting attire. He wears a textured white crisp cotton dress shirt with a narrow stiff collar, a two button single-breasted jacket in black; a plaid trouser in a slim, straight fit(both his own creations),  and a black velvet bow-tie.Prasad also happens to own a line of clothing which he designs for his close friends. 

I love the choice of Prince-of-Wales plaids in subtle grey with a pop of blue and red for the trousers which has such an English heritage feel and gentlemanly air.  Keeping up with his sartorial choices Prasad's bow-tie with a collared shirt look adds to his personal style aura.

Prasad dares to step off the beaten path of formal dressing and chose a whole lot of textures yet it all becomes coherent and in unison. The shoes are formal, yet to add his to quirks and personal touch Prasad chose to wear them sans socks yet again.

Prasad Ramamurthy

Jacket- My own

Shirt- My own

Trousers - My own

Shoes - Zara

Bow tie  - Zara

Five days Five Looks One Pal- Prasad Ramamurthy : Casual Work Wear

For the second look of the series 'five day five looks one pal' with Prasad Ramamurthy, I requested him to put together a casual work wear look. This is when he has no meetings to attend; mostly assimilate various thoughts, pen them down and edit at his desk. 

Prasad chooses a plain tee in Navy with a slightly wider neckline and teams it up with Corduroy Pants in ocher folded up till the ankles. He adds a pendant in silver with filigree work to a long chain and personalizes his look. The reindeer inspired ring is another great addition to the look and perfect for the coming Christmas season!

Sporting winter colours in otherwise tamed winters in Mumbai is what I love about this look. The colours clash yet come together beautifully in this pairing. He can also effortlessly carry on the look to an evening out with friends.

When choosing his footwear Prasad opted for a pair of well aged and oiled leather shoes in brown and can easily be teamed up with casual and formal attire. This keeps his looks in line with office formalities and evening out yet he the carefully opts not wear socks with them by pushing the style envelope a bit further.

Tee-Zara

Trousers-Zara

Shoes-Zara

Chain and pendant - A pawnbroker in Chandni Chowk

Ring - From a Vintage Market in Shanghai

Five Days Five Looks One Pal- Prasad Ramammurthy : Casual Day Out

In continuation to the earlier story,on how clothes interact with the wearer, the surroundings and the world to create a language of its own, and conveys our personality to the world, I present to you Prasad Ramamurthy.

Prasad is a dear friend and is professionaly associated with a world renowned media firm. He dons many hats and dabbles in cooking, writing and design. Having lived in New York among other parts of the world he currently calls Mumbai home. A thorough gentleman, Prasad is a great conversationalist and stimulating company. Here's is to many moods of Prasad.

Casual attire for men I have discovered is a conscious effort or even an art. Its refreshing to see men put together some cool casuals and own the look. 

Shorts are the new trousers for men and they are wearing it everywhere and all the time.

I love Prasad's out to get groceries, or lounging with a drink look in a pair of shorts, catching up with a friend over coffee; and the Indian spin on it! A basic white deep V neck, shorts burnt umber hues in Ikat pattern and hand-crafted Mojris in leather . An Indian at heart, rooted and metro-sexual; completely stylish and updated. 

The silver earrings are an inherent part of his individual style and give him an aura of a royal heritage, the tinted shades add the swagger.

Prasad Ramamurthy

T - Zara

Shorts - Fashion street

Mojris - Fabindia 

Silver earrings - Colaba Causeway

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- Tushar Ghadia

I am a big  fan of the Classics. Tushar gives me an updated version of the classic white shirt-black chinos Modern Gent look. The secret to getting this look right, which no one tells you lies in the FIT, and the fits seen here is impeccable and contemporary. The shirt is crisp and snug, probably in a stretch cotton, the pants form-flattering and cut at the ankles, the latest way to wear your chinos.

Tushar wears his hair in the latest undercut style, with almost shaved sides, the origin of which seem to come from the British underground and carries an air of the punk-skinhead influence. He sports a goatee style mo-beard.

I totally love his choice of accessories which include horn earrings, one of the latest shapes to flaunt as accessories/pendant spectacle or a mustache, a ring, a watch, a braided belt in leather, and a pair of sartorial leather chunky tassel fringe loafers, ALL IN BLACK!

Tushar looks like a londoner walkin the streets of Mumbai. 

Tushar Ghadia

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- Kubra

When you own every element of  your style the comfort and confidence shows. 

Kubra is vivacious, gorgeous and has that rarity of making the bespeckled-beauty look work. Very few women  have managed to make Geek look the ultimate sexy, Brigitte Bardot in the 60's, our own Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Guzarish in 2009, Caroline Murphy for Tom Ford in 2010. Ace designers like Tom Ford and Sabyasachi Mukherji have identified, appreciated and incorporated this unique perspective in their respective looks and created distinct unforgettable identities.

Kubra wears a charcoal jumpsuit in crepe-de-chine with a cowled front neck and a super-sexy scoop back with multi metal chain detail in gold unlike any that I have seen. Multi-chain necklace are very popular neck adornments, but Kubra shows a new way of wearing them that I totally dig!  Jumpsuits and playsuits are the flavour of the season and women world over are wearing them and lapping-up the look. This outfit adds to one's height and make one appear taller. 

A black leather bag with metal chain strap,  ballet flats in black, her amazing pair of slightly cattish spectacles and a pair of diamond drops complete her look. Her playful soft curls and dark cherry red lips just add the sizzle!  

Kubra- Anchor

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- Ajay Kumar

Connoisseur of style he is in the way Ajay chooses to wear his clothes and accessories. He wears a 80's Levi's inspired coloured and bleached washed Denim trucker jacket over a classic white v-neck T.

He pairs it up with a pair of mid blue coloured distress washed denim in a carrot fit with rolled-up bottoms that draws your attention to his light brown leather dress shoes, worn without socks.

With a leather bracelet and a watch, aviators tucked in his T, and a fabulous Hawaiian-floral printed pocket square, the connoisseur is good to go!

Ajay Kumar

Facial hair for men has seen a resurgence in the fashion world and face-scaping or taking care of your mo-beard has become almost an Art form that men all over the world are re-discovering and taking crash courses in. It totally depends on you, your face cut and the gift of facial hair you have grown up with, to figure out what you can do with it. It takes a whole lot of confidence to wear a full grown-neatly trimmed beard and the carefully tended mustaches the way Ajay does, the connoisseur style!

 

Street Style Diaries Mumbai - Jagvir Matharoo

Brace yourself

Style is spontaneous, true but spontaneity is something a few are blessed with.

Suspenders, the elastic bands originally meant to hold up a gentleman's trousers before belts came into existence, have though lost on the purpose, have gained their fashion appeal and are a great choice when you can't decide on a belt to wear. They are a must-have fashion accessory for your wardrobe and it works equally well for both sexes. 

Jagvir Matharoo uses his pair in black with a double clasp in leather, to spruce-up his otherwise casual monochrome white shirt-beige pair of chinos. Choosing to go sans belt he uses the braces, a formal jacket slung casually on his sling bag and a pair of black leather oxford dress shoes to transition from casual to formal setting. This is the spontaneity I am talking about, I totally dig what he has done with a printed scarf worn as a turban, adding so much color and character to his personality!

Jagvir Matharoo

The fairer sex have always indulged in a bit of role play where elements from Menswear have inspired fashion movements and led to emergence of terms like Power -Dressing! Suspenders are an ideal item to include when you want to indulge in a bit of Androgyny in your dressing. A very feminine lace edged camisole top is paired with a pair of black skinnies and a pair of ballet flats in black edged with red. A pair of braces in Camel color bring in the masculine association to the ensemble and make the look Woman Power! 

The dark kohl in the eyes just makes it more fierce!

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- Esha Agarwal

Your smile is the best accessory on you!

There is a freshness to this comfortable look, that makes you long for relaxing walk in the park/by the sea on wet sand or simply lounging by the pool or catching up with a friend over coffee.

Achieved by a simple mix of three different pieces, a heavy washed denim shirt casually worn open over a horizontal stripe patterned T paired with a pair of paisley printed lounge pants in turquoise and ocher. Adore the comfort with which she has mixed patterns in her cool casual style.

Slippers are the best footwear when you just want to feel the green grass under your feet or dip them in the water.

Esha Agarwal- Graphic Artist

Street Style Diaries Mumbai -San D

Shy at first, San D agreed to pose for me and let me capture her interesting street style. 

She wears a white sleeveless T over a pair of black jeggings and a comfortable pair of black oxford shoes. The most interesting piece in the ensemble is however the draped-knotted asymmetric top that she wears  over her white T. The print on the hem catches your attention, almost animated calligraphic cats, in black, in various charming positions.

Her accessories are minimal and understated and she carries a tote with a jute base and canvas body with blanket stitched edged.

Much like the cats, shy, charming and sophisticated San D cuts an elegant figure.

San D

Street Style Diaries Mumbai - Nikhil

Nikhil caught my attention amidst a friendly banter, chilling out with a group of his friends, enjoying every sip of his cutting chai. 

He wears this singlet in a grey melange with an over-sized shirt over a pair of multi-pocket drop crotch pants. The orange Dastar (turban), thick rimmed black frames on his eyes, a horn earring. The camouflage patterned waist-pouch and a pair of aged high-top red converse add color to his appearance.

There is something quite Rastafarian about Nikhil's personality, think reggae music and Bob Marley, and its not too hard to imagine dreadlocks under the uniquely tied orange turban. 

I have always admired cultural uniqueness in attire that every part of this country brings and appreciate it when someone balances tradition and modernity, Nikhil does that!

 

Nikhil  runs a small Kitchen called "Parronthe" off Carter road.

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- Anushree

I noticed Anushree for the way she mixed her pieces an styled herself. She wears this washed denim shirt paired with a Grecian maxi skirt with high slit on one side, in black. This combination works perfectly for a casual day with friends or to be out on the streets, or perhaps shopping. She chooses a comfortable pair of footwear with an ethnic pattern that adds some more color. The mix of her neck pieces and a bracelet, I'm guessing her own given that she is a jewelry designer, is interesting and just the right thing to do. The accessories lift her whole look and make it casual-chic.

Dark kohl outlines her beautiful eyes.  

Anushree-Jewelry Designer

Street Style Diaries Mumbai

There is something about the preppy look that has an air of smugness that comes from a privileged life of a legacy kid, an Ivy league education, at the same time is representative of a refined taste, casual, sporty and stylish way of life.

Popularised by designers such as Ralph Lauren in both his namesake label and Polo by Ralph Lauren and by Michael Bastian for GANT and brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, this heritage American/English preppy look is revised and updated with regularity for the modern man.

The white oxford shirt is paired with a sporty white and blue plaids for a casual pair of flat front trousers. The  perfectly matched aged brown leather belt, watch strap and shoes are accessories add the much required vintage element. The spectacles complete the updated classic look.   

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- Ashita Misquita

Bold New Look

There is a bold NEW LOOK in town, the casual pant suit seen on Ashita Misquita. 

Slated as the hottest colour this season, Tangerine is a color that spells danger and aggression, coming from the family of reds, and specially for an entire ensemble in it; you have to give it away to Ashita for totally making it work. 

She wears this single button suit, yet everything about this suit is unconventional. It is tailored in crisp cotton, that almost works like a summer top-pants pairing. The sleeves are casually folded up like you would a shirt sleeve. Even though it functions like a top, it comes with all the details of a jacket, the lapels, the welt pockets on the waist and not-to-miss the ticket pocket. She chooses to pair it with mid-calf-length Culotte pants, another of her sartorial choices that make this look stand out. Normally one would wear a suit with fitted tailored pants, and even ankle grazing lengths quite popular, but this new cut and length is leg elongating and flattering. Culottes demand to be worn with heels and Ashita does that with a pair in ecru, only other color on her along with a watch wrap bracelet to match.

  

The mid-parted dark locks, the nose-pin and the single anklet add the feminine touch to this sans-makeup-glowing-skin look that is powerful, extroverted and uninhibited.

Much like the fruit, what a refreshing look this is!

Ashita Misquita

Style Diaries Mumbai- Devyani Singh

It was contextual in the Julia Roberts movie Runaway Bride in 1999, but since then, combining dresses with sneakers has been increasingly acceptable pairing. Effortlessly cool and propagated by the singer Lily Allen, a British recording artist and endorsed by many-a-celebrity,like Rihanna, Alexa Chung, Kristen Stewart and Diane Kruger, they are universally trendy. Devyani follows the mantra of 'Comfort is Cool' and wears a textured cotton maxi dress in a lavender-ash with lace inserts in white and combines it with high-top black sneakers. 

She finishes her look with a tonal silk scarf with baroque motif on it. With minimal day make-up, a pendant and a bracelet, Devyani is perfect example of casual-chic.  

Devyani Singh

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- Prasad Ramamurthy

I have known Prasad Ramamurthy for a while now. He is one of the few men with an inherent style, in my opinion, understated and elegant, indigenous and yet global.

Running into each other, at times planned and others unplanned, I've always found him impeccably dressed up or dressed down for the occasion. 

Indian culture and ethos is something that he wears with pride, and that gives a unique flavor to his personality. 

Here he is seen wearing a Churidaar and Kurta. The unusual DOG print is what I noticed on the shortish Kurta on an equally unusual yet complementary hemline and it totally works!

Prasad opts to wear the quintessentially Indian footwear, the Mojris.  A glimpse of the royal Rajasthan is what i see with those chunky silver kundals in his ears and his attire.......he is a traveller.

You would soon be a seeing a whole feature on him in my series of 5 days 5 looks 1 Pal.

Prasad Ramamurthy

As we celebrate Diwali, light up your hearts and let your close-ones bask in the glow.

Be sensitive to nature and your environment.......share light, curb the noise and pollution.

Let the fireworks be in the hearts....brighten up the world......Happy Diwali!

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- The Godambe's

Like Mother Like Daughter

Dorris Godambe, the lady with the magic touch in her hands, seen here in what is an easy-breezy and chic summer style for most Indian women and our body type. She wears a white tunic with pleats in the front and silver placket detail, paired it with black leggings and jeweled slip-on shoes. Complemented by her baubles, jewels, the chaand-baalis a big bindi and pointed sindoor, that's almost her trademark. Dorris cuts a confident and elegant figure and represents successful and contemporary Indian women.

Dorris Godambe

Like mother like daughter, Juhi shows her affinity to the pristine white, but in a totally different version. She wears a simple white-on-white horizontal striped dress cut at the waist that lets her flaunt her tall statuesque figure. She combines it with a jeweled collar neck-piece, and a watch to match. The blue nail color adds the fun element to her and make her a girl-about-town ready to have some fun.

Juhi Godambe

Street Style Diaries Mumbai- Ashley Smith

Ashley who I bumped into while shopping came across as such an updated version of the rock n roll era that I was transported back in time, to the 50's and the swinging 60's, the era of the great Elvis Presley. His rolled-puffed hair, that is so hot right now, is the first give-away for this rebellious bad boy. Shiny metallic gold dusted spray-on fit denims, white tee with casually rolled up sleeves, string of layered black beads, and black patent loafers give you a feeling he is ready break into a single beat jive.

Even the graphic print on his tee, of  a Royal Enfield motorbikes is so relevant and reminiscent of the era.

To Elvis! and to Rock n Roll!    

Ashley Smith

Summary- Five days Five looks one pal

Here is a visual summary of the looks you saw on previous days with Sudipta Nandi. What strikes me here is how versatile one can be in one's dressing just by paying a little attention to details, yet allowing your inherent personality to shine through at all times.

Sometimes we decide our favorite pieces or looks and stick to it for all occasions. In a way way typecast ourselves in the way we are seen, out in the world. Just having a little bit of fun and knowing how to put different things together can do wonders to our self confidence and add dimensions to our personality.

You can do it yourself and if not you can definitely count on me!

Five Days Five Looks One Pal- Sudipta Nandi Look 5

Off to a Music Fest

A bunch of friends are going to this Music/Rock Fest. Sudipta has decided to combine her Gothic (Black kajal, dress and boots) and brings along her Bohemian (accessories, bag and her) side for maximum fun. 

She wears a casual and comfortable black knit dress with a fun lace back detail and ruched side. She carries a studded sling bag with fringes, big enough to carry her supplies. The flat boots add to her rock chic persona. I love the choice of her accessories. the Tibetan beaded necklace and the most contemporary and chic version of the 'haath-phool' I've come across. Not to mention her 'Love Respect Freedom' tattoo is most relevant here and fits perfectly with her look.

She is definitely ready to rock'n'roll!  

Dress-Vero Moda

Bag-Mango

Neckpiece-Khan Market Roadside shop

Ring Bracelet-Blur

Gold ring-Aldo

Silver Ring-Aquamarine

Five Days Five Looks One Pal- Sudipta Nandi Look 4

Wine and Dine

Wine, Music and Dance, when you find these three together any evening, its time to let your hair down and party in style. Sudipta is ready for such an evening of air-kisses and fun. She wears a sequined pencil skirt in the color of the Young Cabernet Sauvignon wine she is looking forward to enjoy. She pairs this retro Hollywood glam skirt with a top in black lace and a jewel encrusted bib-neck piece. I think the skirt is the key piece in the ensemble and gives it a high glamour quotient.

She wears her hair in a side bun, wig tips her eyes and wine red lips.


A shimmering sequined clutch in jewel tones for her phone and her cards and a pair of killer pencil heels and voila! she is ready. Bring on the sparkly!

Lace Shirt-Vero Moda

 Skirt-Asos

Heels-Nine West

Clutch - Forever New(gifted)

Watch-Guess

Beaded Bib-Khan Market Street

Emerald Ring(worn throughout)-Reliance Jewelry.

Five Days Five Looks One Pal- Sudipta Nandi Look 3

Bohemian Love

Today Sudipta decided to dress for herself, a self confessed bohemian at heart, easy and put together in five minutes flat, as she creates her favorite look. She wears an ethnic printed paneled Maxi dress in cotton with flat brown suede boots. In her true Bohemian spirit she pulled off a maxi dress, and rightly so as the dress adds to the height.

The tasseled metal ear-cuffs, the assorted bangles in one hand and the armlet in the other, and the voyager hat bag with vintage french graphics picked up from different places as a traveler would, take her bohemian look to boho-chic.

The accents of colors turquoise,red,ochre,blue and green add vibrancy and cheer to the whole outlook.

She wears her hair hippie style with flowers on the back of her head and a carefree-happy smile on her face.

Ethnic print Dress-Global Desi

Bag-Fabulloso

Suede boots-Zara

Bangles-Bandra street

Ear Cuff-Republic of Chic

Flower Clips-Fashion and you

Arm Band-Asos

Black Ring-Blur