The Grand Costumes by Milena Canonero!

It is that time of the year when the red carpet is rolled out for the most anticipated event. Well, you guessed it right, Mr. Oscar is here! The 87^th Academy Awards was held on 22^nd February, 2015 to celebrate cinema. Some names that took the Oscar home with them were Alejandro González Iñárrit, who was awarded the Best Picture for the ‘Bridman’. Eddie Redmayne bagged the award for the ‘Theory of Everything’ in the category of the Best Actor, whereas Julianne Moore walked away with the title of the Best Actress for her film ‘Still Alice’. But the category that we are going to be talking about is the Best Costume, of course.

Oscar for The Best Costume was whisked away by Milena Canonero for ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. The Italian costume designer is very acquainted with the Oscars. She was nominated in the category nine times out of which this is her fourth win. Known for her work, Canonero has definitely created a new beach mark in the genre of costume designing with her work in‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The talented designer was born in the year 1946 in Turin, Italy. Her educational career consisted of studying art, design history and costume design in Genoa. She later moved to England, here Canonero started working in a small theatre and film productions. 

Her initial work in commercials helped her with networking as she met many film directors. Canonero’s breakthrough as a costume designer occurred with Stanley Kubrick’s, A Clockwork Orange (1917). After that, there was no looking back for Milena Canonero.

Barry Lyndon

Canonero first won an Oscar for her excellent work in Barry Lyndon, another movie by Stanley Kubrick. She scored the other two statuettes for the film Chariots of Fire (1981) and Marie Antoinette (2006). 

Marie Antoinette

The work of the Italian designer bypasses the conventions bring something innovative in the world of fashion. This quality has earned her various Academy Awards. She not only captured the essences of the 1930s aptly in The Grand Budapest Hotel, she was brought in her innovations. The typical drab color of the hotel staff was transformed into lively purple and mauve. For the costume of Tilda Swinton’s Madame D, Canonero drew inspiration from a symbolist painter Gustav Klimt. Costumes created by Canonero for each character added personality to the characters making them real for the audience.

Known for her aesthetic sense and an eye for detail, has given Canonero a stature of one of the best designers, a title she has lived up to. She has come a long way in her career and by the looks of it, there is no slowing down for Canonero!

Changing Face of Fashion Business: Future of Fashion Forum

The Future of Fashion Forum that took place on 24^th January, 2015, an initiation by Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion in which the very best of the fashion industry was present. The main focus of the event was to share the knowledge and insights with the aspirants along with giving an opportunity to the fashion fanatics to interact with the very best from the fashion world.

The day kicked off with an interesting session on Developing the Fashion Ecosystem which was followed by an equally interesting session on the Changing Face of Fashion Business. India is entering a new phase in the fashion business where e-commerce is taking root and the fashion world has become more competitive. To deal with these and more topics renowned Fashion Designer Gaviin Migule, the Managing Partner of Exclusively.in Mohini Boparai, and the Fashion Director of Verve Magazine Nisha Jhangiani were present.

All the panel members stressed, on the importance of ‘building your brand, identify your audience and then dig in deep down, research to understand your audience.’ To this Mohini Boparai, added, “Know your target audience, and talk to them in a language that appeals to them.”

In the recent years, there are more fashion outlets coming up online than one cares to count. Moreover, fashion is subjected to change, trends are broken and created every day and in this ever changing market you need to get your brand across. In this matter, Mohini Boparai commented that, “A fashion e-commerce site has to keep catering newness to its clientele with new collection and products.” In order to be in the e-commerce platform “balancing the power of digital and print is vital to reach the audience” Nisha Jhangiani added.

Gaviin Migule shared his views on the current fashion scenario, but it was his insightful advice to the aspiring designer saying that, “Be true to yourself and be passionate about what you create” that made a lasting impact giving a beautiful conclusion.  

Developing the Fashion Ecosystem- The Future of Fashion Forum

The Future of Fashion Forum, 2015, a prominent fashion event that brought the who’s who of the fashion industry on one platform. The event that was on 24^th January, 2015 saw a huge number of fashion enthusiastic coming to attending the Forum that not only aimed to enlighten the students, but also to give a chance to interactive with some of the biggest names in the fashion industry.

After the inauguration ceremony, the first session of the day started with an interesting topic that was Developing the Fashion Ecosystem. The event was presented by Vinay Nadkarni (MD & CEO Globus Stores Pvt Ltd), Anjana Sharma (COO & Fashion Director stylista.com) and Payal Singhal (Fashion designer). Each one of the speakers gave great insights on the current fashion scenario. “Locally produced fabric to create a sustainable ecosystem is the trend that’s coming in” is what Payal Singhal believes.

Taking the topic further, the panel spoke about the fashion consumed by the masses. “Tier 2&3 cities are not a restriction these cities consume more in comparison to metro, through e-commerce”, Vinay Nadkarni said. Talking about e-commerce, he said, “The buying habits of the customers have changed over the past few years. E-commerce is booming.”  To this Payal Singhal added that, “India is a booming e-commerce nation with a huge population of technologically aware youth.” She also added that, “Digital has given designers bigger platforms and wider reach to showcase their collection to their clientele.”

Talking about Indian Fashion, Vinay Nadkarni said that it is necessary to “maintain ‘Indianness’ in whatever you create, a huge market lies ahead to consume the vibrancy of colors and the Indian essence.” Even Payal Singhal commented on similar lines saying, “India has been a global style trendsetter from the very beginning” and also,“India has always been a global style influencer. There is no other place that provides cultural heritage as we do.”

This session also dealt with the importance of creating a right retail brand building approach and adoption the right business structure. The first thing that Vinay Nadkarni says about this is that, “Research, understand the market, and cater to your clientele.” Payal Singhal elaborates it by saying, “Know your brand vision, execute your ideas, know your clients, maintain the identity to make your brand visible and relevant. Creativity and commercial viability is a balance that one needs to strike to appeal to the clientele.” Also that, “Consumer feedback is imperative to make garments saleable.”

Lastly, Payal Singhal advises the young aspirants present to, “Keep innovating and to also be unique to succeed in an extremely competitive fashion world.”

Part I: The Future of Fashion Forum 2015 - Snippets from the Inaugural Session

As a fashion school, Whistling Woods - Neeta Lulla School of Fashion has always endeavored to make fashion more accessible to the aspirants. Thus, the Future of Fashion Forum was conceptualized that encourages a dialogue between the aspirants and the fashion professionals from all walks of industry. The forum is spread across various categories to cover significant aspects of the fashion and retail industry, while focusing on both creative and commercial aspects of fashion.

This one-day event in its 2nd year, took place on the 24th of January, 2015, brought together leaders in the fashion and retail industry to create a 'Think Tank'.

The event kicked off with Meghna Ghai Puri, President, Whistling Woods International, welcoming the guests while Neeta Lulla, Founder & Dean, Whistling Woods - Neeta Lulla School of Fashion, introduced the guests to the Future Of Fashion Forum. Neeta Lulla, Subhash Ghai, Founder & Chairman, Whistling Woods International; Veteran Fashion Designer Hemant Trivedi; Anjana Sharma, COO & Fashion Director of Stylista.in; actor Neha Dhupia, Siddharth Lulla, Director, Business Strategy, Whistling Woods - Neeta Lulla School of Fashion and Meghna Ghai Puri, 'Lit the Lamp', to start the event.

Inauguration was followed by interesting snippet on 'Learning Fashion', by Hemant Trivedi, where he shared his experience of teaching and mentoring Neeta Lulla. While sharing his journey and knowledge as a fashion professional, he said , 'As a Fashion Designer, Be true to yourself, Don't lose your Indian Identity'. He also mentioned that to evolve as designer 'You need to have emotion and be passionate to be a successful designer'. Inspiring the young audience and fashion aspirants, he mentioned that 'People live for 3 things : Money, Fame & Respect, I live for the third one'.

Actor, Neha Dhupia was also present at the event and shared her experience of being associated with Limeroad.com, an online shopping (e-commerce) site, which is committed to deliver dresses and accessories that are unique in terms of style, quality and reliability. Sharing snippets on her 'inspiration' and the principle she abides by when it comes to fashion, she suggested aspiring designers by saying, 'When you are designing, Keep it Simple, Stupid'. Commenting on the two very different aspect that people tend to confuse, she said that Style and Fashion are often mistaken for the same thing. She cleared the misconception by saying, 'Style has to be inheritant, it has to be you. Style lasts forever, while Fashion is fleeting. Hold on to your style.'  She wrapped up the session interestingly by suggesting that 'It shouldn't be about accumulating wealth, it should be about 'creating' something beautiful.'

Subhash Ghai brought in his insight to Fashion, by very wisely proposing that 'Fashion in its beauty is inspired from spiritualism.' Talking on the occasion, he also shared his experience of working with Neeta Lulla as a Fashion Designer, on his film, Taal. He fondly remembers Neeta Lulla's curiosity and inquisitiveness to know and understand the character and visual appeal of the movie to keep the costumes in sync.

Neeta Lulla took this beautiful opportunity to thank her esteemed mentors, Hemant Trivedi and Subhash Ghai, and shared her journey as a fashion designer with the aspiring designers as guests at the event.

Vogue: The Fashion Bible

Vogue reverently called and considered the Fashion Bible by fashionistas. For well over a century, people have turned to Vogue to keep up with the world of fashion. A globally recognized fashion and lifestyle magazine, Vogue is published monthly in more than 20 different national and regional editions by Condé Nast.

The incredible journey began when Arthur Turnure founded a weekly publication magazine in the year 1982. The first issue of Vogue was published on December 17^th, 1892 in America. He wanted to represent the lifestyle of the upper class. Vogue has to be, he quoted, “in the highest degree an aristocracy founded, in reason and developed in a natural order…The ceremonial side of life attracts the sage as well as the debutante, men of affairs as well as the belle.”

Arthur Turnure

The first editor of the Vogue magazine was woman named Josephine Redding whose first task was to come up with a name for Turnure’s publication. Flipping pages after pages, she came across a word which meant “mode or fashion prevalent at any particular time, popular reception, repute, generally used in the phrase ‘in vogue’: as, a particular style of dress was then ‘in vogue’, such opinions are now ‘in vogue.’” Hence, the magazine was moniker Vogue by Redding.

After a few years of Arthur Turnure’s death, the ownership of Vogue exchanged hands. After much negotiation in 1905, Vogue was bought by Condé Montrose Nast. The fact that the magazine dealt with fashion, society, and the ceremonial side of life, catering to the small circle of elite New Yorkers was the aspect that drew Nast towards the magazine. For Nast, Vogue was a bridge that connected the worlds of the social elite who desired to purchase luxury goods with those who produced and sold such commodities. Nast made some drastic changes, for example, from a weekly publication he turned it into a bi-weekly magazine. He established Vogue in Italy and France. The profits significantly went up and by 1911, Vogue became a prestigious brand. It garnered a kind of loyalty and veneration over the years, a position Vogue continues to enjoy.      

 

Vogue has gone through a lot of ups and downs, it has had a lot of notable editors and in the end, and it has always emerged as victorious. Vogue is not solely about the dressing of celebrities, it inspires to live, communicated, eat, drink and socialize. 

  

Today, getting on the cover of Vogue magazine is a dream of every celebrity. They set the trend and captured the world of fashion in its pages and therefore Vogue is considered as the fashion’s bible! 

Happy New Year!

The year is almost up and plans for celebrating the eve of the New Year is in full swing. Everyone wants to look their best when they welcome the New Year. Most people have a rough idea as to what they want to wear. This will leave you in a hassle at the end moment. Therefore, be prepared and decide before hand the outfit you are going to don on the big night. The other reason people are in a last minute hassle is because they are confused as to what to wear.

The little black dress is the safest option and also the easiest to acquire. There are various styles of LBD that are easily available. You can play with the fabric; go for satin, lace, net or combinations of different fabrics. Add dashes of bright color with accessories and shoes in fact, some blood red heels will be amazing.

It is only during the parties that you get a chance to don glittered dresses. Silver, gold, bronze, and ice blue are some colors that look good if you go for an all glitter. You can opt for dresses that have splashes of glitter to put some glamour to your outfit.  

Jumpsuits are in trend which is an excellent choice and again easily available. You can go all print or swing the other way with a plain jumpsuit. If you go for a print one tone down the accessories, but for a plain one go wild.

Crop tops are in fashion and there is a lot that you can do with them. You can wear it with a high waist skirt or pants and palazzo pants go well with crop tops. You can don a shimmered crop top with something sober. This will be the perfect party wear without being over the top.

If you are too lazy to go shopping, then dig your wardrobe thoroughly you will definitely find some old hidden treasure. There are simple ways to prepare for the evening out. Mix and matching your outfit that is the best to do on a short notice. The other is accessories, chunky necklace, lots of bangles or cuff bracelets. Boots with jeans or ankle length boots with a dress are well matched. Draping a scarf is also a beautiful addition.

Make-up and a new hairdo will change the way you look. Twist your hair up or the fishtail braid is pretty amazing too. Avoid having heavy make-up on, you don’t want it all to melt away while you are busy dancing to the beats.

Just remember whatever you wear be absolutely comfortable in it, you are going to be out parting and grooving. So, greet this New Year with fashion!

Visual Merchandising by Aspiring Students

Education in its own right is important; after all it sets a strong foundation to build your career on. This idea is applicable to every field, be it a career in the fields of academics or if you want to run free in the creative field. Fashion designing and the various fields inspired by the fashion world follows the same idea. But the catch comes when you realize theoretical education is not enough. Piratical knowledge is imperative and more so in some fields than the others. Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion implements these ideas into their curriculum to give the young aspirant all round training. The most recent example of this is our students collaborating with two outlets of Shoppers Stop to display their skills in Visual Merchandising.

Ten students divided themselves into two groups and collaborated with Shoppers Stop outlets in Chembur and Andheri respectively. They explored and enhanced their Visual Merchandising knowledge by putting them to practical use. They conceptualized and created the store window for both these outlets.    
  

The first group that took over the Shoppers Stop store in Chembur created a wedding display. With the wedding season just around the corner, the brides-to-be will be on the lookout for their dream wedding wear. The students explored this possibility by showcasing a ‘Contemporary Indian Bride’.

The main focus of the display was a dramatic drape of 2 saris that was selected from the in-store brand 'Kashish'. A mannequin was dressed in a fancy turban and draped in a sari.

Rattrap cages hung displaying shoes from the brand. A jewelry chest displayed the best from ‘Kashish’ and ’Haute Curry’. Satin curtains, red carpets, and hanging mirrors gave an elegant wedding feel to the display.

The second group dwelled on the lure of unconquered and unexplored thrills and fear alike. The window display at Andheri’s Shoppers Stop was a ride to the crest of a thrill confronting fear and venturing into the unknown.

Smashing mental and physical barriers, they swing open the doors to new frontiers, possibilities, and hope. The display was a tribute to the cornerstone of human evolution- an evolution from the deep dark caves of stone-age to the deep dark alleys of this universe. IJeans Wear was chosen for the quintessential explorer. Every article used for the display signified an explorer’s experience.

The two displays by the students showed their varied skills and prepared them a little more for the practical world.