The Fleamarket Queen: fashion

Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

{ F.A.S.H.I.O.N } Lounge 2020

My first post on the blog was about 2020 and fast forward 8 months ( Can you believe? ) , I can't still part ways with the magical number- 2020. At least we thought 2020 sounded futuristic and the most transformational. But well, nature had its own " transformational" plans and we are at its mercy . All of us who made those travel bucket lists , got a huge jolt and thats really nothing as compared to everyone who has been deeply impacted due to the virus.

But this year has taught us "GRATITUDE" in abundance. I am thankful everyday for a healthy life, an opportunity to still continue to hold on to what i love most - blogging and creating content . This month we complete 9 years and there's a ton of fabulous SELF-SHOT posts & IRRESISTIBLE giveaways coming your way as i explore the future of fashion post the pandemic. Do not forget to catch up with every post on instagram as well and stay tuned for announcements on my stories!

Just before the lockdown began , I was in Goa and goodness, am i thankful for that! It was my birthday and i had decided to quickly make this trip as well as planned some shoots. Who knew this would be the last travel ( so far ) and the last outdoor shoot! 2019 has been very unfortunate for me professionally as well as personally due to these health issues - my lower back as well as the dreaded viral infection on my face that finally went away in June 2020- an entire year! Its the reason why i was not able to create much content despite blogging full-time. Yet, I took chances and shot outdoors despite my face being full of the lesions in February . It was not only embarrassing but dissatisfying as my face was swollen due to the infection throughout the year. It wasn't the face I was used to but nonetheless i accepted it with all my grit and continued on my goals. And I am glad I did that. This was my idea of lounging in 2020 and well, i have been lounging for a lot of 2020 inside my head ! I guess you are too? Hoping for the real deal now , haha .

Top/Jumpsuit/Earrings : ZARA | Neckpiece : Sarojini nagar market | Bangle : Bandra fleamarket

Till next time, CIAO!

{ F.A.S.H. I.O.N } Patching up with 2020

Hello People!

2020 is a strange year. Almost like a thriller novel. A mystery everyone wants to solve. A nightmare everyone wants to get out of ! And in all this, we are finding ways to preserve our sanity!

A lot of us are buried neck-deep in "Work" of all kinds. Even the summers went by without us enjoying a holiday, and so its important to plan A BREAK if not a holiday ! We can never replace travel , but can surely get our dopamine fix with some creative DIY !

The nature is in revenge mode and we know that our consumption choices are under the radar more than ever . As a conscious generation, its time to go SLOW. And this applies to fashion as well. Does that mean we need to STOP BUYING FAST fashion? The good news is - there's another post coming up on that and the answer is coming in that post ! But this post will show you ways of sprucing up your most used DENIMS and elongate their lifespan even more !

Patchwork denims are rarely manufactured , and if you are a bohemian at heart, this DIY will totally be your jam! When i posted these denims on my instagram, most of you were intrigued and i couldn't see options similar to this! So i came up with this DIY trick, so you can create yours!

These cloth-patchwork denims got special love from you when I first put the trial room selfie on instagram in 2017 . I spotted this in Zara sale and didn't see this in any other Zara outlet in the whole of Bombay- so hurried to try it on . There were only 2 sizes left. The other was a size smaller. I was skeptical because its not the regular denim and cannot be worn at all times. However my bohemian heart was already head over heels. When i tried the size which was 2 inches smaller than my original , it squeezed my butt & tummy in an uncomfortable way ! To top it, it wasn't elastic. I walked to and fro- sat inside the trial room thinking it would expand like a miracle. 10 mins. Nothing happened, haha . I asked the Zara folks to help me with the next size or check availability in other stores. Alas, their servers went down and they couldn't track either information. I kept the denim back from where i picked it. I spoke to the zara folks again- Does this shrink further on wash? The guy was like- I am sure you wear denims- they always expand. But I was in still in two minds- what if it didn't expand! Its a high waist style - So its pushing my tummy in and making me uncomfortable! I almost walked out of the store and i looked at it again. I ran back again , picked it and back to the billing counter !!! HAHA. I was not going home without these.

You can have this denim style in a day's time or maybe an hour!!!

How?

1. Pick any denim from your wardrobe
2. Cut square/triangular cloth pieces out of your favourite old cotton blouses/ pillow covers or sheets (Printed or solids ).
3. Use Fabric glue to stick them ( EASY) or if you are a stitching pro- just sew it on!

And done!
If you are a guy reading this, why not try this trend as well. Pair with a leather jacket for the colder months . I would love to see your DIY project. Share it with me!

SHOTS from August 2017:

Self-portrait from 2020

Till next time, CIAO!

{ F.A.S.H.I.O.N } Dot Twenty

Hello Folks!

As I write my first post of the fabulous year 2020 , I am surprised at how 2020 is so much like 2010 except that we buy literally everything over the internet, mobile internet is accessible to everyone with rock bottom prices, countless international brands have made their foray into the indian market and more people are running marathons to keep fit ! Ok, thats a huge shift but then as a kid ,2020 sounded very Space-age to me and i believed some of us would be living on the Moon or perhaps Mars and that i would be visiting them or at least making some advance booking for spaceships . But in Bombay, we brought the "Moon and Mars" condition upon us ! Yes, the endless craters on our roads and diversions which make people restless and they drive like the game ROAD RASH!

That aside, there is an increasing awareness of pollution and single-use plastic . We have definitely come a long way ! In 2010, straws and cups and poly bags would be scattered everywhere and now people are taking action ! All is not lost , we are just slow. Changes don't come easy, but when they do , there is action. That is a welcome change ! And with that hope i begin 2020 with a retro trend " Polka dots" because fashion is cyclical. Since 2018 we have been obsessed with all things in the past . So much so that we use apps like HUJI cam to convert our modern looks into retro with the filters!
Headbands, hair clips, baggy pants - we just seem to be yearning to belong to the 70s , 80s and the 90s ! So here we are - another year of cyclical trends and a lot of "BLUE" ( Pantone color of the year) . That actually sums up my wardrobe for 2020 because i love blue ( Check my instagram feed if you want to know what i mean ) .

Location: Kolkata

Photography : Arpit Rungta

Wrap dress, shell hoops : ZARA | Golden belt : Bata | Shoes : Charles & Keith | Watch : Esprit| Black slip : Local market

{ F.A.S.H.I.O.N } Festive ReFresh

For someone like me who wore denims to her cousin's weddings as a teenager, Indian outfits didn't even come a close second! Infact , someone in the family jokingly said , "She will wear denims to her own wedding!". Fast forward 2019, I am a very experimental person when it comes to fashion. I get bored easily with the same kind of outfits and always look for a change ! I am attracted to all things "ART". If i see art in an outfit, my heart gushes with joy! It doesn't matter then if its an embroidered denim or an embroidered Kurta. Art elevates! I have realised how refreshing the wardrobe , refreshes the mood and sometimes even the whole Work-plan!

Its been 3 years, Come September and i start planning festive content for the blog. A brand tells me , But, We don't see you often in Indian wear-- we checked your instagram - we don't think this will work. Well, I think its all about the perspective - if you feel good in an outfit , the content speaks for itself ! Also the fact that I get regular requests for indian wear from readers on instagram only reassures me of the love these posts will receive ! So here i am- Ready to receive all the love in my cosy chic indian outfits this season! Bring it on and get yourself a wardrobe refresh just like me - In pretty airy Cottons and lush embroidery - MULMUL ships worldwide ! Every piece in their collection is droolworthy and i am not kidding when i say this! I showed this collection to Nik, and he's like - Wow - this is another level - if only more people wore this! I am wearing this piece from their New collection "WINDSOR" - The Mulmul Hazel kurta and Bellbottoms ( Click here)

Till next time, CIAO!

{ F.A.S.H.I.O.N } Sweet Secrets

This post is dedicated to all my Instagram readers who consistently requested ethnic wear on the page for this festive season !

While some stylish indian fashion is going to hit the blog soon( Keep an eye) , i thought it'd be best to do a simple and more wearable version for the celebrations !

I went ahead and shopped my wardrobe to create this look! But there is a little secret and i got caught today t! Haha , Moms you know ! My mom is very much on social media and when i posted the first look she called me and asked if the brand gifted this Kurta. I told her i actually bought it . ( It was actually for her) .
She was in disbelief because i am the last person to buy kurtas! So yes, this is what i got for her and it is a SIZE XL. Now , let me tell you i also tried my own size which is size M because i just loved this kurta . Figured it looked more elegant with more fabric and that was a size L or XL. So i bought this in an XL and shot the look as well and she caught me before i could tell her , haha. Turns out , she loved it on me so we might occasionally swap! What say? Also , i will totally recommend up-sizing for these asymmetric styles ! You will be pleasantly surprised just like me !

Till next time, CIAO!

{ F.A.S.H.I.O.N } Twirling in the 1950s

Hello beautiful people!

When Shubdha sent me this dress as part of her new Sustainable collection , it was a surprise again !
And what a brilliant surprise- this dress screamed retro with an indian twist .You know my love for all things retro! I never leave an opportunity to create something that opens an old time capsule . So while i did my research , I came across this article on the evolution of women's dressing and this style was very 1950s indeed, except that it had Indian elements like the Angarkha Neck and dainty floral embroidery- such a delight .

And so began the task of searching a retro location and what better than a Movie set which was made to mimick the 1950s ! This set was made for a movie and is now open to public on weekends ! Oh google, how I love you ! About an hour's drive from Johannesburg , this makes for a great photo location . However, there is nothing to do here except take pictures. Its a really small set and houses a cafe with milkshakes. If you happen to go here for a shoot, you can go to Harteebeespoort town next door to enjoy the dam as well as visit the cafes around!

This was my last shoot in South Africa and it was a bitter sweet moment ! I was in pain due to lower back issues, the skin virus that still hasn't left and the task of shifting countries again! Nonetheless , the show must go on ! And this dress, uplifted my mood as you can see . I finally smiled because this dress was such a joy - cosy organic cotton layers and that fabulous flare - Enjoy the pictures. And no matter which part of the world you are reading from , Juanita ships worldwide. Isn't that awesome! NOW NOW, if you did read till here, I have to give you a BIG BIG HUG and air kisses because , i think the world of blogging with words is becoming passe. Tell me what do you think ?

Do you think i should continue to write along with my pictures or just put pictures on the blog? Its easy for me because writing can take more energy than a shoot sometimes ! And if you answer this question in the comments and have read till here - YOU KNOW YOU ARE MY FAVOURITE <3 p="">