TrimmingsAndLace For Meraki : Talking Aesthetics

Shot By - Sahil Nanda

Among the many valuable lessons my blogging career has taught me so far, the one I consider as the most vital - is to not forget the start. The start of a dream, the start of a passion and the start of its journey. And this is what makes any project that I work on as aesthetically relevant. For me any collaboration doesn't stop at cohesion in style ideologies but at the spark and belief in the dreams, the ones with which I started and the ones with which I wake up each day.

I fell in love with Pallavi's work the very day I came across it on Instagram - (@meraki_by_pallavikandoi). For me her work is a reflection of fluidity in technique and simplicity in heritage. From vibrant tie and dyes to delicate marble prints, Meraki curates pieces that are simple yet flattering in their silhouette. Further, you have an option to completely customize your piece depending upon your style and colour preferences.

The Order of Unusual Pairings

3 Things That Will Transition Any Summer Look To Fall

In a reflex, I am drawn towards anything blue. But for the feature, I chose this flamboyant red tie and dye maxi dress. It is always rewarding to style contemporary cuts with traditional jewellery, which is why I opted for these Patiala-sahara earrings which also rendered an element of contrast. To keep the cultural dynamics flowing, I finished the look with a pair of juttis and the classic wing-eye.

Lately, I have been having a resurgence in terms of my love for street photography. For me, this concept captures the unadulterated essence and rawness of a moment, something which is much reminiscent of our culture in prints, textiles and today in Meraki's designs.

Wearing - 

Dress - c/o Meraki (also love this one)

Earrings - Mom's

Juttis - Local Shop (Muktsar, Punjab)

Bangles - Thrifted (worn here)

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For The Quirk Box : A Day In The Life Of The City

 

Shot By - KamKha PhotoArtist, @tejindersinghkhamkha

My love and appreciation for the wonderful team at The Quirk Box has been no secret. Like many of you pursuing professions you love, the adrenalin rush of being a stylist comes when clothes, outfit pieces and silhouettes challenge you. Much like other forms of art, pieces from The Quirk Box satisfy my pangs in this regard. From styling an everyday chic look by pairing this Stuck With Stupid Vest amidst contrasts to letting this Boyfriend Jacket be the statement while incorporating the latest trend, my endeavour with this post (much like the previous one) was to shift focus and lend an editorial appeal to these kitsch pieces. The framework within which I structured this look and the brief I provided to Tejinder was, that it's an outfit depicting the housewife of the early 90s. How weird or how apt is what we leave for you to decide. 

We shot this look in one of the busiest streets of Chandigarh and it was an experience to say the least. Much kudos to Tejinder for capturing the pulse of the street while keeping the dynamism of these pieces alive. Stay tuned for the second edition of these pictures! 

P.S. Don't forget to participate in the TrimmingsAndLace X The Quirk Box giveaway, currently live on our Instagram.

Wearing - 

Dolls Crop-Top - c/o The Quirk Box (Shop)

Maxi Skirt - Thrifted

Dupatta (draped) - Mom's 

Belt - ZARA

Clutch - ASOS

Sunglasses - c/o Vajor

Earrings - Gifted
Flats - Myntra.com

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For MaxFashions : Florals At Degree Nine

                                               

                                                           

                                                           

                                                          

Shot By - HimShootz

With their hothouse hues and a magnitude of prints, MaxFashions has always been among my favourite stores. To picking up a complete outfit or adding elements as basic as a crisp white shirt to complete a look, Max always stands up to those fashion needs without burning a hole in your pocket. More often that not, we all attempt to create a utilitarian wardrobe that consists of pieces which we can wear everyday and include them in our day to day routine. I have always advocated in being money-wise when it comes to this and Max as a brand truly resonates this ideology, albeit stylishly. Earlier this week, I was invited to the Max stores for a preview of their Fall/Winter'14 collection. The collection is buzzing with bright colours and some interesting kitsch and geometric prints in knits, pullovers, jackets and coats. This being so ideal for the dull, foggy, no-sun days. I absolutely loved the floral and baroque print sweatshirts from the collection. One can easily mix them with prints or wear them with a basic pair of jeans, to let them hold their own and make a statement. 

What caught my eye, however, among the panorama of prints and colours, was this dainty floral number. Less feminine than the summer floral bunch, sporting florals in winters always is a perspective to brighter, sunnier days (although, shooting at 9 degrees doesn't leave much space for thoughts like these). I picked up this number also to experiment with a certain amount of luxe and edginess that is usually associated with winter florals. Instead of jewellery, I accessorized with a tie to add a dash of colour and another layer in terms of styling. As I wasn't attempting to present an androgynous look, I balanced the effect with a pair of very vintage and à la french brooches.

Welcome To TrimmingsAndLace

HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON STICK CANDLES: 7 STEPS

This is a very simple and an easy look which can be worn in a multiple ways. You can opt to wear the dress on its own or layer it like I have. Instead of greys and blacks you can also add a bright pink blazer to the dress. Skip the stockings or add colour. Swap the boots for pumps or wedges. Belt the dress to structure your look. Add a faux collar or wear a collar necklace. The options are endless. Isn't that true for dressing anyway?

Wearing - 

Shirt - c/o MaxFashions

Dress - c/o MaxFashions

Sweater - Dad's (here it started)

Trench - Mom's (the story here)

Stockings - Forever 21

Boots - JC Penny

Tie - Dad's

Brooches - Gifted (here)

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

When October Spoke To Me

                                                

                                               

                                                      

                                           

I call my love and fascination for the festive season as weird and unusual. Besides the obvious dressing mutations that change as a result of fall in temperatures, I myself cannot pick, accept or justify why I love and dream festivities like no other. Maybe its because of the faint celebratory sounds that make way through the quietness of the night or it is the unison with which the roads get jam packed, sweet shops get flooded with people or the sight of your city beaming in a sea of lights. Maybe it has to do with a week long cleaning drive my mom initiates at home calling it the essential Diwali cleaning or memories of falling in love or the relief of finishing semester exams right before the action starts. Maybe it is this enigma and unanswered charm of it all that makes the festival season so special for me, year after year.

When it comes to dressing for Diwali, I am a stickler for traditional. However, considering how hectic my day gets with all the guests, lunches, family visits and prayers, I can barely manage a change before the evening celebrations begin. Hence, I always try that my outfit, jewellery and make-up is easy and comfortable to take me from day to night. Pairing this lehnga skirt with a tailored crop-top, juttis and minimal accessories is going to be my route this year. Plus, I love how these vibrant autumn hues come together seamlessly.  

This post, personally has been the most challenging for me. We wanted to showcase the outfit amidst the fervour and rustle-bustle of the festivities and chose to shoot this look at a fair right in the heart of Chandigarh. Practical difficulties and inhibitions of the mind intact, I would like to believe that we were able to get results worthy of a day's job.

I hope this post does its bit in evoking your beautiful memories, with promises of an even more lustrous and glowing future. My sincerest best wishes to each one of you and your loving families. Thank you for all the love. Happy festivities! 

Wearing - 

Lehnga Skirt - Ritu Kumar 

Crop-Top - Tailored

Earrings - Mom's

Bangles and Juttis - Thrifted (here)

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Red Riding Weather Girl

                                                            

                                                       

                                                     

                                              

                                                                     

                                                               

Shot By - RavKDesigns

                                          

There exists no such phenomenon that excites me more than the weather. Weather is not something that exists naturally or subconsciously for me. For me every season and its variations are somewhere symbolic to all those moments and memories that have shaped my life so far and dreams held for the future. Weather to me a that guide that reminds me of where I was, the lessons I've learnt and where I want and will be. Needless to include all dressing choices. As kids we all had a thing. The usual thing which you 'present' in front of your family and extended family, the thing where you are in the spotlight and made to showcase your 'talents'. Yes, that thing! So, being the weather girl was mine. This perhaps justifies my fixation with the weather. And, by the way if you didn't really have that 'thing' you've missed a lot in the quintessential Indian childhood.

This post is reflective of the same. We started shooting this look on one such humid, sunny day. So bad that we shot a few pictures and then decided to give up on the day. Said too soon maybe, and within minutes a sea of clouds appeared from nowhere and it became pleasantly windy and before we knew we were drenched. Point here, if you've never had to a moment getting soaked in the rain, hustling to get to a dry spot...really where do you live?

Although my colour palette too is very weather defined, but like I've said before red is a forever exception. A dress encapsulating a boho vibe mixed with the old school block heels and minimum jewellery were perfect to embrace the sun, swirl the wind and swipe through the rain. What say you?

Wearing -

Dress - Forever 21 (similar)

Sandals - Vintage Store (here)

Fedora - Front Row Shop

Jewellery - Assorted

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

                                                           

                                           





                     

The Monsoon Slouchiness

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                        

                                                       

                              

Although our part of the world stands rain deprived, the scorching heat and rising humidity calls for some comfort slouchy dressing. I feel, cotton and linen trousers/pants are an ultimate staple for this season, more for their weather friendliness than the style quotient they impart to the whole look. While khakis and whites  find a permanent place in the closet, I was tempted to try linen in colour. Luckily, the wonderful guys at b:kind sent me a pair in cheerful yellow which not only is a statement piece in itself but also the smile to be worn during the gloomy, rainy days ahead. Rather than going in for a T-shirt or a crop-top, with this look I tried my hand at some summer layering. I opted for a textured net wrap over a nude lace camisole which like these pants kept the whole look light and breezy. Nude pumps and minimal accessories finished the look, much so reflecting my mood for all things simple, stark and minimal.

Wearing - 

Pants - c/o b:kind (See me wear yellow here)

Camisole - Marks & Spencer

Wrap - Boutique in Dubai

Accessories - Thrifted

Peep-toes - Vero Moda (here)

On My Nails - China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

                                                                     

                                                            

On The Street...Verka Girl

                                                                    

                                                                      

                                                                     

                                                                               

     

                                                                 

                                                                                 

Blogging has always enchanted me with new and exciting experiences along the route. A few months back, Baliabhishek.com and I went to the streets to capture the impulse of fashion from ground zero. An uncontrolled environment with no monitored poses and expressions was not only a fresh experience for me, but also made me liberal and free in the posts that followed. This weekend, sharing our experience with you. 

Wearing - 

Top - Forever 21

Skirt - Thrifted (Wore it back here)

Sandals - From a vintage store in Shimla (like these)

Bag - Stradivarius

Necklace - Forever 21

Brooch - Gifted

Bracelets - Assorted

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam