Desi Tadka: Dhruva Patel

Dhruva Patel an accessory designer, specialising in Footwear & Leather Goods, graduated from National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai. Awarded the Best All-Rounder Performer of the Year, she finds inspiration in objects of everyday life, and believes that inspiration is a concept well interpreted indirectly, which gives the opposite person something to ponder about. Dhruva uses different materials like leather, silks, canvas and woven fabrics to create colorful bags that any fashionista would love to be seen with.

You can look through her collection at her website or her Facebook page.

Style Icons: America Ferrera

She may have played Ugly Betty, but she’s nowhere close to her character when it comes to her dressing style. While Betty favoured bright colors and over-the-top prints, America’s fashion sense is more restrained.

America shines in a Angelo Tarlazzi strapless glitter dress and large gold earrings. She shot to fame as the unfashionable but lovable Betty in the American adaptation of Yo soy Betty, la fea, on which Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin was based.

Ferrera looks sexy in a slinky two-tone Karen Miller sheath with Stuart Weitzman peeptoe pumps and David Yurman bracelet.

Taking a cue from Betty’s bright wardrobe in a ruched J Mendel dress, stacked H Stern bangles and patent slingbacks at the Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards.

America rocks her purple Dolce and Gabbana dress on the red carpet. This spunky girl has several hit films to her credit, including Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and the animated movie, How to Train Your Dragon.

America Ferrera keeps it simple and classic at the Edinburgh Film Festival, in a draped Alice+Olivia dress with snakeskin heels, with an engagement ring and a beaming smile to boot.

With a nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy in her kitty, America takes over the Emmys in a vintage ruched black dress, Fred Leighton antique diamonds, Anya Hindmarch clutch and Rene Caovilla lace pumps.

America Ferrera walks off with all the best-dressed awards in a cobalt blue strapless Monique Lhullier gown and Lorraine Schwartz diamond chandelier earrings.

America Ferrera usually dresses well, but her sense of style is a little conservative and text-bookish. I’d love to see her take more risks and pull off a few edgy ensembles. After all, that’s why we fell in love with Betty.

All images from here.

City Talk

First of all, Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the holiday, but do take some time out to think about the freedom fighters and the sacrifices they made so that we could get to where we are today.

I hope the Bangaloreans among you managed to check out the Dastakar mela at Palace Grounds. It’s truly fantastic, a conglomeration of Indian handicrafts, from the colorful Madhubani paintings of Bihar to the ikat weaves from Orissa, from silver jewelry to Rajasthani block prints, there’s something for everyone.  I had a lot of trouble restraining myself from buying everything I saw.

The Page Turners bookstore on M G Road had an exhibition of old maps and prints over the weekend. From the collection of map enthusiast Sunil Murthy, the exhibition was India-centric with maps of British India, but there were also some fabulous maps of Asia and the Roman Empire. Murthy talked about sourcing his collection from different places, including an open market in Amsterdam, where old maps were being sold by the dozen.

How was your weekend?

Style Icons: Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson is one of those actresses you wish would get meatier roles, as she is commands your attention in every character she plays. She’s quite the stunner on the red carpet as well, going from classic to sexy with a lovely smile on her face.

Rosario packs a punch in a plum-colored leather dress, with emerald pumps and an Irit bracelet at the VMAs. Ordinarily, I’m not a fan of leather, but you can’t deny that she looks sexy, and totally pulls this one off.

White may be the color of weddings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear it on the red carpet. Dawson shines in a Christian Siriano dress with nude pumps and a golden clutch.

Sometimes, chic is spelled simple. The Men in Black II actress is gorgeous in a red hot Shoshanna sheath dress with green heels. I like that she’s kept the accessories simple, and let the dress stand out.

She is Unstoppable, aye she is. Rosario Dawson went monochromatic, in a stunning J. Mendel silver gown with a huge bow.

Rosario Dawson looked gorgeous in a Roberto Cavalli Pre-Fall 2011 gown, accessorized with violet jewelry from Kimberley McDonald, side-swept hair and a gorgeous shade of lipstick. Her movie may be called Zookeeper, but she is anything but.

Rosario looks absolutely stunning at the SAG Awards in a cream J. Mendel gown, with Susie Fox earrings and bracelet and carrying a Ferragamo miniaudiere. I particularly love the earrings, they just pop!

Though Dawson has a good sense of style, I haven’t really seen her in anything breathtaking. Hope to see her in a showstopping look sometime soon!

All images from here.

Desi Tadka: Isharya

The brainchild of the sister-in-law duo Radhika and Gauri Tandon, Isharya is a high-end jewellery line favored by celebrities like Eva Longoria, Selena Gomez and Drew Barrymore. With innovative styles and handcrafted pieces, Isharya is one of the most recognized Indian-inspired fashion jewelry brands.

For their entire collection, visit their website.

Off the Runway: Versace

It seems to be a season of flashbacks. Donatella Versace’s Resort 2012 collection drew inspiration from the blooming flowery prints of the 90s, with palm fronds and hibiscus prints among the swirling colors. The minidresses were artfully structured to look like brushstrokes on a blank canvas.

All images from here.

Off the Runway: Jason Wu

Jason Wu’s Resort 2012 collection was inspired by his journey to Puerto Rico, resulting in lovely printed frocks, patterned blouses and colorful Art Deco skirts, most of them accessorized with colorful oversize clutches. Hope to see some of this collection on Wu’s most famous client, Michelle Obama.

All images from here.