Fashion designer Kiran Uttam Ghosh was in for a surprise when she dropped by at The Luxury Edition at The Loft, Quest mall(6th floor), on June 22 to check out the fashion fest. On till July 1 (11am-9pm), the luxury showcase has brands like Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith, Coccinelle, SeeByChloe, G-Star RAW, Cavalli Class and McQ.
“I walked into The Loft and was taken by surprise at the attention to detail… even the script on the floor told its own tales of chic!” Kiran told t2. Shivika Goenka, vice president, special projects, Quest, and Kiran’s host for the evening, smiled her shy smile. “I admire her perseverance and sincerity. It may look easy but bringing international brands to our part of the world and making it commercially viable is tough, particularly as the buyer is also an avid global traveller,” Kiran added.
The Luxury Edition has summer at its heart. From floral detailing to zingy music to funky quotes, it’s a vibrant mix. “We wanted to make it personal, so the quotes. I am having fun… the handbag quote is my favourite,” said Shivika.
Browsing done, it was time for some style talk with t2…
Kiran took a look around and loved…
Wearing right now…
Kiran: This is a KUG Summer ’18 cocoon dress… very easy-breezy, just a ganjee inside and this, and you are ready to go. It’s in a non-crush fabric and very summer-friendly. And Kate Spade shoes! There’s a sense of fun and style in what Kate Spade does and it just reverberates with what I am about. The earrings are my grandmother’s, they are about 60 years old. I came from work, but today I made a little extra effort. (Laughs) So I did my make-up in the car, while I was driving!
Shivika: I am wearing a Ted Baker jumpsuit. My shoes are by YSL and they are super comfortable… I can be in them all day.
Dominating your style world at the moment…
Shivika: I think it’s yellow for me for sure!
Kiran: My style world is at the moment shattered with the passing on of Kate Spade. I think it’s just such a loss. I have never been a trend person. I am not going to be cool because that’s not what I want to be. It’s about making great clothes, self-style and what you should be comfortable in. And, it has to be effortless.
You have been a fan of…
Kiran: Paul Smith, forever. You have hundreds and hundreds of stores, particularly in Japan. The first Paul Smith shirt that I picked up was a serious shirt with a multicoloured collar. I was like, wow! The way he does the Mini Cooper. A serious pair of shoes and a wild pair of socks! I buy Paul Smith pencils, notepads, laptop bags… they are serious and then they have a hint of the multi-stripe. And it makes you smile.
What else in fashion makes you smile?
Kiran: Coco Chanel is the most fashionable ever! The House of Chanel never ceases to intrigue me with their blend of classic curves and avant-garde aesthetics, that make Coco Chanel’s collections relevant to any era, whether my grandmom’s or mine. Chanel taught me, ‘Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance’.
Shivika: I am a fan of Tom Ford. I love his bags. I also like Fendi a lot. It has a good amount of quirk and character. In make-up, I am a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury. The colours are beautiful for Indian skin.
Being comfortably fashionable would mean…
Kiran: Follow your gut instinct. Don’t hesitate to ask someone you trust. Don’t get pressured into following style blindly. At different times of your life you need certain brands. For example, I never thought I would pick up a couture pair of denims, but I just find that they fit better, like from 7 for All Mankind, or Dior sneakers. I love them. I have also shopped on the streets of Goa. It has to work for me. Don’t let them dictate how you are going to lead your life. You keep updating your clothes, but what about the classics? My Benarasi saris and big, antique polki earrings!
Shivika: I have been quite sure of what works; I also don’t follow trends blindly.
A celeb who stands out for her/his style...
Kiran: Garance Dore, a French blogger, Ines de La Fressange, a French model, style icon and perfumer, and Deepika Padukone.
What Shivika loved...
Saionee Chakraborty
Pictures: Rashbehari Das
