NYC Gold: Styling

Images by Hrishikesh Vimadalal 

Sona's Gold Earings by Eina Ahluwalia

A few weeks ago the brilliant Sona Mohapatra was visiting NYC and we caught up over some Spanish Tapas, Eina and Akita Ahluwalia who were also in town and a lot of Kallol Datta talk. Kallol is the connecting factor amongst all of us. Even though Kallol wasn't in NYC, it felt like a 3D hologram of him was floating above our heads at dinner. I think we ladies planned his entire future for him, figured out how he can conquer the world with his genius, become famous [more than he already is] and still stay humble and the beautiful person he is. It's all done and decided. We just haven't told him yet. 

Connections of the like minded, connected by the like minded. Sona and I connected pretty instantly. We caught up a couple of times after that and when two creatives collide, this happens. We brain stormed over an idea to shoot and then shot it the next day. For kicks, for fun and for creative explorations. Had the best time. I decided to style Sona and Sona decided to color NYC with her fused Indianness. We took over the streets of Soho with our undefined but definitely recognisable nationality. Eina's gold jewellery that she lent to us for the shoot helped make the statement. 

BTW, these Ahluwalia girls are the nicest people on this planet. I mean saintly nice! I swear. Felt like a total uncultured brat with my utterly unfiltered vocabulary in their presence. But somehow they promised they weren't judging. So I concur I'm good in their books. If you haven't seen their work, you are missing out! So do yourself a favour and go check them out. All their jewellery is hand made by super talented local artisans and the brand's business model is entirely based on not exploiting the artisans, pays them what they demand in renumeration and nurtures their sustainability so they do not give up on their trade art of fine jewellery making for a job that pays better. 

On the other hand for all those who don't know Sona, she is an insane musician with the gift of a voice that can shake your core. And quite easily. You have to listen to her music to feel the soul and fun. She has several Bollywood songs to her name, was part of Coke studios, performs all over the world and has a fantastic sense of style. Check out some of her works here.

Round and Round and Round to Right There: Personal Fashion

Images by Hrishikesh Vimadalal Dress: Comme Des Garcons; Boots: Rick Owens 

Whenever you feel like you are going round and round and round in circles you have to force yourself to take another path. I know it seems like a very logical and an almost "Ofcourse" thing anyone should do when feeling stuck, but I think 90% of the times we don't actually make the effort to find a different way and take it. Just saying.

Cats on My Back: Personal Fashion

Images by Hrishikesh Vimadalal 

Hat: Meerwiibli by Sarah-maria; Shoes: Rick Owens; Everything else thrifted 

       This post consists of all of my favourite finds from the last couple of months. I paid $12.50 for that coat at a thrift store in North Carolina. Found this awesome princess Leia hat in Beacon, NY and this incredible tiger backpack online from some chinese website. The backpack is a conversation maker anywhere you go. It is huge and people can't help but talk about it, eye it and roll their eyes a bit when they see it. So if you do intend on getting one, just keep that in mind. 

       Also HAPPY FREAKING 2014 Y'all!! I have to take this moment to thank my fantastic photographers of 2013! 

- Hrishikesh Vimadalal: who shot most of 2013 is absolutely fantastic! 

- Jackie Russo: who helped me the entire 2012 and part of 2013, graduated this year from NYU with fantastic grades and I am super proud of her achievements! 

- Shraddha Borawake: The original DSM photog/ artist extraodinaire 

- Alison Wynn: The best-crazy-friend-photog combo 

- Upasana Jain: Ex- DSM photog who moved to India and did a shot again this year when I was visiting India. 

 - Myriam Abdelaziz 

- Ji Yoe

- Tamanna Shaikh

And thank you all for keeping up with me. Even when I don't post too regularly sometimes. 2013 was a stressful year and I am so glad it's over. You guys are the best and I am infinitely grateful for the love. 

Debt Bird: Personal Fashion

Images by Hrishikesh Vimdalal 

Top: Kallol Datta; Pants: Comme Des Garcons; Shoes: Sketchers

          I had a birthday recently. I blew a bunch of candles and wished for the same thing over and over again. I wished I could grow a pair of wings. I go to sleep every night thinking it's going to happen tonight for sure. The first thing I do after I wake up is run to the huge mirror in my room, turn around and lift up my shirt to check. Frustrating as it sounds, they don't grow. But I still believe it's mind over body, so it will happen eventually. I shall force my body to modify and grow wings. 

       In the mean while I am just practicing being a bird already. A mean one, that collects rent and interest from all who owe. Which is you, you and you. So if you can't pay up be prepared to be turned into a lifeless iron statue in which you will have no choice but to lay in stillness forever.

Too Tall to Ride: Personal Fashion

Images by Myriam Abdelaziz 

[first image edited by me for fun]

Pants + Top: Comme Des Garcons, Shoes: Underground UK 

When you go to an amusement park there are limits to who can ride the rides, like here at coney island, where there was a sign that said "too tall to ride"? I wish there were signs like that for this roller-coaster of a life too. Too tall to ride or too fat to fit or too broke to bribe, etc. Wouldn't it just make it easier? Some people [and all the cheeky hollywood movies] say there are always signs, you just have to look carefully. But in this fast track life of top speed and smog, there is only so far the eye can see. What about the signs for the times beyond that?