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.

Hair and Rings: Street Fashion

Images by Prutha Raithatha

King of the Concrete Jungle: Street Fashion

Images by Prutha Raithatha 

This guy's outfit is one of the best I have spotted in a while. Love the layered shorts. They are my favorite part of the outfit and I totally do not mind the overdone leopard print with the tee, shorts and shoes because I think he played really well with his layers. The title of the post is befitting as I spotted him on one of the busiest days in Soho and had a million people on the street. Kinda cool when you are walking past an excessive wave of fashionable people on the street and yet find one such person who will stand out from an already good looking crowd of people to just be a tad better more perfect. Love when that happens.

Genie In a Bottle: Street Fashion

Images by Prutha Raithatha 

Those plans are to kill for and I love the proportions of her outfit. 

PS: Hurricane Sandy was kind of a crazy event here in NYC, but for all who've been emailing and messaging to check on me, thank you so much for looking out. I am doing well and totally unharmed. Just lost power, internet and phone network in my area so after the storm passed I moved to a friend's place that has all the amenities. All shall be good soon and back to normal. Until then enjoy this DSM post! I love you guys!!!

Sidewalk Mannequins: Street Fashion

Images By Prutha Raithatha 

So if you checked my last post you must have read about Brandon who was visiting from Philadelphia and that made me think of these kids I had shot a really really reallyyyy long time ago in mid-town. I just forgot to post their pictures for some reason and I knew I had loved their style. So after looking through my abysmal archives I finally found their pictures. All four were visiting from Philly [I think] for the weekend, all four had very distinct styles and were completely into fashion. In pairs they looked like they belonged together, but as a group they formed an interesting mix of clashing styles [goth vs hipster]. This unconscious acceptance of each other and not carrying about how different they looked from each other was beautiful! I love when that happens.

I honestly have friends of all sorts and I love the diversity that adds to my life. The only common thread amongst all of them is that they let me be me. Yes I have gone to multiple super conservative Indian gatherings wearing moon-boots and a big bindi with a totally goth outfit in between and they don't care. The bankers, the IT professionals, the 60 plus year olds who are just my friends somehow, the predominantly gay artist community of New York [and around the world], the drag queens of Bushwick to the editors and designers in the fashion world, [just to name a few types] all of them add soo much to my life I cant even explain. Thankfully I learnt very early in my life that I loved diversity. Someday I did like to write a bit about the variety of people that have influenced my life. When I think about it, it just makes me very happy and fulfilled. 

These kids are definitely on the right track.