MODISH

“ Editor's letter
“
I am struck by the dichotomy that exists in all of us, We have become so accustomed
to having multiple balls in the air playing different roles, putting on different faces every
day, that it doesn’t even seem extraordinary anymore .When of course it is.

H
ow fast life is running in this chaotic world of dreams ,hopes,-
expectations ,hard work and then proper rewards .Juggling
everyday with struggle to become better than the ‘old us.I am
struck by the dichotomy that exists in all of us,we have
different roles, putting on different faces every day , that it doesn’t
even seem extraordinary anymore .When of course it is.This easy con-
tradiction extends to fashion as well. The clothes you wear bring out
the many aspects of your personality-Who says you have to be the
same person all the time? The simple act of playing dress-up can be
liberating. In these pages you will find ways ,and inspiration you need,
to channel a free gypsy one day and a fresh ,bright candy-pop girl the
next ,a slinky sea nymph one evening and a nonchalantly sexy flapper
the following night.You’ll also see the different faces of our cover girl
this month, the sultry enigmatic Rhea Gupte.She is glamourous and
sensual, unapologetic about her dazzling ,unique style,On the other
hand she is the mumbai girl, who loves to shop and dress up. Fashion is
her obsession. A little journey of an ordinary girl who found her right po-
sition in fashion industry by blogging her everyday style..We also have
plenty for you to read this month;The new era where blogging has
influenced the fashion field,print medias and the old customized rules
for good future and beautiful success.In the devastatingly changing
world where everywhere everyone wants to have a good life,some
names are carved on Indian fashion catalog for there sparklingly
glowing future, by realizing the new need of the industry .In talk with
Indian fashion bloggers,Akansha Redhu,Naina Redhu,Ruhi Sheikh and
more.Revel in your paradoxes and enjoy the issue.

jagrati Mahaver
Editor in chirf
MODISH
MODISH
INDIA

MAY 2016

cover
Rhea Gupte wears a yeezy top.quirky
shorts,with retro camera from retrostyle.com
get a sneak peak of our model and style
setter.

MODISH MOOD

The mystic fashion

05 LIFE OF THE NEW COVER GIRL 180°
Talking styling cues from our very own
mystical fashion Rhea Gupte.

06 Magnificent obsessionBlogging
and its influence by jagrati mahaver

09 Rhea gupte
THE NEW FASHIONISTA ,about and
a little interview of fashion blogger,stylist
and a model

014 Akansha Redhu and her life

016 Naina Redhu & Ruhi sheikh

we are beautiful as republic chick

019 Health & Tips

021 Trend report 2016,what new

trends has for you,you can’t miss to see
that,this summer go bright.

023 fortune of the month,throw

your throe,secreats revealed by succor.

28 easy and cheezy,food you cant

and should’nt resist.
 the mystic fashion

Rhea gupte

F
or model Rhea Gupte her fashion blog, FUSS, is an extension of her personality and her aesthetic inclinations and abilities.
One quick visit to her website, and one cannot help being enamoured by the photos, often commissioned by reputed
fashion brands, which are shot across various picturesque locales in Goa, where Rhea is currently based out of. There is an
air of mystique and a sense of nonchalance which do not give out how meticulously planned and executed the photographs
actually are.The concept, styling, modelling, editing, creative direction for most of the shoots is done by Rhea. And juggling it all
comes quite naturally to her as she prepares a lot before starting on a project.“The location, the styling, the mood, the concept,
these are things that first come to mind. It is then helping the photographer I am working with understand that vision. And then
collaborating on the day of the shoot with the photographer as a model and also directing in terms of the frames I want to cap-
ture. I work with very talented photographers and I am happy to take their inputs, I never shy away from trying something that
pops into their mind too apart from the fixed set of things I definitely want to do. When I am editing the pictures, I just take all the
pictures and look through them for three four days and keep condensing the set to my favorites. Photo selection to me is the
most important step as it represents all the hard work done and that representation should be the best. Post that I compose the
images the way I want them to be presented on the blog and also write about it. So it is a very planned and organised process.
I really enjoy every part of it and so it doesn’t seem difficult to manage at all,” she adds.
She says, “I am confident about my abilities and I can see them grow and improve, which makes me very happy. However, I
am extremely critical of my work. I am always looking for ways to improve, to do things better, to streamline processes, make the
aesthetic stronger. I don’t understand the concept of feeling like you have ‘made it’
“I n our modern digital society, news consumption has evolved to reflectan increased
reliance upon immediate and mass-distributed forms of communication channels.
Social media, whether in the form of a personal profile, photo or blogroll, is consistently
turned to by most audiences for updates in any market. Specifically within the fashion
industry, high-end designers and reputable brands are turning to social media channels to
not only inform, but increase, their consumer base through brand exposure. Newly emerg-
ing as this visual industry’s most trusted influencers, fashion bloggers provide for a means
for designers to not only show, but inform, a larger, global audience of their brand and
their products. In applying expert opinion to guide this study, the Social Media Impact
theory states that professionals must “position themselves to benefit from fundamental
changes that are occurring in the ways people decide on which products and services to
consume, and how they actually consume them” (Mir & Zaheer, 2012). Fashion bloggers
have become trusted sources of new and emerging trends and products for fashion audi-
ences to rely upon for inspiration and consumption. Because of what Grunig and Grunig
“
refer to as “two-way communication,”

6
 “Magnificent obsesion”

BAD & Classy

A blog’s audience is encouraged to incorporate communication to

She contrasted what she described as the “black crows” of tradition-
not only lead to their own purchasing behavior, but also inspire all indi-
al journalism with the “peacocks” – both style bloggers and look-at-
viduals who follow said blog (Dozier, Grunig & Grunig, 1995). With fash-
me stylists and described how the fuss around what those outside the
ion bloggers’ increasing influence and followings within the industry,
shows were wearing was beginning to overtake any fuss about the
we need to understand how supportive relationships, supplemented
shows themselves. It is not only fashion writing that has been trans-
with public product reviews and other public relations strategies, can
formed, but also how we consume it.This is perhaps why it is no longer
grant the exposure necessary for designers, specifically new designers,
the role of a fashion journalist to describe what a designer has sent
to be successful in the industry.
down the runway. Any member of the public with access to the inter-
As London Fashion Week wows the front rows, the bloggers are in fo-
net can see that for themselves – and even buy the product online in
cus again. These style mavens are now a fixture of our fashion weeks.
advance of it hitting the shops.
They have caught the imaginations of photographers – often bloggers
themselves – and PRs. This new army of fashion writers is now an import-
Today, fashion journalists have to take a longer view. They have to-
ant conduit for ramping up a designer’s profile on the internet.And an
contextualise in history and culture and advise how, why and when
army it is.
to wear different trends, looks or individual garments.As style blogging
The British Fashion Council, which organises London Fashion Week, has
has democratised fashion journalism it has influenced the content of
a separate category for accrediting bloggers for the event. This season
fashion pages in our newspapers and magazines.Most importantly,it
it has had to limit the number of these blogs in the face of an estimat-
has also moulded onlineeditorial fashion content, whether written or
ed 3,000 people attempting to sign up.It’s easy to be snobby about
moving image.And in response to many tens of thousands of teenage
fashion bloggers as untrained arbiters of style.But the fact is that these
selfies showing their latest fashion purchase, and hundreds of fashion
aficiona dos of fashion have become important, perhaps the central,
bloggers doing the same, fashion editors now parade themselves in
21st-century trendsetters.
the latest looks. No longer able to be aloof from their readers, fashion
Of course,there is a world of difference between enthusiastic teen-
journalists have to flaunt themselves, taking on the role of model as
agers publishing selfies with the caption, “I love this dress,” and the
well as information provider. But will this mean that eventually fashion
high-profile bloggers that are respected by the traditional fashion
journalists will need to look like models to get the job?
media. These write well, articulate extensive knowledge and behave
ethicallyin terms of disclosing “gifting” and their financial relationships
Anyone can be a commentator now – which means that as well as
with brands when they have them.The bestfashion blogs are effective-
quality of writing, the show of personality is increasingly relevant. And
ly part of the established fashion media, no more a threat to estab-
back at London Fashion Week, the scrum of photographers looking
lished magazines than the swathe of niche independent magazines
for the most strikingly dressed visitors continues to annoy and delight in
launched every year.
equal measure.
Indeed, respected fashion blog-gers are now rolled out as experts to
comment on fashion stories across the media. Stylebubble’sSusanna
Lau is a case in point, and this fashion week she is also contributing her
thoughts to London Fashion WeekDaily.Thesefashion enthusiasts have
effectively democratised the catwalks. Once the privileged and exclu-
sive arena for retail buyers and fashion journalists alone, instant avail-
ability of fashion images from the runway, not to mention live streaming
of the events, means that traditional journalism has had to change.The Director in chief
change elicited by this boom in blogging was eloquently described MODISH.CO.IN
MODISH INDIA
byveteran fashioneditor Suzy Menkes in an article this time last year.

7
BEHIND THE
SCEAN

PHOTOGRAPHER: SAURABH ROHIT DISWA

ON PICTURE STYLIST:JAGRATI MAHAVER
MODEL:PRERNA MALAKAR
LOCATION:NIFT HYDERABAD STUDIO
BRAND:VERO MODA
 Rhea Gupte ...

F or model Rhea Gupte her fashion blog, FUSS, is an

etension of her personality and her aesthetic inclinations
and abilities. One quick visit to her website, and one cannot
Rhea says, “I started blogging just as hobby and to have a
place to put down my thoughts about fashion and personal
style. I started FUSS with a very clear intention of working on
help being enamoured by the photos, often commissioned by it full-time and dedicatedly as a space to share my creative
reputed fashion brands, which are shot across various pictur- projects, personal style and also to have an online portfolio.”
esque locales in Goa, where Rhea is currently based out of. work on something you are passionate about
There is an air of mystique and a sense of nonchalance which
do not give out how meticulously planned and executed the
photographs actually are.

8
 T he concept, styling, modelling, editing, creative direction for most of the shoots
is done by Rhea. And juggling it all comes quite naturally to her as she prepares a lot
before starting on a project.
And her advice to aspiring fashion bloggers would simply be to work on something
they are passionate about. She says, “Make your blog your own. Know what your
strengths are and convert your own strengths into your business rather than following
a pattern bloggers have already created. All blogs don’t need to be the same and
yours can be anything you want it to be.”
Rhea Gupte played the role of Official Blogger for Lakme Fashion Week, India in
the year 2013 and has been covering the event in various capacities since that
season. She walked the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week in 2014 for the Koecsh VIK
Show, being the only other blogger in India to do so. She was also invited to attend

ss
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia in 2014 which led her to interviewing and
collaborating with many Australian designers.

Fu
Rhea is popular on the online circuit as The Girl From FUSS where she portrays an
edgy yet elegant world of thrifted and high street fashion through her perspective of

. . the beautiful world around her. Every outfit is lovingly styled with the signature FUSS
aesthetic and every shoot carefully thought out and planned to present the outfit,
temperament and inspiration of the moment in the best way. Though the look of the
blog is editorial, a product which does not suit the personal aesthetics of the blogger
is never featured and the text on every post is honest.

9
Tell us about yourself and where you live.
I’m from Mumbai, India but I shifted to Goa
The New F
last year to explore this part of the country.
I work full time on running my website fuss.
co.in and I create editorial content for it. I
also model. I love discovering new places
and currently am looking at seeing as much
of India as possible - it is so vast and diverse.
Goa is an absolutely beautiful beach heaven
with so much to see and absorb. It is a very
inspiring place to live in.

Can you tell us about your blog.

FUSS is my way of creative expression and
exploring possibilities of creating new and
challenging content which pushes me as a
stylist, model, and creative director. I feature
my everyday looks, work on more serious ed-
itorial kind of shoots, and have also started
doing travel posts to work on my photogra-
phy skills.

What do you want to tell about your read-

ers.
It is very humbling and a bit surprising, to
hear from my readers and get instant feed-
back. I truly value them and their support.
However, that being said, I would still con-
tinue doing what I am doing if FUSS had zero
readership.

What made start blogging?

I started the blog as a place to write about
fashion and styling tips but it slowly expand-
ed into a personal style blog. Today I look
at it as my online portfolio and work on it
accordingly, to the best of my abilities

.Where do you find the inspiration forblog and

styling?
I find inspiration from reading, certain
thoughts which stick, people in the street,
movies, especially Ghibli movies. Ap-art from
this skimming through magazines and loo-
knook.nu as well as seeing other bloggers.

What is your fashion rule you never break.

I never wear leggings as pants with a short
top.

What does “fashion” mean to you.

Fashion to me is exploring facets of my per-
sonality and trying to find what makes me
feel the most ‘me’

What is the best part of your job?

The creative process and working with tal-
ented people.

10
Fashionista What is your mission in the fashion indus-
try?
It is not exactly a mission but I would love to
have people dress just as they want to dress.
Not for trends, not to impress others, not for
a brand but simply for themselves.

What 5 words would describe you.

Dreamer, Optimist, Ambitious, Perfectionist,
Empathetic

What is your greatest professional

achievement?FUSS.

Who is your fashion icon?I have too many

favourite dressers. I love Drew Ginsburg of
Dylanlex, Mary Kate Olsen, Freja Beha Ee-
ichsen to name a few.

What is your favorite designer and place

to shop?
My favorite designers internationally are Ann
Demeulemeester and Haider Ackermann. In
India I love Huemn and Ikai. I am a big thrift/
street shopper. I love to find interesting piec-
es at little vintage stores and flea markets.

Where would you like to go to do shoot?

I would love to travel to Leh to do a large ed-
itorial. Abroad, Provence and Venice are on
the top of my bucket list along with a hun-
dred other places.

How do you describe the fashion scene in

India (or Goa).
It is difficult to put the fashion scene of the
whole of India into words as the different
cultures in each state largely influence the
dressing sense of people. But one can broad-
ly break it into the traditionally dressed,
the safe dressers and those who put more
personality in the way they dress. In Goa
most people wear western clothes and the
predominant style here is inspired largely
from the hippie era. Then there are regularly
dressed people too in just a shirt and trou-
sers and also women in saris or skirt-blouses.
Youngsters mostly wear western clothes and
save traditional ones for auspicious occa-
sions.

What are your career goals in the future.

Having a blog or a website, other than it’s
creative endeavours, is essentially to pave
the way for bigger business opportunities
and expanding into a bigger brand. I always
have this in mind but am taking baby-steps
to be sure that I have enough knowledge,
time and understanding before venturing
into a new territory.

11
 AKANSHA
akansha REDHU
Redhu

A s these bloggers gained an audience, brands

began to partner with them for advertising cam-
paigns, other marketing efforts. While it may seem that
fashion bloggers are losing their luster, they still have
large followings that can rival magazines, creating an
opportunity for luxury brands to reach a large, fash-
ion-focused audience.
“The craze for fashion bloggers has only increased
and how,” said Ambika Zutshi, CEO of Fashionbi, Milan.
“They started off as fashion enthusiasts having an opin-
ion and willing to spread it across via digital means.
“Now, bloggers have really gained ‘celebrity status’
for themselves,” she said. “They have always influ-
enced the consumer purchasing decisions; although,
in the EU & United States, maybe, this influence isn’t as
strong as it is still in the Asian markets.

“Do what you love,love whatSimpleyouisdo!that.”

What is it that inspired you to become a fashion and
lifestyle blogger? How has your journey been till date?
We would love to know it all!
I suppose keeping track of all the creative projects
while in college and keeping a sort of journal of things
that caught my attention or inspired me in a way led
me to start the blog. Once college was over, it did be-
come dormant for a few years after which I changed
the direction of the blog and evolved it according to
my tastes and needs. The journey has been a fantastic
one. I have loved every single bit of it and still continue
loving it A LOT.

Was becoming a fashion blogger something you al-

ways wanted to do?
Its certainly great that I can share my thoughts and
inspirations with so many people.It wasn’t something I
had set out to become but nothing in life ever happens
according to plans, so I love how it has evolved into
being a part of what I do. Its certainly great that I can
share my thoughts and inspirations with so many peo-
ple.

Who are your 5 favourite fashion designers? What is it

about their designs that appeals to you maximum?
Ritu Kumar: Even though the craze these days is about
how you can be different, unique or quirky, Ritu Kumar
has managed to stay true to her inspirations and sen-
sibilities. The maturity, elegance and fine work is what
appeals to me the most.
Eina Ahluwalia: The love and dedication that goes into her jewellery can be seen clearly in the final product. The beauty and craftsmanship
and respect for her work is immense. Anju Modi: Love her Indian wear silhouettes and the custom jewellery she gets done for her shows. There is
something so majestic about her garments.Mary Katrantzou: Her prints are to die for! I could probably never have enough.
Rick Owens: Its incredible how he manages to perfectly marry grunge and chic so effortlessly.

Out of all the fashion and fashion related events you have attended, which is one that remains crystal clear in your memory till date and why?
(If you had to choose just 1)
That would be my graduating show where all of us have to make our collections. So much work and time goes into this graduation project, I
couldn’t remove it from my memory even if I wanted to!

Describe your personal fashion style for our readers

If you have to spend too much time thinking about what you want to wear, you are probably not being true to your innate sensibilities.I’m huge
on comfort and effortless style. If you have to spend too much time thinking about what you want to wear, you are probably not being true to

12
 “Talk of fun and fashion”

Do whatever gives you happiness

with dignity,simple is that!!

You have started off with your own designer label, Cirare. We would
love to know how this idea struck you and how you went about it.
After working for other brands and labels, I found myself a bit cre-
atively starved. When you work for someone else you can’t really do
whatever you want; which is why I started off with something that
I loved doing. Taking inspirations from my travels, creating my own
prints, working with leather and creating accessories that like minded
people would love to own got me to start with CIRARE.

How did the name Cirare happen?

Its an amalgamation of ‘circle’ and ‘square’ which are the two most
basic forms. which when combined, remove all boundaries and re-
strictions and you can be exactly who you wish to be. Its about being
true to yourself and doing what you love and even finding yourself, a
lot of which happens when you travel.
From a professional perspective is there any place or
event that you really want to go to and haven’t been able
to make it yet?
Places, yes. Event. no. I want to travel to so many places
that I wouldn’t know where to start and would never want
to finish

What would 3 important pieces of advice be for any one

wanting to start a fashion blog?
Write being true to yoursel 1. Write being true to yourself 2.
Be consistent with your blog posts3. Have fun with it

Except fashion, what are other topics that you love writing
about?
I love talking about travel, beauty and food!

Which is your favourite cuisine and the best restaurant that

you have been to?
My favourite cuisine is actually home cooked Indian food.
I love eating all and any sorts of cuisines but something
that I wouldn’t be able to do without is ‘ghar ka khaana’.
The best restaurant I have been to would be Bukhara and
Megu.

your innate sensibilities. Having a personal fashion style is great but if you don’t have a healthy mind and body to back it up, it will never look
good. I love printed trousers, blazers and accessories. I would describe my personal style as a casual effortless chic.

Tell us 5 things that feature on your bucket list.

1. Learning and being certified in scuba diving.
2. Being certified in advanced yoga.
3. Owning a house on the beach and my own café.
4. Travelling to and experiencing all the continents.
5. A monster house boat.

We know that you are totally loving what you do! But, what would your other career option be if not a designer and fashion blogger?
I would be a marine biologist or a scuba instructor.Let’s conclude off with a few favorites.Color: Green ,Movie: Man In The Iron Mask,TV Show:
Friends.Book: Any book with graphics and visuals.Time of Day: The time I have to do my workout / yoga,Your Zodiac Sign: Aries

13
 Naina Redhu

A s a ten or eleven year old, my perception of my self was that

I was ugly. My family had just moved from a smaller city
to the behemoth that is now NCR and my new school was filled with
girls and boys whom I believed were so much prettier than I was. The
girls waxed their arms and legs and wore their school uniform skirts two
inches shorter. I couldn’t possibly broach the subject of waxing with my
folks, so I wore my skirts two inches longer. I articulate this feeling bet-
Currently, in my 30s, the goal is internal peace and beauty. I am learn-
ing to look for the real me inside my superficial skin. I am learning that
the blemishes on my skin or the cellulite on my thighs are not flaws but
parts of me that make ME. Having struggled with some extra weight
almost all my life, I am now more comfortable with the idea of “weight
loss” and fitness as something I do for my well-being than for what the
world thinks of me. Being kind to myself is a rewarding daily practice.

“BI am
ter now in hindsight. When I was living that phase though, it was just a I no longer choose beautiful though. Because I know I am. And if I ever
daily painful feeling of being confused and muddled and of constant- doubt that, all I have to do is look into the mirror ( maybe sprinkle on a
ly being unsure of my self. Around the same time, a Hindi film called bit of blush and highlighter ) and tell myself,

eautiful ,,
Thoda Sa Roomani Ho Jayen was showing on the one TV channel that
existed. It had a scene where the male lead asks the female lead, who
thinks herself ugly, to look into the mirror and loudly proclaim that she
is beautiful. As cheesy as it sounds today, that moment there is when
I chose beautiful. As soon as the film ended on TV, I walked up to the
mirror, looked myself in the eye and loudly said, “I am beautiful.” I re-
peated this whenever I felt low on self-confidence or a boy broke my
heart. It was a coping strategy that helped me get through some of my
darkest days growing up.

14

Naina Redhu efficiently captures various important moments in peo-
ple’s life through her lens to tell stories with images, but doesn’t like her
work to be labelled as candid wedding photography.
“I dislike the term candid wedding photography even though I used it
when I started out,” she said.
Redhu, who started wedding photography by capturing images of
someone from the immediate family, feels “the ideal combination
would be an intimate wedding with very few staged moments, if any,
and a photographer who is always on and delivers fantastic process-
ing and editing skills”.
“Call it what you will – candid or natural or un-posed or documentary
or photojournalism – clients recognise well what they want,” she add-
ed.She believes photos are the best way to store memories.
“Capturing or documenting a wedding or an event through a camera
is one of the best ways to preserve them as a memory without directing
(staging) that memory,” she added.
Talking about her first assignment, Redhu said she casually started it
with her new DSLR camera.
“I happened to have a new DSLR and there was a wedding in the im-
mediate family and I loved to make images, so it was an opportunity to
make good images. I had already been photographing professionally
for a few industrial clients and had been hired for portraiture assign-
ments as well,” she said.
15
“Talk of fun and fashion”
As a professional, her work involves variety of assignments – from wed-
dings to lifestyle and luxury photography for events, visual documenta-
tion for brands, images for telling a story for a brand/people and travel.
“When the assignment with a client begins, they are all strangers. By
the time the assignment wraps, they are friends,” she said.
Every event is important and a photographer cannot afford to go
wrong.
“Whether photography or otherwise – a bad delivery can mean the
difference between a great lifelong friendship and a lifelong grudge
for ruining someone’s event. The best way to add warmth to a client
relationship is by delivering the best and being professional,” she ex-
plained.
The expert also shared few handy tips for amateur photographers.
“Get professional quickly. If you want to stay in the game, up the game.
Doing work for free for the ‘exposure’ is the worst thing you could do
for your career and for your so-called ‘profession’ – it is never a simple
exchange. Gear is not everything and show up consistently,” she said.
 Ruhi Sheikh

Republic
of
chick

When and why did you start blogging?

At first, it wasn’t what was being said but it was the medium
itself that got us hooked. Blogs – the new media in electronic
media, had shrunk the enormity of the world and street style.
From Stockholm to New York, it felt just as much in the neigh-
borhood as did the stylish fish vendor on my street with her in-
teresting saree prints and drapes. Faiza and I needed a D.I.Y
space for our own style explorations and thus began
ROC in 20110

What topics do you generally blog about?

ROC started as a personal style blog but has gone
through many personality disorders since. I have come
to accept this and now I blog about everything I fancy
from the disciplines of design, art, photography, films
and their influences on fashion today.
Do you ever get stuck when writing an entry? What do you do then?
I am never blog un-inspired so no spanner in the works ever!

Your father is an automobile designer, sister is a fashion designer and photographer while you are a CA by profession and fashion blogger by
interest. That seems a unique combination of numbers and designs. When did the fashion bug bit you? You earlier worked as a Risk Advisor and
simultaneously started Republic of Chic in 2009. In 2010, you left your job; was your blog the reason for discontinuing the job?
I didn’t quit actually. I finished my three and half year articleship which ended last year. I’ve always enjoyed fashion and it was a no-brainer
that I’d end up doing something in fashion by the end of it all. ROC started as a creative (indulgent) outlet while on the job and it continues so.

Indian designers must discard illusions of Bollywood grandeur and focus on wearability instead while designing – you suggested this in 2010.
According to you, which designers in India focus on wearability? What freshness in designs do you find and like in the new fashion designers
coming up in the fashion scene?
I think my definition of wearability may be a bit different from the norm, I like the concept of the garment to be simple but the design can be a
narration – an elaborate work of art that I would absolutely wear anywhere, coffee date to red carpet, all is the same to me! It’s my continuing
fascination with the contemporary that keeps me excited for fashion, and the gen-next designers in India have been nailing it! Catwalks are
teeming with swathes of intriguing textures, witty knits, experiments with ideas and forms – clever design making its way down runways. For wear-
able works of art, I always turn to Ruchika Sachdeva, Rimzim Dadu, Anuj Sharma, Kallol Dutta, Anand Bhushan or Rahul Mishra.

If there is one thing that changes a person’s look quickly, then what would it be? What styling suggestions would you give to people of different
sizes and profiles?
Interesting headgear is always a promise for instant transformation. No size or profile bars for hats or headbands!

Republic of Chic was started by you and your sister Faiza was its photographer. Does she also help you in the posts that you prepare for your
blog? How does she manage her schedule, alongwith photographing for your blog?
Faiza is always up for challenging work and I think she enjoys the DIY punk element of the blog, where it is entirely our space for all sorts of crazy
experimentation and presentation. This is where our style sensibilities match. It also helps that we live together.

How would you describe your style and what would be your style statement? What kind of accessories do you like to wear? Do you also do Indian
wear posts on your blog?

16
 write whatever you want,and the way you
want,you’ll get what you want gradually.

kind of accessories do you like to wear? Do you also do Indian wear posts on your blog?
My style is a bit schizophrenic, but currently, since I’ve been living out of a suitcase for a month, it’s very
minimal with clever accessories built from things lying around the hotel room, souvenirs from the cities
I’ve travelled to, or simply nuts and bolts from the neighborhood hardware store. Its been all about
accessorizing; but I do also enjoy being creative with getting the most looks out of the limited 4 pairs of
clothing I’m carrying.

How would you describe the fashion and style sense of girls in Bangalore? Share some vintage fashion
essentials of this city and 5 shops you wouldrecommend shopping at.
Bangalore is laid-back and beautiful as a city and the girls here take this forward in terms of style.They’re
beautiful but always comfortable. We each have our own distinct individual style and are turning more
and more experimental by the day. Clothing is great at little thrift stores on commercial streets and MG
road.Excuse me while I toot my own horn, when I say shop the Republic Of Chic Store for cool jewelry
and accessories!

How important is it for the blogger to interact with their readers? Do you respond to all the comments
that you receive?
I think its very necessary to know your readers on the basis of frienships not as a networking tool. When
time permits, I reply to readers who I’ve formed loving, interesting relationships with over time.

How important is it for the blogger to interact with theirreaders? Do you respond to all the comments
that you receive?
I think its very necessary to know your readers on the basis of frienships not as a networking tool. When
time permits, I reply to readers who I’ve formed loving, interesting relationships with over time.

When Ruhi is not dressing up her blog and herself, how does she spend her time? Apart from fashion
and styling, what other things interest you? Ruhi is a also a design freak. Share 3 things that you feel are
well designed.
Republic Of Chic has been selling interesting and unique accessoriesfor a year now, but I’ve also been hard at work as a content editor and
content strategist. This is a relatively new field begging for exciting things to be done in it, so I spend a lot of time researching and brainstorming
cool ideas.

Do you promote your blog? What promotional techniques work best for you and why?
No, I don’t. We have a ROC facebook page which is not so much for promotion, as it is a joint personal profile for Faiza and I, to put our everyday
thoughts on fashion out into the world – styling inspiration and tips, interesting fashion photography, new Republic Of Chic jewellery collections
and all sorts of ridiculous things people in fashion say, end up on the page.

What do you find to be the most gratifying aspect of blogging?

To be able to say whatever you want to say and say it the way you want it.

How, in general, would you rate the quality of Indian blogs? Share your favourite five blogs.
•Lazymanxcat•Wearabout•Highheelconfidential•Vintage Obsession

What is your advice to someone who wants to start a blog?

Do it!

Do you earn revenue through your blog? How does one go about it?
I’ve landed a few consultancy jobs and writing gigs through the blog (what you do off the
blog is where the real money is) but haven’t earned much by way of ads because I
haven’t been very keen on them lingering in my pages.

According to you, what is the future of Blogging?

Explosive!

17
 Health and tips!

While there are heaps of good-for-you foods out there, some key
ingredients make it a lot easier to meet your weight-loss goals. Nex
grocery store run, be sure to place Newgent’s top three diet-friendly
items in your cart: balsamic vinegar (it adds a pop of low-cal flavor
to veggies and salads), in-shell nuts (their protein and fiber keep you
satiated), and fat-free plain yogurt (a creamy, comforting source of
protein). “Plus, Greek yogurt also works wonders as a natural low-cal-
orie base for dressings and dips—or as a tangier alternative to sour
cream,” says Newgent. Talk about a multitasker!

It’s easy to get in a diet rut, even if you’re loading up on flavorful fruits and veg-
gies. The solution? Have plenty of spices, fresh herbs, and lemons at your cooking
beck and call. “It’s amazing what a little dash of spice, sprinkle of herbs, pinch of
lemon zest, or squirt of lime juice can do to liven up a dish—and your diet,” says
Newgent. The best part: They contain almost no calories. Experiment with your
dinner, tonight!

Planning on picking up the pace tomorrow? Eat food that will help keep you going strong.For break-
fast, opt for a high-carbohydrate meal—one similar to what you’ll be eating onrace day, so you can
find out what foods digest best (for you!). Try a whole-grain English muffin or a bagel with peanut but-
ter or a low-fat creamcheese. Then, have a well-rounded meal post-workout to help with recovery.
Andrew Kastor’s favorite? One to two slices French toast with a side of fruit. “The protein-to-carbohy-
drate ratio is perfect for enhancing my recovery,” he says. We like that it’s super-yummy, too.

Does your steak take up more than half your plate? Think about cutting your serving of beef
in half. That’s because it’s best to try and fill half your plate with veggies or a mixture of veg-
gies and fresh fruit, says Newgent, so that it’s harder to overdo it on the more caloric dishes
(like cheesy potatoes or barbecue sauce–slathered ribs—yum!).

When you have a 5- or 10K (you get to eat more with a half or full marathon) on your
caendar, it’s important to plan out what you’re going to eat the morning of the big day—
something that will keep you fueled and also go down easy. While everyone is different,
always have good luck with a high-carbohydrate breakfast such as a small bowl of oat-
meal with fruit or a couple of pieces of toast with peanut butter or cream cheese,” says Andrew
Kastor, who also advises eating around 200 to 250 (primarily carb)calories about 90 minutes
before you warm up for your run . And don’t worry about nixing your a.m. caffeine fix on race
day. “Coffee is great for athletic performances,” Kastor adds, because it makes you sharper
and may even give you extended energy. Talk about buzz-worthy!

Whether you’re heading off to spin class, boot camp, or any other exercise, it’s always
important to hydrate so you can stay energized and have your best workout. Electro-
lyte-loaded athletic drinks, though, can be a source of unnecessary calories, so “drinking
water is usually fine until you’re exercising for more than one hour,” says Newgent. At that
point, feel free to go for regular Gatorade-type drinks (and their calories), which can give
you a beneficial replenishment boost. But worry not if you like a little flavor during your
fitness: There are now lower- cal sports drinks available, adds Newgent, so look out for ‘em
in your grocery aisles.

Next time your family or friends decide to make an ice-

cream run, don’t worry about being left out of the fun!
Order a fresh (and super-refreshing) ice cream sundae,
piled high with diced kiwi, pineapple, and strawberries.
You’ll get a serving of delish fruit—no hefty calorie-
laden toppings required.

19
“ to
m
b
i
com fit
e
t
“
Whether you’re heading off to spin class, boot camp, or any other exercise, it’s always important to hydrate so you can stay
energized and have your best workout. Electrolyte-loaded athletic drinks, though, can be a source of unnecessary ca
-lories, so “drinking water is usually fine until you’re exercising for more than one hour,” says Newgent. At that point, feel
free to go for regular Gatorade-type drinks (and their calories), which can give you a beneficial replenishment boost. But
worry not if you like a little flavor during your fitness: There are now lower- cal sports drinks available, adds Newgent, so look
out for ‘em in your grocery aisles.

While we’ve all heard that running shoes break down after logging lots of miles (about 300 to 350), you
may still be holding on to your fave pair. (They fit just right! They’re so cushy!) Not a good idea. “Glue has
a tendency to break down under ultraviolet light, as do the other materials that make up the shoe,” says
Andrew Kastor. So even if your sneaks have only 150 miles on them but are more than two years old, recy
-cle them (try oneworldrunning.com or recycledrunners.com), because chances are they’ve already start
-ed deteriorating. And as a rule of thumb, always keep tabs on how many miles you’ve logged on them—te-
dious, but hey, you’ll be proud of how far you’ve gone

Running with music is a great way to get in a groove (just make sure it’s not blast-
ing too loudly, or you won’t hear those cars!). To pick the ultimate iPod playlist,
think about what gets you going. “I know several elite athletes that listen to what
we’d consider ‘relaxing’ music, such as symphony music, while they do a hard
workout,” says Andrew Kastor. So don’t feel like you have to download Lady
Gaga because her tunes are supposed to pump you up—go with any music
that you find uplifting.

Sure, your yoga sports bras works great for downward dog—but when it
comes to running, you’ll need one that’s designed to lock them in for all
that pavement pounding. So what should you look for? “The best sports
bras are loose around the chest so you can expand your ribs and diaphragm
more effectively. But they should also be form-fitting,” says Deena Kastor, an
American marathon record holder and 2004 Olympic marathon bronze med-
alist. Just make sure the cup is made of comfy material (like a soft compres-
sion fabric; look for descriptions that include the terms “breathability” and
“compression”)—you don’t want to be itching at mile two

Is it ladies’ night? If you know you’ll be imbibing more than one drink, feel
(and sip!) right by always ordering water between cocktails, says Newgent.
That way, you won’t rack up sneaky liquid calories (and ruin your inhibition
to resist those mozzarella sticks!). But your H20 doesn’t have to be ho-hum.
“Make it festive by ordering the sparkling variety with plenty of fruit, like a
lime, lemon, and orange wedge in a martini
or highball glass,” adds Newgent.

20
TRENDS 2016
The International affair

21
 REPORT
OF THE YEAR

t h ese
All le
litt .
i n g s.
th

Slip On Mirror Me Graphic Stripes

Go on, ask us what SS16’s first key buy is? The
slip dress is back and looking slinkier than ever
– trimmed with scalloped lingerie lace at Ce-
line, in 90s satin or see-thru chiffon at Saint Lau-
rent, and layered over fine knits at Pucci. With
underwear as outerwear as a lead concept,
SS16 is looking pretty sexy already, we’d say.
Life’s A Picnic
...And in soft gingham dresses and loose blan-
ket trousers, how could it not be? Victoria
Beckham, Celine and Stella McCartney are
all ordering us to check up before the season
ahead, reinventing fashion’s favourite pat-
terns in easy, breezy new silhouettes.
Vivid Colour
How many sweet and sour rainbow clashes
can one designer work into a single look? The
challenge was on as Christopher Kane, Gu-
cci, Balmain and Dries Van Noten presented
their Pantone hits in new graphic
Ruffles
SS16’s big romance played out at Michael
Kors, Miu Miu, Roberto Cavalli and more, as
ruffles became a key detail trend. Quantity
and quality were both important here – take
your cue from Mary Katrantzou’s more mini-
mal, structured tiers, or go all out in a shred-
ded Marques Almeida number.
High shine fabrics are always a spring/summer
favourite, but for SS16 the incarnations are
cooler and more experimental than ever be-
fore. JW Anderson embellished classic sweat-
ers with broken mirror pieces, while Louis Vuit-
ton went future-perfect with their ruched foil
mildness.
The 90s
From Saint Laurent to Vetments, the 1990s
fashion scene was the most popular decade
to mine for inspiration at the SS16 shows. Chan-
nel your inner Kate Moss by teaming your slip
with wellies and an oversized jacket as at
Saint Laurent, or take some sporty street styl-
ing tips from the Alexander Wang show. Even
the tracksuit made a seriously chic come-
back, with Edie Campbell modelling Chloe’s
new velour number. We never thought we’d
see the day.
The Backpack
The humble gap year rucksack has been
given a haute makeover thanks to Burberry,
who embroidered each model’s initials into
their canvas and nylon wares. Elsewhere, Al-
exander Wang and Phillip Lim luxed up the
traditional shape, while Rick Owens used, um,
other humans in his demonstration of piggy
backs.
The majority of designers showed some kind of
super stripe, but our top marks go to Missoni,
Roksanda and Prada, who experimented
with chopped, curled and scattered lines. For
SS16, the stripe is oh so right.
All These Little Things
It’s time to flaunt every jewel in your box. Let
the layering commence, as Gucci declares
that more is more when it comes to acces-
sorising for the spring 2016 fashion season.
The berets, the brooches, the Deirdre Barlow
specs... pile them high and get yourself down
to Abigail’s Party, stat.
Graphic Bags
Leather stripes and bold prints ruled at Dolce
and Gabbana, Stella McCartney and more,
while Kenzo took the trend even more literally,
showing clusters of basic shape pouches in a
single look.
Haute Slippers
Get yourself a new pair of cool mules, pronto.
Acne’s woven checkerboards and Balencia-
ga’s cream lace slides are some of the hottest
flats of the season, and super-comfortable to
boot. Let’s thank our lucky fashion stars in ad-
vance for that one, shall we?

Film Star Tiara Time

Christian Dior’s soft focus led the dozens of
tributes to sheer beauty, with almost half
a collection dedicated to misty organzas
and foamy chiffons. The trick to working this
dreamy trend will be in the layering, building
up opacity for a look that’s suitable for real
life.
Move over Duchess Kate, the tiara’s taken
on a cool new runway-ready guise. No look
at Saint Laurent or Miu Miu was complete
without its crowning glory. Maybe an ornate
headband would be a more office-appropri-
ate nod to the trend, but come festival sea-
son, we’ll all be finding our inner urban prin-
cess.
22
 HOROSCOPE
Preview: You love to be busy, and this year
you will be. With love, business, travel and
advancing your studies, you need to be orga-
nized to achieve everything on your list.
Love: Love commitment is very possible this
year,But be realistic,stay grounded and reme-
ber all relationships take work.
Business: Your dedication and past efforts at
work can pay off with abundant success for
your career – stay the course.
Challenge: Be careful not to take on more
than you can handle and stay focused on
your main goals.
Success: Connections are important, mix with
the right people and anything is possible.
Preview: This year, stand in your circle of
power and stand up for what you want and
believe. Education is important, the more you
know the more in demand you will be.
Love: Lucky Jupiter sends love right to your
heart center, but make sure you are not too
busy to recognize it then.
Business: You can steadily work to build your
bank balance now, which will provide security
for the future.
Challenge: Time management is important,
aim for quality time, not quantity, with those
you love.
Success: Ruled by Venus, the more you focus
on looking and feeling great the more confi-
dence and energy you have to live life to the
Preview: Your creative intellect gets the atte-
nion of power players this year, and when you
associate with people who compliment your
skills, life can be exciting and rewarding.
Love: Relationships are all about stability, not
frivolous you desire flirtations. But to attract the
love be prepared to deal with your emotional
baggage and leave it behind.
Business: Financial support is possible, but don’t
leave all the details to someone else, take re-
sponsibility for your own security.
Challenge: To realize that some people may
not be as sincere as they present themselves.
Success: Operate from a level of integrity and
show others the real you.
Preview: Your life can change this year, and al-
though the process can be unsettling, it does
promise excitement and optimism for the fu-
ture.
Love: Romance is intense and passionate, and
if single, your solo days could come to an end.
Remember, all relationships require compro-
mise.
Business: These next two years present options
to build business and set solid foundations. Be
prepared to juggle work with other responsibili-
ties, such as your home affairs.
Challenge: It’s important to look after yourself.
Good sleep, diet and exercise provide the en-
ergy and endurance to operate at an optimal
level.
Success: Focus on priorities, don’t try to do ev-
erything or be everything to all people.
23
2016
Preview: You are a natural leader, but team-
work is what brings success. Others will look to
you for guidance. You can reinvent yourself this
year, and some of you will even overhaul your
personal presentation to ensure you dress for
success.
Love: There is stability in love, with a commit-
ment and support coming from an intimate
partnership.
Business: Connections are important, and
when you partner with the right people, your
career can advance and bank balance in-
crease.
Challenge: Stand your ground and not con-
form to what others think is appropriate or po-
litically correct.
Success: Live for today and enjoy all life has to
offer, but keep your focus on building a better
tomorrow.
Preview: Jupiter in your sign makes anything
possible this year! Your star-chart features your
love life, but it’s up to you to make time for ro-
mance. Life at home can become more sta-
ble.
Love: A deep love bond can be formed in
2016. And some of you may close the door to
open your heart to a more suitable situation.
Singles can meet a perfect partner, and out of
the blue
Business: As abundant Jupiter enters your mon-
ey zone in September, your perseverance can
bring financial reward.
Challenge: You can’t afford a negative
thought, especially with your self-talk.
Success: Keep your ambitions top of mind and
go after them with steely determination.
 Whats written for this year?
Preview: This year, you can realize your dreams
and make them a reality. And when beneficial
Jupiter moves to your sign in September, the
energy from this planet makes it possible to do
so.
Love: Your home, domestic and love life can
and love life can alter this year, which can lead
the way for you to have a better situation.
Business: Working with peers you trust and re-
spect provides job satisfaction as well as finan-
cial reward.
Challenge: You can be in the right place at the
right time. Watch for the signs of coincidence
and recognize them.
Success: Cast aside any reticence to change,
and be prepared to embrace what the future
has in store for you
Preview: Love, lust, passion and romance; it’s
all in the stars!
Love: A connection, which will be impossible
to ignore can get the attention of your mind
and heart. Whether you are single or in a rela-
tionship, love that has substance, not superfi-
cial, is what keeps your interest.
Business: Your commitment to achieve your
goals and push through makes you a winner.
No challenge is too great; when you take
control of your life, work and money, security
can fall into place.
Challenge: Stand up for what you believe but
don’t fight battles you can’t win.
Success: Trust your instincts and look within, not
to others, for your guidance and answers.
Preview: This year, you can have both your in-
dependence and security. Jupiter brings op-
portunity and Saturn stability.
Love: An intimate relationship can provide a
sense of belonging, but be careful not to let
money become an issue. You can resolve
a family issue this year, too
Business: Abundant and lucky Jupiter in your
career zone until September can open the
door to success and achievement, and in a
big way.
Challenge: Don’t be in a hurry; pace yourself
and steadily work with the energy of Saturn in
your sign to build a secure future.
Success: Stay focused on the big picture, but
don’t neglect the specifics.
Preview: This year, there is excitement and an-
ticipation! Be open to embrace what comes
next, life can change, and in a good way, so
don’t hold on too tight to anything destined to
go.
Love: A mind, heart and soul connection can
be all-consuming. Let go of control, and be in-
dependent, not possessive.
Business: Get ready for success! When abun-
dant Jupiter moves to your career zone in
September, business can take off in a big way.
Leading up to this time you can get organized
for the shift.
Challenge: Saturn tempts you to spend too
much time alone–don’t.
Success: To work with lucky Jupiter energy,
believe that anything is possible.
24
Preview: Influential connections can promote
you to people in high places, and old friends
can come through for you this year. Travel and
working with others for a common cause can
reveal opportunities.
Love: To deepen love with your partner, be
prepared to expose your true feelings. For sin-
gles, communication and compatibility are the
keys to love success.
Business: Well respected for your expertise and
your level of knowledge, it’s these skills that
will advance your career and boost your cash
flow.
Challenge: Adopt a balance between learn-
ing and putting thoughts into action, both are
necessary.
Success: Self-promotion—tell the world who
you are and what you’re capable of.
Preview: This year, expect the best! Powerful
eclipse energy influences your sign and your
optimistic outlook and strategic efforts can
pay off now. Discard the old to make room
for the new.
Love: Beneficial Jupiter can help two hearts
cross paths, but it’s up to you to recognize
love and invite it into your life
Business: Prominent and powerful people can
step up to support your career and finances.
When you work with the right people, your
star shines brightly.
Challenge: Keep your intuitive channel open
and don’t get too caught up in the analytical
process.
Success: Believe in yourself and your dreams,
and don’t settle for less!
MODEL:HANDY PESHWATH
STYLING:JAGRATI MAHAVER
PHOTOGRAPHY:JAGRATI MAHAVER
EDITING:JAGRATI MAHAVER
LIGHTING:SAURABH ROHIT DISWA
MODEL:ROHIT SHARMA
STYLING:JAGRATI MAHAVER
PHOTOGRAPHY:JAGRATI MAHAVER
EDITING:JAGRATI MAHAVER
LIGHTING:JAGRATI MAHAVER
LOCATION:NIFT,HYD STUDIO