Designer Notes - Saran Kohli

Jay Sean became a brand ambassador when Saran Kohli  designed and styled a collection for the  25 Year Anniversary for
 “Mani Kohli’s Khubsoorat Collection”.

I remember seeing Jay Sean in the above shoot, wearing one of Sarans designs,  its made him look all kinds of HOT! Certainly made me sit up and take notice, fusing urban style with the essence British tailoring,  its no wonder this Graduate from London College of Fashion has all the stars wanting to be dressed by him, be it for the red carpet or a music videos. The lists reads like a who's who of celebrities JLS, Jay Sean, Fugitive, Mumzy Stranger, Junai Kaden, DJ Ironik, H Dhami, Juggy D, Ameet Chana (Bend it Like Beckham), Bikram Singh, Karan Singh Pangali to name but a few.

Known for his signature slim cuts, with the use of luxurious fabrics silk, wool, velvet and jacquard, the style is distinctive and edgy

There is also the fact that creativity and design run in his blood, his mother designer Mani Kohli, of Khubsoorat Collection is the pioneer of South Asian Fashion in the UK. His elder sister is doing the brand proud Stateside with Khubsoorat by Geetanjali Singh with stores in New York & New Jersey. 

It was only a matter of time that the the Industry would applaud Saran his hard work and talent. He walked away with Best Newcomer in Fashion Design for Saran Menswear at the 2nd Annual International Asian Fashion Awards.

 Designer, Stylist, Artist, Award Winner ~ Saran Kohli 

Saran Kohli - Source

I started designing because…. It's a ever evolving expression that portraits my feelings, concepts and moods onto physical form.

I was attracted to designing wedding attire because…It's that one day that means the most and most requires the best to describe what you feel for your other half

Where do you get your inspiration from? Inspired by my born love of dancing, music and global travel that infuses different cultures

Who is the Saran Kohli customer? 18-45+ who believes is craftsmanship, individualist, wanting the extra touch and blend eccentricity in their wardrobe. A global traveller also believer in heritage.

My style is…classical sartorial with London street edge with a hint Indian royalty

The perfect outfit should …Stand for quality, a projection of strengths in your personality

Brides/Grooms visiting my studio will find… layers, depth and a wide range of attire catering for every occasion in a Man's Wardrobe...from casual to alternative evening wear

My biggest achievement to date is…Making my mom proud of my identity

In my dreams, I’d…be the biggest Bollywood star, dancing under almost every tree with every heroine!

I am...Kohli Saab

You probably won’t know this but…my first love is dancing, I start at the age of 4 watching Michael Jackson and Prabu Deva...wearing MJ costumes and dancing in the living room...later ages, dancing took me places travelling the world and created my own street dance crew by the name of "Snach"

My next challenge will be…To discover the roots of Indian textiles and churn into modern contemporary pieces.

I predict brides/grooms will be will be wearing {next} … brides will head more towards the traditional looks with today's modern design sensibilities and Grooms will have a lot more Structured Nehrus with accessories I.e, shawls, turbans, waistcoats which will play a very important role to existing ensembles.

JLS Editorial Shoot for Asiana magazine ~  see the rest here

Junai Kaden was styled by &  had a black jacket designed, that he wore near the end of the video for Jabbi Teri Yaad . Here

I wanted to end this with, a big thanks to Saran for coming on the blog. and how genuinely lovely and humble Saran is, OK I haven't met him, but believe me when i say this you can really tell about about someone, by they way the talk, email or even tweet you.

Typically designer's can be known for a certain attitude, yet he who is the brink of global domination's {hes working on the brand in Delhi right now} is so warm and friendly.

"I love being personal with my customers and that's the only way both create a special relationship regardless if they get a shirt or a sherwani" 

So you see, being talented makes you pretty great, but having the right attitude to go along with it, well that's what makes you awesome!!

 

connect via facebook or twitter

www.sarankohli.com

www.khubsooratcollection.com

104 Green Street

London E78JG

Tel: 02084750037 London. New York. New Delhi

profile photo credit asingh photography

Julien Trivedi @ Asian Wedding Exhibition ~ Alexandra Palace 2011

I'm a big fan of Julien Trivedi's work, not only does he do great wear for men, but he also happens to be among the cream of current male fashion designers in the UK.

He's responsible for making Jay Sean look that little more hotter {is that possible? yes, no I hear you scream} as featured in the summer issue of Asian Women magazine, see here if you missed it.

Having cast members of Eastenders, wearing your sherwani's whilst in the middle of very dramatic plot lines! and his clothes are even in music videos Shilpa Shetty wants to dance in, and all of that together, usually point to general awesomeness. you can also read the designer profile we did a while back with the man himself! here

julientrivedi.com

All images via ALIWAY photography All rights reserved

Lakmé Fashion Week {Winter/Festive 2011} Anita Dongre

Remaining true to her roots, Anita Dongre once again dazzled the audience with her magical bridal collection inspired by the beauty and grandeur of Rajasthan at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011.

The show was a panorama of ethnic style, fabrics and colours so characteristic of Rajasthan. The mesmerizing bandhani of the region, the lush brocades of Banaras, combined with ikats, velvets and glittering with Zari, gota Patti work; Badla and traditional metallic patterns gave the creations the perfect festive touch.

From sensuous saris, swirling lehengas, dramatic jackets, to stylish salwar kameeze duos, Anita moved into the western region with some stunning gowns but stayed true to the ethnic touches for them.

Shades of the desert – beige, rust, fiery red, cobalt, ink, black and white formed a mélange of colours for the lovely prints and glittering embellishments

Opening the show with the beauteous Lisa Haydon in a black net flowing anarkalis with embroidered bodice and stunning lehenga; Anita took the audience on a journey of creations that were sophisticated, elegant and yet sensuously beautiful. The mesmerizing collection of lehengas with detailed but diverse embroidery, and the tiny cholis which were presented as halters, bikini tops, ruffled bustiers or spaghetti strap bandeaux made a perfect festive offering. Wide luxurious borders edged the swirling full circle skirts, while tonal embroidery highlighted the fragile net creations. Saris were dramatically embellished with Indian motifs; the diaphanous gowns had moulded bodices or one shoulder accents and velvet insets that will appeal to the international buyer.

For the finale it was the gorgeous Lisa Haydon once again, but this time as the bride wearing the handcrafted natural organic white mull lehenga embroidered by rural craftswomen of Mijwan, a village in Azamgarh UP and made from Fair Trade Organic Cotton with intricate chikankari work. This beautiful creation took four months to produce and could truly be called a Labour of Love

It was a gorgeous collection from Anita Dongre that paid fashionable tribute to the land of the Rajputs that will appeal to the sartorial sensibilities of brides anywhere in India.

Lakmé Fashion Week {Winter/Festive 2011} - Payal Kapoor

It was a collection for the season of colours that Payal Kapoor’s unveiled at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011. Called “Rang Birangi”, the line evoked the festive spirit that will come alive in the months to come. Staying on the ethnic path, Payal Kapoor’s gave her saris, blouses, salwar/kameezes and tunics all the touches that will appeal to the festive dressers and the bridal wear shopper.

Fluid silhouettes in net and silk swayed down the catwalk in shades of rust, dull green and nude. Lavishly using ombre for the garments, Payal gave the sari blouses a generous splash of sequins in multi colours. Combining the traditional with the more elegant touch and adding ethnic motifs, Payal used gota and aari embroidery lavishly, to give the collection that opulent look.

Presenting a clever fusion of heritage crafts and culture with the modern touch, Payal Kapoor’s “Rang Birangi” collection was the perfect global fashion offering.

Displaying a collection of lean tunics or Kalidar kurtas with a wide assortment of gota and Dabka work on the borders and the main garment, Payal showed a line of ethereal net saris in dual shades of beige/turquoise or red/ivory which were teamed with shimmering gold churidars or slim petticoats.

Net played a major role for the majority of the collection and even appeared for the wide salwars. Alternating between anarkalis and saris, all lavishly worked with a profusion of embroidery, Payal ended the show with a solo entry by super model Sheetal Malhar in a flame red net lehenga/choli combo encrusted with unbelievable embellishments and draped in an orange net dupatta.

Payal Kapoor’s “Rang Birangi” collection will give brides and buyers during the festive season, the different hues of the fashion palette in all its magnificent glory.

you can see all collection on our facebook page here

Lakmé Fashion Week {Winter/Festive 2011} - Parvesh & Jai

Indian bridal wear returned to the glorious bygone era of zardozi splendour with the stunning collection at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 by Parvesh Jai. The exquisitely hand crafted and stitched garments dazzled with embroidery, that has been a part of India’s rich heritage.

Dabka, Zari, resham, semi-precious stones, pearls and zircons came together, to weave a magical look on the ramp on lustrous fabrics. Calling their collection “Salute to Feminity” the designer duo unleashed a line of super dazzling creations with amazing 3D embroidery that almost leapt out from the garments.

Starting the show TV Anchor Pooja Misra in a gorgeous purple net sari, The collection included 3D floral appliqués which adorned churidars in colours of the rainbow, while the pin tucked will-power chiffon kurtas swirled with multi panels. Ornate cutwork highlighted the halter necklines of the cholis, brocades and nets were skillfully paneled for lehengas and teamed with tiny velvet bikinis tops.

Crystal bodices shimmered under the ramp lights, as the kurtas floated down the catwalk. Lehengas resembled Spanish flamenco dancer’s skirts as ruffles cascaded down the fabrics. The highlights of the collection were the cutouts of swans that were perched majestically on the shoulders of the long sleeved cholis encrusted with crystals, zircons and Zari.

The embroidery motifs were opulent as giant paisleys rose from the hemlines of the skirts. Cutwork played an important role in the collection for the back, necklines and sleeves of the cholis. The silhouettes moved from fluid and flowing for the bridal skirts and Kalidar kurtas, but at other times were close to the body.

Parvesh Jai are noted for their extreme creations with embellishments that are mind-blowing in design and form and this season their “Salute to Feminity” will undoubtedly get the undivided attention of one and all. 

{Q&A} Pavan Ahluwalia - The Worlds Fastest Henna Artist

No Asian wedding would be complete with of mendhi/henna. When i got married i had it all up my arms and feet! You could say i love henna.

So when i saw Asian Women magazine, with Alesha Dixon on the cover i was in awe of gorgeous mendhi and no wonder it was done by Pavan Ahluwalia who is the Guinness World Record Holder for being the fastest in her trade. In just one hour she painted a staggering 314 armbands – where each design had to be different from the other – beating the previous record by a mind-blowing 100 armbands. Now remember eastenders first ever Asian wedding, that's right she did the mendhi for it.

lets have a little one on one with her and see whats she has to say!

Pavan with ASIAN WOMEN cover girl Alesha Dixon

I started doing Mehndi because…. I used to love weddings and the henna night was always fun for me.  I loved having my henna done but it was a bit hit and miss.  Either I would like the design but the colour was not very good, or I didn’t like the design much and it seemed to come out extremely dark! So I thought why not try and get it right!

With all the magazine and TV  work, do you still do bridal mendhi? Yes this will always be something I work on.

What style of mendhi is your favorite?  The most popular at the moment is the traditional design with a western twist. I love this as it is very relevant to today’s bride, living in Britain but having the traditional culture.  I also match the designs to the brides outfit, and have matching colours of glitter and diamante.

What’s the most popular or requested design… The Shaadi Chic package a traditional mehndi package with a western twist.

My style is… to meet the bride’s requirements.  My personal style is to make the fashion element part of the henna.

With Preeya Kalidas on the set of eastenders

Brides having there mendhi done by me will.. Appreciate the personal service I offer.

My biggest achievement to date is…my Guinness World Record.

You probably won’t know this but…I always thought I would be in PR.

My next challenge will be…whatever opportunity knocks on my door.

What’s the next big thing you predict for brides.. I think the traditional work is coming back, although I think the diamantes will remain popular as it gives that life to the henna and adds that bit of bridal glamour?

Do you ever get star struck?  Yes all the time! But I try and keep my cool lol

Who has been your favorite star so far that you have worked with??  All of them have been a pleasure to work with.

Finally, what’s the set of eastenders really like?  Lots of fun!       

Sugababes - Heidi Range 

Sugababes - Jade Ewen

Sugababes - Amelle Berrabah

Shoes for Preeya on BBC - 1Xtra - what an amzaing idea

 

Preeya Kalidas

Alesha Dixon

This is mearly a snippt of the amazing work Pavan has done, you can also see the work she did with the sugababes here

LIKE for facebook page for more pictures and update here

www.pavanonline.com

photo via Pavan Ahluwalia