FLORALAVENDER

Lavenders, orchids, lilacs & violets are all delicate flowers. Lavender is a delicate flower that is known to have a calming effect, improve moods, promote restful sleep & soothe the mind & body. It is the hint of a lavender aromatherapy candle you smell at your spa reception, in the essential oil of your masseuse's hands & the mild taste in your complimentary purple macaron. 

My previous violet look was a fierce royal colour. The opposite end of the purple spectrum is lavender representing ultimate femininity. The genteel ladies who can pull off lavender gowns are often refined, polite & proper which is precisely why on my birthday, as I am a year older, I chose to wear this floral lavender lace gown & mauve studded Valentino sandals.

Since I am a lavender aura colour personality, this look brought out my true nature: I am a care-free spirit who uses my intuition over intellect. I am very creative, witty & charming. The traits that stand out in me the most are that I am a spacey day dreamer who escapes reality by living in a fantasy world. For example, this lavender lace gown made me feel like an overdressed, girly-girl about to do a twirl on a purple carpet somewhere; red would ruin my colour theme!

Be sure to look up your aura colour personality the next time you want some self reflection. 

XO

Jyoti 

ULTRA VIOLET

OUTFIT: GHOST LABEL | SHOES: JESSICA RICH COLLECTION

Pantone announced 'ultra violet' as the colour of the year 2018. On that note, the Milla Jovovich movie Ultraviolet was light years ahead of its' time set in 2078 & of course, I'm an addict for virus outbreak movies & my crystal colour is amethyst so when I saw this stunning grand hue in Ghost Label's purple velvet track suit with organza trim, I just had to add it to my purple series. 

I chose to pair my ultra violet track suit with perspex pumps to show off my purple pedi, a sparkled purple lip & no accessories because that would be TOO much purple. Lol. 

We've seen this symbolic Prince-ly shade in Purple Reign, in the age of Warhol & in the velveteen robes of Kings & Queens representing a sense of royalty & majestic elegance. Now, this cosmo purple has taken over menswear, Gucci runways & the three C's of trends: cars, cosmetics & clothing. 

The New York Times states "The future is ... purple" so achieve grapeness & add this ultra violet beam to your wardrobe! 

XO

Jyoti 

KNITTY GRITTY

TOP & SHORTS: ZARA

I've been repeatedly writing about 'athleisure' because it has always been my personal style. High fashion has transitioned casual sports wear into luxe streetwear, mixing & matching pieces in the two apparels. With such an emphasis on health this era, everyone is turning their vast sportswear collection to daywear.

Ralph Lauren & Lacoste have paved the way for Polo inspired looks with crisp polo shirts, taking inspiration from the courts to the streets.

This wave of preppy clothing was first spotted in Louise Goldin's 2014 ready-to-wear collection with a 'locker room chic' theme referencing vintage tennis knits. It has been popping up on the catwalks of Paris everywhere since. Simon Porte Jacquemus did a tennis dress, Adidas did a French Open inspired Roland Garros tennis dress & Adidas by Stella McCartney did a pleated skirt. Tennis is the new polo.

My look is Zara's 'check' knit shorts & 'bicolor jacquard polo' sweater with a polo collar. I paired this look with perspex pumps & my perspex visor to add a hint of tennis. The tightly woven graphic knit reminds me of the web of a tennis racquet making me feel like the Merchant of Tennis. The perfect orchid purple x canary yellow backdrop brought out the pop of bright violet tones in my shirt & shorts.

When knit happens, get with the program!

Xo

Jyoti

FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS

Fishnet has a delicate yet durable appeal; such a soft mesh fabric of intricate diamond shaped woven knit can be strong enough to capture & hold creatures of the sea.

The fishnet is a micro trend within the sock trend & even transitioning into clothing which accentuates a woman's shape & form. Wearing mesh or fishnet gives fashion forward women some edge by hinting at this fashion tip taken from punk fashion without going all out grunge.

This hosiery started showing up on runways, on Instagram & in street style; everyone seems to have a pair of mesh tights in their wardrobe or even their mother's racier day's wardrobe; you rarely see a hole in 20 denier fishnets so your mom may have a pair or two laying around!

The best way to wear fishnet stockings without looking like you stepped out of the cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is to have fishnet peeking through & layered within your outfit as a versatile & affordable trend piece.

The top 4 ways to wear fishnets:

1. Under ripped denim.

2. Peeping through your ankle with pants & closed pumps.

3. Showing the fishnet waist band.

4. Wearing it under an oversized hoody or jacket.

My sporty look is number 4 wearing a mesh capri bodysuit over a NIKE training bra layered with a NIKE oversized hoodie, fishnet socks & JESSICA RICH COLLECTION'S perspex pumps. You want to keep your shoes a neutral shade because the rule of sock fashion is: the crazier the sock, the simpler the shoe. The yellow Nike symbol pops with my yellow nails & the chest mesh over my Nike check becomes the focal point.

Needless to say, I'm HOOKED to this trend, you never know who's attention you will CATCH wearing fishnets & I went "wo-MAN OVERBOARD" with my mesh!

XO

Jyoti

SAFFRON SPICE

COAT: ASILIO | TROUSERS: ASILIO | TUBE TOP: BALMAIN x H&M | SHOES: JESSICA RICH COLLECTION | SUNGLASSES: JIMMY CHOO

Saffron is the most expensive spice ranging from $11 to $56 per gram for the highest quality crop because it is hand-labour intensive removing the threadlike stigmas. CNN once reported that saffron is equivalent to the price of gold or precious metals rightfully labelling it "red gold", so it's safe to say the colour saffron is the colour of wealth. This beautiful rich yellow, a perfect amalgamation of red and yellow, also represents power; from toga stripes in Rome, saffron veils at Roman weddings, buddhist monks with orange-saffron robes & being strictly worn by only emperors & nobility in China in ceremonial gatherings.

To me, being of Indian descent, saffron is a religious colour with mythological significance. Part of the Seven Chakras, the Saffron Chakra is the second-primary chakra known to embody healing powers for good health using colour vibration therapy. This came about in Hindu mythology through ayurvedic foods & medicines like the deep saffron colour of turmeric, the calm of the sunrise/sunset (sandhya) or the blazing colour of a fire (agni) which can represent both calm & chaos. Saturated saffron is the colour of saints (sadhus) & the sacred Svadhishthana chakra lotus symbolic of divine inner peace, holy bliss & spirituality.

Pantone's saffron colour called "Primrose Yellow" was a great prediction as this colour has moved into high fashion with Gucci's saffron leather loafers & the bright saffron lambskin Chanel; the perfect bold accessories. If you feel you cannot pull off saffron because it washes out a paler skin tone, opt for a saffron trouser or stand-out accessory worn away from your face. I did a touch up spray tan at BRONZED BY BLOOM to glow in this royal colour.

The inspiration for my look is Kiran's paella, the contrast of the deep yellow rice created by saffron threads to the pure white calamari rings on top. The merging of the two colours translated into my cuisine-inspired outfit. I chose to pair my ASILIO 'Senna Satin Wide Leg Pant' with my BALMAIN x H&M pure white zipper crop to lighten the coat, a perfectly balanced brown-saffron elastic bow belt & the ASILIO 'Raven Oversized Coat' with a beautiful wide collar & tie belt, JIMMY CHOO black & gold cat-eye frames & JESSICA RICH COLLECTION 'fancy stilettos'. Saffron is a sublime colour making me feel, well I can't say saintly, I'm not a saint!

Xo

Jyoti

GLITTERALLY!

Ultimate party girls know that you should never throw away your sequin dresses because they always make a comeback. British Vogue stated "sparkles & sequins are officially back" after Oscar De La Renta's  eye-popping deep pink sequin dress, Marc Jacobs full length teal sequin gown, Halpern's colourful sequin glam pieces, & Tom Ford's metallic silver panties at NYFW. Gucci has been adding sequin bombers to their line & I even spotted a silver sequin blazer dress at Zara recently.

This KANN BUTIQ B&W sequin dress is so sexy with brazen thigh cuts & a deep neck. The tribal/aztec print adds another factor to this dress, making it an eye-popping ensemble. The print reminds me of the Chinle pattern in the oldest old school palette of yin & yang.

African inspired textiles are making their way into fashion so when you have a busy print plus sequins plus unique cuts on a dress, choose bare accessories for a carefree-laid back look to tone down the shine. I chose to wear no jewelry, nude lips, transparent Louboutin pumps, simple black Celine shades, a mini metal clutch & my saffron nails offer a pop of colour in contrast to the B&W tones. I'm gliterally glowing in this!

Xo

Jyoti

BARE THE THOUGHT OF SHOWING SKIN

RED: This bold colour represents both ends of the spectrum, love and hate & life and death.

Blood is red, blood is in the heart, the heart is the love organ & in reverse, when the heart is broken, you feel like your organ is in pieces with the blood seeping out feeling a piercing anger & rage to only see red for the person who broke it. Needless to say, red is bold, it exudes strength & it can bring out a fiery confidence.

This cherry-esque red dress with undertones of scarlet is a new take on bandage. The intricate cut outs create a body flattering silhouette & the ankle length of the dress keep me looking classy while baring all this skin. The rule of fashion is if you have a revealing top, go for conservative bottoms & vice versa. Translated to this outfit, the revealing side means the dress should be full length so I'm not baring it all, literally because I couldn't wear any undergarments. I chose a nude lip & the JYOTIMATHAROO x JESSICARICH stilettos.

XO

Jyoti

RED ANY GOOD PUNS LATELY?

DRESS: BALMAIN | BLAZER: BALMAIN | SHOES: JESSICA RICH COLLECTION

It's simple: red meat is out, red dresses are in.

A woman in a red dress is the object of desire, passion & danger; the lady in red is always in control of her sexuality. 

This fire engine red Balmain bandage dress is sexy & fiery with sheer paneling to showcase cleavage & arms on a curve-hugging, body shaping silhouette. With the statement red blazer, bold shiny red lip, and slicked back hair, this is definitely an eye catching ensemble. My red 'fancy' stiletto with Jessica Rich are the perfect accent to bring out the gold in the classic Balmain buttons alongside a metal gold clutch. 

Shop the last few pairs of the JYOTI MATHAROO x JESSICA RICH collaboration HERE. 

XO 

Jyoti