Top 5 Picks to make a 'Colour' Story!

Colours are a power tool that can make or break your entire look and a ‘less is more’ fashion philosophy makes it easier to look stylish with the use of flattering cuts, patterns, designs and colours. Use our picks for the ‘it’ colours of the season to help you create a wardrobe that is up-to-date and chic. So is orange really the new black? Go through our TOP 5 colour picks below to find the answer ;)

1. Nifty shades of ‘Blue’

‘Blue’ is the talk of the town. Whether you are struggling through Monday blues or baby blues, there is a shade of blue just meant for you. To make a strong style statement, opt for Riverside, airy blue, cobalt blue and navy to give your wardrobe a whole new perspective.




Click here to purchase 'Leaf of Gold' and here for 'Snug Bug'.

2. Paint me ‘red’

Nothing lifts your look a notch higher like red does, even if it’s just a dash here and there. Powerful, mystical and classic, it’s a match made in heaven for our Asian skin tones. We just got lucky here! So flip your adventurous side up by going for Pantone’s ‘Aurora red’ which is a true fiery one with warm undertones, and paint the town red.




Click here to purchase 'Paint the town Red'.

3. Go ‘Green’!

Ladies, putting the patriotic connotation aside, we have all the more reason to wear forest green as we get a ‘green signal’ from leading runways. Time to dump those good old mints and pastels! Show your wild side by donning the colour in a shade inspired by botanicals, lush meadows and foliage. And let’s give this one a brownie point for playing soul-mate to all our favorite neutrals. Yay!



Click here to purchase 'Leafy Greens' and here for 'Beachy Waves'.

4. A pinch of ‘Mustard’

We have always counted on yellow to brighten up a dull, boring outfit and taking the ‘yellow fever’ a step higher now is this very exotic, spicy and zesty ‘gainday ka phool’ sort of shade. This ‘spicy mustard’ is so vibrant it has literally set the runways ablaze. Go head to toe or reflect in separates like a mustard bag, nail color, jacket or scarf; either way you won’t go wrong!



Click here to purchase 'Keyword'.

5. Neutral shades of ‘Taupe & Grays’

Remember that neutral friend in a conflicting situation? How reassured and comfortable they make you feel, in a classic, timeless manner! This gray area is exactly where this season’s favorite ‘warm taupe’ and ‘sharkskin’ fall. We can’t just help but love these as they are so easy to wear and easy to pair. For instance, how potent is the contrast of 'cobalt blue/ gray' or a 'taupe/ maroon'!




Click here to purchase 'Cover Story and here for 'Over it'.


So which of our top picks are you planning to indulge in this season?

Winter Haven!

Winters are here and we are talking about how to keep warm, stay on trend and be your stylish self – all at the same time! You think that’s hard? We think it’s a piece of cake with these lovely designs that we have in store for you!

If you love jackets - and let’s face it, who doesn’t really?  They make a design look hip, edgy or simply classy. Try out this slim fit twill jacket design that is stylishly cut and will do you just ice for any formal event as well.  Try Jacket Up or Modern Lines, with a solid black jacket and printed shirt that will hit the stores really soon. So don't miss out on it! 

If you’re the type of girl that loves cosy sweaters and warming up your toes in front of a warm fire and hot chocolate in hand, you are definitely going to love Elegantly Wrapped and Hold Me Close cotton knit designs. With sleek straight lines – these comfortable designs will make you feel elegant and fashion forward at the same time!

Off beat designs catch your eye straight away and you know exactly what you want and how to make it Shawl Night Long is a spectacular addition to your winter wardrobe and super stylish with its cowl neck and bold cuffed sleeves. Slip into this classy number and head out to a movie and dinner date in style or host your own winter rooftop party for your friends! 

Dress To Impress!

There are some dresses that stay in our minds long after the moment is gone! Here are three of the dresses that belong in the fashion hall of fame that we totally love! From the archives of music, fashion or film, whether famous for their association with a specific celebrity, event or simply a snapshot in time these dresses wow, dazzle and make our hearts skip a beat with sheer delight!

Audrey Hepburn

There's almost no dress more iconic than the Givenchy sheath that Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, wore to go window shopping at her favorite jewelry store in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). Paired with a pearl necklace, elbow-length black gloves, a tiara, a pair of dark sunglasses and a cup of deli coffee, Hepburn's look continues to define New York chic.

And if you'd like to try something just as structured and in lovely basic black, we'd love to suggest this fine LBD that is bound to catch admiring glances!

Julia Roberts

The most romantic scene in Pretty Woman (1990) is not when Julia Roberts' character, Vivian Ward, first kisses the debonair Edward Lewis, played by Richard Gere. Rather, it's when she appears transformed, Cinderella style, in an elegant red dress. The finishing touch? A diamond-and-ruby necklace.

Something red is just the right thing to get someone's attention though, isn't it, ladies? Go the extra mile and steal the scene, quite literally with this amazing red ensemble!

Marilyn Monroe

When William Travilla designed the white dress Marilyn Monroe wore over a subway grate in The Seven Year Itch (1955), he probably didn't realize it would become the centerpiece of one of the most reproduced images in film history. The design went on to fetch a price of $5.6 million at an auction in 2011.

Go easy, breezy with this version of a toga in cream color and style with braided headbands for the Greek Goddess look!

Fun, Flirty Summer Hair Dos!

Summer is in full swing and we have just the way to help you work your way around – or shall we say work 'with' the humidity! Ladies you are in luck! Runways all over the world are celebrating curly hair – learn to work with your natural hair texture and let the fun times begin now!

We’ve chosen a couple of styles for you to play around with that just absolutely took our breath away.

Braided Up

Braids are still huge this summer and the weather is just perfect to get the texturized look! Here's how to make a fishtail version similar to Jennifer Morrison's: Divide your hair in half and hold the left side in your left hand and the right side in your right hand. Pull a half-inch section of hair from outside the right side and add it to the inside of the left side. Repeat with a piece from the outside of the left side, adding it to the inside of the right side. Continue down to your ends, and secure with an elastic. Position the braid over your shoulder and tug out a few pieces for a breezy effect.

Beachy Waves

Kate Hudson's tousled style is sexy year-round, and now you have the warm, humid air to help enhance your natural texture. To get the look, divide damp hair into three sections and loosely braid each. Unravel your locks when they're dry, then set your waves with a texturizing spray.

Top Knot

On those days that it's SO hot you have to get your hair off your neck, copy Krysten Ritter's messy-but-cute topknot. Flip your head over and use your fingers to rake your hair into the highest ponytail possible. The trick is not to make the top of your hair smooth — the more texture, the better. Wrap your hair around the base of the pony and pin so your ends stick out.

Play around with your hair and try some of these fun looks for a whole different you - and ladies, about time you love your curls!!

Our Favorite Grammy Looks!

This year, even if the Grammys sent out a memo for “appropriate attire”, most of the glamorous stars ignored this memo... but who are we to complain about that! We rounded up three of the hottest looks off the red carpet for your viewing pleasure!

There was Kelly Rowland in a beautiful black Georges Chakra mermaid gown with shear cut outs that  were clearly not a part of the new Grammys “Dress Code”. Regardless, the dress was absolutely breath taking, and showed off just enough to keep us guessing and that halter neckline shows off her sculpted arms. Simple hair and makeup and gorgeous earrings top off a stunning look.

Rihanna surprised us by wearing something so romantic (no comment, however, on her romantic choices). Her crimson Azzedine Alaia gown showed off her toned upper body and complemented her ombré hair while the dreamy train was pure glamour.

We totally loved Taylor Swift looking ethereal and goddess-like in her white J. Mendel gown accented with silver cutouts… and it was a total win with her braided up-do.   

These are the top three that we chose after much debate at work and boy, we sure wanted to add a lot of other names to the list. As an honorary mention, we did love the clash witchy Florence Welch's red hair had with her green sequined Givenchy number, though we would personally have liked it a little more elegant.... 

And, as a special mention, did anyone see Justin Timberlake in the Tom Ford suit and bow-tie? The man really can do no wrong! 

Bling, Our New Obsession

Be it day or night, sequins can be luxe, as they shimmer on cocktail dresses and gowns or make for a bold style statement when worn as embellishments for tops, skirts or blazers. Ladies, sequins are one sartorial trend that is here to stay this season!

Styling can be a little but tricky, but we are sure that it is no trouble for a style savvy fashionista like you. Just err on the side of caution to avoid overkill…. sequins on an outfit or accessory is the ultimate bling so remember to wear just one sequined item at a time with minimal jewelry, maybe just studs in your ears and a statement ring.

Little sequins work over giant sequins as they look a lot classier. You can wear matte champagne or gold colored sequins instead of glossy ones for a day time brunch and work it with nude colors to keep the look classy and well balanced.

Another way to work sequins into your wardrobe is to go for the minimalistic look with skinny jeans and tee and pair it with a sequined blazer. The look is hip and young and will have you feeling like a super star!

Oh and ladies, an insider tip:  be sure to keep an eye out for these fun pieces at a Daaman store near you! In the meantime…. here’s a little preview for you: glitzy, muted gold capri pants!! ;) 

Looks From the Fall Runway 2012

The fall runways are awash with different make up looks and we here at Daaman absolutely love this season’s gothic romance look! It is all about shades of maroon and burgundy or a bold splash of red. And even though these can be a bit hard to carry off, we know there is a look here that you will find is perfect for you!

Goth Chic

The first look that we absolutely love is a soft gray smoky eye paired with a glossy burgundy lip. Choose a deep burgundy color of your choice, go for a swipe the first time and blot it off with tissue. Rich colors bleed a lot - and we really don’t want a messy pout! So take a lip liner and correct the outline and then fill it up with the lip color again. Using a brush is the best way to go as it fills in the color pretty well.

We want to keep the complexion smooth as deep colors tend to make the skin look very drained. Make sure you use a concealer to cover blemishes for breathtaking, flawless skin.

Blush

At Michael Kors and Dior runways, a soft pink flush bloomed both on the runway and off. It’s the look after a morning of skiing in the cold, cold weather, absolutely blushing!  Smudge red lipstick on cheeks, blending with a damp foundation sponge to get the same color as the lips. Concentrate the pink shade on just the apples for a youthful glow.

Crimson Red

Crimson lips add an overall brightness, again red also makes the skin look very pale so good foundation is essential and also some color to balance out the bold hue. Dab liquid foundation over bare lips to help set the lip color, then fill in the lips with red and blot with a tissue. Apply once more, and you’re all set!

The picture shows bare eyelids, but if you are not used to that you could even go for a hint of silver to play up your eyes or just use a liquid liner to enhance them along with some mascara.

With these looks try too keep the clothes understated, yet chic! And just remember: doing your make up should not be something you stress over, so don't over think it too much and try to have fun experimenting with your style! 

Summer Hair Makeover

Summer’s in full swing and if your long locks are bothering too much (or you are just simply craving a change!) we’ve got come choice picks for you to consider.

Ever wonder why the bob has been the go to hair cut all these years? There's a reason that every starlet worth her salt has sported a bob at one time or another — it's just so flattering! It can be chic, cute, and sexy. 

In addition to looking fab, a bob is also quite the functional hairstyle as well.  Its versatility helps to flatter most faces. We’ve got three fabulous versions of the chin grazing bob that you can try out, while keeping cool!

The Sleek Bob

Super angular bobs that are shorter in back and longer in front makes for a youthful, edgy and confident bob these days is the bob cut in the A-line style, as Keira's is cut here.

A-line means the back is slightly shorter than the front, with an angle that can be seen from the side. The A-line is also called "graduated bobs" or "inverted bob hairstyles".

The Mussy Bob

Mussy bobs are super trendy in 2012. To get this look, let hair air dry and then scrunch the hair in the palm of your hand as it dries.

It’s equal parts beachy wave and cutesy cut with teased edginess into an otherwise prim look. Strong jaws and some square face shapes might want to avoid the bob, but rounder faces should consider it.

The Funky Bob

Wispy ends such as these make a boring bob modern. Blow-drying with a round-brush or using a flat iron will leave hair smooth and shiny. 

Minimal styling products are needed in order to keep hair ends from looking too defined.

Now we know it’s scary to try out a different hair style – but ladies, that’s really the only way to figure out what really works well for you! So go ahead, take the plunge… and experiment!  

The New Black

Ever wonder how one day you wake up to find that pink is the new black?? How does the fashion industry flip on a switch and push something so blatantly onto us? Is there a science to it or just some fashion Svengali’s whim?

Well… there is actually a job designation termed ‘color forecaster’. That tangerine orange, that’s so on trend right now? Predicted by Pantone, the quietly ubiquitous American company that maintains color standards for publishers, designers, and the fashion world two years ago for the color of summer!

Color forecasting is almost as old as the fashion industry itself. In the late 19th century, color cards issued by French textile mills were snapped up by their American counterparts, eager for ideas and direction as to what might be the next color of the season.

In fact:  color forecasters get together twice a year in a super hush-hush meeting at the Pantone HQ with colorists that have traditionally worked with textile companies and others to set color standards. Over two days, these ‘colorists’ will each pitch a palette concept, organized roughly around a theme that has been chosen in advance.

The debate results in finding something more concrete: a story paired with a color and based on the cultural diversity of the forecasters who pick up on local trends that are seen on the streets and merged together to give a more global outlook.

And in case you are wondering: the results are published in Pantone View, a publication that is purchased by companies across a broad consumer landscape, from fashion designers to supermarket chains to the floral industry (yes, you read that correct: the floral industry) to see what word on the ‘new black’ is. A fine art, indeed!

Oh and while we are at it, enjoy this marvelous clip from Meryl Streep’s the Devil Wears Prada and the color cerulean!

Spotted On The Runway

We have been keeping our eyes on the Fashion Week 2012 runways and we definitely like what we see with the fashion trends. There were lots of neons, prints and a combination of solid and print separates.

What we love the most? Definitely the Palazzo pants. We love how you can dress it up or down and make it work with the tops already in your wardrobe.

Shirt length is no issue at all, either! Go for belted tunics (which are totally in as well) or collared shirts tucked in or full length. This piece can be stylized endlessly! 

Choose a sparkly top to go with a smartly tailored Palazzo for a high end night and a sophisticated look or a breathy cotton Palazzo for a comfortable but on trend look, pair with cork wedges for a summer day out in the sun. 

Versatility is key to dressing up smart, and with these pants you can do no wrong! 

And if you're looking to add a Palazzo pant to your wardrobe: be sure to check out quite the hot selling one we have available at our stores, or check it out online here! 

Animal Prints – Love or Hate?

Here’s a confession: I’m terrified of animal prints.

Shoes by Matthew Williamson

I know, I know, they’re supposed to be extremely in fashion and yes, I can appreciate that they do look good in some cases but… I. Just. Can’t. Wear. Them. In fact I'd even go so far as to say that animal prints are a classic style that's stood the test of time.

That’s not to say I don’t buy animal prints. I do, but unfortunately they sit at the back of my closet patiently waiting for the day I’ll take them out. I don’t know if I’m too scared of the loud patterns or if I just don’t know how to style it.

Bag by Valentino

What do you guys think? Trashy or trendy? If you’re a follower of this trend (and even if you’re not) let me know what you think!

Animal prints on the runway

Red carpet sightings

Saira Bano in 'Padosan' (1968)

From Lawn to Dusk

It seems like every designer had a lawn exhibition this season. Junaid Jamshed, Deepak Perwani, HSY, Asim Jofa, Nomi Ansari, Umar Sayeed and the reigning queens of lawn, Sana Safinaz, were just some of the big names this summer.

I loved the glamorous billboards that sprung up all over the country but I for one am not a fan of the complete chaos that designers expect us to go through just to get our hands on one three-piece suit. 

For my own piece of mind I prefer taking the ready-to-wear route!

Did you guys venture out to any of the jam-packed exhibitions this season? I’d love to hear your experiences!

On a side note, I love this hilariously topical ad for Simple Dimple, the convenient food delivery service:

Trend Alert: Colour Blocking

My absolute favourite look of the season has got to be the colour blocking trend. While it’s not a brand new concept, it seems to have come back with a bang this spring. Simply put, colour blocking is the use of two or more blocks of colour in one outfit.

I think it’s a really fun trend for the summer and let’s face it, what is summer without bright, happy colours? I’ve seen it in clothes, shoes, bags, nail polish, you name it! Here are a few of my picks:

               

                                                                     

          

And, the best part is this fun trend works just as well with eastern clothes! Here are some great shirts from Daaman that incorporate colour blocking:

Available online at Daaman