Inspiration: India

Classes have begun this week, thus, I haven't had any time to go on my usual photography expeditions. So I will focus on something that I saw just about a month before coming to India that reminded me that I was headed to the right place for learning, new beginnings, and exploration.
Chanel's Pre-Fall Metiers d'Art Collection this year was entitled Paris - Bombay. Karl Lagerfeld took inspiration from the menswear, rather than the traditional female dress, as he felt their looks are "more wearable". With classic Chanel touches mingling with the colors, patterns, and motifs of India, the result was stunning. Here are some of my favorite looks from the show. These are styles I would love to emulate in the coming months! I love the white-gold color satin he used - I have been seeing a lot of that here, but as mentioned, typically in menswear shops. When I find a good tailor, I am going to bring them some of these photos to hopefully construct a jacket that is reminiscent. The shoes are extremely refined versions of traditional styles that you can find in roadside shops in places like Link Road in Bandra for $3 or $4. I am thinking of buying a pair and seeing how I can jazz them up, DIY style.

Bombay Dreams

          I can safely venture to say that in the past week, I’ve learned more than I have in 20 years. India has been incredible, and this is just the beginning.

View of the Arabian Sea from a coffee shop in Bandra

         Last night, on a terrace atop a sixteen-story building with an uncompromised view of the Arabian Sea, I contemplated how blessed I was to be somewhere as incredible as Bombay. lt’s a city of contrast, change, dreams, opportunity, devastation, poverty, wealth, and above all – an enchanting magic.

         Because my courses have yet to begin, I’ve had a little time to explore, but I’ve only scratched the surface. From the Gateway of India to Marine Drive to the fabulous seaside enclave of Bandra, there are numerous hotspots in Mumbai that I have already fallen in love with.

         My day isn’t complete without a fresh coconut water, and the colors of the city have inspired my dress and makeup style tremendously. The weather thus far has been a dream: about 80 degrees during the day, and a breezy 65 degrees at night. This means that all of the spring/summer trends I’ve been dying to try out since I saw them in September are wearable without potentially contracting frostbite, as they would have been at this time in New York.

Very chic girls wearing stunning saris

My finds so far: an embroidered pillow, jewelry

An Indian-style arm party

These earrings reminded me a bit of Chanel pre-fall: Paris Bombay

         I’ll end this post with pictures, because I think they express far more than my words could. Tomorrow I am doing makeup for a photoshoot, so a post about that should soon follow!