Need a Dog to Adopt Me: Personal Fashion

Images by Hrishikesh Vimadalal 

Shorts: Comme Des Garcons; Sweater:From a shop in RI called Bananas; Shoes: Ashish for Topshop 

This is what butch Frida Khalo might have looked like. Am I right? 

This shoot has a few glimpses into my current life. (This is me telling my future self 10 yrs from now just for the record). Shot in my new apartment on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. I have longer hair now. The painting I'm holding in image 6 is my man's artwork he made from when he was a teenager. It's a self portrait and one of my favorite works of his. You can check out more of his work here.

I have a great new job and my office is in the Empire State Building. As an architect that is a huge deal for me. Always wanted to work in an iconic building. So a bunch has happened this year. All good to great things. 

Hope everyone's looking forward to the holiday's coming up. Happy holidays to all!!

NYC Gold: Styling

Images by Hrishikesh Vimadalal 

Sona's Gold Earings by Eina Ahluwalia

A few weeks ago the brilliant Sona Mohapatra was visiting NYC and we caught up over some Spanish Tapas, Eina and Akita Ahluwalia who were also in town and a lot of Kallol Datta talk. Kallol is the connecting factor amongst all of us. Even though Kallol wasn't in NYC, it felt like a 3D hologram of him was floating above our heads at dinner. I think we ladies planned his entire future for him, figured out how he can conquer the world with his genius, become famous [more than he already is] and still stay humble and the beautiful person he is. It's all done and decided. We just haven't told him yet. 

Connections of the like minded, connected by the like minded. Sona and I connected pretty instantly. We caught up a couple of times after that and when two creatives collide, this happens. We brain stormed over an idea to shoot and then shot it the next day. For kicks, for fun and for creative explorations. Had the best time. I decided to style Sona and Sona decided to color NYC with her fused Indianness. We took over the streets of Soho with our undefined but definitely recognisable nationality. Eina's gold jewellery that she lent to us for the shoot helped make the statement. 

BTW, these Ahluwalia girls are the nicest people on this planet. I mean saintly nice! I swear. Felt like a total uncultured brat with my utterly unfiltered vocabulary in their presence. But somehow they promised they weren't judging. So I concur I'm good in their books. If you haven't seen their work, you are missing out! So do yourself a favour and go check them out. All their jewellery is hand made by super talented local artisans and the brand's business model is entirely based on not exploiting the artisans, pays them what they demand in renumeration and nurtures their sustainability so they do not give up on their trade art of fine jewellery making for a job that pays better. 

On the other hand for all those who don't know Sona, she is an insane musician with the gift of a voice that can shake your core. And quite easily. You have to listen to her music to feel the soul and fun. She has several Bollywood songs to her name, was part of Coke studios, performs all over the world and has a fantastic sense of style. Check out some of her works here.

Round and Round and Round to Right There: Personal Fashion

Images by Hrishikesh Vimadalal Dress: Comme Des Garcons; Boots: Rick Owens 

Whenever you feel like you are going round and round and round in circles you have to force yourself to take another path. I know it seems like a very logical and an almost "Ofcourse" thing anyone should do when feeling stuck, but I think 90% of the times we don't actually make the effort to find a different way and take it. Just saying.

Cats on My Back: Personal Fashion

Images by Hrishikesh Vimadalal 

Hat: Meerwiibli by Sarah-maria; Shoes: Rick Owens; Everything else thrifted 

       This post consists of all of my favourite finds from the last couple of months. I paid $12.50 for that coat at a thrift store in North Carolina. Found this awesome princess Leia hat in Beacon, NY and this incredible tiger backpack online from some chinese website. The backpack is a conversation maker anywhere you go. It is huge and people can't help but talk about it, eye it and roll their eyes a bit when they see it. So if you do intend on getting one, just keep that in mind. 

       Also HAPPY FREAKING 2014 Y'all!! I have to take this moment to thank my fantastic photographers of 2013! 

- Hrishikesh Vimadalal: who shot most of 2013 is absolutely fantastic! 

- Jackie Russo: who helped me the entire 2012 and part of 2013, graduated this year from NYU with fantastic grades and I am super proud of her achievements! 

- Shraddha Borawake: The original DSM photog/ artist extraodinaire 

- Alison Wynn: The best-crazy-friend-photog combo 

- Upasana Jain: Ex- DSM photog who moved to India and did a shot again this year when I was visiting India. 

 - Myriam Abdelaziz 

- Ji Yoe

- Tamanna Shaikh

And thank you all for keeping up with me. Even when I don't post too regularly sometimes. 2013 was a stressful year and I am so glad it's over. You guys are the best and I am infinitely grateful for the love.