Fashionably Yours

Guest blogger, Rachana Nakra from Mumbai is on a mission to rescue you from all the Fuffa (what Anna Dello Russo calls ‘rubbish’) that’s weighing your closet down and restyling, rehashing and revamping your pre-loved clothes in her own stylish way.  Her project is now traveling all over the world from Mumbai to Dubai and beyond, turning fuffa to fabulous, one closet at a time. Here’s the story:

Rachana Nakra, blogger and founder of the Fuffa Fabulous project

My interest in vintage, recycling and second hand clothes was mainly piqued while at university in London last year. I attended a fantastic lecture by Elizabeth Laskar of the Ethical Fashion Forum, a UK based industry body for sustainable fashion that inspired me to learn more about the environmental impact of fast fashion.

In fact, many today are getting increasingly aware how buying a T-shirt the price of a latte or shopping a dress for a Saturday night out has other consequences, overflowing landfills only being one of them. I discovered designers who were using ‘upcycling’ to reuse discarded clothes and make completely new designs.

The Fuffa Fabulous project: Get in on it!

Stores such as Rokit and Bang Bang are putting used clothes back into the fashion cycle, selling them to vintage lovers at low prices. Then there is the posh William Vintage on Marylebone Street. On appointment, you can browse through a collection of vintage Dior, Balenciaga, Ossie Clark and more, curated by William Banks-Blaney, dubbed the vintage king by Vogue. Of course, there is a massive difference in the approach and clientèle of these stores but the concept of reusing remains the same.

A friend from Uni also took me along on his vintage shopping spree. The gorgeous Serbian had a wardrobe that sported the best labels – Gucci man bags and Hermes scarves amongst them. While a lot of it was bought full-price, much of it wasn’t. He usually had a bagful of designer clothes that he would exchange at his favourite vintage store in Soho for new designer clothes. His drug was finding that good-as-new Marc Jacobs T-shirt for 60 quid and having a completely new wardrobe every few months.

The Fuffa Fabulous Project

Which brings me to my project!

I am asking friends and countrywomen to lend.. or well, give me their old clothes, shoes, accessories. Clothes that are not hanging in their wardrobes but clothes they are hanging on to, for sentimental reasons, or any other justification we give ourselves to still keep that 5 year-old dress that we have worn only twice. I am asking them to let go and promising them to love their stuff like my own, style it and take fuffa to fabulous.

And then?

I am giving you a chance to make it your own – The Fuffabed clothes you see on the blog in perfect condition, carefully curated and thoughtfully re-priced, for you to give a new lease of life.

Visit fuffabulous.wordpress.com

But what do the original owners of the clothes get after the emotional parting, you ask?

Besides a neater wardrobe and a lighter spirit? They have one of two very noble choices:

1. Ring out the old, ring in the new. The fuffa is now money, go on a shopping spree!

2. Divert the money to a charity closest to your heart or ours.

So much joy all around, isn’t it?

Learn what exactly fuffa means and more about the project at fuffabulous.wordpress.com

The Dubai World cup fever is raging through the city, as the ladies furiously tear the malls apart for that perfect outfit. Even though I will be giving the event a miss this year, I did find more than a couple of race day ready outfits at Banana Republic, that are perfect to the T! The third edition of the brand’s super chic Mad Men Collection, for instance, has that sophisticated 50’s elegance which can be spiced up and updated with a catchy fascinator for the races.

Banana Republic Mad Men Collection SS'13

Banana Republic Mad Men Collection SS'13

Banana Republic’s Spring summer ’13 collection too, has some outstanding pieces for the races. Think white on whites, vivid colors, kaleidoscopic prints and beautiful patterns. From modern Lido stripes to classic tile patterns, cabana prints conjure up images of the French Riviera’s sun-splashed coastline.

Banana Republic Spring Summer Collection '13

Banana Republic Spring Summer Collection '13

Banana Republic Spring Summer Collection '13

I can’t help but think of Audrey Hepburn’s derby day scene- howlarious! Unlike her character in the movie, make sure you don’t make a faux pas. Remember, no mini dresses (nothing above knee length is acceptable), don’t leave home without a hat or fascinator and don’t, pretty please don’t over-accessorize!

Only Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Dolittle could look this gorgeous in an Over the top dress! I wouldn't push my luck that far...

Happy race day ladies!

In the summer ’13 edition of my collaboration with Benetton UAE, I play with some delicious colors, prints and textures, for my style feature. Check out the two distinct looks from the juicy spring summer palette found at Benetton this season…hope you like them!

United Bloggers of Benetton: Spring Summer 2013 Style feature

United Bloggers of Benetton: Spring Summer 2013 Style feature

For the first look, I opted for a striking purple pencil skirt, with a very stylish Japanese blossom print. As the Far East is the inspiration behind some of spring summer 2013’s key looks, I thought this was very trendy and super gorgeous. I color blocked this purple skirt with a simple orange-ish pink top for a unusual combination, while keeping accessories minimal.

United Bloggers of Benetton: Spring Summer 2013 Style feature

United Bloggers of Benetton: Spring Summer 2013 style feature

The second look is ultra simple, for that effortless, breezy summer look. I’m in love with this fresh, beautiful spring color- an tangerine pink, if I may call it, so here it is again! A sheath dress is complemented with a tangerine bomber jacket- another key trend for spring summer 2013. A dash of lime yellow to the outfit, breaks the color monotony and adds an element of summer fun… love the shoes!