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

Fashionably Yours’ guest reviewer, who prefers to be known as SB on the blog, accompanies me on a culinary tour of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Dubai Marina. Here’s what SB had to say about the famed brunch menu at Dubai Marina.
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This was my second time at Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Dubai Marina, but the brunch here, was a first. Dubai has a pretty high standard for the quintessential ‘weekend brunch’ being such a huge part of the dining culture. I, for one, went in with high expectations, an open mind and a big appetite!

Easily one of the better locations for brunch in the city, the restaurant had a very laid back, old school, relaxed feel on a Friday early afternoon. The LIVE music by the very talented Andrea Brown gave that fantastic touch to the experience. The music played was just perfect for brunch and the staff was very friendly and efficient, despite the growing number of tables occupied, as time flew past.

Brunching in style: Ruth Chris Steak House, Dubai Marina

We ordered almost the entire entrée menu ( I did warn you about the big appetite, didn’t I?) which comprised Carpaccio( ultra thin slices of red meat which parmesan cheese), Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, fried Calamari( typical Asian sweet and tangy chili sauce flavored), lightly fried Shrimp and Seared Ahi Tuna( in a mustard based sauce.) The highlight of the starters was easily the Tuna for me, mainly due to the deep yet controlled mustard tones in its back taste. Close second was the shrimp, due to its spicy Sriracha sauce. The rest of the starters were more than decent too, but second helpings were of the shrimp. Highly recommended!

Brunching in style: Ruth Chris Steak House, Dubai Marina

I ordered the Ribeye -medium rare for the main course. The level of charring on the sides was perfect for me, while the meat was done to the right level of pink- just right, with a better than average level of tenderness. For Ribeye standards it was fine especially the fact that fat content on my cut was not too much, which I actually liked. I felt the steak could do with a bit more seasoning but the sides of mushrooms and mashed potatoes solved that issue.

We also tried the chicken penne pasta which was a very well made and tossed in a earthy flavored white sauce without too much digression from what one would expect from a basic penne pasta. It was well above average and offered a good contrast to the steak.

Brunching in style: Ruth Chris Steak House, Dubai Marina

For me, dessert was a zingy raspberry sorbet which simply hit the spot with its fresh, tangy taste and texture. Priyanka took to the Petite Chocolate Sin Cake with a vengeance, but I managed to steal a bite. Good stuff, especially for the espresso coffee ingredient!

Priyanka singing a duet with singer Angela Brown at Ruth's Chris Steak House- Thanks for the pic Sara In Dubai!

Overall, a very satisfying experience- The food was good and the ambiance  even better! You’ll be seeing me here more often for sure.

Anya Sarre from shoedazzle.com guest blogs on Fashionably Yours:  Read on for tips and tricks to spruce up your fall winter wardrobe!

Fall style is here with a vengeance, and if you want a jumpstart on some of the most exciting red carpet looks, here’s how to get cracking! Frankly, I am looking forward to some of the season’s amazing key trends such as:

Full length skirts: The key to getting a full length skirt right, is to make sure that its well fitting and has the right cut as well as embellishments. Pleats look great too, paired with an oversized sweater and wedge booties! I’d say, try new colors and pattern combinations to find your own style favorites.

Long pleated skirts: AW 2012 trend alert!

I believe jewelry is sometimes a true reflection of your personality. For me, it’s chunky, bright jewelry all the way! A chunky necklace is a great choice as a statement piece… something that sets the tone for the entire look. You’ll also find that natural stone is very in this year, so think about what your favorite options might be. If you are invested in darker colors, why not think about jet or onyx? On the other hand, if you love bright things, consider coral lookalike stones or turquoise (Very Anna Dello Russo, don’t you think?).

Island Fever jewelry at Shoedazzle.com

Accessories at shoedazzle.com

Work your wardrobe from the ground up–shoes, accessories then apparel and you won’t go wrong this fall! xo