I saw Guns N Roses live in Mumbai! December 10, 2012

There are some things in life that your dont expect to happen. Like getting a great job and boss and pay – all at once. Like listening to music, watching their videos, seeing stage antics for years and years and years. And then imagining the frenzy of it all in Los Angeles or in New York. Then knowing that that band had broken up. And then a new lineup was formed. A new album launched. That they in fact went to China, but did not come closer home. That deciding that music videos would be the only source for their music for me.
And then. One day you hear they will be in your country. In your city. On a day when you too, will be in the city. I did not expect Guns N Roses to ever perform for me, in India. I heard them in college, in school, at work. I saw them on TV, read about them in news. Heard about t heir breakup. But the possibility that I might see them in all their splendour, in life, in person – that was not imagined. Its what happens to ‘other people’ those that stay in the US and Europe, who get to see them perform live.
But, they did it for us, for me. I paid the fee, I prepared the evening. I spent 4pm to 11pm on the grounds watching. Three hours of uninterrupted Axl Rose and his crew. For it is his crew now. Slash is long gone. He too is coming in Feb. But I dont think I will want to go and watch Slash. It is to listen to Patience, Estranged, Welcome to the Jungle…that I would prefer.
And oh! what an evening it was yesterday. The best sight was the variety of ages trooping in. Teenagers to middle aged men and women. Top hatted to salwar kameez wearing. There was no norm. No discrimination. It was Rock music. And they were there to listen to one of Rock Music‘s most iconic.
The show was everything promised. And more.

The GnR Show from Far

Axl sang – and he sang so well that I at one time (shame on me!) thought he was lip syncing. Not a note away from the original recordings. Yes he has aged. Yes, he is not a lithe young man anymore. But the attitude is there. As is the snake dance. The running on the stage and the enjoyment. The ability to enjoy your own music, as you sing it for the Nth time for a crowd…that cannot be faked. The wide grins as they loved what they were doing made up for the years when they werent here.
32 songs. 32 musicals, including a rendition of November Rain on a special shiny Baldwin by Axl himself. Interrupted by him to take a swig of water and aspirin – he apologised ‘to perform better for you’ – and resume with a practiced smooth flourish and full energy the last unmistakable notes of November Rain. Oh, nothing could compare.

And when the crowd sang along to Sweet Child O Mine so loudly that you couldnt even hear Axl… you knew we had waited long for this day.

Watching Axl run up and down the stage, full of energy, singing high notes and low whispers – I still wonder if any younger band of today could do it. Could build up that energy in a crowd of 30,000 for 3 continuous hours. Axl and team spiced up every song with a tempo change, a clothes change and a style change.

Of course, the stage was well set. The sound quality good, and the video and lighting was very well done indeed!

The new lineup is well, new. But not for more than a moment did I miss Slash. Yes, he was the initiator, but there is talent a plenty today. DJ Ashby and Roger were spectacular. Ron was in a league of his own. And since I have a soft spot for Spanish Guitar…the intro before they started on Patience – was priceless!

I am delighted I went. It may have been a tick off my bucket list. But its an unparalleled experience, recommended to anyone who loves a good concert, and of course, GnR.

After the GnR Show

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• Guns N Roses (thehindu.com)
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• Guns N’ Roses Plays Marathon Gig In Mumbai

Charles & Keith – Awful Service! June 4, 2012

I bought a pretty black and copper Charles & Keith shoe in January last year.  I really liked it, and it was part of my wedding trousseau. Though I usually get Clarks, Nine West, Aldo, etc., this time I liked the C&K design and decided to buy it. In fact, I bought two of them. The other one was a gift.

However, I only got one ocassion where it matched my clothing, and wore it in November 2011, to a cousins wedding party.

Within one evening, the heel tip came off!, and I had to make do with walking around with a clanging sound from one foot.

The moment I returned to Mumbai, India, I went to the shop and sent the shoe for heel tip repair. This was December. Today, it is May 2012, and I still dont have the shoe with me. I have physically gone to look for the shoe at least 4 times, and yet, there is no sign of the shoe!! FIVE months and no response yet?!

I will not be surprised if they have lost it. And are not admitting it. I am so irritated! Not because they have misplaced a perfectly decent shoe that I wanted to wear a few times in the past months, but also because I held it dear since it was part of my trousseau!

I have sent them an email, and I hope they will come back with an actionable. I hope they do, and I will update here if I get a response.

I am, however, very disappointed with the quality of C&K shoes, as well as their servicing. If you cant keep customers you have, you dont deserve more.

Shiny Indian Party Shoes/ Slippers April 19, 2012

Over the last year I have been attending a number of family functions. Across India – Calcutta, Delhi and Mumbai. Thats a lot of locations for a lot of family gatherings. These have ranged from full blown weddings to smaller-key dinners or festivals.
Now, while for a wedding it is mandatory to have a shiny slipper, or at least one that matches your ornaments (read red, gold or silver), for a family dinner or small festival like Rakhi, the footwear has to match your clothes. Which is to say, they have to be smart, a little shiny to respect that its an ocassion, but cant be over the top. In comparison it is easier to buy a pair of crystal studded footwear for the shaadi!

Wearing a plain sandal of course can be a recourse, but one that will put you on the lower rungs of family fashion. Especially in Punjabi families.

Here, I struck gold. And Im quite smug about it. I found a perfect pair of slip-ons while browsing through the shoe-shops of Colaba (Mumbai) with my poor tired husband. I liked them. He asked me if I needed them. (I vehemently nodded yes) He asked if we can sit somewhere and eat after that. (I vehemently nodded again) He bought them. Joy!

My Every Occasion Shiny Indian Slippers

The Heel

These slip ons have a small heel. THis is very important. A very high heel is invonvenient when you have to stand around for ages, or walk through roads that are less than perfect. The last thing that I want to do is stumble and fall, or be tired when it is my maiden visit to meet relatives. A flat shoe looks less than perfect, because then, somehow, the churidars look shorter, the saris look inelegant, and well… in general the look seems incomplete.
Thus enters short heels. This awesome slipper has a heel of an inch. Perfect!

Style of Shoe

This slipper is not just a slipper. A typical Indian slipper is backless, with the straps ending under the arch of the foot, and divided in front through the thumb and the rest of the fingers. Though a decent enough design, it is rather common, and tends to slip out as well. Also, the shoe glory ends with just the front bit of the shoe.
This particular slip on is more like a slingback. The back is elasticized, making it easy to slip it on while also ensuring the foot doesnt slip out. The design also, therefore extends for most of the shoe, except for the back of the ankle where the elastic resides.

Indian Slipper Shoe for Formal Evenings

The design

The shoe has a leather base, self embossed with flowers, so that when I take it off, it still looks pretty. The top of the shoe is decorated with sequins, beads and a large-ish crystal. The sequiins are a dull copper colour, and therefore even when they are ‘sequins’ they look understated. Especially in combination with the muted off-white beads. The crystal in the center is. in-silo, rather large. However, stuck between all those beads and crystal its kind of hidden, and adds that pop of ‘Look Im a party wear shoe!’ look to it. The whole look it ‘party’ but at the same time, the colours are versatile enough to be worn in any combination. This looks good with my green, blue, red and of course black clothes.
The toes remain fully uncovered in this shoe, and as a result this gives me ample opportunity to show off any nailpolish or toe-rings I might want to sport. With most of the foot visible, mehendi, if applied is also visible for display. Of course, since the ankle is free, wearing a payal is possible, though I havent yet worn it.

This shoe has also been of help in recent times for office wear. It is muted enough to be worn with staid, work-suitable ethnic wear, and often I wear it with my cchuridars to bring in an aspect of colour into otherwise dull surroundings.

Shiny Indian Slipper Shoe

In short,this is become my go-to footwear for any occasion which involves being a little dressed up, in ethnic wear.
I would suggest you go out and get something like this soon, I promise you it will remove the headache of wondering ‘which shoe will match this suit best’.

Ballet Shoes/ Slippers

Yesterday I promised a picture for each of my latest crushes for ballet shoes.

To start with, I had bought a pair of bright red ballet slippers back in 2010. This was after I went crazy in Rocia in Singapore. They had this special offer and the shoes were irresistible! However, when I left the country, I forgot them with my friend. She was so kind as to keep it with her, and when she visited me recently, she got me the pair back, in its original packing as well! How awesome is that?! So of course, I need to start wearing them asap before they become old news. They are still hot and I can imagine wearing them with skinny jeans or a nice skirt on weekends.

My Red Ballets

So this pair is a straighforward flat with a scoop out front peep-toe. And its truly flat. And its comfortable.  And its so simple it matches most things. The colour red is enough to make it interesting.

(If you have not heard of Rocia, it is pretty popular in South-East Asia – India and Singapore, Malaysia belt.)

The other par of ballet flats is one I bought recently, last week. It is a fun thing, and I had to choose the white colour. It of course doesnt match everything, but it is an amazing addition to my closet. I have worn it with my jeans throughout the weekend already. I love how the leather is cut into assymetric shapes which makes it a very interesting slip-on.

White cut-out ballet slippers

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90s Shoe Fashion is Back! I want to Buy these Shoes April 18, 2012

These are Shoes Im lusting after. Right Now.

1. My red ballet flats that I had forgotten about since 2010. I had forgotten them with my freind. She only just reminded me of them rececntly by bringing them to me. They are soon to be out of fashion, but I still love them. I need to wear them asap!

I will upload their picture the moment I take them.

2. These so in-fashion cork-heeled platforms that I can picture myself wearing. I just need to find the

Platform heels of Corck that scream style

right shop and price. And hope that by then its not trending on the street too often. And buying them

Oh-So-Chic cork platforms

from Aldo or Nine West or Charles&Keith in India are not in the question. At least, not

right now. I can almost see myself mentally hum “Baji Baji

Bumbo Chiki Chiki Chiki Chikita”! in them (Remember that song?) while I walk through the elite stores of Palladium, Lower Parel looking all chic and hep.

Sunshine yellow platform Trainers

Platform Trainers with Bike-chic look

3. I wanted them when I was in school. I want them now. I had forgotten about them till date, but now that they are back in fashion, I dont want to miss the bus. Like last time. I still remember trying out so many of them when I was but 16, but none of them were ‘right’ for me. This time round, I want to get that pair. I know they are waiting for me somewhere!

4. This pair of white cut-out ballet shoes that I just bought. I would have purchased another in bright yellow as well if I could! that would have looked to cool with a pink dress!

Again, a picture is due, and I will upload ‘em soon enough!

My Indian Kolhapuri slippers and the Ethnic toe-ring

5. A pair of ‘slippers’ that I can just casually slip into when running errands. Something like

my old Kolhapuri slippers. Something I can wear with jeans, skirts, dresses alike. Maybe Ill just go get myself some nice Kolhapuris again. I lost the left foot of my trusty pair. I mean, ONE foot! And then the next one (pictured) finally gave up. And isnt that a really cool, really traditional toe ring Im wearing? I love to wear it and act all ‘married Indian good-girl’ type. In my mind.

Brown Brogues for Women

Lovely red Brogues!

6. And as a luxury item, a good pair of brogues. Preferably brown, with a cap toe. With hints of copper or steel on it. Tasteful, of course. You see I have it visualised perfectly in my mind. Now to find something like that in real life. In a “store nearby”, which has my size, (and) in my budget. Sadly, winter came and went. And brogues never caught on in Mumbai. Or even India as far as I saw. I wonder why. They are so useful for office and casual-chic. Ive always had a brogue-alike in my closet. Something I can pull on for the days I dont want to wear heels and still want to look smart for office. For days when I want to protect my heels from the elements while going out on weekends. And now, I need them. Slowly, I think they have moved up from the luxury item I classified them under, and are turning into a necessity.

Ah! Brogues for Women!!

So there you have it. a list of shoes I would LOVE to own, right now! And wear them. Let me see how soon I can fulfill this list!

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Update: Clarks Shoes (Mumbai) Available Again! November 23, 2011

This weekend I was walking through one of the malls in Mumbai, and to my surprise, I saw a section devoted to Clark’s shoes! I have raved about their comfort earlier and I almost bought one. But then, I had recently bought something similar from Catwalk and resisted. Unfortunately, most of the designs were a tad old – unchanged since when I last saw them. Though I still liked their fit.

Flashback – I had loved shoes by Clarks. However, for whatever reason, their primary shop in Mumbai closed down and some other Clarks shops were perennially shuttered down. I lost hope of seeing them in Mumbai. Then, there was news that they will tie up with a well known retail brand for the Indian market. Then all was quiet. Then, I see this outlet!

On further inspection and questioning of the sales staff, I have news for you!

Clarks in India is now available through all Lifestyle department store retail outlets, in their shoe section (you cant see it online yet).This is a chain by the ‘Landmark’ group, the one that owns those awesome book stores, and not only the Future group as the press release mentioned . As I saw, they are also available at select Metro shoes outlets and some Central outlets. Hmm, Clarks has been doing a lot of homework behind the scenes!

What is consistent with their press release, is their intention to be present in the market in 2011. It is the end of 2011, but the year is as per plan.

The prices have come down since my last visit. What once used to cost INR 4,000 is now available for INR 1,999. A factor of the Lifestyle’s costing system? I care not! However, I don’t know what the cost of newer designs will be.

The (High Streeet Phoenix) Pheonix Mills, Lower Parel showroom is also apparently back, though at a different shop number. I have not yet physically checked it out. You can find out the store nearest to you across India using this store locator.

Which is also something I need to mention – Clarks finally has an Indian website. It was not there earlier. This, I hope is a tip towards their seriousness of being in this growing, shoe-hungry market. Yippee!

All I know is, Clarks is available once more, and I hope they bring in newer, better designs!

(psst – their website promises well – check out women’s designs here)

Shoes in News: Christian Louboutin & Jimmy Choo November 15, 2011

Shoes are headliners today in almost any fashion magazine or paper. While it has been important to know what shoes were matched with which dress, over the past few weeks, if you have been following CNN or The Independent (in other words the US and the UK fashion markets) it has become a little more shoe-centric than, say, a few months ago.

It all started with the Louboutin story.

A Fight over the Color, not Logo

A Louboutin Pump

If you dont know about the famous shoe brand on which Jennifer Lopez sang her famous ‘Louboutins‘ song from the album ‘Love?‘ - ‘Im throwing on my Louboutins!‘, now is the time to read up. However, unfortunately for us, the video never got filmed – Christian Louboutin had stated that he was ‘flattered’ that JLo had sung a song with his shoe line in it, and had thought up amazing creations for the video, but – sigh – that never happened.

So, Louboutin’s are shoes, made by Christian Louboutin. Just like Manolo Blahnik‘s are. He started making shoes with the now-famous red soles. And every celebrity wears one at least once a month. They are just so easy to identify!Also, he hardly ever makes low-heels. The shoes are designer, high heels for evening affairs. A pair typically costs hundreds of dollars and have been seen on innumerable starry events, including on Carrie, on Sex and the City (yes, that is a qualifier).

YSL's 'red-all-over' Shoes

And then – YSL happened. They made a shoe range that was ‘red all over’, and raised red flags all over Louboutin’s workshops. So, Louboutin argues that they (Louboutin) have the patented red out-sole for all their shoes, and anyone making shoes with red out-soles infringes their right. The red out-sole is of the colour ‘Chinese red’, but they argue that any similar shade of red can be confused by consumers.

The million-dollar suit for “trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin” was filed in April 2011.

This is now a rather interesting case – can colour be trademarked?

Tiffany - Trademark Blue

Tiffany has now jumped into the game, and supported Louboutin. Why? Well, because Tiffany has trademarked their distinct ‘robin-egg blue’ and if Louboutin loses the case, (as they might, with YSL’s logic), Tiffany may stand to lose some day in the future!

So much for a simple shoe. Here, we have a legal battle between some of the biggest name sin high fashion over the color of the sole of a shoe!!

This will surely set the precedent for legal cases in years to come.

aad

aswdwa

podf

Jimmy Choo

On other Shoe-related BIG news, Jimmy Choo will be seeing some changes! After 15 long years heading the range, Tamara Mellonis resigning from Jimmy Choo. The other high-fashion foot accessory will now see new leadership and who knows? A new direction?

Tamara Mellon with her Choo's

I will let this brilliant article speak for me on The Independent.

 

Note: Links trackback to The Independent, The Economist and Forbes for their brilliant articles on these subjects; apart from Wikipedia