This week, Sonakshi Sinha channelled the dark mood of the Mumbai monsoon with a tailored Nikhil Thampi number in a rich olive green—but she wasn't the only star to keep things simple with a solid colour in lieu of prints. Sonam Kapoor complemented her navy blue Preen dress with flashes of red: a combination that was simple, and yet stood out.
Neha Dhupia brought some colour to the climate, picking a Payal Khandwala maxi in mango yellow. Malaika Arora Khan took the pastel route in dusky rose separates by Anj, as did Jada Pinkett Smith in soft peach pieces by Elizabeth and James. Emilia Clarke's Calvin Klein Collection dress came from the same colour palette as well.
The Bollywood ladies to play with patterns included Aditi Rao Hydari in Madison, Shraddha Kapoor in Issa and Lisa Haydon in a colourful embellished Pia Pauro—perfect for when one plans to escape the rains with an exotic vacation.
Chak De India director Shimit Amin's phone has been buzzing off the hook and with good reason. Two of his ad films with BBDO India have won prestigious honours at the highly acclaimed Cannes Lions International Festival of creativity 2015. Touch the Pickle, a bold, eye-opening campaign for Whisper about shunning the taboo associated with menstruation in India, has bagged the Grand Prix, in the Glass Lions – a new category for Gender Equality at the festival.
Additionally, Share the Load for Airel, also directed by Amin, featuring two senior women talking about their independent daughter-in-law over tea, has also bagged a Glass Lion for its entry to the festival. Vogue chats with Amin about the award and his experience with campaigns that advocate and highlight women's rights.
Two Cannes awards within three years of directing ad films is a feat. Do you wish you were there with the team to receive the Grand Prix?
Of course I do. I've never been to the festival and this is a big deal, especially for an Indian ad film campaign. The Gender Equality category is a first of its kind category which has been introduced this year and we are the first to win the grand prize within it. What's interesting is that we made this ad for India because it talks about Indian stereotypes. So it's a pleasant surprise that it has resonated with people who are not from our country and may not realise the taboo associated with periods in India. Also, we had strong competition from headliner campaigns like Like a Girl by Leo Burnett (among the most talked about TVCs in the genre), and it was a pleasant surprise that we trumped such strong campaigns and emerged winners.
Most sanitary napkin ads in India look and sound the same. Was it easy to break that pattern?
That was the point. If you look at the history of pad advertising in India, it's all been very silly and mindless. This was a campaign which stepped away from that. In fact we used the clichés and poked fun at them. The idea allowed a little bit of freedom, which is why it looks honest too.
The Touch the Pickle campaign goes beyond the product and addresses a mindset. How challenging was it?
The idea was that the older generation remembering that periods were something that was taboo. Many urban women today are able to go through normal life during their periods, but it wasn't always this simple for their grandmothers and even mothers' generations. We wanted to underline that and the challenge was to not make it preachy. It had to be a positive, upbeat campaign, unlike many sanitary napkin ads which usually begin by showing the girl being down and depressed. Here the young girl does everything that she's warned against during periods like wearing white, touching the pickle, playing an outdoor sport. What worked for the campaign was that we addressed an honest issue in a happy and tongue-n-cheek manner.
Today we see many ad films highlighting gender equality among other issues. Is that a positive sign?
Honestly I think it's becoming more of a fad and anything that is a fad ends very soon. There shouldn't be the need to constantly address the issue of equality, because it should be something that naturally exists. The Ariel campaign asks a simple question- Why are men not doing laundry in this country? Sometimes it angers me to even ask this question, but at least in the ad space where usually things are so clichéd, I'm glad I've got the opportunity to rock the MNC boat a little.
Do you think campaigns like these make a difference, or are they award-specific many times?
Yes, there are agencies that create campaigns only for awards, but I don't subscribe to that. I'm new to the advertising space and for me it's a great way to understand different demographics. Ads have tremendous reach. I can put across an idea within 45 seconds and if it's a strong film it will make people think. That cannot be done with a full-length feature. It's an important medium to explore ideas without being too heavy handed. Plus when brands are involved there are many clichés one is expected to resort to anyway. Making a point despite that is what one hopes to achieve.
Legs: you want to flaunt them under that flowy brunch dress or at one of those pending pool parties you've got to attend, but flaky skin, cellulite and ingrowths are coming in the way.
Vogue gives you quick and easy tips to get wow-worthy legs in four simple steps.
1. Scrub it off: Show your legs some love. Slough off dead skin with a gentle exfoliator. Not only does it even out your complexion, but it also helps eliminate ingrown hair. It's the easiest and quickest way to soft and shiny skin. If you plan on using an exfoliating brush, make sure to buff skin in a gentle circular motion—you don't want to harm your skin with harsh movements. This also helps increase blood circulation and makes your skin healthier.
For those looking for a more advanced option, chemical peels work best. However, don’t forget to apply a generous amount of sunscreen as the alpha and beta acids can make you more prone to sunburn.
2. Hydrate: Dry and scaly legs are less than chic and best avoided. To prevent this unwanted snakeskin effect, slather on a layer of moisturiser, daily. However, make sure to swap your body butters and heavy moisturizers for oil-free and gel-based products as there is nothing worse than sticky and oily creams in humid weather. These lightweight formulas not only glide on easily but also leave your skin supple and smooth sans the greasy residue.
3. Tackle cellulite: No matter how fit you are, cellulite can still affect you (even the skinniest runway models have it). The 'orange peel' effect is caused when fat deposits below the surface of the skin, inflaming connective tissue and causing the skin to appear uneven and lumpy. Cellulite creams won’t make it vanish, but will help make it less noticeable. If you decide to take the gym route, cardio and muscle training will help blast cellulite. One of the best ways to combat cellulite is to go for powerful detoxifying body treatments and massages that aid in lymphatic drainage to improve the texture of the skin.
4. Work it: Your lower body is the quickest place to build lean muscle. So make sure to get off your glutes and put your lower body to use–we're talking about lunges, calf raises and sprinting. Squats are the tried-and-trusted move for perfect legs. Start off by keeping your legs shoulder-width apart. Then allow your hips and thighs to pull your body down slowly, sitting as far back as you can so that your knees are in line with your ankles. Then rise up and down five to seven times from the original seated position.
There are casualties in all crusades, the quest for perfection is no exception to the rule. Recently, news regarding a girl collapsing due to lack of blood circulation was flooding newsfeeds worldover. The culprit? A pair of skinny jeans.
Here are some precautionary measures to take when your trusty pair strangulates you:
Lesson 1: When trying on a pair of jeans in a store, sit on that little stool in the corner. Is it painful? Take 'em off. Muffin top syndrome is as bad as rhabdomyolysis (Google it, it's a real thing). Don't give jeans a bad name because your pride won't allow you to buy a bigger size.
Lesson 2: Don't resemble a catalogue model in a pair of skinny jeans? Who said you had to? There are tons of shapes and cuts to try. Why follow the cult? Headline in something unique and make your own statement.
Lesson 3: Trousers do not equate jeans. Palazzos, cropped trousers and culottes are all equally flattering. Give up the obsession with clothes that look painted on and wear something that fits and doesn't obstruct motion.
Lesson 4: Dress for the occasion. You are not a Kardashian; you do not have a camera crew following you. If your day involves strenous physical activity, go with shorts or sweatpants. Activewear was made for a reason.
Lesson 5: If we still can't dissuade you to walk away from your beloved skinnies, try a workout. Not only will it help you get in shape, but it will also increase your stamina and blood flow. In the long run (what if you actually need to run?), you will make it through without collapsing.
Most importantly, the key is to remember that smaller clothes will not change your size. Celebrate your shape and wear what works for you. Clothes are inanimate; they do not control your life.
Monsoon can cause some major beauty meltdowns, calling for a make-up routine overhaul. So when it comes to heavy rain showers and sweltering humidity, nothing holds up better than waterproof mascaras. They are oil-based and immune to weather changes—and mood swings. Their water-resistant formulas are ideal, as they don't budge with water and sweat, making them perfect for an all-day wear.
Whether you're going for dramatic or delicate lashes, Vogue brings you the best waterproof mascaras that wont smudge or smear.
Want the perfect upturned, bold lashes that will open those eyes instantly? Try Guerlain's Maxi Lash that comes with its polymer trio that thickens, softens and shapes, and seals those curvy strokes.
If you're looking to reach the stars with your lashes, Clinique's High Impact mascara will shoot up the length of every individual lash. Double up the layers for instant drama.
And if you want fuller lashes, add up the volume with Bourjois' Twist Up the Volume mascara that comes with two brushes, one to lengthen and separate the lashes, and the other to add intensity and complete coverage.
Does the fear of oversharing make you feel like you're not cut out for cutouts? Contrary to popular belief, unabashedly risqué is not the only way to go. Let our favourite Bollywood ladies show you how to walk the fine line between bold and bawdy.
Kareena Kapoor Khan, a sworn patron of the trend, has experimented with everything from shoulder and waist cutouts to midriff-baring looks. Malaika Arora Khan proves that an asymmetric cutout around the neckline can really up your décolletage game. Lisa Haydon's gold and white floor-sweeping gown may have a high neck, but wide cut-outs at the waist make it far from coy. Want to opt for something more daring? Look no further than Nargis Fakhri's keyhole gown.
Just remember: the key to mastering this trend is choosing your cuts wisely and keeping the rest of the look elegant and pared-down.
It's a common phenomenon for celebrities to lend their creative side to beauty brands, and launch their own lipsticks. Mylie did a hot fuschia for MAC, Rihanna did too, and now Kendall Jenner creates one for Esteé Lauder, and we can tell you it's the brightest thing you will see all day.
As the face of the brand, she revealed her first-ever lip tint called Restless, in the Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick range. A vibrant blend of orange and red, this summery matte hue will lift up the dullest of days. The limited-edition lipstick shade that comes personally signed by the supermodel is poppy and bold—just like its dynamic wearer.
Jenner revealed this news with a cheery Instagram post, blowing kisses through her pouty red mouth. She is also heading the brand's campaign for its new fragrance, Modern Muse Le Rouge, due to launch in October this year.
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick in Restless is available on Esteelauder.com
