Material pleasures are permanent.

Dec 1, 2009

I came upon this realisation late last night and it simplified the world to me.This explains so much.

All the material things in our life, the books we read, the movies we love, the music we play, the clothes we buy are perhaps a lot less disappointing and a lot more permanent than the things we keep running after continuously - bad jobs, failing relationships, demanding parents and so on.

The former continue to keep us happy, and we continue to keep going back to them whenever we are low, lonely or hopeless.

Retail therapy treats bad break up woes.
Coldplay makes a bad day look good.
The solidarity and warmth of a good book.
A Johhny Depp movie makes dreams more beautiful.
Great coffee gives life a deeper meaning.
And a pair of high heels can stand you through your greatest blows.

So aren't these the things we should actually be running after?

All the gods of wisdom who kept telling us all our lives that material things are transient and less important than overrated values, should go take a hike.

After all, you can still read this note and feel a bit better no matter how miserable the times might be.

Seville, March 2015

Second Skin

What is black and dangerous and sexy and glamorous and worn by the coolest icons of the world from Marlon Brando in the 50s to Kelly Jones today? A defining leather jacket. Albert Einstein said that a good leather jacket can solve the coat problem for many years. I think it can solve the identity crisis problem just as well. For an outerwear that finds its origin in German military during World War 1, the not-so-humble leather jacket has had quite the stay.

Marlon Brando in his classic Schott Perfecto in The Wild One

How has the leather jacket stood the test of time and relevance and is universally a coveted part of any self-respecting wardrobe?

It has the vintage appeal - Manufactured as a utilitarian jacket for German aviators (Hitler also wore one) back in the 20s, the leather jacket has successfully transcended decades with by and large zero cosmetic changes. The pragmatic bomber jackets of WW 1 that came with sturdy fleece linings for warmth and protection gave way to the Schott Perfecto biker jacket in 30s (we'll visit the types in detail in the next section) which was immortalised by Hollywood and rockstars alike from Marlon Brando in The Wild One to The Ramones. The historic jacket was later adopted by the racers and got revamped to their sleeker sportier avatar. They may have seen transient moments of spikes, patches, studs and fringes, but whatever the style, whatever the era, leather jackets are an enduring image in our minds.

The original WW1 bomber jacket - designed to keep aviators warm

It has the swagger - Leather jackets have transformative powers on your body, like a well-tailored suit or high heels. They have potentially intimidating appeal and a solid 'don't-mess-with-me' vibe. They are your understated (or over-stated? good question!) invite into the cool-clan. And even though I would say they are meant for people with well-defined personalities, they can go a long way in helping you create one, even just for a night.

English band - Stereophonics
Leather jackets are uniform for British indie pop/rock bands

It is truly iconic - Just like sneakers, leather jackets are inextricably associated with youth subcultures. Pilots, gunmen, greasers, motorcyclists, punk-rockers, metalheads, Hell's Angels, goths, rebels, supermodels have all worn the jacket through time as veritable second skin and made it a bit their own. So when you buy one today, you can choose who you want to be from the list above or very well be all of them.

John Travolta symbolised the greaser sub-culture in his biker jacket

Indiana Jones (brown goatskin), Tyler Durden (red lambskin) , Maverick (black fleece) - literally the best people in cinema or reality have deified the leather jacket. And those beyond the best practically live in them (I really think this blog is turning into a Hedi Slimane PR stunt). Leather jackets are hot investment pieces and highly personal little luxuries. Plus, they are step 1 towards creating the now trendy 'lean wardrobe'.

Designer uniform - Hedi Slimane, Creative Director of Saint Laurent

Which brings us to our next question - how to we go about finding the right one? It relies on 3 potential deal-breakers.

1. Construction - Form, form, form. Leather jackets are insanely about choosing the right type that goes with your body and your personality and everything in between. By and large there are 3 kinds of leather jackets you will come across - the Bomber, the Biker and the Racer and all 3 will be extensions of your character - SO CHOOSE WISELY.

1) The Bomber 




The orginal 'flight' jackets are defined by their waist length, a contrast inner lining and a turn down collar. The sleeves and waist will cinch tight, usually elasticised. They are the most functional leather jacket variety with greater focus on the inside (protective linings - originally meant to keep aviators warm high up) and lesser frills on the outside. They come with a front zip.




2) The Biker 

Or your classic, top of mind jacket - the one you picture when you hear 'leather jacket'. Made with full grained leather, they stand out with their asymmetrical front zipper, narrow faist, flared collars, large lapels and more external hardware. A true symbol of rebel clothing, the classic rider jacket was perfected by Schott Perfecto - the name you must memorise right now if you belong to the Biker category and iconised by Marlon Brando, James Dean, John Travolta, and as of 2000 and late - Kanye West.



3) The Racer 

Or the 'moto-cross' is the sportier brother of the Bomber and the Biker and the most minimalistic of the lot. Recognisable by its snug figure-hugging shape, barely any frills (zips, studs, pockets) and a small snap collar, it comes in rich leathers. It was originally designed for reducing drags during high-speed racing but today is probably the dressiest of the leather jackets, potentially replacing a tux.


But the hunt for the right construction doesn't end at the jacket style. Once you choose your type, get into the details. Check the quality of external stitching (thickness of the thread and no loose ends), internal lining (a good quality lining material will not tear or be flimsy looking when you take off your jacket) and hardware (the zippers, buttons and buckles should be in a single metal grade and not look worn out). A good leather jacket does not come cheap, so get the bang for the buck.

2. Materials - Leather jackets are made of tanned animal hide and thus next thing on the consideration list is the type of skin and the grain of leather. There are 4 popular skins used for leather jackets - cow, calf, goat and lamb - in order of increasing preference (easy right?).

Bovine or cow leather is great on durability but is tough and less flexible and thus hard to wear. Calfskin is a very good alternative as it is softer, fine grained and more pliable. Goatskin is both durable and supple at the same time and noticeable by its pebbly feel but the crown goes to lambskin as far as smoothness and lightness go, even though it might not be super durable (but hey, we are only going to wear them to parties right?). Lambskin makes the most versatile and luxurious jackets and celebrities are in love with them.

Once the animal has been chosen, comes the grain of leather - highly Masters in Leather Design kind of stuff, but to tell you simply - top grain leather is the best version to buy as it takes the whole outer hide of the animal but is smoothened, made waterproof and accentuated for flexibility. All top designers and brands work with top grain leather.

A word on PVC - PVC is the cheapest and most durable alternative to all kinds of leather and you can see it practically seizing the genuine leather market these days, be it jackets or handbags. Though they will definitely reduce your upfront jacket buying cost, it wouldn't last, wouldn't keep you warm enough and will mostly come with uncomplimentary looking linings and hardware. Hence, as with all little luxuries, better to save and invest in genuine leather. And I'll give you some great affordable options at the end of this post.

3. Fit  - I cannot stress this enough, the fit of a leather jacket can make it or break it for you. Spend a good amount of time trying them feeling them on you before you make a pick. And to help you do the same, there are 2 rules to follow.

1) Start with a size smaller - Leather jackets are one of the few fashion garments that look totally sloppy oversize. Read the title of this post - a leather jacket is meant to fit you like second skin so in my opinion, get a size smaller. Chances are you will fit into it and as time passes, the leather will expand to adjust better to your frame and viola, you'll look and feel like a rockstar.

2) Choose as per your body shape - Skinny guys can happily go for tight fitter motorcycle jackets that are cinched at the waist and thus more flared up at the top that makes them look more broad-shouldered. Not so lanky guys can do much better in a bomber or racer style, i.e. straight fits that can be snug or easy-fitting.

Other ideas to get a better a jacket fit are high-cut armholes, sleeves that end at the wrist and not zipping up the jacket. Remember it takes one mistake to make a cool leather jacket look unattractive so don't rush this part.

So now to my favourite part - my personal Anna Wintour moment where I will advise you on where to get a good leather jacket for Fall/Winter 2016. 8 fantastic options - 5 under $800. Woohoo!

1. Schott NYC





because Irving Schott invented the biker jacket, the Schott Perfecto and are the highest on credence for cool as illustrated by Hollywood. They have all 3 styles available in a variety of material and color combinations  here. By far your best bet.







2. Top Man
for really good quality but really affordable leather and faux leather jackets and the best pick if you are looking for something for a few seasons only. Buy them here. Most options are under $300.



3. Belstaff

a British outerwear brand with motosport heritage, great tailoring and some of the best polished leather racer options. Buy here.









4. All Saints

another British brand known for its premium leather and design-led product innovation and is worn by most modern day Britpop musicians from Stereophonics to Robbie Williams. Great for hybrid options. Buy it here.


5. Diesel

has some real nice distressed, worn-in feel leather jacket options and Diesel always does great things with hardware. Buy here.











Ok now let's multiply up the dollars and see some real covetable luxe leather jackets options:

6. Rick Owens
most desirable in aesthetics and production. There are endless high-street interpretations of his technologically advanced creative take on the leather jacket. His skinny, rock and roll, high collar bikers in calfskin are the luxe pieces you will hold on to for years. $1500 and above.

Rick Owens Biker Jacket

7. Givenchy
known for its dark, goth aesthetic, Givenchy is naturally a strong contender for top of the line leather jackets. Known for their signature roomy luxy feel, shoulder epaulettes and contrasting neoprene sleeves, you can get your hands on these made-in-Italy luxe pieces upwards of $3000.

Givenchy - Leather & Neoprene Bomber with black shearling lining

8. Balmain
brand of the moment! Stunning details in Balmain style, lots of OTT hardware and those quilted sharp shoulders, these lustworthy leather jackets come upwards of $4000.

Balmain Quilted Sleeve Brown Biker

You can buy all three on Mr Porter. 

Your search for a perfect, made-for-you, beautiful leather jacket for this Fall should end right here. I am totally partial for a good leather jacket (as evidenced from the length of this post) and hope to see a lot of you rocking them soon!

Leather is great in windy weather!
Berlin, 2012.

P.S - ODed on a lot of Britpop while writing this post to get into the groove of things and discovered some nice 8tracks playlists like this one!

DIY Champagne Cocktails

Hello! I was away travelling for about 2 weeks and was having too much of a good time going out all the time to spend any time indoor writing. But I'm back to glam up your festive season with a quick DIY post on champagne cocktails!

I only drink champagne on two occasions, when I'm in love and when I'm not. - Coco Chanel
Lisbon, Nov'15

I recently met a friend for a round of pre-dinner drinks at La Coupole, the legendary brasserie in Paris's Montparnasse area which is an art-deco temple where everyone from Jean Paul Sartre to James Joyce have wined and dined in 20s Paris. As with all typically French brasseries, there is a pretty enviable selection of wines and classic cocktails this place boasts of, but that day we decided to take things a notch higher with a Kir Royale. Kir Royale is a très french concoction made with champagne and crème de cassis (a sweet liquor made of black currents) or simply black raspberry liquor and is the perfectly swanky drink to begin a night that you know will degenerate or a brunch that is destined to go downhill. A super simple, super elegant drink that speaks of good taste, fine connoisseurship and a prelude to a great night.

La Coupole, historical French brasserie in the 14th arrondisement of Paris

But then that is the particular thing about champagne. In my previous post on sparkling water, I had mentioned how effervescence or bubbles are a harbinger of good times. Champagne is a symbol of celebration and hence a natural luxury. It conjures with its impetuous bubbles a magical lifestyle of grace and a good life - a reminder of a product that has been painstakingly prepared in pre-mediated conditions of humidity and temperature to cause an elusive double fermentation of wines made with a combination of choicest grapes of varying vineyards and vintages. Add to that the importance of champagne in popular culture, it is found in art, literature, music and James Bond, is a veritable shade of color and comes with its own unique set of etiquettes to be followed from its uncorking to its spraying. Thus, when you take the most luxurious of alcoholic beverages and try to make it more interesting with a cocktail, you basically add a personal touch to what is already a luxury thereby creating something quite special and more exclusive than champagne itself! And there, this amazing vibe effortlessly permeates into your party or brunch making everything and everyone feel a bit more unique. To add to this, these cocktails make the best use of fresh seasonal fruits, look beautiful in perfect day colors - blush pinks, corals and peaches, work fantastically in crisp proportions, look chic on guests being sipped elegantly from a flute and don't leave irreparable wine stains! Easy sophistication, isn't that what all of us are looking for in our lives?

Celebration in a flute, anytime anywhere. 
Como, April'14

So let's begin. Here are a few things you will need to make and serve some cool champagne cocktails at your next party :

1. A good sparkling wine - At this stage, I would like to make the rookie distinction between champagne and sparkling wines. Though the word champagne is more or less generically used to describe any kind of sparkly wine, Champagne is a sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region in the north of France and grapes nurtured in that appellation. Krug, Ruinart and Moet et Chandon are some celebrated producers reigning from the Champagne region which contributes over a hundred producers. Sparkling wines are thus producers based in other areas of the world, for instance Cava in Spain or Prosecco DOC from Italy, names you might have had. In essence, sparkling wines are either white or rose and for your DIY cocktail experiment, you are most likely to bring home a 'champagne'. Also, as most champagne cocktails tend to be on the sweeter side, when in doubt, choose the Brut (dry) version.

Whatever the choice of champagne, do ensure it is chilled as hell.

2. A mixer - A fruit-based mix to add flavour, color and seasonality to your champagne cocktail. The more natural they are the fresher your cocktail would be. Another reason I prefer preparing fruity mixers at home is because you are likely to get stuck with big bottles of store bought peach schnapps or creme de cassis for a long time and it will stop you from trying newer cocktail variations.

3. A glass - A nice champagne flute, that is a stem glass with a tall, narrow bowl (in all the photos below) or the more traditional coupe, a wide cup with a shorter stem make champagne cocktails look the best. Flutes deliver better on aesthetics and fizz. Alternatively, white wine glasses are GTG.

4. Some garnish - Orange and lemon twists, mint springs, muddled flowers, cubes of ice.

Here are 5 quick and easy champagne cocktail ideas to luxuriate your next party (I swear to God I didn't know luxuriate was a legit word till like last night, isn't it cool?!) These are ranked in order of my favourites. I have further simplified most recipes with easy to find ingredients and they should not take you more than 5-8 mins to conjure should you have everything ready.

1. Bellini

or champagne with fresh pureed peaches. Created by Giuseppe Cipriani, owner of Harry’s Bar in Venice. He named the drink after his favourite painter Giovanni Bellini and the matching oranges of the cocktail and one of his paintings. It's probably the best known champagne cocktail in the world and I simply lurrrrve it!

You will need : 6-8 parts extra dry sparkling wine, Peach Schnapps (because freshly pureed 

peaches are hard to find!). Grenadine or raspberry puree, if available for a hint of blush.

How to make : Pour the Peach Schnapps at the bottom of a champagne flute. Add a dash of      

    raspberry puree on top. Top it up with sparkling wine. Don't stir!

P.S. If you were to endeavour to make peach schnapps at home, take 2 ripe peaches (seeded and diced) and process it with 1 spoon of lemon juice and 1 spoon of sugar in a food processor. Sieve to remove the peach solids and its ready to pour into glasses.

2. French 75

basically your good old Tom Collins, with soda replaced with sparkling wine. It is named after the French 75mm gun used in World War 1 and apart from being the perfect example of a classic French cocktail, is super refreshing and citrusy.

You will need : Sparkling wine, gin, some lemon juice and a lemon swirl

How to make : Shake 2 ounces of gin, 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp superfine sugar in a cocktail shaker. Pour out in a coupe glass or flute. Top with champagne. Add a lemon swirl for the garnish.

3. Ritzy Raspberry Revelry

or champagne with fermented raspberries. Created at The Hemingway Bar at Ritz hotel Paris it is the perfect twosome morning-after brunch companion, and needs a little bit of pre-planning (as with all perfect nights <3).

 You will need : Sparkling wine, vodka, raspberries

How to make : Mascerate (a process to soften and deskin ripe or preserved fruits by soaking them in a liquer so that they also absorb its flavour) about 10-15 raspberries in vodka for about 10 days. Pour 2/3rd of the vodka-ed raspberries into a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a red rose from your garden for the ultimate Ritz version. La amour is now served in your glass.

Champagne with fresh raspberries thrown in is ALWAYS a good idea!

Raspberry champagne and dark chocolate - simply the best diet ever.
Paris, April'15.

4. Kir Royale

or champagne with creme de cassis. Kir originated in Burgundy France and was founded by the Second World War hero Felix Kir who made it with local white wine made with Aligoté grapes (extra dry) and creme de cassis (dark colored sweet liquor made with mascerated blackcurrants). Kir Royale is Kir's more swish cousin as it replaces wine with champagne and a popular feature in French aperitif hours.

You will need : A bottle of Creme de cassis or Chambord (raspberry liquer), champagne

How to make : Pour 15ml of creme de cassis (3 tea-spoons) in the bottom of a champagne flute. Pour champagne on top and be guided by the color - stop when the cocktail gets a pale pink blush. You can garnish with blackcurrants.

 P.S. If you were to endeavour to make creme de cassis at home, pour vodka over blackcurrants in a large jar and leave it for like...5 months. Later, mash with a potato masher and strain and keep aside.


5.  Champagne Sangria

or sangria blossomed with champagne instead of wine. This colorbomb berried concoction is the most ambrosial of all champagne cocktails and the most DIY of all with a pick as you feel combination of liquers and fruit.

You will need : Thinly sliced oranges and lemons, a handful of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, 1 cup orange juice, a bottle of sweet wine (Reisling is a good choice) and a sparkling wine

How to make : Soak up all the chopped fruits in a large bowl with a cup of orange juice and a bottle of sweet wine overnight. Pour the fermented fruits over ice into white wine glasses and top up with champagne before serving. Garnish with mint juleps.

These easy champagne cocktail recipes will see to you drinking and serving more champagne in the upcoming months while ensuring your daily fruit intake. Infact I think you should make one soon because the weekend just called and she said she is bringing champagne. So cheeeeers from me and Jay Gatsby!

Ladies, Your First Luxury Timepiece.

After almost 6 months of starting this blog, while adjusting the time on my Dior VIII on the way back from work, I realized that I hadn't done a post on what is sort of my home turf - Timepieces! (a more luxurious word to use while talking about your watch). As the most understated yet obvious object of social peacocking, a luxury watch is a prestigious investment, and one that lasts you generations. Having spent a few years learning what makes a perfect luxury watch for a lady, I'm sending you this post right in time to take care of your festive season indulgences. ;)

Once we have done the standard Casio, Swatch, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani rite of passage, there comes a time when we are ready to wear something more timeless on our wrists. It's a natural progression that remarks our personal coming of age and thus carries definite value. Watches are worldwide the biggest category of self-reward, and that goes to say that watches carry far more meaning for us than being a mere bearer of time. To begin with, it is the kind of accessory we literally live in (some of us wear our watches to bed, don't we?) compared to others that we use perhaps only once a day, week, month, or on special occasions only. Watches communicate our personalities, status and choices in life without saying as much as a word. They are just perfect for those who don't want to be too flashy about their 'possessions' because as much as we would not like to show them off, watches have high natural noticability without being superfluous. For women, in addition to all these attributes, timepieces also double up as beautiful jewelry, thereby giving them an opportunity to own something preciously utilitarian and negating the need to invest in the latter.
A timepiece is an accredited entry into the world of luxury.

So let's say you've decided to invest in a luxury timepiece and managed to keep some savings aside for it, what are the things you must keep in mind while deciding which one to get? In short, what exactly makes a luxury watch for a lady?

1. The brand or the watch's position in the timepieces universe : Broadly speaking, the major luxury watch brands of the world fall into one of the 4 categories in feminine timepieces with frequent overlaps.
a) Jewelry brands : Watch brands that started out as historical jewelers and eventually extended into the timepieces category. Cartier, Bvlgari, Chopard, Van Cleef et Arpels - these brands showcase their jewelry crafstmanship and gem-setting expertise in their watches and are known for creating bejewelled pieces.

b) Fashion brands : Watches that come from the houses of major fashion brands. Gucci, Calvin Klein, Versace and the likes. Though these watches carry design codes of the house, they are normally inferior in movements and quality of parts. Best to be bought as a part of a watch wardrobe and not as a single luxury timepiece investment.

c) Watchmaker brands : The top manufacturers based in the Swiss watchmaking valleys of Geneva, Lausanne, La Chaux de Fonds or Zurich. They are top notch in movements and caliberations and use in-house manufacturing expertise. These kind of watches often come with interesting patents and editions. Brands include 80% of the luxury watch industry - Jaeger Le Coultre, IWC, Breguet, Patek Phillipe to name some biggies

d) Luxury brands : Timepieces from the luxury brands. Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes - People often confuse this category with that of Fashion brands, but the key difference is that luxury watch brands are 'Swiss-made' or have high technical and manufacturing expertise compared to fashion brands which comes from having their own factories in Switzerland.


2. The Heritage : Quite interestingly all watch brands and their major collections come with unique and awe-worthy origin stories and prestigious associations that give them a strong identity.  Breguet's Reignes de Naples was created for Napolean's sister, the Queen of Naples.. Panerai was the official timekeeper of the Italian navy. The first prototype of Cartier Tank was gifted to General Pershing during World War 1 before being made publicly available. Van Cleef et Arpels originated out of the love story of its founders Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef. Dior VIII is named after it Christian Dior, its founder's lucky no 8.  Every watch carries with itself a saga of valour, pride, royalty, ambition, achievement, passionate romance and when you buy the watch you personalise this story to make it your own. Finding a heritage story that resonates with you the most is indeed a good way to shortlist a favourite watch!

3. The time-keeping mechanism : Again, broadly speaking your watch would be digital (where time appears as numbers do on the weighing scale like Casio or Seiko for example), quartz (battery operated so you wouldn't need to wind it and it would be easy to use with a battery replacement whenever it runs out) or automatic (the watch would power itself, i.e. the watch movement operates mechanically through watch parts set by machine/hand in a typical Swiss watch way and come with a power reserve). Though there is definite merit in getting an automatic watch for the snob value and the bursting-bubbles-in-a-bubble-wrap kind of joy of winding your watch when it's out of power, getting a quartz watch is definitely an easier option for women as it is ready to use whenever and would be decently inexpensive than an auto.

4. Ladies v/s Men's brands : The luxury watch industry is by and large male dominant with a few Swiss players still manufacturing only for men. For the chunk of the rest, they started as men's watches brands and diversified into the women's category as the market matured. Which means that barring a few handful exceptions, most popular men's watch brands that make watches for women aren't experts in that category and their version of a women's watch is basically a male watch with diamonds on it or a large male dial-size with a glossy pink strap attached. Which implies that but ofcourse most of them look ugly and unsuitable on women's wrists in terms of fit and proportions. Thus a better idea then to buy a watch from a brand that is an expert in feminine timepieces to ensure you invest in a watch that is 'made for you' and feels right on your wrist.

5. The 3 primary design parameters : How a watch looks and whether it would appeal to you or not would comprise of the following:

1) Material : What is it made of? Traditional materials for watches are typically steel and gold. Newer materials include ceramic, sapphire crystal, titanium, carbon fiber etc. There are watch brands whose primary innovation lies in using impossibly high tech materials to produce watches, but a subject better covered in the male version of this post. The second important choice to be made is bracelet versus strap. Straps could be in rubber or exotic leathers like alligator, calfskin or crocodile in matt or patent. As a first luxury watch, a bracelet version is sort of a better choice as it is inherently more versatile and can mostly be replaced by a strap in a couple of years, most watch brands offer that flexibility. Depending on the bracelet or the strap, the watch will either come with a clasp or a buckle option.

2) Dial size : Watch dial sizes for women typically range from 19 mm to 42 mm, averaging between 32-33mm which is the most widely selling and suits most wrist sizes. When choosing the right dial size for you, keep in mind that its always more elegant when a bit of the bracelet/strap is also visible on your fore-wrist, apart from the dial so that the watch can be seen and admired in its totality. Market trends though are hugely towards chunky dials with the soaring popularity of brands like Hublot and could be an unconventional choice,

3) Dial shape : Watch dials are largely either circular or square, with very infrequently variations to that. Again, a strictly personal choice to decide the shape that looks good on you. Breguet does beautiful oval dials in their Reignes de Naples collection which I personally feel looks quite striking on women. Cartier released a watch called Cartier Crash, inspired by Dali's surrealist paintings in a very unconventional shape last year.

Cartier Crash - Inspired by Surrealism

6. Personal Style : As with all things luxury, I cannot stress enough the importance of personal style while choosing your timepiece. You can go for your favourite watch story and get a completely classic watch or something edgy and contemporary from a with-it in-the-moment brand, you can get a strappy sporty watch or a jeweled feminine one, you can choose a serene mother-of-pearl dial or a bright lacquered dial in blue, pink or green! The options are limitless, but bear in mind what would continue to appeal to you down the years and thus there are bona fide advantages of selecting a simple and timeless classic watch as your first major luxury buy. Also, you can always build a watch wardrobe as you go along, which is to say watches that go with different styles and hours of the day and ofcourse your all-important mood. Just remember that there is no point in thinking of watches as investment pieces as the era of watches having good resale value (barring a few Patek Phillipes and Rolexes) is now over and so your luxury watch decision can be 100% based on what you love only.

So now, here  are 10 personal favourites that make for fantastic choices for your first luxury watch featuring a combination of materials and can help you narrow down on your decision. These are all under 10,000 euros.

1. Bvlgari Serpenti 

The story - The signature Serpenti collection from Bvlgari celebrates the power and dynamism of the serpent
Watch type - Stainless steel, 35mm, quartz, crown set with ruby. Also available in steel-gold, full-gold, and studded versions
For who - Women looking to make an unmistakable bold and contemporary statement while wearing the eternity of a Bvlgari
MRP - 5.4 K USD
Founds on the wrist of - Carla Bruni
Find more at - http://www.bulgari.com/en-us/products/101911-e.html


2. JLC Rendevous Bicolor

The story - Celebrating pure watchmaking tradition with refined feminine beauty, JLC created this version as an India limited edition
Watch type - Stainless steel, 34mm, auto, mother of pearl, gold and diamonds, date indicator
For who - Women who (or pretend to) know their watches and watchmaking and are looking for something with a more festive feel
MRP - 10K USD
Founds on the wrist of - Diane Kruger
Find more at - http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/US/en/watch-finder/rendez-vous/15?case=Bicolor

3. Dior Blue Christal

The story - The first brand ever to use sapphire crystal normally used to make the watch glass case in a decorative way to make bracelets
Watch type - Blue sapphire crystal, MOP and diamonds, 33mm, quartz. Also available in deep red.
For who - Women who want to experiment with a versatile color and an offbeat material
MRP - 7K USD
Founds on the wrist of - Sharon Stone
Find more at - http://www.dior.com/couture/en_us/timepieces/timepiece-collections/dior-christal

4. Chanel J12

The story - Launched in 1999 and inspired by the sea, it transformed ceramic into a luxurious material in contemporary watchmaking
Watch type - Black hi tech ceramic, 33mm, quartz, diamonds. Also available in white ceramic.
For who - Women looking for a statement evening watch with a mysterious allure
MRP - 6K USD
Founds on the wrist of - Emma Watson
Find more at - http://www.chanel.com/en_US/Watches/j12-black

5. Cartier Tank Anglais

The story - First prototype gifted to General Pershing in 1919. Known for its clean, crisp art-deco aesthetic and a standard in classic women's watches
Watch type - Stainless steel, 34mm, quartz, blue hands. Also available in steel-gold, gold and studded versions
For who - Women looking for a true blue  classic from the strongest feminine watch manufacture
MRP - 7K USD
Founds on the wrist of - Jackie O and Lady D
Find more at - http://www.cartier.com/collections/watches/womens-watches/tank.html

6. Rolex Submariner Date

The story - Iconic divers watch since 1953, but perhaps the only divers watch you can wear with an LBD
Watch type - 40mm, steel, auto, chronometer, green dial with rotatable bezel
For who - Women passionate about exploring the unchartered wearing green
MRP - 9K USD
Founds on the wrist of - All cool men
Find more at - http://www.rolex.com/watches/submariner/m116610lv-0002.html

7. Omega Constellation

The story - Featuring Omega's renowned co-axial movement, Constellation collection is characterised by its famous claws and striking dials
Watch type - 27mm, MOP, matt finish steel and yellow gold, quartz
For who - Women looking for an economical luxury buy in popular steel-gold combination
MRP - 5K USD
Founds on the wrist of - Cindy Crawford
Find more at - http://www.omegawatches.com/watches/constellation/

8. Chopard Happy Sport

The story - Chopard's signature moving diamonds since 1973, recently celebrated 20 years
Watch type - 36mm, circular dial, steel and diamonds, quartz. Also available in alligator strap
For who - A free spirited woman with a love for chunky dials
MRP - 8.9K USD
Founds on the wrist of - Vanessa Paradis
Find more at - http://www.chopard.com/watches/happy-diamonds


9. Dior VIII Montaigne

The story - Dior's signature line, Dior VIII was launched in polished stainless steel in 2014 with its iconic cannage bracelet and an ergonomic design
Watch type - 32mm, pink sunbrushed dial with diamonds, auto Also available in blue.
For who - Women whose favourite color is pink and are looking for a shiny, feminine timepiece
MRP - 8.5K USD
Founds on the wrist of -
Find more at - http://www.dior.com/couture/fr_fr/horlogerie/collections-horlogeres/dior-viii


10. Luminor Panerai

The story - The Florentine watch of the Swiss watch world, Panerai watches have a distinctive design appeal and the clain to fame of being the official watch of the Italian navy
Watch type - 44mm, black dial with luminous numerals, calfskin strap, auto
For who - Women who would rather buy a cool men's watch
MRP - 5.9K USD
Founds on the wrist of - Salma Hayek
Find more at - http://www.panerai.com/fr/collections/collection-de-montres/luminor.html


11. Apple watch Hermes (bonus! but ofcourse)

The story - Possibly the best luxury-tech collaboration of our times, the trendy Apple watch with the legendary Hermes stirrup style strap is a must-have
Watch type - A smart watch with 3 delectable strap options
For who - Women struggling to find a good looking Apple watch
MRP - 1250 USD
Founds on the wrist of - Anna Wintour!
Find more at - http://www.apple.com/in/apple-watch-hermes/

Hope I have taken care of your decision of spending less in 2016 by spending more in 2015. Do write in comments below should you need more details about any of these watches or a free private consultation. :)

Happy times ahead!

Sneaker Couture - Your Definitive Lust List

Disclaimer - There is a mighty overuse of the word 'cool' in what you are now going to read.

I bet you all have noticed the sneaker's phenomenal and monumental rise from the street to the runway and the red carpet. If there is one accessory that has seen a giant transformation in design, context and even philosophy over the past decades it is your humble sneaker, now innately stylish worn with a slim suit and totally proper worn to work. Let's take a moment here to hail the triumph of the fashion sneaker.

Bill Cunnigham shoots designer sneakers on the street

Few wearable accessories transcend their basic utility to become steeped in popular culture and embody youth spirit the way sneakers have done down the ages. Converse is to sneakers what Levi's is to jeans and and if denims saw their designer transformation in the 70s, sneakers are coming of fashion age as we speak.

So what has led to the soaring popularity of designer sneakers and made it perhaps one of the more perfect examples of little luxuries? Because I am a sucker for lists, I'll give you 8! :)

1. The dichotomy of a sneaker, an everyday pragmatic wear as an object of luxury is innately cool to begin with. An everyday part of our lives, made luxurious yet accessible.

2. They help you push the boundaries of your otherwise understated sartorial style and signal a sense of experimentation and irreverence when you wear them. Sneakers are all about keeping it cool.

3. They are definitely legit work wear now (thank you Zuckerberg!) and speak of your cool, new age profession when you wear them at parties.

4.Yet they look a bit off duty- the unassuming glam of the uniform of someone who is too busy to think about their clothing. Exactly what you feel when Marc Jacobs or Phoebe Philo (Celine) do their post-show runway walk in their Stan Smiths. Or when fashion editors do their fashion week running around in them.

Phoebe Philo, Creative Director of Celine, always in her Stan Smiths

5. You can wear what your favourite sports idol or designer or CEO is wearing in less than $200

6. They make you feel inherently athletic, even though you haven't been to the gym or the track since cicadas chirped.

7. They fit in seamlessly with the now prevalent normcore trend. Normcore is essentially highly-comfortable-grey-sweatpants-and-dad-jeans kind of anti-fashion statement. And sneakers are right on top with the subdued luxury of something very utilitarian.

8. They go with everything! Yes they do! Even suits and dresses when worn right. Then they are a bit like hats, they look cool only on the genuinely cool.

9. Gisele has posed nude in them for Vogue Paris. I rest my case.

Gisele in Stan Smiths, Vogue Paris 2004

The history (sorry for this- I have tried to make it interesting by making the entire history shoppable!) of celebrity collaborations in sneakers (Rise of the Sneaker Culture- an exhibition dedicated to the sneaker's exonerable rise is now playing at the Brooklyn Museum)  started as we all know with Converse's Chuck Taylors All Stars in 1930s and haven't stopped since, thanks to the brand wars between Adidas and Nike. It was Nike that took sneakers in the realm of fashion with Nike Cortez in the 70s milking the twin trends of conspicuous consumption and fitness obsession of that time. At the same time Adidas collaborated with Tennis star Stan Smith to launch the eponymous Stan Smiths. Gucci launched the first official designer sneaker in 1984 (year of my birth, so luxurious!). Nike's Air Jordans ushered in the cult of the Sneakerhead. Run DMC made sneaker hip-hop culture mainstream with the Adidas SuperStars. Then in 2002, Adidas again upped the game with a proper designer collab with Jeremy Scott. And this was just the beginning. In 2004, Hedi Slimane dropped all-white hightop sneakers on the runway at Dior Homme and we all knew that the rules had just been broken. These days collaborations can be a lot more demand-driven marketing gimmicks - only 5000 pairs of Kanye's Nike Air Yeezys were launched in 2012 to propel exclusivity and sneaker heads lapped up the collection in about an hour. Kanye swiftly moved to Adidas then and his Yeezy Boss 350 launched this August sold out just as quickly.

Take your Kanye West designer sneaker pick!

So now that we have logically concluded the rise and dominance of sneaker couture and you are all lusting to get your hands on a pair, I present to you my 11 favourite designer sneakers :

1. Raf Simons for Adidas

    Launch date: SS 2014

    MRP : 427 euros

    Why : Bold colors and contrasting materials, these come with mesh, leather panels and silicone 

               details

    Buy it here : Most sold out but you can find a few pairs here.

2. Jeremy Scott 'Wings' for Adidas
    Launch date: June 2008
    MRP : 220 euros
    Why : The sneaker with wings
    Buy it here : The cut out version is available here.

3. Louboutin Louis Black Stud High Tops
    Launch date: 2011
    MRP :  800 euros
    Why : Studs on anything are fierce, and luxe when they come with red soles
    Buy it here : Also available in all white ;)

4. Gucci Vintage Low Top Tennis
    Launch date: 1984
    MRP :  440 euros
    Why : The first ever luxury sneaker
    Buy it here.

5. Rick Owens for Adidas
    Launch date: 1984
    MRP :  402 euros
    Why : The deconstructed sneaker with 2 separate soles, in uber luxe black and white leather
    Buy it here.

6. Tom Ford Glam Sneakers

    Launch date: 2014
    MRP :  967 euros
    Why : Russel leather high top sneaker with a understated white sole - Made In Italy
    Buy it here.

7. Nike Air Yeezy Red October

    Launch date: Feb 2014
    MRP :  220 euros, and a resale value of 2000 euros
    Why : Perhaps the hardest to get sneakers EVER.
    Sold out

8. Valentino Camo RockRunner Sneakers

    Launch date: SS 2013
    MRP :  840 euros
    Why : Camo becomes Valentino chic in this one in a range gorgeous colors and stud details
    Buy them here

9. Buscemi 125mm Leather High Tops
    Launch date: 2014
    MRP :  800 euros
    Why : Rich leather in edible colors including gold, golden padlock with keys and more out of stock                than on shelves. They don't advertise.
    Buy them here

10. Giuseppe Zanotti 
    Launch date: 2014
    MRP :  475 euros
    Why : In crocodile leather, all white and all black lace ups with gold metal hardware, widely worn
               by hip hop bigwigs
    Buy them here

11. Saint Laurent Court Classic High Top Sneakers

    Launch date: SS 2013
    MRP :  795 euros
    Why : Because when Mr Hedi Slimane sends something down the runway whether for Dior
               Homme in 2004 or YSL in 2012, we know we gotta have 'em. This one comes with fringe.
    Buy them here.

Sneakers today are fore-fronting our modern day shoewear evolution and surprisingly are dominating in the men's category by far compared to women's. Sneakers are to men today what handbags are to women. And just how when men were boys they always cared about who had what sneakers, the rise of the designer sneaker will ensure that this illogical relationship and adult love for one's sneakers is a a phenomena that continues!