It’s been a good, long run, but it’s time for the blazer to step down from it’s pedestal and be replaced with a new heir. Enter the Bomber Jacket (Non-fashion folk, that’s a jacket with an elasticated waist and sleeves, with a zipper down the front. You’re welcome.)

 

And we’re not just talking any old bomber jackets, like the usual sports-inspired ones we’ve seen around since the eighties. No. These babies are embellished, embroidered and emblazoned with larger-than-life prints. The ‘Statement Bomber’, if you will, is one of Spring’s key trends and is doing the rounds of the high street after having filtered down off the runways of Erdem, Marni, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jonathan Saunders, Stella McCartney, Pringle, Balmain and Trussardi to name a few.

 

Stay true to it’s boyish reputation by pairing it with skinny jeans and trainers or combat boots. Or if a more feminine silhouette is more your thing, throw one over your favourite dress to for a boy-meets-girl feel. These babies also make for a fun pairing with shorts if you’re in the mood to get your indie on.   Oh, and if you’re thinking accessories, I’d steer clear of statement necklaces that would take the focus of the jacket or fussy bracelets that could get in the way of it’s elasticated cuffs. A long pendant, earrings or rings work best with this winner and a utilitarian, ‘working gal’ carry-all or a mid-sized satchel compliments the fun meets functional vibe of the jacket perfectly.

 

Are you as excited to try the trend as I am? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

It’s no secret that art adorns everything this season with brushstrokes making a splash across bags, shoes and accessories from high end to high street. But leave it to the legendary Miuccia to take things up a notch by ordering specially commissioned murals painted by young, hand-picked, up-and-coming American street artists to bedizen not only Prada’s emphatic S/S ’14 runway, but the beautiful, show-stopping bags that punctuated their collection of embellished dresses, avant-garde coats, pleated skirts and prep school knee-highs.

 

The bags, now a favourite among the editorial and street style set, feature six pop-art murals of models, some with anguished faces, some serene, some bordering on an almost Mona Lisa-like unreadability. Having made appearances in InStyle UK, Marie Claire UK, Grazia UK among others in March alone,  the bags are now being referred to as the ultimate fashion-art collaboration ever. And, as always, being seen slung casually on the arms of fashion’s A-team (Anna Wintour and Anna Dello Russo) has helped it’s ‘want’ factor, skyrocketing the bags to the top of fashion’s Must Have list for spring. Move over, Chanel Rainbow!

 

These luxe carry-alls effortlessly fuse together the past and the future with the murals delivering an almost renaissance feel while the clean lines and pop-art element bring a dose of the future to the table. All in all, if you’re a woman of substance seeking a bag to match, you’ve officially met yours this season.

Sure, cutesy star prints had their shining moment, but this trip round the sun is all about grown up, edgy nebula prints.Easily teleportable through day or night, pair with the season’s sequins, spangles, studs and spikes to ace your initiation into the fashion guild. Bonus points for lightsaber jewellery!Shop the trend here.

Are you galaxy print droid? Share your views on the trend in the comments section!

Bisou bisou,
Anushka xx

Tonset of fall promises not only a new wardrobe, but a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘Drama Queen’. I happen to be channeling mine with the Oxblood trend.

Oxblood, the love child of cherry and chocolate, is fashion’s chosen hue for the chilly months. Apotted from the front row at Alexander Wang, Yigal Azrouë and Peter Som in leather, velvet and lace, it’s safe to assume rich sophistication and understated opulence are the names of the game next season. Smear some on your lips, sling it over your shoulder on a bag or show your legs some love with a pair of skinny jeans.  Or, if you just can’t wait for fall, indulge in some moody glamour by colour blocking oxblood with navies and neutrals on a dull, rainy day.

Are you as in love with the trend as i am? Tell me how you feel in the comments section.

Bisou bisou,
Anushka

Call me dramatic, but traveling during fashion week is the equivalent to being away from home on christmas. And though staying updated on the excitement was a breeze thanks to LFW tv, nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of watching the shows with your own fashion family.As jaded as most editors and fashion mavericks seem to be about fashion week, it never ceases to lose it’s appeal for me. Waiting for the lights to dim, moving to the rhythm of the music, watching  the ridiculously long legged models glide down the catwalk looking bored while ooh-ing (or eww-ing) each look with my friends is what I wait for each season. Not to mention the morning ‘who’s wearing what’ buzz and re-enacting last night’s scandalous after-party exploits. Delicious.

Gossip aside, I was particularly blown away by Shivan and Narresh. they had me daydreaming about accessorizing  each piece with with exotic cocktails and jeweled box clutches on a cruise round the Greek Islands.I developed a heart pounding, palm sweating crush on a pair of purple glitter Rajat Tangri trousers, had to be stopped from launching myself across the runway and ripping the camera print jacket off a model at Masaba and continue to search in vain for a pair of light up booties that stole my heart at Swapnil Shinde.

Yogesh Chaudhary’s sheer nautical striped maxi skirt, Komal Sood’s bold 70′s glam cocktail dress and Nimish Shah’s yellow high waist shorts were the finest examples of real girl wearability we all long for.

Oh and if it’s a trend you seek, look no further than neon. Showing up in most major shows, it  skyrocketed to the top of the summer trend charts while sheer fabrics, yellow, white, high waists and oversized accessories followed closely behind. Lace, pearls and nudes continue to be key influencers and show no sign of dropping off the style radar.

Before i forget, I knew i said I’d pick one winner for the Kiehl’s giveaway, but i decided to pick THREE. Congratulations Pearl, Sindhu and Tanaya! Please email me with your addresses and phone numbers on bombaybubble@hotmail.com before April 8th.

Bisou bisou,
Anushka

Give me a choice and I’d pick a print clash over a colour block in a heartbeat! There’s something about the crazy mash-up of prints, unified by a monochromatic colour palette that leaves me feeling like there’s a method to my own madness.

Sadly, I often tend to get lazy, teaming a rather generic polka dot with an equally vanilla stripe. My awakening came in the form of Numero Tokyo’s Gucci resort editorial. I’m beyond inspired by their effortless fusion of animal prints, baroques, florals and stripes contrasted with neon makeup and slicked back hair. Perfection in print.

 

What’s inspiring you this year? Share your biggest inspiration in the comments section!

Bisou bisou,
Anushka

I’ve had a lot of unusual obsessions in the past, but my love of the fabulously dressed geriatric population by far surpasses the rest.

My interest was sparked this summer in Spain when I chanced upon a group of super chic abuelas dressed in skirt suits and high heels, perfectly accessorized with hats and heirloom jewellery. Right then I knew I had to be one of them when I grew up.

As you probably already know, apart from an endless supply of hugs, goodies and interesting stories, your grandmothers are rich sources of information and advice. Here are the style lessons I learnt from mine :
(1) Never leave home looking less than perfectly groomed.
Mimi always had her shoes polished, hair styled and makeup applied immaculately before she left home.

(2) Never underestimate the power of a good bag.
She never left home without her signature custom made black Crocodile leather handbag. The perfect all occasion no brainer, it went with everything. She toted her life around in it.

(3) You don’t have to show skin to be sexy.

(4) A scarf can be your best friend.
She wore them with everything -  shirts, kurtas, even sarees!

(5) Style is a state of mind. It’s an inherent quality you can never outgrow.

Inspired? check out Ari’s blog, ‘Advanced Style‘ – my absolute favourite blog on the internet! Must read!

What lessons in style did you learn from your grandmothers? Share them with me in the comments section.

Bisou bisou,
Anushka

{P.S : Mimi, if you’re reading this, I know I didn’t always show it, but I miss you everyday. Happy birthday :) }

If you haven’t already caught on, Bombay Bubble is primarily a personal style / womenswear blog and up until now, men’s fashion has been uncharted territory for me.

Lately, however, the girl who spent a lifetime being intimidated in the menswear section has discovered she has a rather magnetic attraction to the neutral colour palette and copious variety of oversized shirts, blazers, pants and t-shirts that the men’s section has to offer.

A firm believer in the fact that inspiration lies everywhere, I found my adrogenous style awakening with these pictures.

Oh and in case you were wondering, I love me a guy in a trench, manbag and geek glasses! Drool.

Check out more pictures in the Facebook album.

Bisou bisou,
Anushka

hello everyone! how do you like ‘bombay bubble’s’ new look? also, i apologize for the prolonged hiatus. i’ve been down with a bad case of blogger’s block. (yes that totally is a thing!)

anyway, in my desperate search for inspiration, i stumbled upon a trend i’m quite excited about – the mid length skirt! for years, the mini was the belle coquette of fashion – everyone wanted to wear one. then, we all fell for the laid-back, boho allure of the maxi.

if you haven’t noticed already, fashion bores quick! we’re already on to the next big thing – full,40′s style mid-lengths! i already ran out to the zara sale and got myself one of these and i just love how it makes me feel all school-marmy / granny-ish in an ironic way!

i’m going to be pairing mine with leather jackets, faux fur gilets and ankle boots throughout the fall. if you’re not nearly as convinced as i am, here are a few street style inspirations to get you in the mood!

i’ll have an outfit post of me wearing mine once this blasted rain stops! are you getting in on the mid-length action, too?

bisou bisou,
anushka xx

{ elle italia april 2011} { image courtesy : the magnet agency }

okay i promised myself i wouldn’t bombard you all with more monsoon posts but these days it seems like every plan i make revolves around flooding and bad hair days. with humidity, floods and mud always trying to put a damper on things, we need all the inspiration we can to dress chic, agreed?

i’ve been creating moodboards of inspirational images at the start of summer and fall for ages but it never struck me to make one for the monsoon, till today.as you can see, clear everything works this year, from trenches to wellies and umbrellas. also, pops of colour pack a punch on a gloomy day while layering prints keep you snug when it gets chilly.

so here you have it, ladies and gents, my 2011 ‘rainspiration’. and, yes, the word is made up.

 

i hope you guys are as inspired by these images as i was. if you want to share your own inspiration with me, drop me a comment or an email!

bisou bisou,
anushka xx

{ p.s : my computer is misbehaving bigtime so i may not post for a few days till the problem is sorted out. bear with me, please. }