Fashion Obituary: Margaret Thatcher

Whatever is said about Margaret Thatcher's political standing or legacy thereof,  there is no doubting that  her style quotient was highhhh! Leaving out the brooches, which clearly were meant to be political statements in themselves, the former prime minister who died aged 87 earlier today, will be remembered just as much for her  fashion choices as for her fixed governing style. 

Thatcher's wardrobe was a suit of armour fit for an Iron lady, but style sense, of course, wasn't born overnight. She worked tirelessly on it, with image advisors, over a period of years, until she found the perfect image of power. She once owned an enviable collection of hats, whichshe surrendered, on the advice of her style consultants, before becoming prime minister. Few things of yore managed to remain with her from her pre-prime minister days,but  her pearls are the greatest exception. From picture-perfect housewife to the post of prime minister, she carried the look forth, and did it well. But of course, that connects. Pearls, no doubt, are the epitome of traditionalism and hence did their job absolutely perfectly.

'I'm always safe in it' is how she described and defened her unchanging dress sense which shall keep inspiring strong women; political or not, for decades to come. Bringing 'power dressing' to a whole new level with her skirt suits complete with authoritarian, exaggerated shoulders, pussy-bow blouses, signature pearls, and solid handbags. In fact she wore her famed Asprey handbag so often, that it came to symbolize her famed (and dreaded) negotiation style, interestingly giving way to the phrase 'handbagging' which implies getting scolded on the job, and even getting fired.

To describe Thatcher's functional styling in 3 words...the safest of choices would be;conservative, consistent and powerful. Thatcher's fashion legacy was, is and shall remain a case study for fashionistas and women of power, for a long time to come. For now, it lives on as Hilary Clinton's pant suits... Condoleeza Rice's pearls... and Nancy Pelosi's penchant for monochromatic skirt suits.

Fashion Forward: Hina Rabbani Khar

Move over Michelle Obama and the Middletons....we in the Sub Continent now have a style icon of our own, and no, she is not a Bollywood Barbie but a politician from Pakistan; our newly elected Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar!

Currently on an official visit across the border, Hina Rabbani Khar (lets call her HRK shall we?) is in the focus of every fashionista right now; be it in Pakistan or India. Ariving in India in an outfit in ink-blue, which is the colour of the moment, Roberto Cavalli sunglasses and peals, HRK sure dressed to impress!

There is no doubt Miss Foreign Minister has been recieved well across the LoC and is creating waved within the media as well as the masses there! Dont believe me? A quick check online proves that #Hina Rabbani Khar #HRK and #Birkin are trending from India on the microblogging website Twitter. And is that wasn't enough, the India media is having a field day with the fashionista's oversized Birkin, her Roberto Cavalli sunglasses and classic pearl jewellery. "Pak bomb lands in India" (Mumbai Mirror) , "Pak Puts On Its Best Face" (The Times of India) are just some of the headlines from popular Indian publications.

HRK's style in understated glamour, very reminiscent of Jackie O...what with her strands or pearls and diamonds, oversized sunglasses, designer heascarves and coveted handbags. they say you can measure a fashionista's style quotient by the handbag she carries....and in that case, HRK's Birkins prove it all. Yes, i said Birkins, for HRK owns not one but two of the most recognized bags in the fashion world. She is almost always seen sporting either version of her Birkins, either tan or black, complemented perfectly with the right amount of bling and other tasteful accessories.

With a clear preference for monotone dressing, HRK, as per Islamic tradition dons headscarves...and dare i say, makes then look chic too! She also opts for sleek cut trousers in lieu of the traditional shalwars, proving she ain't no extremist, knows what's in, and carries it well too!

HRK sure has the Delhi skies droooling right now, but be warned India, she is more than just a pretty face! She may be stylish and rich but hey, she is no Paris Hilton! HRK happens to be Pakistan's first female Foreign Minister and the youngest to-date too! One hopes she takes her dressing smarts to the negotiation tables too!

FASHION FOCUS: AMY WINEHOUSE

There is no doubting that Amy Winehouse was followed not just for the music she made, but for her amazingly free-spirited fashion sense too! With her toweing beehive, exaggerated eyeliner, misscellany of tattoos and body artand obvious dedication to 60's style clothing, Amy Winehouse inspired more than just Haloween costumes, and will continue to do so. There is no denying that, in tandem with her career, the late Winehouse's style was retro, distinctive and utterly rock n roll.

Interestingly, Amy's sense of dress, as the voice she was bestowed with, reflected the free spirited individual she was and will continued to be remembered as. Some liked her and some obviously didn't.... and likewise it was for her style sense. But hey, it has to be said that she was, unlike many others, original. So many musicians draw their muses from the past, but not Amy! She made this look her own, imperfections and all, left now for legions of music and fashion fans to follow.

With her beehive being a hit with designers such as Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld, and her tracks also proving to be runway favorites, its not understatement that she was as important to the fashion world as fashion was to her. She liked dressing ;'easy'; white tank yop, denims and converse shoes being her most favoued attire whiel performing... but the simplicity of that, coupled with her exagerrated make-up, made Amy Winehouse larger than life.

Not that it hasn't been the 'in' trend for the past few years, but i'm predicting the Amy Winehouse look will be bigger than ever before this halloween! Oh, and i'm also predicting eyeliner and red nailpolish sales will be skyrocketing in the next few days!

Cupcake Cool

Everywhere I go I am surrounded by these pastel-coloured, sugary things.And I don't mean high society aunties.I'm talking about cupcakes...sweet nothings...that are taking over the world.
Yes, cupcakes have a new life post primary school lunchbox treats and bake sales.It seems that everyone now is jumping on the sweet-tooth train and baking, biting and boasting cupcakes....whether its a friend from college running a cupcake business, a cousin giving them out as favours on her bridal shower or a fashion designer buddy sending them to announce the arrival of her baby....cupcakes are everywhere.
Vogue magazine has pronounced that: 'Owning a cupcake bakery is the career fantasy of our times.'... and i personally know no less that five cupcake business owners residing in my beautiful city by the sea, Karachi.
The sweet confections have 'overtaken chocolates and flowers as a gifting idea,' and are being toutes as the 'new candle'.The most exclusive can cost an arm and a leg just for a couple of sticky mouthfuls.
And i don't doubt that this cupcake boom took off with the help of the fictional protagonists of Sex In The City, who dropped in for dainty treats at the (real) Magnolia Bakery in New York.And because that makes them 'fashion', i can't complain...my waist, however, has a mind of its own!

House of Harlow Launching Sunglasses

Who better to launch her own line of sunglasses than someone rarely seen without them? Nicole Richie has, at long last, incorporated sunglasses into her hugely successful accessories line, House of Harlow 1960, launched in 2008.
Accesory afficianados like me have been oohing and aahing at her retro inspired shoes and hippy deluxe jewellery and now her sunnies, on sale from June, will complete the bohemian LA-luxe line.An initial collection of 40 classic shaped shades is scheduled to be retailed at very.co.uk and at East London boutique, 11 Boundary.Wish we could get them here!
I reckon the collection will be sold out in minutes, keeping with the popularity of the brand itself, coupled with the fact that summers are all about accessorising, big bold and in style. Embellished sandals, chunky statement necklaces and of course the obligatory summer essential, sunglasses!

The Ouch of Eyebrow Waxing

They say your eyes are the windows to your soul. I guess that makes our eyebrows the curtains! And just as the perfect window treatments complement your windows, the shape of your brows can add dramatic beauty to your face.But be warned....going from drab to fab takes expertise. Unless you want to run the risk of  the 'surprised by everything' look, trust only experts to shape your  eyebrows.

Tweezing, threading, waxing, shaving and laser-ing are some of the most popular choices in this regard, and for me, the treatment of choice is waxing...and i'v just come out of one such session! Now, i've been getting my eyebrows waxed for ages, yet still come across girls unfimiliar with the 'treatment'!

Sadly, there are very few salons in Karachi who wax eyebrows...i trust Queen's to do mine and they do a damn good job of it! If you haven't tried it yet, you should, it's painless compared to threading, causes less irritation and stays smooth much much longer than other techniques too.

This JUST In: Versace for Kids

Following the likes of of fashion greats Gucci, Lanvin, and Stella McCartney, Versace has a kids’ line underway!There are several lines which make up Versace: Versace Couture, Versace Jeans Couture, Versace Home Collection, Versus, and Versace Collection. In addition to clothing and accessories, it also operates a hotel, the Palazzo Versace, as well.
Young Versace, which should not to be confused with the label’s previous kids’ line Versace Young, that was discontinued in 2004, is aimed at children from infancy through age 12. The collection will feature natural fabrics, Medusa-head logos (Versace’s signature), Greek frieze motifs, and bold prints. This is meant to be a high-end, glamorous and colorful collection, in line with the brand’s essence, with a touch of rock ’n’ roll.
Young Versace makes its debut next spring at Versace stores as well as select retailers.