Sonam Kapoor

The past year was rough. The dreaded 'R' word popped up everywhere. It was the survival of the fittest and the cheapest. Women bought relatively inexpensive items. Lipstick sales were good. Fashion sales were not (at full price); so tabs were slashed. Designers restrategised and redefined haute. Boyfriend chic (borrow his clothes since you have no new ones), vintage (borrow grandma's for similar reasons) and power shoulders (intimidate at work-place so they do not fire you) rose to prominence. Even couture in Paris offered (hush hush) 'package deals' to their loyal customers. Suddenly, apparel was available at almost lipstick prices. What joy... let us buy everything!

Now the True Blue Fashionista (TBF) has been waiting for just this. She knows that the recession is not simply a challenge, but also a golden opportunity. This is the process that, just like separating solitaires from paste, will leave the wannabe riff- raff far, far behind on the sartorial run (way). Instead of being trampled on at a closing sale, the TBF has picked up investment-worthy pieces, full price. And updated her personal version of the season's trends, in her own style.

Verve has kept a close watch on these leaders of India's stylish pack. We have an edited list this year, including many known faces, a few unknown ones and have given some of our perennials (who have surpassed 'judgement' and 'list-worthiness' and form a league of their own) a breather. What is reassuring is the collective 'style, not trends' statement which resounds, proving that fashion's mindset has matured.

Of course, we are still watching...

Source: http://www.verveonline.com/

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