Bedazzled!

East Meets West: The Salwar Kameez/Intricate Indian Beading Aesthetic 

Kareena Kapoor channels her inner femme fatale for GQ India. I love these photos! KK is such a siren and looks like she just stepped out of a Film Noir.

I love, love, love, love that hair.  Gonna keep that in mind for my next haircut, especially since I’m trying to embrace curls and natural textures.

Notice the Grecian inspired draped gown!

Bebo, looking clean, simple, and elegant for Femina Magazine. 

“High on Society, Higher on Drugs.”, and even higher on hair!

Kareena reminds me of Cher, (in a good way), on this Marie Claire India cover.  I love that voluminous 70s inspired hair! She looks so regal.

KAREENA KAPOOR SARTORIAL ANALYSIS

So sifting through fan sites, google image searches, bollywood celebrity rag scans, I’ve come to the conclusion that Bebo, as she is affectionately known, is a member of the “luxe bohemian” tribe.   A lot of her out and about photos feature her in colorful prints and colors, gauzy fabrics (both of which are reminiscent of traditional Indian garb and suitable for Indian weather), juxtaposed with classy garments for awards shows that are still patterned though upscale (Eg: the gold brocade dress in one of the above images).

Some signature Bebo looks seem to include:

-Grecian type, “flow-y”, fluid gowns.  Layers of fabric accented with some kind of bohemian/folk touch whether it is through embroidery or brooch type accents

-Gold and filigree detailing (Nod to her desi roots and I approve wholeheartedly

-Bright colors and prints (Also in line with traditional desi style)

I think Bebo does a nice job of combining traditional Indian style, (ornate opulence), with comparatively understated Western designer pieces. 

Kareena Kapoor.

Modern day Bollywood style icon.  First saw da beautiful Kareena in Bollywood hit, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Wasn’t really into her back then (2006ish?) because she came off as a real brat, one of those Indian chicks who’s all like “Oh em gee, I’m totes westernized with my head to toe brand name clothing, fair skin, pin straight hair, and trendy sunglasses.” So, understandably, my 12 year old self thought, “Ehh girly, you’re not all that.”

But in the many years that have passed, I realize the actress is not the characters she plays, (then again, how would I know,), but regardless, KK is gorgeous, and looking through some Bollywood fan mags, tabloids, etc, she has a pretty cute style when it comes to clothes and the like.  So, in the next couple of days, expect a Kareena Kapoor style analysis. 

Sharmila Tagore- Old Bollywood Retro Style Icon

via Agent Lover (http://www.agentlover.com/blog/2010/04/28/winged-eyeliner-idol-sharmila-tagore/)

As a desi, as a film and retro fashion aficionado, and as a disciple of the cat-eyeliner cult, I am ashamed to admit that I have not watched an Old Bollywood movie since I was 8, and that movie was Deewar, which I failed to appreciate.  Old Bollywood is a treasure trove of retro style inspiration. Both the heroes and heroines looked so sharp and put together. The Indian look and the retro look just go so well together. Honestly, I think Indian faces were made to pull off the cat eye and big hair look, because it just looks that good. 

These photos are of Indian (Bengali) actress Sharmila Tagore (old bollywood sex symbol/ it girl) from the film An Evening in Paris.  I can’t get over her style. That cat eye is perfect, and that red headband is adorable. Sharmila Tagore was the first Indian actress to appear onscreen in a bikini. It was a groundbreaking moment in both Indian cinema and culture, leading to more movies featuring scantily clad actresses and more real women donning the risque bathing suit. 

Now I know what I’ll be spending my summer doing…Old Bollywood movie marathon!

Other Old Bollywood Style Icons: Parveen Babi, Zeenat Aman, Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor.

It’s important to note that of these individuals, those who are still living are still really great style icons. They just give off these aura of class, dignity, and sartorial perfection.

Right: Sharmila Tagore, Today