milgayi style diary

Meet & Greet Designer – Malini Agarwalla of Malaga bags

Brasil…la la la la la la!!! Incase you missed the Carnivale this year, you could still take home a souvenir via Malini Agarwalla`s bags, more famously known as ‘Malaga Bags’ – known for their superbly handcrafted jeweled encrusted bags and clutches, these bags are worth collectors’ items.  I recently caught up with the charming designer at Lakme India Fashion week and had a heart-to-heart conversation as to what makes her tick.

 
Tell us a bit about yourself – Well, I`m a Bombay based handbag and accessory designer.  I have done my MBA in Finance and a decade ago, I started designing bags and accessories which is something I am very passionate about.  I thoroughly enjoy what I do. My education helps me to keep the balance and not to get carried away creatively.

Inspiration for this collection – This year, my Spring/Resort collection is inspired by the Brazilian Carnivale which is going on at the moment.  I wanted to surprise myself and do something different all together. This collection is full of vibrant bags, neck pieces and hair accessories adorned with feathers, masks, sequins, beads, corals and turquoises.

 
What mediums of jewelry do you love working with?  Pearls are my absolute favorite.  Though I try to use different elements in every collection, but I often find myself veering towards them.

What inspires you to design a new collection?  Well, it could be anything; a place, I recently visited, a great novel, street fashion.  Small innate things inspire me.

 
Favorite Designers -  Carlos Falchi for their skins and Lulu Guinness for their style.

Future plans – I’m essentially a bag designer and after embellishing so many bags, we have ventured into designing jewelry (which I love) and I’m also getting into designing footwear as well. So it’s all three falling well together.

 

Night out in Laila Azhar`s dresses!!

As we approach these last few days of 2010, we at Milgayi are wrapping up the year with this last post. 

Make no mistake – this is the party season!  Everyone is eager to add a huge glam quotient to their style either by donning a sequined cami with skinnies or a stunning evening dress that is timeless yet trendy, sexy yet stylish, and most importantly, dressy yet comfy!  In my opinion, Laila Azhar’s collections encompass all of the above.  Her party dresses exude sexiness and practicality but they are designed to make a woman feel her utterly beautiful. Her dresses are a hit among Hollywood celebrities such as Khloe Kardashian, Nicky Hilton and Lauren Conrad to name a few.

Moroccan-born but US bred, Laila`s love for fashion was purely accidental.  While attending college in Canada’s McGill University she was exposed to the fashion world through her numerous modeling assignments which later became a motivating force to create her own designs.  In 2002, she enrolled in Parsons School of Design to pursue her strong desire of becoming a fashion designer. After graduating, she worked as an assistant designer for two years.  In 2005, she launched her first collection under her namesake label and there has been no looking back since then.  Laila`s design pieces are structured beautifully around the fluidity and detailed draping of the fabric.  Her silk dresses adorned with ruffles, bows and flouncy pleats thrive on effortless elegance and understated sophistication.

So if you are a no fuss gal like me, slip into one of her darling drapes and be the star of the social scene.  Anyways, it’s party time, bring on the glam, pop some bubbly and have a fabulous New Year.  You can get her stuff here and here.

How to confidently shop online.

I admit I am a shopping addict. I just can't stop. I constantly feel the need to feed my closet. In my opinion, I'm helping out the recessed economy.  One thing I love to do is shop online. Online shopping sites are like best friends who are there for you when you’re down (talk about retail therapy). I frequent sites like Plazatoo.com, Pinkmascara.com and Bluefly.com with bright and dreamy eyes. But as fun as it is to buy stuff while sitting on your couch, shopping online can be quite tricky. If you're not careful, you might become a victim of a non-returnable item. Here are some tips to protect you from bad cyber buys.

What you see is what you get.
Rule No.1 - Never deviate from this rule. A great picture is worth a thousand words. Insist on excellence from the site or the seller, as you would do in any retail store.  Make sure the product imagery is immaculate.  Best sites: Bananarepublic.com, Maxandchloe.com, Nordstrom.com

You know what you know. 
Yes, we agree—the thrill of shopping online is finding unique boutique sites that offer styles not found near you. But if you’re not having any luck with online purchases, get strategic. Choose stores you've already had success with in person. Preferably stick with brands you know that suit your style, fit and quality.

Make sure the item is return proof.
This is the final testament of a successful cyber-shopping environment. I especially appreciate those companies that let you return items to the physical stores. Best sites: Shoe retailer Zappos.com offers free shipping and free returns so you can buy three sizes or three colors at no extra cost.

Follow these 3 commandments, and you'll be able to shop confidently into a buy you'll love. Last but not least, remember to always use your hubby’s, boyfriend’s or significant other’s credit card.  Happy cyber shopping!!

   

When I`m feeling blue, all I have to do is take a look at you...

I thought spring was officially here and summer was just around the corner but I guess not.  Today looks like a mundane wintry day from December.  Anyways, it’s in days like these that a serious dose of humor is required whether you’re at work, at home, at the gym or busy running errands. This is one of our favorite happy sites to go to when we are feeling blue. Yes, their stuff is reasonably priced, adds a dash of color, gives a mental lift and brightens up anybody’s day.   Check out www.fredflare.com for more cute stuff.

 

     

Rain Parade Umbrellas                                                                             Daisy Ring

     

80s Cube Clock                                                                                                Tulip USB hub