‘buzallong bazaar’ – the moving Indian Kitsch Retailer!

                          ‘buzallong bazaar’ – the moving Indian Kitsch Retailer

A brainchild of marketer Shimauli Dave Vora- Now in year 2

‘buzallong bazaar’, India’s first moving retail format of quirky, eccentric, funky and innovative products starts its second edition this month. This season ‘buzallong bazaar’ is expanding to 8 cities and will bring more than 50 of our countries quirkiest and kitsch brands.

The bazaar is conceptualized by Shimauli Dave Vora, a natural-born entrepreneur who aspires to bring together the biggest range of Indian Kitsch brands under one roof and make it accessible to various cities across India. ‘buzallong bazaar’ has an extensive assortment of the most unconventional and unique products and a great mix of diverse, young and witty brands like Happily Unmarried, Shor Sharaba, Random in Tandem, Chumbak, Gifts of Love, Purple Jungle and The Boxer Store to name a few.

The format not only gives the audience a platform to procure the largest variety of select kitsch products, otherwise unavailable under a single roof, it also helps the brands by giving a great platform to explore new markets via ‘buzallong’ and reach their audience via a new retail opportunity.

Speaking on this concept, Shimauli says, “There are very few options for the discerning buyer in the market, especially in the non metros. This gap in the market triggered the seed for ‘buzallong bazaar’- a format by which I could get the best India kitsch brands to the markets which saw very little options in the fun, out of the ordinary product space. The important component was the range that we offer in our moving bazaar which leaves the customers with no option but to get spoilt for choice”

‘buzallong bazaar’ plans to take the Indian kitsch products not only across India but abroad as well in the coming future.

About Shimauli Dave Vora:

Shimauli holds a Masters degree in International marketing from the University Of Leeds, UK and a Bachelors in Communications from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has worked with renowned brands such as Lee & Nautica, as a Marketing Consultant for SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre, Ahmedabad and consulted the country’s largest & first ever India Art Fair. Now, through her association with innovators in Indian Kitsch products and her devotion to the moving retail format, Vora brings intriguing and quirky brand options to the experimental Indian buyer. 

*Press Note and Images of these awesomely quirky, kitsch and eccentric ‘buzallong bazaar’ products, courtesy of Brand Talk PR

 

BLING IT ON IN COLOUR - With the Coloured Stones collection on Diamondére.com!

Mumbai, August, 2012: What’s life without a little bit of colour! Bright and vibrant colored gemstones in pink, blue, purple, red, yellow, orange and green, can light up an ensemble and brighten up a woman's wardrobe in a jiffy. With an array of exquisite coloured gemstone jewellery; Diamondére.com, the online jewellery selling website that provides end to end mass personalization of elegant designs, announces special coloured stone jewellery collection that will entice any woman immediately.

What’s more... On Diamondére.com not only can one choose from an exquisite collection of intricate designs of rings, pendants and earrings but one can also customise the gemstones to one’s exact specifications and preferences. So if red and green is not your ideal combination then it’s as simple as a click of the mouse to change the stones to the combination that best appeals to you. That’s not all; the website also provides the choice of metal (gold, white gold and silver) that best accommodates your tastes and price range.

Diamondére.com combines an innovative mix of e–commerce and technology to help overcome the touch and feel factor of traditional retail, while introducing you to a world of virtual customization and trial which changes ones experience of buying jewellery online. With dummy live size hand and face displaying the collection, the buyer gets an exact perception of each jewellery piece. It’s also a great place for women to nudge their boyfriend or husband during birthday and anniversary time.

The collection has a very chic appeal making it an ideal choice for modern day women. Select from the range of exquisite designed earrings, rings and pendants.

The jewellery available on Diamondére.com can be customized into 9k, 14k and 18k gold, white gold or silver to suit the budget. All gemstones for Diamondére.com jewellery are Natural AA/AAA quality.

For more information, please visit – www.Diamondére.com

About

Diamondére.com believes in exclusivity, in a signature taste – in one that is noticeable and personal.Design your treasured jewellery exactly the way you want it - change gem stones, precious metals and even engrave for free– all online and instant. This means that any one design on the site has thousands of different possibilities you can choose from to complement your personal style.

After serving international brands for the past 50 years, their design team now works exclusively on signature collections. Since their jewellery is made to order, there are no middlemen - you tell them what you want and they create it at significantly reduced prices. 

                                  * Information, Images courtesy of Actimedia

PUMA Launches Signature AW ’12 Collection ~All new Fitness range in stores!

PUMA Launches Signature AW ’12 Collection

~All new Fitness range to hit stores ~

Mumbai, 2012- For Autumn/Winter 2012, global Sport-lifestyle brand PUMA introduces a variety of fresh product styles across key categories such as Performance, Motorsport, Lifestyle, Women’s Fitness and Golf.

PUMA’s Women’s Fitness range gets a head-to-toe makeover in AW ‘12. The apparel is made to transform the fitness fiend’s wardrobe as much as her workout; the footwear is as flexible as her strongest yoga pose and as light as a feather. In AW ’12, the brand’s fitness ambassador Chitrangda Singh will continue to be the face of this versatile, chic and functional range.

Autumn/Winter 2012 will also see the launch of PUMA’s Golf apparel available in key stores across the country.

                                    *Press Release, Images courtesy of Actimedia

UDESHI : Luxury Menswear at it's "Best"!

UDESHI is a British Luxury Menswear label offering bespoke and ready to wear items including shirts, ties, cufflinks and leather goods. The eponymous label UDESHI was founded in 1999 by Mr. Oscar Udeshi - a renowned and talented menswear designer.

UDESHI offers a unique perspective of signature products like the the extreme cutaway collar shirt, the triangle cufflinks, piped jacket and heritage jean. Mr. Udeshi is regularly commissioned to design exclusive items.

Udeshi retails online and from it's luxury store in Mayfair, London. 

The collections includes sartorial pieces of true design genius and pure luxury from Made-to-Order/ bespoke menswear clothing - sharp suits to jackets, Shirts to fashion accessories for men that include Collar Stays, Cufflinks, Braces, Scarves, Boxers, Gloves, Leather Goods -being both literal and artistic - offering a unique design feature and perspective to luxury menswear!

UDESHI became a member of the British Menswear Guild in 2004, a niche organisation that represents and promotes the best British luxury brands.

The Udeshi wonders from it's online shopping boutique -

Leather Coin Case

Disc Cufflinks (Based on dumbbells as found in the gym)

Capeskin Gloves(Lambskin leather and lined with rabbit fur)

Moiré Braces

                                                            
                                                  Udeshi Bespoke

At UDESHI, options are available for fine tailoring, shirts, boxers, denim and selected leather goods.

Click on the Banner Ad Under "Advertisers" @ Blog footer to Shop Online @Udeshi London 

*Information Courtesy of "UDESHI LONDON"   

*Sponsored Content 

-Amit Anand

Fashion Columbus - The Shoppers' paradiso - Dubai!

Sightseeing to touristy landmarks in any place you are visiting is passé! I like indulging in activities that help me bond with the place culturally and collect awesome memories of my trip. Oh yes, vacationing isn't also fun if shopping isn’t in the list of must-do activities.

This is a memoir of my very own Dubai moments. I loved connecting with the city!

Dubai is quite a fascinating city, least of all - plastic and manicured like most people think. Culturally, it's a melting pot of myriad cultures with a deep rooted Arab ethos -but interestingly with a modern twist. It is not just a city of gold souks, oil or classy couture penthouses, the famed Dubai Shopping Festival or even the stunning Palm Jumeirah Island(s) that are actually an artificial archipelago built entirely on reclaimed land!

The city is rich in soul as well. That's my opinion! Be it zipping through on sand dunes aka desert safari, admiring the dance acumen and the abdominal dexterity of belly dancers in an oasis created right in the middle of the desert, to taking a ride on the water taxis or admiring the traditional Arab architectural excellence in Dubai Creek overlooking a bustling megalopolis on the dhow cruise on traditional wooden boats- Dubai has a lot to offer in the cultural sense and especially when it comes to shopping - Dubai truly, IS A MECCA.

Yes, 5 stars to Air-Conditioned Bus Stops, virginal beaches like @ The Palm and Marina besides Dubai also has some world class landmarks like The Atlantis - a world class hotel with stunning architecture and landscape and obviously the awesomest Burj Khalifa. Right after Tom Cruise's stunt scene at the observation deck of Burj Khalifa in Mission Impossible 4 - my first thought was - "I so want to go there!"

I was all starry eyed about admiring one of the tallest buildings in the world... anxiously looking out of my plane's window at the towering structure..then looking out of my taxi while getting dropped to my hotel from the airport.

Walking into the Burj Khalifa, more than anything and anyplace else- what I was wonder-struck about - was not the tower.. but the Dubai Mall. An endless maze of shopping haven and a mall of gigantic proportions and my first thoughts were to dump the tower trip and lose myself at the mall and how! It's literally that big a place and one can lose oneself without remorse:)

I did manage to go right up at the top, take pictures and do all the touristy stuff.. but it was all over in a matter of 20 minutes. The real excitement was at the mall - shopping! That is where I spent the rest of my day - the time amounting to 4 hours and even then I guess I could barely manage to cover half the mall! Ok, this bit might sound like I am exaggerating but seriously I am not. The mall is HUGE!

Dubai has "everything of everything". Period.

Yes, "everything of everything" also includes high-street and high-end brands. Right from the likes of  big departmental stores SAKS Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Harvey Nichols to Flagship stores of the most revered and affluent brands and International designers to local and Asian fashion, lifestyle and jewelry brands - Everything!

Dubai is the place where fashionistas the world over come just to splurge!

There is a sense of grand-ness about the place since the stores are much larger and ultra-sophisticated, luxuriant with lavish décor! It’s like bits of Champs Elysees, Fifth Avenue and Bond Street – all in one place – Dubai obviously is more than just shopping. The city also boasts of an amazing array of eateries and world class hotels – especially when it comes to cuisines, Dubai is truly multi-cultural!

One can visit Dubai anytime of the year. Beware of dust storms though. The best time to visit Dubai is between October to May.

The DSF or the Dubai Shopping Festival takes place the beginning of every year. Perfect time to visit!

DSF is the quintessential cirque du soleil of all circuses – one big shopping and entertainment frenzy – mother of all events!

Cutting short on shopping chase - head to the fol. malls for great bargains -

Dubai Outlet Mall on the outskirts of the city offers last season stuff of some leading fashion brands on amazing discounted rates! You get amazing bargains here!

Karama area in Dubai has shopping arcades and malls of sorts that offer the flea market experience. You can pick up perfumes that are packaged as Testers on almost 1/3rd of the actual cost! Obviously, this was a well-guarded secret until now :)

Mall Of The Emirates - Checkout -> It also has the world’s largest Indoor Ski Slope and the area around the mall called Al Barsha is surrounded by hotels that fit into anyone's budget to save, squander and splurge!

The Dubai Mall - HUGE! Also houses the Dubai Aquarium, Ice Rink and connects to the Burj Khalifa. Yes, you can even enjoy a visual treat of the stunning Musical fountain.

Burjuman - SAKS Fifth Avenue is in this mall!

WAFI City - I love the mall because of its Egyptian theme. It's a great mall with some exclusive stores and a great background for your memorable photographs.

There are other malls also. Visit Saga World for extravagant local arts and crafts - has a range of lifestyle and home decor products. Women would like this mall especially. Good place to buy local artifacts with strong Middle Eastern angle.

Ibn Battuta is an amazing themed shopping mall with flavors of countries - the legendary explorer visited.

Visit Dubai Marina Mall for some amazing waterfront views.

I'm Al satisfied and Al happy until my next trip.

My Dubai Moments ->

@ Nando's overlooking the Burj Khalifa and Musical Fountain

 

Burj Al Arab

Dubai Mall

The lure of sand dunes - @DesertSafari

View from Burj Khalifa Observation Deck

I also recommend -

 

*Ferrari Theme Park http://www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com/
 
*High Tea in Burj Al Arab http://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/destinations/dubai/burj-al-arab/Exclusive-Offers/Dining-Offers/Afternoon-Tea/
 
*Lost Chamber and Aqua Venture in Dubai http://www.atlantisthepalm.com/marineandwaterpark/thelostchambers.aspx
 
Dolphin Show http://www.dubaidolphinarium.ae/
 
Desert Safari with Belly Dance and Barbeque Dinner http://desertsafaridubai.com/desert-safari-dubai.html
 
*Dhow Cruise with Dinner http://desertsafaridubai.com/dhow-cruise-dinner.html
 
*Dubai City tour http://desertsafaridubai.com/dubai-city-tour.html

*Wild Wadi Park http://www.wildwadidubai.com/


-Amit Anand

Post Event- Actor Boman Irani and Farah Khan Nikal Pade Enrich Salon Ke Liye! Enrich Salons & Academy ties up with the much awaited film “Shirin Farhad Ki toh Nikal Padi”

Actor Boman Irani and Farah Khan Nikal Pade Enrich Salon Ke Liye!

Enrich Salons & Academy ties up with the much awaited film

“Shirin Farhad Ki toh Nikal Padi”

Mumbai : Enrich Salons and academy, the largest chain of unisex salons in India tied up with upcoming movie “Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi” produced by Bhansali Productions and Eros International, they celebrated their association at the Enrich salon at Phoenix Market City Kurla. Not only did the fans get a chance to meet the impeccable Boman Irani and the multitalented Farah Khan but also won exclusive gift vouchers from Enrich salons & Academy.

Today Enrich is the largest chain of unisex salons in Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Pune and Bangalore with 48 outlets spread out through the city. It is considered to be a melting pot of creative styling concepts and exceptional services at affordable prices. Enrich salons constantly strives to scale up the training process and introduce the latest technologies in the grooming industry.

Commenting on the association, Rohit Dedhia, owner of Enrich Salons and Academy, says ““It’s a pleasure to be allied with 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi' and the presence of Boman Irani and Farah Khan has added their endearing charm to the brand.” He further said“Enrich salons offer an amalgamation of exceptional grooming services coupled with talent, style, hygiene & technology. Whether you’re looking for luxury treatments or want to adorn in simple grooming services, an Enrich Salon will offer it all”

Tanaaz Bhatia, Bottom Line Media (agency on record for the brand says “We are very happy to bring these two brands together…It’s a natural association between Enrich salons and 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi' …Since the movie is all about real people and real life situations, it will strike a perfect chord with Enrich’s clientele…we are sure that this association will be fruitful at both ends" 

Movie Synopsis –

Story of Farhad (Boman Irani), a 45 year old Parsi bachelor who owns a bra and panty shop and lives with his Nargis and dotting grandmother Siloo. Farhad’s luck strikes when on a particular day Shirin Fugawalla (Farah Khan), a 40 year old bubbly, straightforward, a trust secretary enters his shop and he realizes he has fallen in love with her. The conflict in his love life arises when his mother Nargis realizes that Farhad (Boman Irani) is in love with her sworn enemy (Shirin) and all hell breaks loose.

About Enrich Salons & Academy –

Enrich first appeared in the beauty circuit in 1997 as a small and friendly venture; and was transformed in to a Private Limited company in 2004. Today Enrich is the largest chain of unisex salons in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmadabad and Bangalore with 48 outlets spread out through the city. It is considered to be a melting pot of creative styling concepts and exceptional services at affordable prices. Collaborations with specialists like L'Oreal, Remy Laure & Christian Valmy has led Enrich to surpass competition and to rise above the normal.

Press Note and Images Courtesy of  ACTIMEDIA

p.s. I'm watching the movie today! It's a guaranteed laugh riot! 

-Amit Anand

The greener pastures of Luxe

The growth momentum in the Luxury industry is not showing any signs of slowdown inspite of  prolonged recessionary trends in other industries, its not surprising that the "greener pastures of luxe" are beckoning job aspirants who are looking for stable careers.

The social media is already abuzz with the economics of the growth in the luxury fashion business across the world - It's all about the business of luxury that's going great guns!  

If you are looking job options - joining the  luxury bandwagon could be a practical choice! 

Reason?

Simple, rich people are either becoming richer or are no longer in the austerity-mode ;) - in times of severe recession, people generally consume more to overcome the gloom or rather they have more time to consume especially if they have been saving through-out the good times! There are countless theories that prove this point.

Also, the wealth is shifting from western economies to Asian giants particularly China (the leader of the pack). The BRICs are getting richer!

With new geographies opening up, the nouveau rich are fast trying to catch up (or rather acquiring) trends especially in the luxury industry segment. The new rich want to do what the old rich did :) Spend on Luxury!

The trend would not slow it's pace anytime soon. With the holiday season just around the corner, it's only going to get better!

Obviously, like in any other industry, getting a job in the luxury industry isn't a cakewalk.

One needs to have a good understanding of the business of luxury and a passion for the same.

In case you are in a typical mid-life crisis. Your chosen career sucks and you have a thing for luxury and fashion, hopping onto luxury industry will not be easy. Any career transition in the mid-life scenario is fraught with difficulties if not impossibilities. However, people with great interpersonal skills, possibly multilingual, and willing to relocate can find job opportunities. 

As a retail and luxury talent specialist I get innumerable queries from people of all age groups, especially in their late 30s who are keen to change their career track - i.e. people in sales, marketing, HR, logistics, finance and other verticals want to shift to luxury jobs. It amazes me to see so many job seekers are actually willing to look at options in the luxury industry and even wanting to start at grassroots level.

One word of advice - it's not a good idea! One may not get a lateral move especially if one is moving from another industry to luxury. At some point in time, even if one gets a job, it will be at the behest of a compromise with regards to profile, salary and especially future growth.

The best advice I give to people in this category i.e. mid-life career change is to continue working in the same job and acquire skills in the luxury business in the meantime.

There are many institutions today that impart luxury education - offering both short and long term courses, part-time/full-time. Educate yourself at your own pace - a step towards your chosen career.

New avenues and faculties are opening up especially in the social media and e-commerce space with a strong luxury and fashion perspective.

The best way to prepare for any career change is to acquire skills in the respective domain one desires to move to that can help in a seamless job transition.

The rest is a mix of passion and determination!

Read more @

How To Get A Job In The Luxury Industry - Forbes

Luxury Brand Management Hiring Practices

What Recession? Luxury Brand Retailers CanBarely Keep Up With Consumer Demand

Luxury and fashion go hand in hand. An interesting article worth reading ->

How to Break Into theFashion World

To all luxury-industry job aspirants especially who are in their mid-life crisis, 30's and beyond - All the best of luck for your job search.

Please feel free to get in touch me if you need help in your search, need more inputs, suggestions, I'd be glad to help out :)

-Amit Anand

Ormonde Jayne - Unique, Opulent and Ultra-Luxuriant Perfumery

Ormonde Jayne is a London-based label known for it's unique, opulent and ultra-luxuriant perfumery. Established by Linda J Pilkington in 2000, Ormonde Jayne offers a peek into audaciously innovative quality wrapped in sheer originality of the scents that offer uncompromising perfection!

Ormonde Jayne offers a compelling range of most exquisite gifts, corporate gifts, luxury perfumes, bathing oils and scented candles.

The perfumes are made with rare oils that  are blended with specially selected botanical extracts. Ormonde Jayne sources and visits growers worldwide, from Madagascar to Morocco, not only seeing the plantations but knowing the grower, the pickers and intimate details of the climate and environment. 

You could choose from a wide range of men’s and women’s perfumes dwelling into the effervescently strong floral and woody fragrances.

 My favorite pick is the awesomely divine Ormonde Man! Why? Because of it's unusual-ness and in that lies it's uniqueness and the originality of the scent that truly resonates with "The true Scent of a man" ->

Ormonde Man Eau de Parfum Collection

Ormonde Jayne's Discovery Set is comprised of 12 x 2ml mini sprays of eau de parfum, together with a brochure explaining each perfume, all housed in a black and gold box... and whats more, the shipping is complimentary worldwide -

You can pick up a 50ml Eau de Parfum or a Travel Kit 4 x 10ml vials or the Discovery Set shown on the top.

Click to shop online at Ormonde Jayne's online boutique ->

                                          *Information, Images courtesy of, Ormonde Jayne

                                                                             *Sponsored Content                                                 

Updated on 17th August 2012 ->

Today, Ormonde Jayne is celebrating Team GB's 29 Olympic gold medals with a special in-store promotion.

All those who take this invitation to the Sloane Square store or telephone and quote 'GOLD' will receive a massive 29% discount. Also, if you manage to pop along to the store, you will be greeted by chocolates and champagne.

Source: Ormonde Jayne & Lattice Media

-Amit Anand

New Launch: inkfruit.com presents spunky LED umbrellas for monsoon

SPUNK UP THE MONSOON WITH LED UMBRELLAS FROM INKFRUIT.COM

 

ADD MAGIC TO THE MONSOON WITH THE ALL NEW LED UMBRELLAS FROM 

 INKFRUIT.COM

Mumbai, August 14^th, 2012- This rainy season add a stylish touch to the monsoon magic with the new and innovative LED umbrellas from inkfruit.com. We all love the rains especially when they arrive after a hot scorching summer. The rains bring with them their own unique fashion statements and accessories; fun shorts, colorful rain jackets and this time of year the one thing that will stand out the most on cloudy rainy wet days: THE LED UMBRELLA. 

Everyone wants their umbrella to stand tall in the deluge of colors and shapes on a rainy day. The Inkfruit LED umbrella will be the style statement this season, making heads turn as you walk down the street in style. This futuristic umbrella lights up with 7 vibrant colors in three modes: off, blinking lights and steady lights to suit any kind of rainy moods you may have. It also features a torch light at the base of the handle that lights up the ground ahead of you in times of torrential rains and dark nights. Powered by 3 AAA batteries, the Inkfruit LED Umbrella comes in black, blue, pink and purple color choices for just Rs.999/- on InkFruit.com

No more rainy day melancholy ; It really doesn't have to be all doom and gloom when it rains anymore - just a simple click of the button can turn your grey sky into a colorful spectacle to amaze everyone around... and brighten up the day with the stylish and cool LED umbrellas available on inkFruit.com.

About Inkfruit.com

Started in 2008 by two batch-mates from IIT Bombay, Kashyap Dalal and Navneet Rai, Inkfruit began as a crowd sourcing platform where artists from all over the world could contribute their creations and only the best would be curated by Inkfruit to feature on its product range. Today Inkfruit offers products across the segments of Apparel, Accessories, Footwear and Home Décor; many of its products carry designs which are contributed by the community of artists. As a brand and company, Inkfruit is driven by the words “be interesting”. This is most visible in the kind of products created, and is at the heart of Inkfruit as a brand. 

The company has strong back end sourcing team that ensures best in class quality standards. The retail sales team makes these products available across over 400 retail shops across India and their online service team makes the products available to any customer across the country through e-commerce. Anyone in India can order online and get their favorite product within 2-5 days.

For more information about the Company, please visit the website at http://www.inkfruit.com

  

                 

                      Press Note, Images - thanks to ACTIMEDIA Private Limited

 

Designer Sabyasachi Collections and the Press release on Day 5 at PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2012

SABYASACHI

 NEW MOON - 2012 Couture Collection

At PCJ Delhi Couture Week, presented by FDCI

Sabyasanchi’s travels around the world have culminated in his 2012 couture collection. 5 cities bring five flavors, the straitjacket discipline of New York, the classic nostalgia of the British Raj in Kolkata, the subversive decadence of Berlin, the incredible romance of Paris and the bohemian flair of Barcelona all come together to create a collection, that is very global yet very Indian. 

Russian needlepoint, boutis from provence, zardozi from Agra, Kantha from Bangladesh, block printing from bengal and Rajasthan, intricately embroidered Pashmina from Kashmir, chints from the United Kingdom and toile de joy from France, coexist with rhinestone, baubles, bows and the finest quality of needle craft to create a collection that is exuberant yet disciplined.

Accessories for the collection are from Sabyasachi’s new edgy label – Sabyasachi by Sabyasachi which debuted at Sotheby’s London. 

*Images from the Runway, Courtesy of, Corporate Voice | Weber Shandwick