The Idea-smithy

Here’s introducing a new category at The Idea-smithy. Remember Anjani’s tangy toes? And K’s funky bag?

Never one for fashion trends myself, I’ve always sported my own style and been at the receiving end of much flak, disbelief…and admiration. Anything off-beat or unusual on someone else catches my eye as well. We are all spectators at heart and it’s the sights that charm, entertain and enthrall us as much as our other senses. And let’s not forget -  Tomorrow is being born in the form of new ideas!

I Style! celebrates the spirit of individualism and the sparks of it that I spot in day-to-day life. The photographs may not be picture-perfect, the writing could be better but the sights will be fresh.

I’m also inviting contributions to I Style! If you spot someone wearing something whacky, something crazy, something unusual, stop and talk to them. And if they permit you to take a picture, do send it to me. I’ll be delighted to feature it on I Style! Just make sure you’ve got their permission to have it up on the internet. It would be good to take down their email address. If possible, capture the article that caught your eye with just enough detail to give perspective (size, colour, nature etc). Avoiding the face respects the spottee’s anonymity.

Else you’re just going to have to rely on my two eyes!

I’ll open I Style! with an image of a man who shows us the way. Meet…

Khalil Gebran
Fashions Designer

The thing that makes a city interesting is the fact that there could be a surprise waiting for you at any corner. I often think I’m jaded with the proverbial ‘I’ve seen it all’ attitude to things that are supposed to catch my interest. And then I’m proven wrong.

Here’s what I spotted on a late evening in the local train. Orange transparent plastic sandals fastened on with a fat ribbon in a matching hue. How could I not stop and stare?!

Anjani, the owner of those tangy toes (I love aliterations!) works in merchandising a fashion retail business. She was also gracious enough to let me take a photograph for this blog. She isn’t a Mumbaiker (still bothered by the weather and the crowd) but she isn’t new to the city either. But in my mind she represents the colourful panorama of this city, shifting smoothly between outsider, newcomer and seasoned local.

Ooh, the sheer audacity of the design, the spunkiness of the colour..it totally made my otherwise dreary day! Notice the contrast between the shoe and the surroundings - a typical dark-and-dingy platform on a Mumbai railway station.

In fact, now I think I’ll start a section where I report interesting fashion ’spottings’ in the city. (See an earlier sighting here!)Thank you, Anjani, for inspiration and for the colour!

I saw a girl on the train carrying this bag that caught my eye. I asked her if I could take a picture of it and she agreed. A little surprised perhaps and guarded as anyone would be in this city of callous strangers but agreeable nevertheless.

K (I forgot to ask if I could use her name) is a designer-in-training and wanted to know if I was a designer as well. I told her what I did instead and it must have seemed very boring to someone as young and creative as she.

Who says style can’t have a sense of humour? This bag caught my eye since it cocks-a-snook at the blatent consumerism of our generation today. (At least, I hope that’s what its designer intended!) One little bag laughs a proverbial ‘Heehee’ at a city that creates and lives by brands. Here it is…tell me what you think.

The bag says,

New!

MAMoth Perfect

Net Weight: 200g

CLOTHES SO CLEAN, THEY LOOK LIKE NEW!

And K, a designer is supposed to bring beauty to the world and what’s more beautiful that bold colours and a delightful sense of humour? All the very best to you and your efforts to beautify this world!