On February 11th of each year I wear his infamous silk-chiffon scarf with skulls, in remembrance of the day he passed, and the day the world lost one of the greatest artists of this millennia. This post, however, is not a memorial for McQueen. It is a celebration of his art. 

Lee Alexander McQueen was born on March 17^th 1969 in Lewisham, England. In 1985, at the age of 16, Lee left school to apprentice at infamous Savile row fashion houses where he became a master of tailoring. McQueen later enrolled in Central Saint Martins and graduated in 1992. His debut “graduation collection was bought in its entirety by influential stylist Isabella blow.” It was through Blow’s persuasion that Lee used his middle name Alexander when creating his brand.

What set McQueen apart was not just his avant-garde designs, but his ability to meld theatricality into his clothing. His pieces were often conceptual, yet perfectly fitted. His use of unconventional materials, along with perfect tailoring, is what defines his legacy. His fashion shows which were pieces of performance art themselves. And while I could go on for eternity describing why I love him, I’d rather show you some of his most iconic collections. 

Joan: fall/winter 1998-99

The show was inspired after Joan of arc. Picture this: the venue contains an elevated catwalk which looks to be covered in black cinders. The sound of crackling wood can be heard over the sound system and the industrial lamps overhead sway in the chilly wind. 

The clothes featured are made of materials such as chain mail, referencing armour worn by Joan herself. The clothes can only be described as medieval meets London punk. Thigh high boots, red contacts, and metallic materials gave the show a haunting feel. The finale featured a model wearing a glittering red dress and a matching mask that covered her entire face. As she reached the end of the runway, flames leapt up from the floor encircling her. The image seemed to be Joan of arc being burned alive at the stake.

No. 13: spring/summer 1999

His thirteenth collection, takes place in a warehouse in London that was rumoured to have been a storage facility for trash. Now the warehouse is perfumed with the scent of magnolias and the floor is covered with raw wooden planks. In contrast with the rustic floor, in the Center lie two robotic arms facing one another. The show opens with Aimee Mullins, a Paralympic athlete, who walks out in a delicate lace skirt that is contrasted with two wooden prosthetic legs, carved with flowers and vines, that were designed by McQueen himself. Models walk out in delicate lace creations, but upon a closer look the garments are not made of fabric at all, it’s in fact wood.

The show ends when model Shalom Harlow stands Center stage wearing a full, strapless dress that’s held together by thick leather belts. The floor begins to spin while the robotic arms spray her with acid green and black paint over her pure white dress. The image is both bizarre yet mesmerizing.

Voss: spring/summer 2001

Inside the venue, a giant mirrored cube sits in the Center. The audience is forced to stare at their own reflection as they wait, while an eerie heartbeat plays in the background. The show begins and a light illuminates the cube, which is now mirrored from the inside. Inside of the cube, white tiles cover the floor while sterile while lights illuminate the space, alluding to an insane asylum. Kate moss lunges out, with her head covered in a white bandage, and stares at her own reflection inside the cube as she stumbles about maniacally. More models with bandaged heads walk about rabidly, some even in what appears to be a fashionable straitjacket. Model Erin O’Connor walks out in an elegant floor length dress made of razor clam shells. She grabs a handful of shells and breaks them, dropping fragments on the floor. Meanwhile in the Center of the cube lies another large box made of dirty stained glass. The sides drop, shattering the glass, and inside lays a large naked woman resting on her side. The idea that beauty comes from within. The whole spectacle can only be described as performance art.

The Horn of Plenty: fall/winter 2009-10

This time, in the Center of the venue stands a towering pile of refuse, while the floor is made of cracked mirror tiles as if the debris had crash landed inside the space. The collection is in a way a mockery of the fashion industry as models are adorned with grotesque makeup and enormous painted on lips; a reflection on the idiocy of beauty trends. Models walk out in towering heels and headgear constructed from soda cans, umbrellas, and car tire parts; adding an extra dose of surrealism. Meanwhile, the clothes reference vintage couture from Dior, Givenchy, as well as McQueen’s own earlier collections. The collection features jaw dropping designs and classic silhouettes done with McQueen’s unique aesthetic. The finale boasts Magdalena Frackowiak in an all-black feathered ensemble inspired by swan lake. As she makes her way around the mountain of trash the heartbeat that had been playing now stops, and the machine plays a high frequency beeping sound, marking death. 

To say that Alexander McQueen is an inspiration to me would be an understatement. Words simply cannot describe the impact he has had on my life. He was the reason I became interested in fashion, and for that I will forever be grateful. Rest in peace my dear angel, you will forever be missed. 

For those that may not be familiar with fashion, haute couture is the true essence of fashion. It is garments that are designed as art pieces, and are completely hand constructed. Couture is made of the finest materials possible, and a single piece can take up to thousands of hours to complete at the hands of highly skilled artisans. Each piece is custom made to the clients exact measurements and needs, which means you won’t ever find couture in a store.

So let me take you through my favourites from the fall 2018 couture collections that were presented in Paris this past week.

Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli

In a truly drab and mundane world, Pierpaolo managed to redefine what beautiful meant. Bold colours, gigantic proportions, and the classic Valentino craftsmanship created for a show that truly reminded the world of what haute couture is meant to be. The show can be summed up as “Renaissance meets Versailles meets ’60s whatever,” as described by Pierpaolo himself.

Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri

In a world plagued (yes it’s a plague) by street style and militarized fashion, Maria Grazia brought back femininity. Dior, a fashion house originally known for feminine evening wear, is once again back to its roots thanks to Maria. And there’s really only one word that can describe this show: beautiful.

Givenchy by Claire Waight Keller

Givenchy has had an amazing year from dressing Princess Meghan Markle, to this phenomenal show which was a tribute to Hubert de Givenchy. The brand first came to prominence when Givenchy designed the gowns for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The show featured updated versions of Audrey Hepburn’s LBD along with a futuristic goddess theme resonating from the clothes.

All photos courtesy of Vogue Runway.

https://society6.com/houseofbrij

(P.S click on each photo and it will take you to that collection!)

So how can fashion truly represent the chaos set in motion? One option would be to take the literal and create dark, militaristic, and urban clothing (AKA street wear). However, another option would be to simply move to another plane of existence altogether. It sounds crazy, but it’s exactly what the creative genius at Gucci has successfully managed to do.

Alessandro Michele is precisely what I called him, a genius. His ability to transform a brand so completely yet manage to retain its sellable qualities is groundbreaking. Instead of creating literal parallels between the disarray of society and fashion, he chose to create a new timeline.

Michele has brewed together a concoction made of ancient dynastic fabrics from Asia with 70’s inspired glamour, and eastern European prints to create a brew that leave the audience hallucinating. His mastery of blending historical timelines is a direct commentary on the blurred lines between fantasy and reality that we face in society.

Each collection features a blend of history done with a fairytale like quality. However, the collections are not meant to be positive and upbeat. Beneath every piece is an underlying darkness and sadness, as if you are stuck in a dream but still fully aware of reality.

Gucci is merely a hallucination, and while everything seems to be whimsical, there is always the underlying sadness of reality lingering within the shadows. Society is purgatory, Gucci is the escape. Society is a coma, and Gucci is my life support.

Written by Brij Patel

Edited by Denby Taylor

The movie is an historical epic adapted from a poem titled “Padmavat” written in 1540 by Malik Muhammad Jayasi.

Now before I get too into what the story is all about, let me just explain why I’m so obsessed with this film. Firstly, it’s directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who in my opinion is the Indian version of Baz Luhrmann. He truly is a master when it comes to creating artistic and otherworldly sets filled with so much detail, elegance, and beauty that it would leave anyone stunned. He also directed my all time favourite movie Devdas (2002), which I highly recommend for anyone who loves extravagant sets and costumes, or just wants to see a glimpse of what early colonial India would have looked like. Another fascination of mine is history, mainly the lives of female historical figures.

Back to story of Rani (queen) Padmini, she was the queen of the Mewar Kingdom (what is now Rajasthan) and the wife of Raja (king) Ratan Singh. Rani Padmini was known for her striking beauty and tales of her vanity were known throughout the kingdoms. This eventually led to an invasion of her kingdom by the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, Alauddin Khalji. (SPOILERS) Unfortunately Padmini’s kingdom lost and as the enemy neared, in an act of defending their honour, all the women of Mewar committed self-immolation.

I know all the names and terms may seem a bit confusing but I’ll just let y’all look at the photos released from the trailer so far. The movie comes out on December 1^st, you can bet that ill waiting excitedly till then! If you have any questions about the story or the movie then comment below! I’ll be more than happy to explain more! xo

I’ve been meaning to create a curated portfolio of all my favorite artwork for ages but somehow never got the time, so in the midst of moving and packing all my paintings I decided this was the best time to photograph it all. These are only a few pieces from my actual portfolio which is unfortunately too large at this point to curate.

I have been making art since I was very young, however only started keeping an actual portfolio about 10 years ago, so you can understand how much art I’ve created over that span. A lot of my art however I’ve given away to friends, or has been lost, or been damaged and thrown out! So these are the pieces I have left and are good enough to be displayed. I’ll try to include the dates of when I finished the piece, however it’s hard since some of them do span back 10 years. Let me know what you guys think!

For any inquiries regarding the artwork, please feel free to contact me directly.

While this era may be long gone, there is a corner of India where you can transport yourself to this time in history. This is, every time you step inside a Sabyasachi flagship store, you will find yourself the glory of the colonial India. Sabyasachi Mukherji is not only a master of interiors, but also a sublime couturier.

Within the confines of Sabyasachi’s stores you will find yourself amidst antique 7^th generation Iranian rugs, ceilings glimmering with hand painted chandeliers, walls covered with dynastic tapestries, and tables with vintage bottles of attar (perfumes hand made from flowers or petals) strewn throughout on Burmese teak-wood tables. Although the interior may leave you awestruck, you will quickly realize that the real marvel inside is the couture.

Now I know haute couture is regularly associated exclusively to European fashion, however history proves that the techniques of couture don’t always have to stay within the bounds of eurocentric ideals. Groundbreaking couturiers such as Guo Pei and Sabyasachi Mukherji have shown us time after time, that haute couture has no single birthplace.

This is very evident in Sabyasachi’s collections, as he mixes Indian heritage bridal with French couture techniques. Garments are woven with the finest materials acquired from every corner of India. Embroidery often done with thread made of real silver and gold, inlaid with pearls and sequins to paint tales of the past. His couture creations often require over 2500 hours of work from an army of dedicated artisans, and each garment is made to fit for the customers exact needs.

The secret to his mastery, however, is in his attention to details. He not only curates his couture collections, but also designs the jewelry he features in his collections. His close friendship to Christian Louboutin has also resulted in a line of exclusive Louboutin shoes made to accompany his collections. The end result is a seamless look from head to toe. It is perfection. It is art.

This time I skipped a step and instead of jotting down my idea on paper, I went straight for the canvas. I also used acrylic paint this time around instead of my usual oil because I wanted a more matte and smooth finish. Another great thing about acrylic is that it dries super-fast allowing you to add layers of paint in a shorter time. The cons with fast drying paint however, is that you have to be careful not to leave your dirty brushes out too long or you will ruin your brush. Acrylic paint is also water soluble so cleanup is generally very easy, all you need is soap and water. Word of caution, acrylic paint will stain your clothes and won’t come off (it’s the same paint used to paint on fabric)!

I started off by painting the entire canvas black. This technique adds a depth to the painting and also creates a darkened tone for your piece as compared to a traditional white canvas. Next using a white pencil crayon I drew in the outline of the image I wanted to create.

Using a pale cerulean shade of blue I began painting the background and part of the face. Don’t worry too much about painting within the lines, you can always go back and paint over it if you mess up!

For the face and hair, I mixed varying shades of brown, black, and white. Unfortunately there is no perfect recipe to get the right shades since all paints vary by company, so just play around with the paint till you get your desired shade.

Since acrylic is generally a thinner paint than oil paint, use a softer (but still structured) brush. Another trick for painting smaller details is using a brush that has long bristles, this allows you to control the paint application while still picking up a significant amount of paint.

I also mixed in a bit of red for parts of the face to add a warmth, as well as using red and white for the lip area.

So there you have it! It took approximately 6-8 hours to achieve the finished product. The main problem I encountered was that I had to go over and repaint parts that the paint seemed thin on. I quite like the finished product I achieved, this might even be one of my favorite painting I’ve made so far! Don’t forget to check out Ines Longevial’s page (@ineslongevial)!

The world of high fashion is quite intimidating, mainly due to high price points which can make it inaccessible to the general public. But with strategic spending and informed decisions you can easily turn your high end purchase into an investment. However, before you dive into this world, there are a few essential questions you must ask yourself. What is the cost of this item compared to its quality? Can this be an investment or is a luxury? And finally, is the source I am buying this from dependable? Now, there are countless resources out there that can help you deduce whether or not you are making a right decision. Sadly, we don’t have time to spend days reading through it all. But don’t worry, all you need are the basics so you can get the most bang for your buck.

Let’s start with the most important question you must ask yourself: What is the cost of this item compared to its quality? Just because it’s a high end brand and all the price tags are steep, does not mean you are receiving quality. When looking for quality its important you ask the right questions, mainly about the materials used to make the product.

For example, most high end stores such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Chanel pride themselves on the fact that their materials are of the best quality. When shopping at such stores feel free to ask the sales associates about these materials, they are specifically trained to answer such questions and will happily oblige. Each brand has special kinds of leathers they use to produce their accessories, take the time to get to know the difference. Even ask which kind of leather is most sturdy and durable, after all if you are going to spend large sums, you would like the item to last. Some kinds of leather are softer and thus more susceptible to scratching and weathering over time, so beware of this!

Like I said before, just because it’s high end doesn’t mean its good quality. From personal experience, I know for a fact that Chanel brooches with pearls are not long lasting since the pearl are glued on (not set into the brooch) and it makes them susceptible to falling out. Even though Chanel offers complimentary service to replace any pearls that fall out, it still is a hassle to have to go in and have it replaced. This also affects the item’s resale value. On the other hand, I’ve had a Burberry wallet made from a tough sturdy leather, which I have been using since 2012! It just goes to show you how good quality items can last for years.

Next big question to ask is: can this item be an investment or is simply a luxury product? Now repeat after me, a luxury product from a luxury brand is not always an investment. An investment is simply something that has the potential to retain or increase in value over time. The quality of a product may be great, but will someone want to buy it?

For example, one of my favorite products I have purchased are a set of soap bars from Hermes. The quality on these soaps is absolutely fantastic, but the matter of the fact is that even though they are from an esteemed brand, their resale value is zero. This is a luxury product with no resale value.

On the other hand, studies found that a Birkin bag (also from Hermes) is a better investment than gold or entering the stock market. While the bag’s original value is terrifyingly high, you can make sure that you will not lose (much) money if you do decide to part with it. The same goes for my Chanel “Boy” bag, and my Louis Vuitton “GM Porte” bag. For both of these, I picked a colour and leather that are popular and sturdy, so with the right care my bag will not lose significant value.

Generally speaking, handbags, wallets, and other accessories are better investments than personal care items such as soap, fragrances, and candles. Clothes are also not a great investment due to the fact that they are made to fit you, thus you limit the potential buyers to those who are your size. The same applies to shoes.

Exceptions do apply however when big brands such as Balmain or Versace collaborate with H&M and release collections. In this case the quality is not better than the H&M standard, but due to the Designer brand’s association with the collection, the pieces turn into investment gold. Prices for these pieces ca reach as high as the products that the designer brand would carry in their own stores.

The last thing to consider when shopping high end is: am I buying this from a dependable source? Generally speaking, when you are buying a high end product, you want to buy it from the brand itself. The perks of buying it from the brand is that many of them offer lifetime warranties, and free services to repair any damages that may occur to your items. These services aren’t always offered through third party companies. Also buying from the original brand guarantees the items authenticity! If you ever decide to resell your bag and can’t prove that it’s authentic then you might as well kiss your investment goodbye! A good way to preserve authenticity is always hold on to the shopping bags, authenticity card, and receipts. These can not only prove the item is authentic, but also in many cases increase the resale value.

A main thing to beware of is outlet stores. Companies such as Kate spade, Coach, Michael Kors and many more have created the concept of outlet stores in order to boost revenue and provide cheaper products to the public. But don’t for a second think you are getting the same quality! Products sold at an outlet store are MADE for the outlet store. Meaning they are mass produced and created with lesser attention to detail and quality. Even if the items look similar to those in the actual showrooms, they are not in fact the same. Let me tell you about the time I bought a Michael Kors wallet from an outlet, it lasted me about 7 days before the leather looked like crumpled paper and ripped. This is the exact quality you receive from outlets, and stores such as Ross, Marshalls, Winners, etc. It’s actually better to buy from the actual flagship stores because your items will last longer. The same goes for merchandise sold at fast fashion companies such as H&M, the GAP, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Zara, ASOS, Topshop, etc. Just because something is expensive at these stores will not mean more time and money was spent in creating it.

Just remember, an informed shopper is a happier shopper. Especially in the case where thousands of dollars are being spent. My philosophy is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with spending your hard earned money on luxury, but you might as well make an investment out of it if you can. I hope these three topics can help you make more informed decisions concerning your next big purchase. If you have any questions or want advice on any large investments then please feel free to comment below or contact me!

Now let’s start with hair care. My hair is naturally thick and glossy (thank you Indian genes) but multiple bleach treatments later, and it can still be dry and brittle. The only product aside from shampoo and conditioner (Head & shoulders) that I use on my hair is Argan oil of Morocco. This thing is truly a miracle worker, it detangles and moisturizes hair leaving it so soft and silky. It doesn’t make my hair oily at all and also smells amazing, which is a plus. I highly recommend this product to everyone no matter what your hair type is!

My skin is very oily and due to that I struggle with breakouts almost weekly. At this point I’ve basically tried every acne treatment out there, from Oxy to Neutrogena to even prescription topical creams and pills. The problem with most treatments out there is that the salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide dry out your skin so much that it in turn leaves your skin damaged. The only products that have had a significant impact in controlling my acne are from Mario Badescu. The drying lotion is a true miracle worker! If I ever feel a pimple coming I simply dab on the spot treatment onto the affected area before bed and it is usually gone the next day. The buffering lotion is more for deep cystic acne and I must warn you this does dry out skin but will help rid of cysts. The rose water spray is honestly my FAVOURITE product by far! It is simply a moisturizing spray that not only helps moisturize, but helps control redness, and also has been found to soothe skin and prevent breakouts. It can also help set makeup and be used as a fragrance. I highly recommend the spray to anyone with any type of skin they may have.

Face masks are also an important part of my skincare since they help clean my pores and prevent further breakouts. I use the Lush Rosy cheeks mask as well as the St. Ives Mineral clay mask almost once a week. Both masks contain bentonite clay which is soothing and helps exfoliate as well as pull out dirt and grease from pores. I also highly recommend the Biore heating charcoal mask! (Not pictured) It’s a little more expensive but does wonders and leaves your skin baby soft. If you’re looking for hydrating face masks, I suggest trying the Tony Moly sheet masks (or just any Korean sheet mask in general), ever since my friend Jenny introduced me to these masks my life has been changed!

To cover up any acne scars I use the Sephora collection 10Hr foundation. I like this one because it comes in a wide array of shades & undertones, and also is long lasting while looking natural. I also highly recommend the Laura Mercier translucent powder, this simply helps you look matte and also helps the foundation stay on longer.

For lips, I’ve been using Carmex lip balm for AGES! My friend Gillian also recently introduced me to the Benefit Benebalm. I particularly like this product because not only does it moisturize but it’s a tinted lip balm so it adds a little colour to your lips, making them seem more alive and plump.

Now the following are simply some luxury favourites of mine. I’ve been simply obsessed with the Bleu de Chanel fragrance ever since I first came across it. I also very much love the fragrance soap bars I bought from Hermes. They not only smell divine, but they’re made from shea butter and are very moisturizing. Also the fact that they come in the classic orange Hermes box is a plus!

That’s all I have for my beauty favourites at the moment! If you have any product suggestions you would like me to try please let me know! Hope this helps anyone who was looking to try any new products.