Redefining Ethical with Sikhat

Who knew ethical fashion could look this good, honestly I’m all for sustainable fashion where they actually just don’t plaster “cotton & handcrafted” and sell it as ethical. Even though I am a pretty seldom user to ethical fashion I have worked as an industry long to know my fair trade fabrics -procurement/growth & the final translation into garment. An anti-fit garment doesn’t justify it being the new indie sustainable brand.  With a sudden surge of available brands it often becomes quite the task to know your ethnical fabric and eventually garments. Surveys repeatedly show that there has been-and indeed continues to be tremendous confusion over the sustainability impacts of cultivating and extracting textile materials. Synthetic fibre is seen as “bad” and natural fibres as “good”. This preconception is influenced by a complex set of factors influenced by a complex set of factors including raw material renewability, biodegradability and stereotyped associations made with chemicals, factories and pollution.

Certainly there is no dispute to the fact that producing synthetic fabrics impacts on people & environment, natural fibre cultivation can also cause a substantial amount of negative impact.

 Let’s clear the air with my understanding and in simpler words - When I say "sustainable" and "ethical", I am referring to fabrics that were produced in a manner that was respectful of people and planet as verified by internationally recognized certification, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). ^1* So it’s quite important that we understand that essentially that when brands say they use only cottons they aren’t being ethical or conscious. We need to understand the source of it- we often think of cotton when talking "sustainable" and "ethical" fabrics, but other examples are bamboo (although, it turns out bamboo fabric is sadly not so sustainable after all) and hemp, as these come from plants that require little water or pesticides and regenerate easily. 

A revolution is  underway in today’s organizations, labels and even designer labels. Today I’m introducing a quaint homegrown talent for their label Sikhat.

I don’t think modest fashion comes to me very easily now. Growing up I always have had flabs but I was never refused or asked to stick to one kind of clothing- which basically incase of us fatties( as known forever) is Kurta and  uglier reformations of tunics. I’ m done away with modesty having said that I’mreally comfortable wearing everything and anything as long as it fits in my vision and also through the fact as too how many ways I could possibly style it?

 So when I was approached by @labelsikhat I honestly was a little too apprehensive. Now don’t get me wrong I love people who can really have the sense of style which I want to channel but fail to.

Probably also because I’ve grown extremely comfortable in my skin. As people talk about influencer and I had quite intriguing revelations yesterday on my live session I really do wonder what kind of influence am I? 

More than letting you know what to wear and what not to I really just want you to know it’s your body and your opinion so please whatever you like. I do not by any means want to promote the fact that one needs to wear makeup, don wigs or wear extremely skimpy clothes all the time. I try and strive to wear and try everything-there is no do’s and don’ts I would want you to follow. It really is my fashion diary that I like to share with you guys. Coming back to #labelsikhat it’s not some brand that approached and we got to barter n just do the shoot going. It’s really the team that put heart into hearing me out and making me that perfect dress. The underlying boho lineage and the comfort just tops everything besides the price point.

I picked up two outfits from the label-a dress and a tunic. I styled them in quite different ways visibly. The length of the tunic was comfortable to be worn over a pair of distressed shorts and cinched in with my conch shell belt and pair of beaded flats. So my inspiration was taking boho-an eclectic intergalactic boho really and added such accessories and makeup to complete the look. I have used flash tattoos or my eye makeup too and really played around with summer colours for my look.

For my second look I really like it more toned down since the outfit in itself speaks so much – the tulip sleev details and the ruffles on the dress. What I really loved about the dress is that it looks like a cord set. But just one garment that you can take from desk to dinner.

The label is run by two lovely sisters who really put their heart and head into making ethical garment and we can only do so much as help them out by support them. What’s even makes it a sweeter deal is that they have a zero waste policy –they recycle every bit .They even send me a sweet little fanny pack that I shall be using for my travel super soon.

Another adventure coming real soon ,hope you like the post and let me know what do you think honestly?

See you soon my peaches

XoXo

🍑

My quick escapade with Beach Box Hotel

I had the opportunity to get away for a few days –The Bali fever really hasn’t worn off. During my time here in goa I had the opportunity to experience this new property. The All American style motel is upcycled from shipping containers. The detailing about this place is amazing -everything is basically up-cycled and the attention to detail is surprisingly very integral and aware of the space. They have some really good workshop coming up and even an up-cycled shop which you should keep a keen eye on.

The red pool was my sole reason to book the place at first, it as picturesque as it looks. It is smaller in size than it appears to be in the picture but it was definitely a different experience to take a dip in may I say, blood pool. The superior room was my comfort level with the absolutely adorable copper lined bathroom.

 Talking about the location, the resort sits along the picturesque Baga River, on the seaward side of Baga Bridge (may I say the right side of Baga and away from the hustle bustle). I particularly liked it sitting between Baga- Arpora lane.

I have to appreciate the restro-bar way beyond! It completely exceeded my expectation, take advantage of that offseason and connect with the restro staff - You will be served exquisite Goan styled meals or for that matter even juicy burgers! Just make sure whenever you are ordering the seafood you ask them a day prior so that they procure the catch according to your liking and marinate it well.

My must-order here is the Prawns Tawa and Rava Fish Fry, also the chicken burger in BBQ sauce! The cocktails are so well priced and the bartender makes it extremely well. I also could make a tiny bit recommendation here with the Pirate's Dream, Vanilla Sky & Good 'Ol Shantaram!.

I think we can do better in terms of lighting - like's there's ample of lighting once you open their large windows which I don't think enable you enough privacy. So lighting - better white light can be installed above the dresser. Windows could have been on the other side of the container which could have given more sunlight and privacy!

Summing it all up I cannot wait to go back for their food and a dip into the red pool.

I'm absolutely looking forward to their new property "River Deck" which should be completed soon and can't wait to be back. Keep up the great work team and thank you for making our stay so comfortable. In an off season as the monsoons I couldn't have chosen a better place, better recommendations to make the most of my short stay! Looking forward to see you soon.

XOXO

p.s. Here's the link of the website my pictures don't do justice to the place, see it for yourself. Also you can catch me on Instagram for more BTS of the Hotel.

That Lux Leathercraft: Töhl

The handbag is our all sorts of essential. For me, it seems I do carry my whole world around-I’m the over packer. I may absolutely need the substantials of what I could probably fit into a clutch but oh well what if? – What is there is a rain deluge? What if I need a quick makeup fic? Or worse what if I need to shave my legs or brushy teeth! Yes, I carry pretty much everything around with me; My colleagues at work literally know I live out of the bag with an extra change in the lockers at the workspace. As much as spontaneous I am with my plan I absolutely believe in over planning.

That demand for constant content, though, means me trying to get multiple partnerships, which is why I need to probably tie up for more brands. But I’m someone who really hasn’t had more exposure any sort of luxuries really – and not to bluff about it. I had rather make and try everything as I work upon myself.

In the handbag department of my closet I have been pretty lucky really ‘cos my dad traveled around the world and while I did not have much exposure to luxury brands I did know more high street brands before most of my peers. I remember hugging on to my precious Cath Kidston backpack in high school!

So when I was gifted the Chiswell bag from Tohl it really was love at first sight. Now I always kinda shopped around at the airports lurking for the sale and bought leather handbags from Aldo, Accessorize and Charles & Keith! Not the greatest quality but certainly that edge in design and functionality that I liked. I’m the kind of person who would build their outfit around one piece whether be it a bag, a blouse or a footwear really!

It just really starts building this capsule wardrobe in my head automatically so if that’s not happening I most likely will not buy the item.

Coming back to the bag it is definitely become my everyday bag for well just about everywhere. I took it to my work and then it found it’s way to  Delhi,Bali, and Goa –I think the Chiswell’s quite the traveler! And this is all in a months time. I will confess not the best place to travel with pure leather but I was too tempted not to!

Today I’m sharing two looks with you-let me know which one do you like better? I may go on and share my workwear looks too later on but I really just spearheaded into styling the bag into a tropical vibe which is not something leather handcrafted bags aspire to be. I think they need to live a little and obviously, I have to show them some major TLC but I’m all for it!

I hope you enjoyed my looks put together and try some for yourself albeit not forgetting the bag! These babies are handcrafted with utmost care.You know what I love about the brand most is it’s relativity to our Indian sensibility and usage. It combines aesthetic and functionality under the crown name of Tohl meaning “skin”.

I will see you soon in my next post which I’m most likely drafting as you read.See you on the other side, my beautiful ladies.

XOXO