RR at VOGUE Fashion's Night Out

We are thrilled to announce our participation in the fifth edition of  VOGUE Fashion’s Night Out '13. This year we have designed an exclusive wristlet/ipad sleeve and also reinterpreted the classic black clutch in our signature style. On September 5, get set for a fashion frenzy like Mumbai's never seen before!

What is Fashion's Night Out?

The world’s most fashionable all-night party is back for the fifth time. From Manhattan to Moscow and everywhere in between, Vogue’s Fashion’s Night Out is the one event that brings together designers, stars, celebrities and, of course, shoppers.

Everyone is invited and, with specially created events, great deals, exclusive designs and merchandise, you’ll have trouble keeping your credit card in your wallet. This global initiative was the brainchild of US Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, and started as a way to get people excited about shopping again, during the global recession. It is now celebrated in 16 countries, each hosting a unique version of its own. 

“Call it a luxury fest, a block party or a late-night retail extravaganza, either way Fashion’s Night Out has shaped up into an unique shopping experience for India,” says Priya Tanna, Editor of VOGUE India.

Vogue Desires - The Black Clutch

This year, Vogue India are planning a one-of-a-kind fashion installation. Vogue Desire – The Black Clutch will collectively showcase the varied talents and individual styles of some of India’s leading designers. Each work will be highlighted as part of an installation at Fashion’s Night Out 2013 and will be sold as individual collectibles, with all proceeds going to charity.

Vogue Desires - The Black Clutch by Rachana Reddy

Taking the flapper girl as the inspiration Rachana Reddy's take on the Vogue Desires - The Black Clutch, should be sexy and strong and should be able to perk up any outfit.

"There's something very strong and seductive about the 20's fashion" says Rachana Reddy. The black feathers are juxtaposed with some gold bling, emphasizing on the two elements which were very prominent in the flapper girls' styling.

Wristlet/iPad Sleeve by Rachana Reddy

Vogue India also asked us to create something special  for ‘Vogue Loves’ store. The idea was to create something that will be accessible to the public. We designed an exclusive wristlet/iPad sleeve which will be displayed at the Vogue Loves Pop - Up Store and all the proceeds from the sale will go to charity. 

Get your wallets ready and indulge in some retail therapy at Vogue Fashion's Night Out India on 5th September at Palladium mall, Mumbai!

Source: http://fno.vogue.in/

Several reasons to gift a RR clutch this August!

With Friendships Day, Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan round the corner, we decided to do something special for all of you. Its SALE time this August! Get a flat 25% on our specially selected popular styles as we celebrate this beautiful bond of friendship and love. Gift your BFF's, sisters and yourself a Rachana Reddy creation that are as unique and special as you and your loved ones.

Shop Here: http://bit.ly/16STpZI

Hurry! This could be your last chance to grab these best sellers as they will not be available on our online store once the sale is over.

Fabric Alert: Indian Brocade

Today there is a vast variety of man-made and natural textiles available in the market. Due to technological and industrial advancements made in the textile sector it has become impossible for people to differentiate between traditional textiles and blended synthetic textiles. We thought for this post why not familiarize our audience with a popular traditional Indian textile, Indian brocade and highlight its usage in our collections.

At the Rachana Reddy studio we strive to blend tradition with contemporary luxury. Apart from using Indian silks in our collections we have also experimented with the idea of using Indian brocades too. We just can't get over this extremely opulent and luxe fabric! In an effort to reinvent traditional Indian brocade and cater to modern sensibilities, we specially source Indian brocades woven in geometric and bold patterns to use in our accessories. Our best sellers Padma & Carpet, Purdah and Oyster are a few clutches where we have incorporated the use of Indian brocade.

Brocade as we all know is a very majestic and ceremonial type of fabric that needs no added embellishment, as it stands absolutely luxurious on its own. Indian silk brocade, also known as Kimkhwab was started in the 17th Century in Benaras, a world famous center for handmade Indian textiles where the ancient tradition of weaving is still preserved. In the ancient time Benaras was famous for the weaving of cotton fabrics, but slowly switched over to silk weaving during the Mughal period (1526 - 1857). 

Kimkhwab, derived from Persian, means “a little dream,” a reference perhaps to the intricate patterns employed; it also means “woven flower,” an interpretation that appears more applicable to the brocade, in view of the floral patterns common to the material. Traditional Indian brocade was done with intricate designs using real gold & silver threads, reflecting ancient Mughal influence which is seen in the motifs used like floral and foliate motifs, animal motifs, architectural motifs inspired from the temples and mosques, and figures with intricate details.

    Indian Silk brocade, Benaras, 19th Century

Heavy gold and silver work, metallic visual effect, intricate detailed motifs and complex weaving are some of the essential characteristics of Indian brocade fabric. The simplest and  the best way to identify an authentic brocade is to see the back of the fabric as it will have groups of loose threads floating on the surface that have been trimmed away. The motif is not a part of the woven base fabric and is woven additionally using the Jacquard technique. As a result the back side of the fabric has a messy appearance.

Still don't have this timeless Indian fabric in your wardrobe? Catch a glimpse of our clutches in Indian brocade: Purdah http://bit.ly/14T7J57, Brocade http://bit.ly/12CTP2K, Brocade http://bit.ly/12FPtYz, Carpet http://bit.ly/18XG2Mw and Oyster http://bit.ly/18g4sy8

The RR Girl's Must Have Clutch Essentials

Some people say our couture wooden clutches are like pieces of contemporary art, while some call them precious jewels, we at Rachana Reddy like to describe them as conversation starters. Clutches essentially are small bags without handles and straps used to carry money and personal things to a formal gathering. You literally clutch the bag in your palm, maybe that's how the name was derived in the first place.

We get a lot of inquires asking what would fit inside our clutches. Will a phone fit? Will my lipstick/mascara fit? And so on. Being highly fashionable and custom made, these artful pieces are designed in such a way that we also keep in mind the primary functionality and purpose of the product and hence cater for a little space inside the clutch to store ones basic essentials. 

So we reckon that you junk that overstuffed tote bag for an elegant Rachana Reddy clutch to a cocktail party, formal dinner or a girl’s night out! Wondering how will you fit all those “can’t survive with essentials" in our tiny clutch?! Think no more as this post, we pare it down to five absolute essentials one must carry and that will easily fit in your Rachana Reddy clutch to get you through the night in style.

1) How can you possibly set out without carrying your phone? Even though we hate to admit how our lives revolve around this gadget 24/7, this is our absolute number one essential!

2) A debit/credit card and some emergency cash is a definite must on our list. All our clutches have pretty side pockets designed specifically to store your cards and money. 

3) Nothing screams Party like a bright lipstick! Your Lip color of the night an absolute essential in your clutch for that extra touch up, once it starts to wear off after all that dancing and eating.

4) Your house/car keys.

5) An elegant mini compact/mirror always comes handy to retouch and check on your hair and make up.

Note: The RR Padma Reflection clutch featured in this post is a medium sized clutch and can easily fit 5 essentials.Smaller clutches should fit at least 3 essentials unless of course they are bulky. Remember it is all about carrying a lot of (good) attitude but the least baggage during a night out :)

3 Ways To Wear Wood

Wood is Mother Nature’s bountiful blessing to mankind, and one that provides enormously and ceaselessly to support an entire planet.

Since the beginning of time men and women from all around the world have accessorized themselves with hand crafted ornaments made out of flowers, shells, leaves and wood for traditional and religious ceremonies. It is only when the discovery of stones & metals happened that people forgot how jewellery was once upon a time crafted using organic elements. The moment you set your eyes on Rachana Reddy accessories, it is love at first sight with the predominant natural element -wood, that is used in her accessories. Her designs are simple, Indian, organic & handcrafted. It simply transports you to a surreal space where you feel close to Mother Nature & go back to your roots. 

Nature being one of Rachana Reddy’s primary inspirations also means sustainability both in process and output. At the Rachana Reddy studio we make a conscious effort to use locally sourced and reclaimable wood in a responsible way. We love the distinctive connection natural materials bring when one adorns it on themselves. It is this connection that remains supreme in her style of work. 

All of us at Rachana Reddy undoubtedly admire and appreciate anything wooden! Be it clutches, neck pieces, earrings, rings, boxes, texture & grain, and primarily anything & everything wood. And of course even woody fragrances! We aim to pass on our continued love for wood to our readers too. So if you're not sure how and with what to carry your woodyliscious accessories, we have created three ways to get you started.

Clutches: Quilted Vintage Flower Clutch by Rachana Reddy, Ornate Armor byRachana Reddy, Ornate Frame by Rachana  Reddy. 

Neck Pieces: Kalee Bib by Rachana Reddy, Fringe Moon by RachanaReddy, Woody Assymetric by Rachana Reddy.

Shoes: Diane Von Furstenberg Opal Wedge Sandal Rose Garden Leather, Lanvin Stacked Heel in Camel & Beige, Giusseppe Zanotti Design Open Pump.

Clutches, neck pieces and shoes are essential accessories no girl can do without! Keeping in mind these basic accessories we have created a look under each accessory category. The simplest and best way to team up wooden accessories is to work around plain and structured garments. Clean cuts, color blocking, solid colors, monochromatic and minimalistic garments work well as they become a sort of canvas for these couture accessories, which are absolute art pieces and conversation starters! 

Shoes: There’s nothing quite sexy as a pair of stunning stilettos and when the heels are made out of wood we literally go gaga here at Rachana Reddy! Stand apart from the crowd in a pair of gorgeous artsy wooden stilettos. Let the focus be on the shoes, throw on a structured dress in a solid hue, minimal or no jewellery for a fuss free work wear/formal look. We highly recommend Diane Von Furstenberg Opal Wedge Sandal's! 

Clutches: As the sun sets, say hello to understated metallic’s! For a formal dinner party carry a stunning vintage wooden clutch with intricate ornate motifs, a feminine sheer dress, elegant stilettos and delicate jewellery. Ornate Frame by Rachana Reddy is what we swear by for a classic - chic look.

Neck pieces: Bring out your bohemian side by sporting a statement wooden neckpiece. Palazzos, maxi dresses, long skirts, braids, bangles, bracelets, sandals and all things bohemian & hippie undoubtedly will transform you into one. But we at Rachana Reddy believe in simplicity! We will break down the bohemian look and give you what we call the Boho - Chic look! Plain maxi dress in a solid hue, strappy sandals, edgy jewellery (hand cuff) and complete the look by wearing a statement wooden neck piece. Fringe Moon by Rachana Reddy is a must have to get the look right! 

*Design Plagiarism Alert*

A serious case of shameful & offensive plagiarism! 

While doing an extensive research and development exercise at our design studio for an upcoming collection we came across images of similar looking wooden clutch bags. For a split second the awful distinction didn't strike us as we were so engrossed & excited about our upcoming collection and thought it would be a previous collection done for some other retail outlet by us.  But a second closer look at the images, and to our astonishment we realized that someone has blatantly copied our designs and concepts. Imagine the amount of resemblance, that we thought it was our clutch bag at first!! Shocked and curious to know who were these people who were trying to shamelessly & fearlessly copy our work, we researched some more and found out that a brand called: AH bags by Ayesha Hussain (from Lahore, Pakistan ) were responsible for this daring unethical offense.

In a state of shock and disgust we are now trying to figure out how to go about this and take severe action, since we are still a young company. I hope our post creates awareness for other young designers in the business and also for people who buy designer products, that supporting plagiarism is a complete no – no and also indulging in the same!

When you copy someone’s work, their language, their style – you are copying a piece of their unique brand identity for which they are known in the market and are out rightly assaulting their years' worth of hard work. It is someone else's sweat and blood. A lot of work, thought and passion has gone into each of our designs and is totally unacceptable when an ignorant designer claims ownership to our intellectual property! In this case it’s a distasteful copy of many of our products! I request all of you to come together and support us against the fight for plagiarism and also spread the news. Any suggestions of how we should tackle this issue are most welcome. 

Do check out the links below:

1) http://bit.ly/ZRnmVY   2) http://bit.ly/Y1xfCR

Introducing Neckpieces : Sneak peeking

Truth of life - One can never have too many accessories .
Being exclusively an accessories designer and having always given more priority to accessories in my wardrobe too, it was a natural creative urge to explore more with their design.
Two years of creating clutches and bags for my label has been challenging and creatively gratifying.While they have become my signature, I will continue to build on it.This year will see an addition of a small line of edgily elegant neck pieces in our signature combination of materials and with a new inclusion of metal.
These babies are getting set to be launched at the Wills India fashion week next month.Excited!