The Faceless Hustler

The hustle never ends, said Tony Soprano once. Entirely different context maybe, but rightly so. It’s tough trying to be seen in a crowd where there’s several others doing the same thing you’re doing.

It’s taken me a short while (some would say) to reach where I have. But this isn’t even close to what I dream of achieving and I know the road ahead is long af. Yeah, everyone has big dreams, and everyone’s a dreamer; but not everyone’s a hustler. The hustle comes from within and you gotta fight it out till the very end. The only catch is, there is no end!

I began my journey as a blogger 10 months ago. And through these 10 months I have had to constantly remind myself that this is a ‘personal’ style blog; that the journey is going to be one hell of a rocky ride and because this is my personal style, it’s not going to be well-received more than often. It takes a lot to stay true to yourself and that’s where the hustle begins and continues.

I didn’t know where this would go when I started. But I never wanted to be seen as a one-trick-pony. So, when people ask me what my style is, I have no answer. Experimental is what it is. I’ve seen my style evolve pretty much with every blog post. I’ve gone from Boho to Street to Whimsical to Androgynous to Afro and here I am now at Street again!

 

WEARING:

Jersey | DANK

Shorts | Zara

Leggings | ASOS

Accessories | Colaba 

Sneakers | Zara

 

Shot by The Co Lab

 

The Afro Punk

What is Afro Punk?

Afro Punk is a platform for the alternative and experimental. Originating with the 2003 documentary titled Afro Punk that highlighted an African American presence in the Punk scene, Afro Punk is a huge movement with a short history that began as a movement after the film was aired. It was a hand-shot footage that explored the ways in which African American Punks identify within the Punk and hardcore scenes.

Out of the Afro Punk documentary, spawned the music festival Afro Punk Fest in 2005. It aimed to highlight black musicians and artists with a festival dedicated to skate culture, Punk, rap and alternative music. It is an entire subculture dedicated to celebrating multiculturalism in the alternative scene. It continues to be a huge event in Brooklyn to date!

The Style

Trying to find an inherent style that runs throughout the entire movement that is AfroPunk is impossible! The clothes they rock are just as diverse as the flood of faces you might find at the yearly fest. But there are some commonalities that tie the community together.

The look is Punk rock mixed with strong ethnic vibes: vintage ethnic pieces, tribal prints, and the hair of course! Beautiful full afro’s or some shaved into afro-hawks, dyed into unnatural colours, cornrows, weaves, dreads, and more killer creative styles you couldn’t summarise in less than a paragraph. Oh and we can’t forget the massive skate style influences with skate shoes, urban styles and a skateboard under an arm.

This, here, is my interpretation of Afro Punk.

 

WEARING:

Vest | Custom made

Harem pants | Forever21

Shoes | Zara

Accessories | Mango/ Mister by Mawi for Koovs/ House of Blondie

 

Shot by The Co Lab

The Anti-Fit Establishment

Did you hear that it was a stinking 47 degrees outside yesterday? And we’re only halfway into the season right now. With Delhi Summers getting warmer by the year (or at least it seems like that), there’s only so long that you can stick to your regular T-shirts and your trusty old pair of jeans.

I, for one, keep comfort foremost. And then comes style. The solution? Anti-Fit Clothing.

Tapered fits and slim cuts have been staples in our wardrobes for as long as we can remember, and for good reason too. To look your sharpest, clothes that fit well are essential. But spinning this rule on its head is the anti-fit trend. Boys, take a note here. Although it does take a little getting used to, what’s better than running weekend errands or chilling with a beer on a Sunday in loose, comfy clothes?

Ready-to-wear label Kapda by Urvashi Kaur, is one such line that is inspired by this trend. Spelling comfort and street-wear, this label uses easy and wearable summer fabrics including linen, denim and cottons. What makes this label a growing favourite for me is the fact that it works on an androgynous model and it carries some of my favourite silhouettes, including the harem/ dhoti, layers and drapes. The pieces can be easily paired with each other and can be worn in different ways.

The Grey Denim Button Down Oversized Shirt and the Black Cotton Jersey Dhoti Pant from the label made for perfect vacation clothing for me.

 

 

 

WEARING:

Shirt | Kapda by Urvashi Kaur

Pant | Kapda by Urvashi Kaur

Shoes | Banjaaran

Sunglasses | Tocca di Legno

Accessories | Tibetan Refugee Market/ Anjuna Flea Market

 

Shot by The Co Lab

The Forgotten Fortress

Now you wouldn’t expect to feel like you’re in South Italy when you go to Goa. Portugal, yes, maybe. But this place had me feeling like I wasn’t where I was at all!

I’m a sucker for history and naturally, I love all broken down monuments and forts and such. This detour wasn’t even on the agenda, but I was driving around Reis Magos one afternoon just to soak in the beautiful Portuguese architecture in this area, and before I could get to it, I drove past this mother of a fort on a steep hill right along the Mandovi. I had never before even heard of this place or known that it existed. But I had to go in.

This fort has so much interesting history behind it, and I had the guard take me around and tell me all of it. Apparently, this fort, after having served as a defense to Old Goa for over 4 centuries, was also converted into a jail in the 50’s up until ’93! They even have isolation units and crack windows and holes in the ground which were used to pass food through, as well as to pour hot oil onto the captured convicts

It was then ordered for restoration in 2007 and re-opened only recently in 2012 and stands beautiful next to a church as well. Would recommend everyone to have a walk through.

But enough amateur history lessons from me. Moving on to the style bit, good old #RobeLife continues to live on, courtesy A&A of course, who are launching The Robe Lives, their very own brand and online shop for these beauties soon. The Weekender Duffel bag by Brandless makes for my all time favourite travel essential; ideal for weekend getaways. And to finish off the look perfectly, tasseled handcrafted Woven Mocassins by Modello Domani, that translate seamlessly from day to night, and can be worn formally as well.

 

WEARING:

Robe | The Robe Lives

T-shirt | H&M

Harem | Forever21

Duffel Bag | Brandless

Shoes | Modello Domani

Hat | H&M

Accessories | Tibetan Refugee Market/ Anjuna Flea Market

 

Shot by The Co Lab

All Black & White

“The modern artist is working and expressing an inner world, expressing the energy, the motion, and other inner forces.”  ~ Jackson Pollock

I’m a man of a few words. And possibly, a man of even fewer colours; Black and White being the top contenders of course.

So, who doesn’t love black and white? Right?

I’d say I’m obsessed with this classic colour combination, but I look for ways to reinvent the look each time.

This paint splatter T-shirt from Zara sort of reminds me of the notorious artist Jackson Pollock’s abstract drip paintings; Part of why I picked it up since I’ve always admired his unconventional methods.

Jeans aren’t my absolute favourite. I can however, live in joggers. This particular pair, from Zara as well, caught my eye and I picked it up instantly to go with the splatter T-shirt. It comes with a detachable faux tie-waist which can be zipped on and off.

Funnily, the shoes are from Zara too! Totally unplanned, I swear! The jewellery, of course, like most of my collection, is bits and pieces I’ve thrifted from Delhi, Pune and Mumbai streets.

So here’s my interpretation of a high-street monochromatic look.

   

WEARING:

T-shirt | Zara

Joggers | Zara

Shoes | Zara

Sunglasses | Dior

Wristbands | Forever 21 / Colaba / Pune

Rings | Colaba / Janpath

 

Shot by The Co Lab