It is that time of the year again when we pull out the whites from our wardrobes and opt for the soothing pastel colour palette. Easy-breezy and comfy, The Telegraph creates a mood board of summer styles from day to night. Be it work or a lunch date or after-work party with friends, the lookbook explores summer-friendly silhouettes featuring prints, pastels and whites. The colourful and quirky decor of the vibrant pub Cheap Charlie, off Southern Avenue, complements each frame.
Post-shoot, Richa Sharma and Sayani Datta share their summer loves, dos and don’ts with The Telegraph....
A good and a bad thing that this season reminds you of?
Richa: I am an early riser. During winters, I stay in bed most of the time under the quilt. But during summer, I wake up and do yoga and meditation. That’s a good thing about summer. Humidity is the bad thing.
Sayani: The good thing about summer is I get to wear cotton clothes, specially short cotton dresses. The bad thing is in our country summers are so harsh that if we don’t drink enough water we get dehydrated and from dehydration a lot of problems happen.
Bright and easy-breezy, Richa’s poplin flowy dress from Sixth Avenue in an ombre tone of yellow and white stands out against the number-plate decor wall of Cheap Charlie. The white sneakers, hair tied up into a bun and silver neckpiece complete the summer casual daywear look.
One thing you look forward to most during summers....
Richa: During summers we used to go and spend time with our grandparents and stay with them. That is something I used to always look forward to.
Sayani: One thing I look forward to most during summers is swimming.
How do you plan your summer wardrobe?
Richa: White T-shirt or white shirt and denim shorts, jeans or black trousers.
Sayani: My summer wardrobe is full of white. I mostly wear whites and pastels for summer.
Richa cut a smart frame in the white linen co-ord set from Sneha Arora, printed with multicolour polka dot digital print. Styled by tying the shirt like a knotted top around the waist, the look is accessorised with a chunky bracelet and earrings. Perfect for a work-to-party or after-work comfy party look. The grey poster-adorned wall of Cheap Charlie complements the colour of the outfit.
What is your beauty regimen like during summer?
Richa: Exfoliation is something I definitely do for my whole body and body polishing and cleansing. Water is my best friend during summers, I keep having water to cleanse my system and apart from that sunscreens are a must. Rose water is really important, which I always keep in my bag. Applying that keeps my face fresh. I make it a point to shampoo my hair every alternate day to keep my scalp clean. I go for hair spa, too. Instead of creams, I use serum more to avoid oiliness.
Sayani: I do not do anything extra as such to take care of my hair and skin. I wash my face two-three times with a good face wash and apply Cetaphil on my face. During summer, I choose to avoid most of the products as it leads to breakouts. Sunscreen, of course, I use.
Friends Richa and Sayani posed for a fun shot in vibrant summer brunch looks. On Sayani, a crepe silk, screen-printed bustier and pant from Garo is paired with an organza bomber jacket to amp up the style game. Gypsies and pink lips complete the look. On Richa, a sap green khadi dress from Sixth Avenue designed with exaggerated sleeves, gathering and layering. A statement neckpiece, subtle make-up and gypsies on the hair add to the summer look. The multicoloured chest of drawers in the background complement the frame.
What are your three make-up faves for this season?
Richa: Using a SPF cream before my make-up starts is important. A light base to keep the make-up dewy and lip oil to keep the lips hydrated.
Sayani: I like to do light make-up. So, just sunscreen, kajal and mascara. Lighter shades of lipstick, like mostly pink.
Sayani sported an elegant summer festive look in Tahweave’s handwoven textured cotton kaftan-style tunic detailed with multicoloured screen print. The high pony, natural make-up with bright lips and statement earrings add to the look and the colourful background complements the frame.
A must in your diet during the summers...
Richa: My diet is similar throughout the year. Lots of water and summer fruits like watermelon and kiwi.
Sayani: Yogurt and rice. It is the best summer food.
Sayani channelled a simple, summer-friendly Indo-western party look in Tahweave’s handwoven, textured cotton sleeveless asymmetric-style kurta detailed with kantha stitch. The hair tied into a neat middle-parted bun and statement earrings add to the neat and glam look. The entrance of Cheap Charlie with its quirky glow signs and colourful window decor beautify the frame.
A summer festival that’s close to your heart....
Richa: I have been seeing my mom doing it. It is called Teej. It happens a little later during summer around July-August. We offer our prayers to goddess Parvati and Shiva. We fast on that day and apply mehndi. We wear new clothes and have food in the evening. Whole day is full of colourful things.
Sayani: Poila Baisakh. I was born in that month too, so Poila Baisakh is my favourite festival. It is very close to my heart for a lot of reasons.
A subtle-glam, chic western party look in all-white for summers, Richa posed against the glow light speaker-design wall in an exaggerated sleeve top and broad pant ensemble from Sixth Avenue, accessorised with a sleek diamond and emerald neckpiece and finger ring, bright lips and open hair.
Share three things from your summer bucket list....
Richa: This time during summers I will be travelling to the UK to meet my daughter. Apart from that, if I get time, I will go to some beach, get myself tanned and relax there. There are so many things in my bucket list but it depends on my work schedule. I have to concentrate on my yoga routine and take care of my health. That’s very important.
Sayani: This summer, I wanted to visit Kashmir. That’s already fulfilled. I wish to go to two countries, which are pending for a very long time due to Covid. My bucket list is always filled with travel plans.
Enjoying summers would remain incomplete for you without....
Richa: Without my daughter, who is studying in the UK. We indulge in our trips together
Sayani: A sunscreen and a bikini. (Laughs)
Stylist Speak
Keeping the ongoing season in mind, we created a lookbook where we shot with white and pastel shades, along with some prints. It showcases looks varying from summer brunch to party. The clothes are simple, accessorised with silver layering for daytime and emerald and diamond for the party looks. With some outfits we used locally available gypsies and flowers to add the smell and feminine vibe
Anupam Chatterjee, stylist
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Styling: Anupam Chatterjee
Make-up: Moumita Naskar Das
Hair: Abhijit Das
Jewellery: Karishmaz and Virrayaa Jewellery
Location: Cheap Charlie (opposite Xrong Place)