Kolkata youngsters Mariam Zaki and Aashna Sharma have moved to different cities in the UK for their studies and work and are quite familiar with the London fashion scene. While Mariam has been living there for nine long years, for Aashna, it has been over two years. Being fashion and style enthusiasts, both have explored the style scene of this fashion capital of the world during their stay. The Telegraph visited London last year and was mesmerized by the street fashion of the city. Curious to explore more, we approached these two youngsters to self-style four looks from their wardrobe, for The Telegraph , to give us a first-hand peek into the London fashion scene. They agreed! Here’s what they had in store for us when they came to Kolkata for their winter vacation....
Has London influenced your choice of fashion and styling since the time you moved there?
Mariam: When I first moved here, I was 18. It was very different. I used to wear Abercrombie & Fitch at that time. That was the best thing available for us then. So, one of the things I picked up during that time was watching people. If I was in the tube (underground railway) or just sitting around, I would pick up a lot of style statements. What I noticed was it was very neutral when it came to colours, so it was mostly black, white and grey. But I was a colourful person. Rainbow personified! So, I took that and added my style to it. I noticed the younger generation, that is Aashna’s generation, chooses more comfort. They choose sneakers when they go clubbing as opposed to heels. But we wouldn’t or don’t do it even if it feels uncomfortable.
Aashna: Yes, I wear sneakers now. But when I was in Kolkata, I used to wear uncomfortable things. There was the car. But there’s a lot of walking involved in London, so that is why I choose comfort. It used to be really basic when I was in Kolkata. But here everyone is dressed up all the time, so I realised I have to be presentable the moment I walk out of my house. That’s something I learnt. My taste has changed for sure.
Has it changed your personality over the years, too?
Mariam: I think, 100 per cent. Most of the time when I meet new people or even my old friends they remember me as someone who is really dressed up and has a fashion sense.
Aashna: I am not the person who used to dress up all the time. I used to always be in my sweats. My friends tell me how that has changed now.
What attracted you to the London fashion scene?
Mariam: Since it is such a big city, it has a very fast-paced life. They choose to go simple but everything is very well cut out and classy. The coats fit the T and the colour is matched.
Aashna: And the hair is always on point. Even if it is a messy bun! My university is in Leeds. In London, people are very well-dressed. In Leeds, people are mostly wearing comfortable clothing. I go to London every weekend. When I started going to London like I used to dress up in Leeds, it occurred to me that I need to start dressing up. That is when my weekend dressing up started.
Mariam, you have stayed there for so long. Has the fashion scene evolved over the years?
Mariam: Definitely. But it also depends on who you are speaking to. If you go to central London, Soho, the fashion is very different from East London, where I stay. In West London, it is very posh. But central London is mostly about parties and night-outs. East London is a little more casual. But I don’t follow that. And it has evolved a lot over the years.
Are there any trends in vogue that you are fond of?
Mariam: Some trends have come up like the Wednesday Addams’ one. It doesn’t cater to my style but it is very interesting to see how people are interpreting it in their own ways. The other is Barbie girl because there’s an upcoming Barbie film and a lot of people take that seriously. The younger generation is doing well with Y2K because they choose comfort over everything.
Aashna: I think, Y2K. That’s completely me. Now I like experimenting with hairstyles. Trying colours during makeup. Flared pants. I used to never wear skirts. I love them now. Cowboy boots and accessories. I love accessories.
One style you are obsessed with after shifting to London
Mariam: Slip dresses.
Aashna: Corsets and flared pants.
Is there anything about London fashion that puts you off?
Mariam: There was a time… and even memes were made on this… it was skinny jeans, white shirts and biker jackets. I completely avoided that. I can’t stand it.
Aashna: Strappy heels. It is not me!
SEMI-FORMAL LOOK
For the semi-formal look, both Mariam and Aashna chose solid shades and a classic colour palette that can be commonly spotted on the London streets for smart formal and semiformal looks. Mariam styled her look in a maroon bodycon dress with a long white blazer and accessorised it smartly with a sling bag, comfy sneakers and matching shades, adding a classy touch to the look. While Aashna stuck to her comfort zone of a jumpsuit for the semi-formal look, she chose London’s favourite colour palette and kept it classic in black and off-white. She styled it with a high-neck cut-out sweater, off-white sneakers, a colourful saddle bag and small oval metal shades to add the perfect swanky touch to the look.
PUB HOPPING
The city has a very attractive nightlife with many popular party spots and pub hopping is an experience not to be missed when in London! Style and comfort were balanced out in Aashna’s choice of an evening pub look. Her puff-sleeved, mini black dress was paired with black boots and a leather bag. Mariam kept it simple yet stylish in a pink satin midi slip dress, accessorised with diamond drop earrings and pink stilettos.
WEEKEND BRUNCH LOOK
Time to let the hair down and feel happy wearing pretty or bright shades. For the weekend brunch look, Aashna slipped into a pretty pink dress, paired with a pink bag and clear shoes from Zara. Mariam wore a Bardot lantern-sleeve off-theshoulder white top and teamed it with a pair of bottle-green flared pants. The look is accessorised with golden hoops, a bag and golden pointed pumps.
CASUAL STREET STYLE
Mariam’s casual street style was all about muted shades, minimalism and comfort. Slightly inspired by the Y2K trend, she wore a beige high-neck, rib-knit crop halter top, paired with high-waist pleated wide-legged trousers. A Louis Vuitton belt, Polo Ralph Lauren classic sport cap, rectangular brown-black sunglass and toe sneakers complete the look.
Going shopping, taking the pet out for a stroll, stopping for lunch or taking a coffee break at a bookstore, corsets are trending and sneakers give comfort during those long walks to reach a destination. Aashna chose to keep her look high on trends for the casual street-style look. She opted for a simple white shirt styled with a brown corset, paired with denim hot pants. The look is accessorised with black and brown Coach Minetta bag, Air Jordan sneakers, trendy ear cuffs and round rimless sunglasses.
MAKE-UP NOTES
“The city of London is famous for its fashion and plays an important role in adding a twist to many conventional styling choices that becomes trending by influencing the youth. Makeup also plays an important role in these looks. I mainly created four looks to reflect the London lifestyle. Starting with a natural dewy-finish base, we made the look subtle with blush and glowy cheeks. We chose gloss for Aashna and straight hair and smudged eyes for Mariam. The looks were mostly about selfstyling and easy-to-do make-up. We kept the variations in the looks with different hairstyles, too, like soft curls and messy bun,” said Moumita Naskar.
Hair and make-up: Moumita Naskar
Location: The Cult, Sector V