Galaxy

Latest issue of Galaxy mag out.

Shot with Jonas L again.

First shoot with the gorgeous Kelly Melvin. One of many to come, I hope! She was amazzzing.

R

Out of my Closet: Komal Mirchandani

With a personal touch
A mini version of her boutique, the wardrobe of Komal Mirchandani, the stylish owner of Sanskrit on Lyndhurst Terrace, is immaculately organized.

Areas of her cupboard are cordoned off for her Western outfits, her shimmering saris, designer bags and bejeweled shoes. And there's a small area reserved for her husband to hang his shirts. "Otherwise, the place is all mine," she says with a laugh.

"I know where every single item is. I hate a messy environment and thankfully my kids have inherited that from me. Well, my son has. My daughter is studying in Britain now and when she comes home, it's like typhoon has hit the room."

The clothes are a reflection of her identity as a Hong Kong Indian. "I've lived in Hong Kong for five decades and it is really my home. I go to India often and have been to many of the fashion weeks that are held in Delhi and Mumbai, and I pick up pieces that suit my lifestyle."

She likes pieces that have a Western silhouette with an Indian touch. "It isn't practical in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong to wear traditional saris all the time or a shalwar kameez, so we - and I can speak for many Indian ladies in Hong Kong - wear them for special occasions only. I try to remember how my mum taught me to wear a sari, but now there are many ready-made saris I can just zip into."

For her daily wear, Mirchandani goes for comfort with a splash of style. "I pick up outfits with little Indian embellishments, like a sparkling arabesque pattern at the collar, or a print that's colorful."

She often wears Indian designer shoes, but also has a collection of Jimmy Choo, Giuseppe Zanotti and one pair of Christian Louboutins. "His shoes are gorgeous, but they are so painful after 10 minutes. I'm sure many women secretly agree with me."

For Mirchandani, a personal touch is important in fashion. "There are are some designers who  I won't work with or buy from as they are difficult for no reason. It's really important for me to like them, that we have an understanding and a connection.

"Not only do I wear the designs of Satya Paul, Rina Dhaka, Rabani and Rakha, and Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor, I sell their pieces in my shop. I knew Anjalee and Arjun before all the Bollywood stars started wearing their outfits - they're lovely, talented people, who understood that many of us non-resident Indians need to mix and match, it can't be too traditional or too Western. They have reconstructed pieces for me, to suit the weather and style here."

Mirchandani travels often, and prefers shopping in London to the US. "In the US, you see the same brands in every mall. You see them in Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, you'll find them all in Hong Kong too, so the temptation to shop there is limited. In London, it's great to find these off-the-beaten path boutiques in Marylebone Lane, and Marylebone High Street, Knightsbridge, New Bond Street and Notting Hill."

She prefers authentic jewels and stays away from costume jewelry. "My traditional sets of kundan or polki jewelry or the bigger diamond sets are locked away and come out only occasionally.

"I'm glad fashion evolves constantly, " she says. "Remember when people frowned if your bag didn't exactly match the colour of your outfit? Thank God, we've moved on from matchy matchy."



Text: P.Ramakrishnan (ramakrishnanp @ hotmail dot com)
All photos by Carmen Chan.

Just another day in the office. Outtakes from a wedding shoot

Going over printouts and colour proofs and what not for upcoming issue. 

With my gorgeous friend Aliya, yet again.

Model: Aliya Zaidi

Photographer: Samantha Sin

MUA: Rennie Fensham 

Cover shoot.... Behind the scenes of Galaxy magazine cover shoot in Macau

Risking life and limb for the Winter cover shoot of Galaxy magazine!

Ah that Jonas will find a unique angle at whatever cost!

Can't wait for YOU to see the final cut.

Rama

Galaxy magazine, Fall 2012: Melanie Z cover girl

Woo hoo! It's here at last.

Galaxy magazine, Fall 2012. 

Worked with an amazing team to create the best cover/issue yet.

Melanie Z on the cover rocked it out.

My usual team at the shoot, Olaf Mueller (photographer), Karen Yiu (makeup) and co. 

Worked with the loverly Tasha Ling (stylist) for the first time, she styled the cover shoot/inside shoot.

Already working on Dec issue now... 

PS: The Galaxy font is gold - but when you scan the mag cover, it comes out black. Don't ask.... 

It looks much better on hand that online! ;0)

Isle be back! Behind the scenes of a bridal shoot for a special edition of Galaxy: The Wedding Issue

Hmm. No major updates in ages. Have been up to my nostrils with magazine work. Super excited about a project that's coming soon, come November...

Some snaps from the making of!

First shoot with the fun Rennie Fensham (hair/makeup) and model Amanda G. My n'th shoot with Taner S. 

Shankar Mahadevan in Concert: Indian singer, composer, TV Star and Reality TV Judge in Hong Kong

Normally when Indian singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan visits Hong Kong, it’s for a private performance. But the star has announced a one-off concert in the city for his loyal legion of fans, who he loves to connect with through social media.

“Well, I have a fan page which has about 730,000-plus followers,” said the star, who is also a judge of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (an Indian talent show similar to The X-Factor). “I joined quite recently and originally wasn’t that active. But now it’s a great way to inform people about events, about my music academy, and get their feedback. When you see how many young people are taking part in reality shows via social media, it’s great to know that interest in Indian music is alive and well with the youth.”

Mahadevan had his own star encounter earlier this year when he performed with soul legends Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan.

“Walking up the stage to sing with my musical heroes, the ones I’ve looked up to my entire life – what can I say? I was representing India for a jazz festival at the United Nations and all these luminaries were on the same dais. To have Stevie Wonder on the piano, sing with him and Chaka Khan. Amazing!”

Mahadevan will be performing on Sunday at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tickets are available through hkticketing.com.

Shankar Mahadevan Live In Hong Kong
Sunday, 7 Oct 2012 at 7pm
Tickets: HK$300-HK$1500
HKCEC - Hall 5G (Harbour Road Entrance)
Tickets: www.hkticketing.com