Latest news with #NamitaAlexander
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sports meets fashion: Time to take cues from Wimbledon, golf, F1 and pickleball
Fashion has always drawn cues from art, music, poetry, and sports. With the US Open (Golf) wrapping up last month and Wimbledon and Formula 1 underway, the overlap between athletics and aesthetics is dominating global conversations once again. From preppy courtside looks to flashy F1-themed manicures, fashion's biggest trends are emerging from the field. St. John's new line of golf wear, F1-themed nails with track lines, chrome finishes, and team logos, and Neena Gupta promoting her new web series in a pickleball-style outfit.(Photos: Instagram) Serving preppy style This year, Wimbledon spectators are embracing the preppy aesthetic. Think gingham and checkered patterns, pleated skirts, and tailored blazers. 'Global events like F1 and Wimbledon turned into runways of their own,' says stylist Namita Alexander, adding, 'It's not just about performance, but presence. Celebrities are blending athleisure with high fashion, embracing sporty silhouettes, technical fabrics, and iconic teamwear to craft looks that both are bold and wearable.' On court chic Despite Wimbledon's strict all-white dress code, players have been making subtle fashion statements. American player Coco Gauff wore a lace tank top adorned with 3D butterfly embellishments. Italian player Lorenzo Musetti donned a textured leather jacket for his pre-match walk-on. Experts believe that these trends will blow up soon. 'Sports and fashion go hand-in-hand, and this year is particularly inspiring,' says designer Payal Jain, who grew up watching tennis, adding, 'If I'm working on a sport-oriented collection, I revisit icons like Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova, and Andre Agassi, and draw from their language for I'm creating.' Golf goes glam Once heavily male-coded, golf wear is getting a feminine spin. With women now accounting for over 25% of golfers and contributing to 60% of the sport's post-pandemic growth, as per the US National Golf Foundation, fashion brands are taking note. St. John's new collection includes textured knit polos, Serena-style skirts, tweed bags, and open-knit jackets, blending performance with polish. Nailing the top gear The high-speed world of Formula 1 has hit the beauty world with F1-themed nails gaining traction. Track lines, flame motifs, and chrome finishes are dominating nail salons and Instagram alike, with #f1nails clocking nearly 500k views. 'Trends like F1 nails and tennis bracelets are just examples of how deep the influence of fashion and sports runs. Even sports uniforms have become more stylish,' says designer Pratyush Kumar, adding, 'From motor racing to fencing, we study functional details and merge them with craft.' Pickleball meets pop Once a quiet paddle sport, pickleball has become a social media sensation. With pop icons like Taylor Swift and the Kardashians joining the craze, its style code — comfort-first and playful — is trending. And Indian brands are not far behind. Labels like FirstEdge Sports, Terra Luna, and NOYO are embracing the wave, launching relaxed silhouettes like V-neck T-shirts, pleated skirts, sweat vests, and classic sneakers recently. Catching up on the trend, actor Neena Gupta also sported a pickleball-inspired outfit featuring a pleated skirt, sweater vest, shirt, socks, and sneakers while promoting her upcoming series recently.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mary Janes: The shoes that never went out of style
'Mary Jane shoes are versatile and can be styled in many ways, depending on the occasion and your personal aesthetic,' Namita Alexander, celebrity stylist From the standard school shoes style for girls to Carrie Bradshaw's discovery of the legendary Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes in an episode of Sex and the City , we have all been introduced to Mary Jane shoes in different ways. Versatile and timeless, they can be worn by both men and women and styled in many ways, depending on the occasion. If the recent Spring Summer 2025 showcase at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks is anything to go by, Mary Janes have been conquering the runways, with reinterpretations by luxury brands like Miu Miu, Prada, Bally and Wales Bonner. Once the 'it' shoes for clubbing in the 1920s, Mary Janes have remained a fashion staple over decades. How to style Mary Janes CASUAL LOOK: Pair your Mary Janes with a cute sundress or a flowy skirt for a feminine, playful vibe. They also work well with skinny jeans or baggy denim. For a more relaxed feel, try them with a simple T-shirt and denim shorts WORK/OFFICE LOOK: For a polished, businesscasual look, opt for neutral or black Mary Janes with a tailored dress, a pencil skirt, or trousers paired with a blouse PREPPY LOOK: Channel schoolgirl chic by styling your Mary Janes with knee-high socks or tights, a pleated skirt, and a button-down shirt or sweater VINTAGE/RETRO LOOK: Lean into the shoe's nostalgic appeal by pairing them with a retroinspired tea-length dress with a floral pattern or a high-waisted skirt with a tucked-in blouse Inputs by celebrity stylist Namita Alexander 'Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes?! I thought these were an urban shoe myth!' Carrie Bradshaw exclaims, as she finds a pair in the fashion closet at the Vogue office, in season 4 of Sex and the City. The iconic style turned 30 last year – first debuting in August 1994 'Balance the feminine nature of the shoes with fitted tops' While styling Mary Janes, balance is the key, say stylists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 'Sleek Mary Janes complement structured outfits, while chunkier styles look great with relaxed fits. A monochrome outfit paired with a bold shoe colour can also elevate the look,' says celebrity stylist and personal shopper Dipika Mohta. Celebrity stylist Pyu Mishra adds, 'Balance the feminine nature of the shoes with fitted tops or blazers. When choosing Mary Janes, ensure a proper fit. Opt for highquality synthetics or leather for durability, and select a heel height that matches your comfort level.' What to avoid Avoid pairing delicate Mary Janes with overly bulky pieces, as the contrast can look unbalanced Be mindful when styling them with socks — some styles work well, but thick or heavily patterned ones might take away from the shoe's elegance. Stick to thinner socks like tights, ankle socks, or knee-highs for a polished look Since Mary Janes have a distinctive style, avoid overaccessorising with chunky jewellery or too many statement pieces. Let the shoes be the focal point to prevent the outfit from looking too busy – Inputs by Dipika Mohta and Namita Alexander The origin of Mary Janes Mary Jane, a character from the Buster Brown comic strip, played a significant role in popularising these shoes in mainstream culture. The classic design — closed-toe, lowcut, with one or more straps across the instep — was worn by both Mary Jane and Buster Brown. Some of us were first introduced to these shoes through Alice in Wonderland , Sex and the City and Clueless . More recently, celebrities like Harry Styles , Tyler, Olivia Rodrigo , and Gigi Hadid, have been spotted wearing this childhood favourite. Let the shoes do the talking! Experiment with textures. Velvet or patent Experiment with textures. Velvet or patent Mary Janes can add a luxe feel while layering Mary Janes can add a luxe feel while layering them with ankle socks or sheer tights can them with ankle socks or sheer tights can create a vintage touch. create a vintage touch. Play with heel heights. From flats to heels, Play with heel heights. From flats to heels, Mary Janes comes in various designs. A Mary Janes comes in various designs. A moderate heel adds sophistication, while flats moderate heel adds sophistication, while flats offer comfort without compromising on style. offer comfort without compromising on style. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
