Antonov 32

13 men of the Indian Air Force and Army lost their lives in an An-32 crash after its take-off from an Advanced Landing Site in Mechuka. I have very fond memories of this air craft; I have fond memories of some of the crew on board this air craft. 

I believe I am a very fortunate person; when I was in the RIMC Dehra Dun, I grew up around a war memorial.  every day, I would look at it and each time move one gigantic step closer to understanding how admirable it is to find reason in fighting for your country… at times till death. I spent hours together looking at the dossiers, embossed names of my brothers in arms who’ve done so, in awe and respect; in hope of being fortunate enough to be of equal service to my men.

When I was passing out of the Military College at Dehra Dun, I was Flag Corporal (or Wreath Bearer as it is known) at the regular ceremony to the War Memorial. It is perhaps one of the greatest moments of my tenure.

to the crew of the An-32.

unsung heroes

There is is an individual who goes by the name of Cliff Young; his strength, I am certain I will be reminded of at some stage in my life ahead.

Exclusive running shades

Read about Cliff Young

Gentleman Jack

canes are the most examplary statement of style, art and class.  When I was young, I saw my 94 year old Great Grand dad use one. He was some 6+ feet tall and was a legendary figure in the city for various reasons.  I believed he was going strong at that age and did’nt need one.  Fact however being that he did, if I had a chance now to look at him as anything but a 6 yr old, I would’ve learnt a lot more from that personality.

at various events in life and during my subsequent education in one of the primier military establishments of the country,  I developed my attachment to them.  My dad once possessed a black cane with a brass handle and a crafted shaft; very lucid memories of an event with the No. 44 Squadron of the Air Force at Agra of it.  I dont have a picture.

The one above was hard to find. made of rose wood, has an elephant ivory handcrafted handle.  Apparently took 5 years to complete.  Below is a Scrishaw monogram in ivory that accompanies the cane- not seen-.

The one just below is a simple, elgant marble handle with an ebonite shaft and a brass conjunct.

For the more cosmopolitan.

This one at the end by Boris Palatnik comes with a Sterling Silver Cast with a partially filled 24K Gold handle, Genuine White Sapphire, yellow-green Onyx and Black enamel mounted on an African Ebonite Shaft.

sequinned

The idea of bling is not anathema to elegance as is quite widely percieved; I was looking over a recent line up from’Blumarine’ which is otherwise known for its glittery showdowns and then I came accross… stuff.  Sequin dresses cannot be pulled off conveniently; it takes more than the ordinary effort, a penchant for such kind of clothing and finesse in carrying yourself with it.  I had to first therefore look at Eva Longoria considering her recent stint at New York in a ‘Blumarine’ nuetral sequinthe Desparate Housewife just featured on the People en Espanol’s 50 most beautiful; not without reason.  I looked further and found these peices that follow, which would make good unaccompanied-by-jewellery sequin dresses.  And  in exposing my profound predisposition towards beauty that compliments the fairer sex, it seems appropriate to understand the right physique and the skin tone that’re accompanying a subtle set of earrings and the shoes to go with the dress- for those who have’nt got it yet, I am referring to something of sorts of the hot hemline that you see above… apart from everything else.  The glam quotient considerably befits the sequin.  Either case, this’s the line up I could conjure.

I would like to go a step further and showcase some sequinned swinsuits I found; but I… need a beer right now.  I’m quite inclined to agree with New York based designer Derek Lam’s idea of nudity as a fashion statement though- both of us are scrweing around here; this’s what shows in his latest lineup in Paris of some pretty skin coloured shades of… clothing. http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2008/09/goodbye-lbd-hello-nude-dress.html

scents this summer

Sieve likes the perfumes I use; I believe this set of perfumes makes for a good collection towards a strong and indicative of a  qualitatively grandiose male presence.

I have to, for old times sake, start with the original Davidoff Cool Waters for Men;  I’ve been acquainted with it since school days in the Dun valley;  looking back I understand how the chilly weather and pine and eucalyptus tress gave it a more distinct and potent smell.Paco Rabanne recently released One Million; it has got a heavily superior scent that goes for the ’suited up’ evening occassions

Light Blue by Dolce and Gabbana is something I have never hesitated to use; been with me for quite sometime now and I do not intend to replace it from my kit.

Sicily accompanies the eccentric man with her subtle and divine fragrance; its something that I would adivce against if you’ve not tried it before.

I kept this for towards the end.  Guy Laroche Paris gets out his most exquisite.  Drakkar Noir is the best scent Ive ever used.  This collection is dedicated to Sieve

breakfast at tiffany’s

The right suit ever incomplete without a good pair of cuff links, this lineup goes to the exquisiteness of Audrey Hepburn.

Torque in Brushed Silver

18 K Gold from Tiffany's and Co.

Tiffany Signature - Sterling Silver in onyx

morph cufflinks in sterling silver

The Watch in 18 K gold

The Eternal Circle

‘patent pending’

ties are divine; this ones from the US Patent and Trademark Office Museum

save a horse, ride a cowboy

My greatest fascinations as to clothing, of other things equally colorful, has been with cowboys.  As opposed my interest in suits and ties therefore, I decree it just that a comprehensive show of exquisite cowboy rig befits this first post.

A fascination with cowboys began with the saga of a series of classics on the ranch.

John Wayne was my first cowboy hero;  this collection is dedicated to him.

A good hat is the first quintessential of the complete cowboy rig, the idea of which is unfortunately scant; made worse owing to the onset the frivolous ‘ranching’.

Vaquero is typical Texan cologne.

either of oilskin dusters, leather jackets of blazers have to be part of a cowboy wardrobe.

black tuxedo trousers or a pair of jeans; designer shirts.

riding boots with the right pair of breaches or tuxedo trousers.

the right pair of breaches or tuxedo trousers.I’m not generally in favour of a bolo-tie; this ones particularly good though.

good accessories must not be done without. stainless steel and leather.