Stepping into New Year, believing in myself and the power of good. All sparkle and shine. I choose to compete with my ego, procrastination, anger, not with other people I choose to think outside the box I choose to create new paths, not always follow them I choose to never let vanity take over my ethics I choose to buy less, choose well and make it last I choose to give back to society, not just keep taking from it I choose to be a better version of myself everyday Wearing Tamara Jarmon Top, River Island Skirt, Prada Handbag, Sissi London Shoes Some old, some new - the bag I am wearing has been in my wardrobe for over 8 years now. Everything I buy, I've committed to wearing it atleast a 25-times. I am making a conscious effort to choose ethical brands over fast fashion, and while I am not even close to keeping up to this commitment, I am not giving up on this. Ethical brands in Dubai can be harder to find, not always fitting the pocket and shopping online can s

Discovering upcoming vegan brands and new hi-tech leather alternatives  has  become my passion lately. I am always on the lookout for eco-conscious and cruelty-free brands for my wardrobe and am glad to share my current favorite vegan handbags with you.  Melie Bianco This PETA approved accessories brand from LA has become one of the most known vegan brands. Their handbags are high on style and ethics, and the best part is they aren't too heavy on the wallet either (unlike most ethical vegan brands). What I love most about Melie Bianco is their wide collection, which is always on-trend and super stylish. I got this stylish boxy crossbody from them recently and it has become my favorite go-to bag. It instantly upgrades even the simplest of outfit with its buckle and stud detailing and is roomy enough to stow in all the essentials. How eco-conscious is Melie Bianco? It isn't the most eco-friendly alternative out there, although it is vegan and sweatshop free. The material

LA-Based WAMA  successfully closed their Kickstarter campaign and their cool hemp underwears are now available on their website (Update June 2018). Our underwear drawer is the most neglected space and it's time we gave it a little thought and invested in the right undies that not only look good but are also made from the right materials. Even as a teenager, I was always particular about what goes in my underwear drawer. Although I may have skimped on my fashion buys, as a student, I always saved enough to get the best quality lingerie. Over the years, I did my research about buying the right kind of lingerie - the perfect material, and the right fit to set the right foundation. From my own experience and expert opinions, I've come to realize that 'being sexy' should not be the only criteria for buying your lingerie. It is very important that you buy one crafted from the right fabric and has the perfect fit - as it has an impact on your health and skin. Most undi

Wearing Faeth Yellow Organic Cotton Top & Cape Blazer , Asos Denim,  Stella McCartney Bag,  Faeth Choker , Vegan Bracelet Come weekend and we all dress up in cold-shoulder sexy dresses, strappy heels, and tonnes of make-up {especially if you are partying in Dubai}. While these clichéd going-out staples are fail-proof, sometimes you need that fashion meets comfort look so you can have fun on weekend night outs without having to worry about how to sit, how much to dance (of those sexy dresses definitely restrict your moves on the dance floor) and how to save your skin from the blasting air conditioner and cold winds. I've been averse to mommy jeans for the longest of time, especially because I always thought they'd do nothing for my height (petite girl dilemmas #101). However, I still bought a pair from Asos Green Room a few years back and was guilty of not using it - ever. Finally, one fine day, I decided to let go of my apprehensions about them and wore it for a

New York is hands-down one of the best cities for vegans (why not the most? I am still undecided between LA, Berlin, and NYC). I've spent a considerable time in New York this year when I was in the city for a vegan TV show styling project. New Yorkers are spoilt for choice when it comes to vegan foods - you can pretty much find whatever cuisine you are craving. Additionally, the city offers a host of vegan activities (other than food) for everything from shopping to beauty to vegan festivals, pop-up shops, and vegan cooking demos. And of course, there is Whole Foods and Westerly Natural Market with a large selection of vegan food, home cleaning, and personal care products. Here is a list of 6 must-have vegan places in New York that can't leave New York without. It includes the best vegan restaurants and vegan fashion stores (there are vegan shopping options for guys too).

Nina Bernice Handbag , Stella McCartney Shoes , Reiss Top & COS Pants, Reflections Organics Makeup Dressing sustainably yet stylishly is getting easier by the day. Not long back, finding cruelty-free and ethical handbags and shoes was a big challenge. I had to ransack the whole planet to find one good vegan brand, literally! Fortunately, the ethical fashion scene has never been better. Many upcoming brands are taking the ethical route and using innovative and new eco-friendly materials, which is making vegan lifestyle a lot more easier. The great thing is these vegan and sustainable products are just as high on quality or style as their counterparts, in some cases even better. With every purchase you make - you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want. So when you have the choice to buy products that you love and that are also ethical and cruelty-free, why wouldn't you?  My latest discovery Nina Bernice handbag made from cork. I came across cork when w

Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world and the amount of landfill the industry is generating (with the advent of fast fashion) is worrying. That is not it. Fashion industry is also notorious for exploitation of people - sweatshops, slavery and child labour is still a reality in many countries and irony is that some of the biggest names in the fashion industry employ these inhumane practices.  Over time I learned about this problem plaguing the fashion industry and it made me re-evaluate my choices. When we buy something beautiful, we rarely think about what did it take for that item to reach our wardrobe and knowingly or unknowingly we become part of it. As consumers we have the power to create change through our daily choices. After all, any market is always governed by the equation of demand and supply. If the demand for ethical practices and small brands will pour in, the supply will follow. Supporting small ethical brands is the easiest way to start

  Outfit designed by me, Handbag Stella McCartney, Sunglasses Rayban Hello there! What's happening? So it's been a while that I did this outfit shoot in the early hours in Colaba but I have been delaying posting the pictures of the full look, because I wanted to get the Mumbai City Guide , which features the best places of Mumbai, noticed. I hope you've read it already. So floral! While spring is probably the perfect season to wear floral this print has blurred the season boundary and works just as well in Autumn and Fall. The print color combination and style - everything in this outfit is designed by me with the help of Sourabh Kant Shrivastava (LFW designed). Hope you are having a fun weekend! xoxo Follow Style Destino on  Instagram ,  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Pinterest . Photography by Kapil Khilnani

7 For All Mankind Denim Jacket , Banana Republic LBD, Stella McCartney Handbag , Zara Heels   90s fashion has found its way back into our closets and the good old denim jacket is reigning its glory back again. While I cannot think of a time when the denim jacket was not in style but the old school classic denim jacket is the hottest item to own right now. No wonder considering how chic and versatile the clothing item really is! You can instantly make your evening dress or a dressy LBD appropriate for brunch meeting or lunch with your girls by layering it with a denim jacket. Put on a fedora or a floppy hat and the style quotient shoots up North. In fact paint your pout red and add some bling and you can take this look from day to night. I normally like to throw the jacket over the shoulders for a casual yet chic effect instead of wearing it on completely. On weekends pair it with comfy chic sneakers and a full skirt dress and you are ready to run errands a

Zara Crop Top , Asos Boyfriend Jeans , Stella McCartney Falabella Bag , Lipsy Pumps When you happen to buy two styles that you've always been scared of and somehow manage to muster the courage to wear them together, you need the buffer period to really understand how it feels - at least this is the situation I found myself in this crop top and boyfriend jeans. I would hate to be labelled as a 'trendwhore' but the boyfriend jeans craze really bit me. The #ootd world of Instagrammers flaunting this style, irrespective of their size or shape and still managing to look fabulous in them, finally won over me and one fine day I ordered this pair online from a UK store. But once I got them I wasn't so sure of pulling them off and it actually waited in my wardrobe for months until I decided to take the risk. Pairing it with a pair of pumps seemed logical as these pants desperately needed some sleekness. Considering the grey and blue palette I

Ted Baker Coat, Braintree Organic Cotton Tshirt,  Paige Denim, Kurt Geiger Shoes, Stella McCartney Bag I love coats and trenches. Now that Dubai is hit by unexpected chilly winds I'm glad I can finally wear my favorite piece in my closet - the blush coat.  Wearing it with distressed denim and a simple white tee makes this perfect piece to prep myself for whatever the Dubai weather throws its way - freezing windy evenings or pleasantly warm noon.  Now who says vegan fashion is boring? My 2017 resolution is to gradually clean up my wardrobe with sustainable clothing. Scouting for ethical fashion brands that brings the perfect mix of style and conscience is a challenging but very exciting journey.  Resisting the temptation of fast fashion is not easy. It's not just about the cost, but also accessibility. I would be lying if I would say that it's easy to find stylish and chic right-on-trend pieces from sustainable fashion brands, but then whe

Angela and Roi Vegan Handbag Mango Jacket , Banana Republic Peplum Top , Diesel Jeans ,  Angela & Roi Bag , Dune Shoes , ASOS Belt , Miu Miu Sunglasses It's always a goof time to make some positive changes in life and point out the ethical issues pertinent to the fashion industry - starting with the one that perturbs me the most - "stereotyping cruelty as luxury", which the fashionistas are stung with paying no heed to the excruciating pain and slaughter a poor life is inflicted to in the name of style and fashion. Just in case you're in the minuscule minority who doesn't know, I'm not the slave of fashion and certainly don't believe that style is above life of a helpless animal. As a staunch believer of cruelty-free fashion and to prove that vegan and ethical fashion is equally stylish, I am always on the hunt for all things stylish that are rightfully labelled 'vegan' and everything on this blog strictly adheres

Beauty is in simplicity, minimalism, attention to detail and quality. Simple yet intricate, bold and playful - this is how Payal Khandwala's designs are. I resonate Khandwala's clothes with women who are bold, give thought to what they wear, appreciate quality but are not obsessed with fashion because there are many other things to do - like conquering the world! Enter her beautiful store in Colaba, and you will be met with rainbow colors neatly displayed on racks against a classy and clean decor featuring black walls accentuated with gold detailing. Clothing that speaks minimalism with complicated yet simple silhouettes - most of which not for the faint-hearted. I have always loved Khandwala's beautiful collection of desconstructed creative silhouettes where she unites old and new - traditional fabrics in modern minimalist cuts. By using bright and basic bold hues in most of her pieces, instead of prints, Khandwala lets her silhouettes be the center of attention, whic