“People will stare. Make it worth their while”– Harry Winston
How many of you love listening to Katy Perry and all the more is mesmerized by her distinctive sense of style? Well I do. I just love the confidence in her to do kitsch and nail it every time like no other. Unlike its counterparts, channeling a kitschy look can be quite tricky. You either emerge as the avant-garde with aplomb or you go home being fined by the fashion police.
So what is kitsch all about? Kitsch couture incubated in the period of 1860s and 1870s in Munich as low-brow, mass produced, pejorative and garish form of art that was criticized for lacking sophistication and finesse. It is characterized by the elaborate and exclusive incorporation of images of popular culture. The melodrama and larger-than-life appeal translates into humour and irony. Also known as “sentimental art” Kitsch has taken the world of design by storm. Despite the ignominy of gaudiness associated with kitsch it has created waves in the hearts of people who love to go bold with colours and do not shy away from psychedelic prints.
Internationally Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana, Alexandar McQueen, Betsy Johnson and Vivien Westwood are synonymous with kitschy school of couture. Love the kitschy temperament that runs across every design of Moschino. The Powerpuff Girls apparel and bags are so cute that you want to own them right away in your wardrobe. Back home, the “King of Kitsch” Manish Arora have taken kitschy chic to peak! The in-your face, no-holds bar elaborate prints heightened with neon colour burst scream for attention and that is all the more why we love it! ‘India Enchanted’ the Spring/Summer 2013 collection witnessed the ace designer’s collaboration with the salient jewellery brand Amrapali. The concoction of the two prestigious design houses gave birth to magnificent conceptual pieces that would be every connoisseur’s priced possession. We witnessed bridal haathphool flanked by pink dragons, kadas emellished with tiger heads, maang tikkas with dragons, ear cuffs, necklaces and head accessories. Among the contemporary designers Masaba Gupta and Nida Mahmood is relaying the legacy of the “King of Kitsch” through their unique brand of design philosophy. I personally liked the bull print saris, camera print couture and the Disney inspired Mickey Mouse sari, the last one being creative yet quirky.
I have conceptualized these few kitsch inspired looks for the ones who dare to embrace the quirky route!
LOOK 1 : The first look is as basic as it can get. Don a bold kitschy skirt and coordinate it with a crisp white cotton shirt or an aqua-blue shirt. Go for a bright-hued pair of socks and cut-work oxford shoes. Accessorize the look with a chunky bracelet and geometrical earrings. Finish off the look and with a pink pout by taming your tresses into a neat ponytail. P.S. If you like to keep it solemn than always neutralize the larger-than-life and hyper-maximalist temperament of a kitschy garment with white.
LOOK 2 : If you dare pick up a turquoise dungarees and team it up with a sea-green crop top. Now get ready to supplement drama to this colour-block combo. Add emoticon badges and blend it with brooches all over the dungaree or in a dispersed manner. Multiple striped stockings, cup-cake printed flats, cupcake motif earrings and a cute headband promises to make you the cute kitschy icon! P.S. For more fun carry a cupcake shape bag.
LOOK 3 : Choose a pop-art one piece preferably a fitted mini dress and layer it up with a similar printed jacket. Embellish with a metallic studded choker, evil eye finger ring, metallic brogues and nude make-up and you are ready to take your date by surprise. Don’t forget to finish it off with geometrical sunnies to celebrate the uber-cool you!
Must-have in your wardrobe:-
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Pop-art skirts and bottom wear
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Quirky printed tops
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Fun playsuit
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Cute and quirky accessories
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Printed stockings and statement footwear
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Neon make-up
Kitsch in home decor and gifting
The Kitsch genre has become pretty popular for doing up the interiors or gifting your closed ones. The splash of colours combined with pop culture makes it irresistible. Whether it is Mughal art on pillow covers and cushions, shoe printed phone covers, chairs with kettle motifs or old Bollywood posters as wallpapers- It’s raining kitsch everywhere!
Where to Shop
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http://uk.accessorize.com, https://www.chumbak.com, http://www.claires.co.uk,
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http://indiacircus.com, http://www.thequirkbox.com, http://houseofmasaba.com,
Did you know? The Japanese street style boasts of kitsch fashion especially the Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
P.S. For more inspiration follow Katy Perry.
So be the kitschy you and put your best fashion foot forward. But yes, kitsch is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Till then stay in style and wear your smile. Xoxo!
Kitsch story from couture to cushions picture source: http://lsa5.0.assets.s3.amazonaws.com, http://media2.popsugar-assets.com, http://media.kalkifashion.com
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com, http://www.stagesaloon.com, https://chinabambi.files.wordpress.com
