Top 7 Indian fashion designers

1. Sabyasachi Mukherjee

He is one of the Associate Designer Members of Fashion Design Council of India and the youngest board member of the National Museum of Indian Cinema. He has designed costumes for Bollywood films such as Guzaarish, Baabul, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Raavan, and English Vinglish. Sabyasachi’s celebrity clientele also includes Rani Mukerji, Sridevi, Tabu, Shabana Azmi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sushmita Sen and Kareena Kapoor Khan to name a few.

2. Manish Malhotra

Manish Malhotra started his career as a model while studying at the Elphinstone College in Mumbai. Though he did not have formal fashion design training, he was attracted towards costume design due to interest in clothes, costumes and art. His first film as a designer was Swarg for Juhi Chawla. He later won a Filmfare Costume Award for the film Rangeela. Since then, he has worked in costume design and styling for many actors and style icons. Malhotra has dressed some of the leading actresses in Hindi cinema such as Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Kangana Ranaut, Alia Bhatt and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

3. Ritu Kumar

Ritu Kumar began her fashion business in Kolkata, using two small tables and hand-block printing techniques. Beginning with bridal wear and evening clothes in the 1960s and 70s, she eventually moved into the international market in the subsequent two decades. In 2013 she was given the Padma Shri award by the Government of India. Her clothes have been worn by celebrities such as Princess Diana, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Madhur Jaffrey, Kalki Koechlin, Dia Mirza, Soha Ali Khan and Jemima Goldsmith.

4. Masaba Gupta

At age 19, she applied for Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai with support from renowned fashion designer Wendell Rodricks. She specialises in ethnic wear for women and her choice of fabric material, colours and prints are very inspiring. She is known for her beautiful prints and motifs that are eye-catching and this makes her fashion taste different from other designers who specialize in diverse areas.

5. Neeta Lulla

Neeta Lulla is an Indian costume designer and fashion stylist who has worked on over 300 films. She has been designing wedding dresses since 1985. Her name became inseparably associated with Bollywood after actresses Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit wore her costumes in the film Devdas. Neeta Lulla has designed for Shilpa Shetty, Aishwarya Rai, Sridevi, Sapna, Salma Azad, Isha Koppikar and Juhi Chawla.

6. Anamika Khanna

She is the first female Indian fashion designer to display her collections at the Paris Fashion Week held in 2007. Anamika was offered an exclusive contract by British Retail Giant Harrod’s after her participation in the London Fashion Week in 2010. Dhoti saree that everyone is raving about right now is her brainchild. Anamika Khanna has been recently nominated for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. She was also invited by the Royals at the official start of UK-India Year of Culture, the couturier was invited by the Queen of England and Duke of Edinburgh at the Buckingham Palace to grace the occasion.

7. Sandeep Khosla

He is best known for his ability to infuse Indian craftsmanship and textile heritage with European tailored silhouette. His signature is to combine traditional aesthetics with modern design. In 2012, Judi Dench wore Khosla’s design for BAFTA.

The Once-Polarizing Scrunchie Makes Its Way Back to Fashion

What comes around goes around, even for the objects that adorn the tops of our heads. With that, fashion followers have extended a warm “welcome back” to one of the Eighties’ most polarizing accessories: The Scrunchie.

For the last decade, scrunchies have led a dual life: Decried as a faux pas by the fashion mainstream while also playing the role of hipster tiara for American Apparel employees and Silver Lake, Los Angeles’ larger population.

Recently, however, scrunchies have begun attracting wider appreciation — perhaps a runoff effect of the Eighties’ renaissance trend. By some indications, scrunchies are on the cusp of a full revival — popping up at each echelon of the pricing spectrum.

Urban Outfitters has display racks dedicated to the scrunchie — offered in materials spanning from velvet to satin. The hair ties are a cute marketing gimmick for the Instagram-famous label Maison Cléo; the brand — based in Lille, France and known for its diaphanous, trendy blouses — sends shoppers a free scrunchie with each order.

To accompany its resort 2018 collection, Balenciaga cinched models’ hair with scrunchies — or chouchou, as they are known in French — theirs made of lambskin and priced at nearly $200.

Rare Market — the buzzy Gangnam, Seoul boutique owned by Dami Kwon, sister of G Dragon and Jessica Jung, the former lead singer of Girls’ Generation — used scrunchies as a glam-rock styling foil in the latest look book for its rising in-house brand, We11Done.

The scrunchie trend ironically rolled back into fashion circa 2010, when Dov Charney blanketed American Apparel’s cash wrap shelves with the fluffy hair tie, a maneuver to recycle and profit from fabric scraps.

This season, it would appear these efforts have finally materialized. From Seoul to Los Angeles, early adoptors of this scrunchie revival praise the accessory’s blend of style and comfort.

New York-based art director Raine Trainor, an avid scrunchie fan, said of the trend: “I like them because they can coordinate with an outfit or completely throw it off with a totally different pattern. They’re gentle on most hair types, which is why I wear them working, traveling, at the beach — they don’t damage my follicles like a normal rubber band.”

Amid this Eighties redux-induced haze, a luxury scrunchie brand has emerged. Comfort Objects, an accessories label based in Denmark, repurposes vintage Hermès scarves and converts them into silken scrunchies, priced at $112.

Festive Nail Art By Expert Nail Charmer Sarah Nguyen

You may have noticed the epic nails in the Pat McGrath “Beauty Is Everything” shoot for the December issue of Vogue, the handy work of nail tech, Chrmd By Sarah, Sarah Nguyen. Originally from California but now based in New York, Sarah has only been doing nails professionally for a year and a half and is already being requested by legendary make-up artist Pat McGrath. Prior to going pro, Sarah worked in fashion retail.

“Nails were kind of a hobby that I picked up. I was going through a break-up so I wanted to clear my mind and I thought: ok, I’ll just go to school and get the license. That was four years ago," she told us. "I then moved to New York and nails were still on the back-burner, and then last year I quit retail altogether and just dove right in.”

On set, Sarah’s nail kit is extensive. Boxes and boxes of crystals and glitter and nail jewellery, most of which I’ve never seen before. She also introduces me to the KiraKira+ app, the sparkle-amplifying filter which lends itself very well to Sarah’s nail aesthetic. Her signature nails which are always long and almond shaped are so ornate and decadent that it seems fitting to show them off during the festive season. They might even spark the nail artist in you.

The nails for the December issue demonstrated Sarah’s style and penchant for decadent nail creations. Model Leomie’s nails were a classic red, Sarah’s favourite nail shade. “Red is just so classic, it’s such a signature look and it always speaks power and volume. You could be dressed all in black and you could have a bright red nail and even if it’s embellished or not, it speaks volumes.”

Leomie’s nails were "almost Art Deco-like" with a long rim of Swarovski bar crystals with metal rods and a half moon at the base. "They're like a pendant for a necklace. My nail designs are decadent, ornate, sculptures. Always with gold with some form of embellishments with Swarovski. I get inspired by so many different things. Gates and doorways that have decadent style. And jewellery, I love vintage jewellery and Faberge which is a really big inspiration and I’ve even been inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s jewels.”

Although Sarah won’t divulge where she gathers all her incredible nail gems, crystals and jewels from - “you can’t tell everyone, everything!” - she does offer a bit of supply advice for budding nail artists. “A good starting point is Ocean Nail Supply online, they have so many different little studs and jewels and adornments for nails and you can also try Nail Labo, which is a Japanese company. These are the two main nail companies to start with as they have a wide range of nail accessories”.

How to find the perfect lipstick shades for Indian skin tones

India is a mix of cultures, each more different than the other. Equally diverse are the skin colours of the people in our country, ranging the entire spectrum of fair to lusciously dark. With this comes an obvious observation: there's no such thing as the perfect lipstick for an Indian woman, because you never know what her skin colour may be and which undertones suit her. However, most Indian complexions are warmer as opposed to cooler with gold undertones, so that's a definite starting point when shopping for lipsticks.

As with everything else, the final rules of what you use on your face are the ones you make for yourself, but a little help to guide you along doesn't hurt. Read this before you head out to find the perfect lipstick shades for your skin tone.

Light
If you fall under the ‘light' bracket that covers everything from almost white to a warm beige, lipsticks with bluer, cooler undertones are perfect for you. Think a fuchsia pink, a scarlet red, bright corals and salmon nudes.

Medium
If you're anywhere between a wheatish colour to a copper, you fall within the medium category. For your skin tone, its best to play around with lipstick shades in warmer undertones. We're talking a cherry red, strawberry pink, rosewood nudes and fire corals.

Dark
If your skin tone ranges from a caramel to a chocolate brown, you're part of the dark skin category. Definitely look for shades with yellow undertones. Try a punch-like pink, crimson red, tiger lily coral and gingerbread nudes.

What's the ideal number of lipsticks you should own? We've given you the 5×5 grid before—five shades (pink, red, coral, nude and oxblood) in five different textures (lip tint, liquid matte, satin finish, matte and gloss). Flip through the gallery below for a look at each of these shades—bookmark this link for when you're beauty shopping next.

Time for deeper, darker eye makeup

As hints start dropping that the seasons are due to shift again (I'm sorry to even bring it up, truly), I'll stop buying skin-based products like moisturisers and foundations for the most part. This is because I'm conscious that my skin's needs are about to change with central heating, dropping temperatures, and the general chagrin which comes with darker days. At this time of year, there is true joy to be had in focusing on eye makeup to last from now all the way to October. Prepare to go deeper, darker, and a little “more”.

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

I am not a big fan of eye cream generally, but have developed a deep devotion to this unique cream. Super rich yet with a deliciously light texture, this is perfect for anyone over 30 or those with dryness around the eyes.

Signature de Chanel Eyeliner Pen

I have been wearing gel or liquid eyeliner almost every day for 12 years, and am extremely fussy about finish, pigment and lasting power. Though this is expensive, it is the single best eyeliner I have ever used, and I will never be without it.

MAC Girls Mischief Minx Palette

Ideal for olive or deep skins, this palette is warm, earthy, sublimely pigmented and soft as butter. It is also extremely good value for money given the quantity of shadows inside. It is one of a family of palettes in various colour ways – all covetable.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Sandy Gold

This long-lasting cream shadow provides a base for anything you apply over the top, and looks beautiful alone. An ideal choice for anyone whose eye makeup tends to move, or those who prefer minimal effort.

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Eye Shadow Pencil in Bronzed Garnet

Another easy-to-use shadow which looks expensive on and gives an impression of expertise. Apply straight from the pencil and buff with a clean, fluffy brush for an impactful finish.

Clinique + Jonathan Adler Chic Colour Kit

Clinique has teamed with potter and designer Jonathan Adler to create a collection featuring his signature patterns and bright hues. This palette is the hero of the collection, offering choices to suit every mood.

Ardell Demi-Wispies False Lashes

Demi-wispies are beloved by makeup artists the world over. To get more out of them, cut each lash in half and apply the halves to the outer edge of your own lashes to wing out eyes and give volume.

Bobbi Brown Dual-Ended Brow Definer/Groomer Brush

I have used one of these to apply brow products every morning for years. Search as I might, I haven't yet encountered anything better. The bristles are just stiff enough for drawing clean lines and individual hairs.

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curl Addict Volume and Curl Mascara

This is the only budget mascara which rivals my all-time favourite mascara, YSL Faux Cils. It gives powerful black pigment and boosts lashes enormously without clumping. You can comfortably layer two to three coats and this doesn't crumble or bleed through the day.

Find Your Ideal Nude Lipstick

The ideal nude lipstick is different for everyone and depends on skin tone, mood, and desired effect.

For a safe (but not at all unexciting) bet, opt for something as close as possible to the natural shade of your lips in a soft, creamy texture. This will make lips appear plumper, give makeup a finished, polished appearance and look good with any other products you choose to wear. It will also have the added benefit of never looking scruffy or worn off if you eat or forget to reapply during the day.

MAC is widely known as a brand which caters to all ethnicities, ages and genders, and is one of the best brands to go to when looking for a nude lipstick to suit any skin or lip tone. To make it even easier, MAC have just released a dedicated collection of nude shades in a variety of textures, as well as accompanying glosses and lip pencils. The collection, MAC x Nicki Minaj, includes two shades designed by Minaj herself – Nicki’s Nude and The Pinkprint (each is €20) – with 20 shades featuring overall from pale pinks all the way to rich mochas.

The collection is available now, and includes glosses and lip liners also but will likely sell out quickly. If you have been searching for your ideal nude lipstick, you may find it on MAC counters now.

5 Signs You are Wearing The Wrong Foundation

Finding the right foundation is harder than finding the perfect Bumble match. Not only do you have to worry about tone—are you warm, cool, or neutral? what's the difference between "alabaster" and "ivory"?—but you have to match your foundation with your skin texture and type. There's a lot you can get wrong here.

So how can you tell if you're wearing the wrong foundation? "Face makeup will look the best when it's kind of solved all the skincare problems that you have while looking super natural," says Shara Strand, makeup artist and owner of SHARA Makeup Studio in The Pierre Hotel in New York City. Here, we break down the most common foundation faux pas and how you can fix them.

The faux pas: Color mismatch is the easiest way to tell you're wearing the wrong foundation. If you can see the foundation sitting on your skin, that's a problem, says Strand. "If people say 'Oh, I love your foundation,' it's the wrong one. The right foundation should be undetectable."

The fix: Once you're in the right shade zone (fair versus medium versus dark), check your undertones. Does your skin have a yellowish hue or a pinkish hue? If you're pinkish, shop the section for "cool undertones." If you have more of a yellow hue, shop the "warm undertones." If you're feeling lost, test a warm and a cool shade on the back of your hand and see which one looks more seamless.

The faux pas: If you notice you're more prone to breakouts after switching to a new formula or after you layer on more than your usual amount of foundation, that's an issue. "You're probably wearing something that has a lot of chemicals in it," says Strand. "A lot of the [less natural-looking] more theatrical formulas out there really work against the skin."

The fix: If you're breaking out, look for a more natural, mineral-based foundation, says Strand, as those formulas tend to be kinder to the sensitive skin on your face. You might also consider picking up a mineral-based primer. "Primer acts as the shield between your makeup and your skin so it protects your skin," says Strand.

The faux pas: You spend forever putting your makeup on in the morning, only to find it's totally melted off by lunch. This means you're probably not wearing the right foundation for oily skin. "If you're anywhere on the oily spectrum, during the summer your skin will secrete even more oil," Strand says. So even if your foundation is fine through the fall and winter, you might need to switch to a more summery formula.

The fix: "Choose a formula that blends in a powder," says Strand. Look for foundations that go on like a liquid but dry like a powder like Motives Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation with SPF 15 ($30, motivecosmetics.com). You should also make sure you're going the extra mile by setting your foundation with powder and using a primer with silica, which will help to soak up any skin oil.

The faux pas: If you notice that your foundation is settling into any fine lines and making them more noticeable, that's a foundation formula issue, says Strand. "If you're older and have more mature skin you don't want anything that's going to make you look more dehydrated," she says.

The fix: To avoid looking cakey, there are two things you want to look for: moisturizing formulas and hyaluronic acid. Switching to a formula with more moisture—think tinted moisturizers and BB creams over full-coverage foundations—will help avoid that dry look that adds years to your skin. If you need the coverage, look for formulas containing hydrating hyaluronic acid. "Hyaluronic acid is really big for making skin look for youthful," says Strand.

The faux pas: If your pores suddenly look like craters as soon as you've finished applying your foundation, that's a formula issue—not an issue with your exfoliating routine. "Thick and heavy foundation will sit in the pores," says Strand. "Look for something with a lighter texture."

The fix: In addition to looking for lighter, more sheer formulas, the real issue might be your primer (or lack thereof), says Strand. "You can always tell if someones not wearing primer. You need something to fill in the pores before you put on foundation." Look for a mineral-based primer with a silky finish to keep pores looking small and smooth.

Alternative Ways to Wear Your Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

Tradition states that your engagement ring goes on the ring finger of your left hand, and that it goes outside of your wedding band once you've said "I do." But did you know that's not the only way to wear your rings? Our experts have a few different combos that are worth a look.

Wearing your wedding band on your left hand dates back to Roman tradition and the ancient belief that a vein ran directly from the left ring finger to the heart. The science may have been debunked, but that idea of a vena amoris, or a love vein, holds strong today, which is why when your fiancé got down on one knee, he most likely slipped a ring on your left hand (or intended to, anyway!). While wearing your band with your engagement ring stacked on top is the most common arrangement, there are many other ways to mix and match rings to flaunt your married status.

If you're a ring stack devotee, consider purchasing more than one wedding band that you can layer on either side of your ring, creating layers of sparkle around your engagement ring. They could be jeweled, plain, or a mix of both — whatever fits your style and flatters your engagement ring!

Don't want your right hand to be left out? Wear your wedding band on your left hand, but switch your engagement ring to your right hand. You can always add anniversary bands to create a pretty stack later!

Lefties, rejoice! In some countries and cultures, such as some orthodox Christian communities, wedding rings are worn on the right hand instead of the left, freeing up your dominant hand for tasks that an engagement ring could get in the way of.

Last, but not least, you can also skip the wedding band altogether: Instead, use your engagement ring to symbolize your marriage, too, and have your fiancé slip it back on your hand as you exchange vows.

Burberry's Latest Launch Makes Anyone an Eye-Makeup Expert

If eye makeup intimidates you as a whole, the chances of you purchasing a new liner with the words “Cat Eye” printed on the side are pretty slim. But hear me out—this time it's different. Burberry's newest launches, Full Brows ($35) and Cat Eye Liner ($38), are here to change the way you think about eye makeup, plus the way you apply it, with its all-in-one tools that finally take all the guesswork out of the equation.

Both the brow and eye tools are dual sided—one end houses a super thin felt tip; the other an easy-to-use powder—and deliver the easiest smoky eye and perfectly polished brow duo in two minutes flat (no joke).

First up: liner. Most formulas that promise an easy, no-mess application deliver the exact opposite, but this one is right on the money. The calligraphy-inspired brush is so thin, it lets you create anything from barely there definition to a full-on flick without any issues. On the opposite side, you'll find the silky powder shadow, designed to be used to amp up the intensity of your look in any way you please. Layer it on top of your liner for a grungy feel, swipe it under your lash line for a reverse smoky-eye effect, or apply it in your crease line for the quickest smoky eye you've ever seen (watch the step-by-step in the video below!).

Once you're finished with your liner and shadow, on to the brows. Unlike many eyebrow formulas, this one is water-based and ultra lightweight (it reminded me of watercolor painting when I initially tested it on my hand), making that unwanted, caked-on-brow look practically impossible. Like the liner, the felt tip defines with thin strokes—be sure to paint brows in the shape they naturally grow for your most natural feel—before the second step polishes it off. The opposite end of the pen houses a powder-meets-wax shadow, which creates both definition as the tiny minerals fill in any sparse areas and add intensity where you need it, and shape, as the wax grabs onto the hairs for a natural yet polished frame.

But there's more to these tools than just creating a crisp line and the set of brows you've been pining after—they're long-lasting too, as both formulas are waterproof and keep your eyes looking glamorous until you wash it all off. Once my liner, shadow and brows showed zero signs of wear after a full work day and a date night (complete with Florida-style humidity), I was hooked. To learn how to use the must-have duo, watch the video below.

6 Best New Nude Lipsticks

From matte and glossy to barely there, a nude lip is one of the prettiest and most eye-catching looks of the moment. Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of the this trend, brands are coming out with new formulations and colors that are better than ever: more hydrating, longer wear and better color payoff. Below, a selection of our favorite newest nudes to wear now.

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment

This product is so light and smooth that you can barely feel it on, even when applying, but it gives a gorgeous, long-lasting, full-pigment finish that doesn't budge or transfer. "Get it On" is a beige-tan that's perfect for those who want that classic nude lip and "American Woman" is a rosier option that looks looks amazing on olive-toned skin or those wanting a bit more pink in their nude.

PAT McGRATH LABS MatteTrance

The long-awaited Sephora launch of Pat McGrath's latest product is here and it does not disappoint. Housed in a luxuriously weighty case (and wrapped in Pat's signature glitter pouch), this lipstick feels special even before the first swipe. Of course, the application also doesn't disappoint. It's a soft, matte—almost powdery—texture and feels extremely lightweight while giving a bold color payoff. A full day wear test proved the formula to be hydrating and doesn't budge until I start eating the greasiest of foods. For those looking for a true nude, "1995" is nicely pigmented without any pink.

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

One of the best drugstore liquid launches of the year, Maybelline's SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick does exactly what the name says. It features long-lasting pigment that doesn't move and gives a beautiful matte finish. The super precise applicator makes filling—and enhancing—your lip shape a breeze. No liner required!

Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick

This lipstick, encased in gold, is so chic that it makes me want to carry one at all times, just so I can show it off every time I reapply. But it turns out, the lipstick is also so long-lasting that reapplications are rarely needed. That doesn't stop me from sharing how much I love the product with others—thanks to the elegant and slender shape of the bullet, it's super easy to get a precise shape, and the creamy formula feels and looks great on the lips. There are a variety of nude options, but "I've Never" and "I'll Never Stop" are my two favorites.

Lipstick Queen Nothing But The Nudes Lipstick

Poppy King is known for creating lipsticks so moisturizing that it feels like you're applying a balm. She brings her conditioning formulation infused with vitamin E and hydrating natural oils to her "Nothing but the Nudes" collection, a trio of flattering nudes that delivers beautiful pigment for a range of skin colors. "The Whole Truth" is the perfect blend of peach, pink and brown for a nude that looks like your lips but better.

Too Faced Melted Latex

For those looking for a super pigmented, high-shine finish, Too Faced Melted Latex delivers a slick, honey-like texture that creates a head-turning look. It's formulated with an exclusive technology that keeps the look shiny all day without sliding around or bleeding. There are nude options for a variety of skin tones, with "Strangelove" being a particularly beautiful option for those with darker skin.

Woman Experiences Horrifying Infection From Eyebrow Feathering Treatment Gone Wrong

Eyebrow treatments are all the rage—microblading has basically become a staple in many salons and spas—and women are always on the lookout for ways to perfect the thickness, shape and definition of their brows, which some experts have said are the most important facial feature. However, as in the case of this Australian woman, Amanda Coats, her eyebrow feathering appointment (pretty much the same thing as microblading, but with slightly more of a "feathered" look to make the brows look naturally thicker) went terribly wrong.

In a recent Facebook post after her visit to a skin care clinic in Point Cook, Australia, Coats reveals graphic images (see them here, here and here) and claims she contracted an infection as a result of the treatment, which caused her eyebrows and the skin surrounding them to fall off. Here's what she had to say:

"I went to get my eyebrows feather tattooed to enhance them. I ended up with a severe infection from the clinic and the skin was just falling away and my eyes blew up. The lady who did it, Ulzii Cleveland, was very rushed, going in and out of the room attending to other clients during my procedure and also doing another eyebrow tattoo at the same time—she did not put new gloves on each time which does not keep things sterile.

I messaged and called Ulzii Cleveland to tell her straight away something was wrong only to be ignored. I told her patches of skin had come away along with the color that I had puss and my eyes are weeping. I went to the doctors and have had to go to the doctors nearly every second day. I'm on antibiotics and steroids for swelling. I've also had to use antibiotic ointment. I have to constantly dress the wounds. The cost of all this is now greater then what I paid for the procedure."

And it doesn't stop there. Coats says she's been in constant, terrible pain, with numbness and severe migraines as well. "I am the single mum of three kids, and at times have not even been able to drive due to my eyes."

She says her main reason for posting about her experience on social media is to warn people about "Ulzii Cleveland and The Skin Care Laser Clinic in Point Cook. I do not want this to happen to anyone else."

According to DailyMail Australia, which reached out to the clinic for comment, the owner of the clinic denied Coats' version of the events, saying she was "delighted" after her treatment. He claimed Coats called the clinic once afterward to express concern about the color of her eyebrows fading, which he told her was "quite normal."

He also said he wasn't contacted by Coats again until more than two weeks after her appointment, which is when she sent him a photo of her infection. "There's no way we could be possibly responsible for the infection at that stage, two and a half weeks after the procedure," he told DailyMail. "My wife has done over 2,000 of these procedures, and we've never had any issues of infection. We've been unable to defend ourselves and we are taking action against Amanda for defamation, and that's in the process of being issued."

It's been reported that Coats has also gained legal representation. We've reached out to a dermatologist for insight as to why this infection could have happened and will update the post when we hear back.

Essie's Celebrity Manicurist Reveals the Most On-Trend Shade for Summer

The nail polish color you choose to wear says something about who you are or what mood you're in—a neutral beige and an electric pink speak very different languages, but both shades could be equally as trendy. To find out which looks are in for summer and what we can expect to see from the nail world in the coming months, we turned to essie celebrity manicurist Michelle Saunders. Here's the scoop.

Hue Hype
"For summer 2017, we are seeing a big comeback for metallics. Finally! Anything from silver to bronze (essie Penny Talk) looks really modern this season. Additionally, nudes that range in depth and tone are still prominent because nudes are universally flattering. I'm also seeing a major red nail trend about to emerge."

Summer Shade
Saunders says essie's most on-trend shade for summer is S'il Vous Play, a shimmering pink-lilac from the brand's summer 2017 collection. "I also can't get enough of essie's Wild Nudes collection right now," she adds.

Fashion-Forward
According to Saunders, as we move into fall we'll see a divide between classic nails (reds) and trendy colors (bright pastels like essie Play Date).

Nail Art
"Each season I think nail art will die down, and instead, I actually see nail art establishing its anchor in the nail world," says Saunders. "I think nail art staying around is a very acceptable and youthful way of keeping on trend because as long as you create art with current colors, it will stay fresh-looking."

Why Fashion Follows Economic Power

This is the summer of revising fashion trends, we are told. The laws of enforceable style are being revised. According to Vanessa Friedman of the Times, the ongoing dress code controversies are a proxy battles for the larger questions of our society, what she calls "the continuing opus of dress code in the late twenty-teens."

Fashion is a pure outline of culture: what's in, what's out, what's fashionable, what's unacceptable—it's an instructive way of discussing how culture works. And Friedman is part-right: a code governs our days, but it is not the laws of fashion that mogul over us. Since Peter the Great ordered his nobles to cut their beards (to appear more Western) the influential have sworn that culture is the great orderer of human life. Change the culture—change fashion—and you change everything. That's the theory. But the dress code is a representation of power, not the cause. The people who speak of fashion as an arbiter of influence miss the point. They believe symbolic performance is power. It is not. Economics is.

THE CODE ABIDES

Friedman goes on to dissect the hypocrisy and inanity of the arbitrary nature of dress codes, "How can the sergeant-at-arms, the chief law enforcement and protocol officer of the House, deem such garments inappropriate" when the First Lady and the President's daughter wear them? Friedman describes "a dress code revolt" which has been erupting over the "last several years." Friedman specifically cites the ban on airplane employee leggings, the "male skirt rebellion," and several other incidents: the case of the woman whose flat shoes at work led to a Parliamentary committee, and the curious case of Kansas State Senator Holmes who denounced women who wore low-cut necklines and miniskirts.

The obsession with culture as central to power is a fixation shared by centrists and conservatives alike. Every time a centrist brings up Fearless Girl as a performative talisman, they are invoking the mystical agency that cultural symbols are supposed to have. Alt-right Twitter is filled with clotted-together man-shapes made of resentment and pale yeast. They seem to spend most of their energy engaging in liberal-triggering acts: dunking themselves in tubs of blood or drinking milk on camera, or God knows what else. These displays effect the world as much as the cast of Frasier currently controls the black market: not at all.

THE STATUTE OF DAVID

Nobody is more enthralled with the idea of culture-as-power than conservative word-sayer David Brooks. As the podcast Chapo Trap House has pointed out, Brooks has a singular obsession: the glory of upper-middle-class values—and, more importantly, how he can use these bougie signifiers to hammer them poors. It's the first thing he thinks about when he rises from his Egyptian-cotton bed to when he falls asleep dreaming of St. Barts. He wrote a whole book about it, Bobos in Paradise.

SAY YES TO THE DRESS

Might they feel anxious, or have "different jobs" because there are no factories, fewer good jobs, and grinding student debt? Imagine there's a Martian who can only see soccer balls but not the human beings kicking then. Then ask him to describe a soccer match. That's how Brooks writes.

Brooks and his crowd believe culture decides economics. It makes sense that modern conservatism follows this doctrine. It allows them to engage in their two favorite practices: shaming the weak, and not challenging capital. If culture is the governor of social life—if being rich and successful was just a matter of aping your betters and wearing the right clothes—that would show that economic injustice was a pipe dream.

In the real world, economics largely dictates culture, not the other way around. Always has, always will. Economics is scarcity which is control which is power. Power flows from the control of resources. Conservatives are agents of the status quo, and so the machine of power is largely invisible to them, just as oppression is not their direct concern.

THE TIES THAT BIND

Friedman's feature is concerned, mildly, with the questions of what a dress code is, and who demands it. But this confuses the understanding of how dress codes work, and how culture works in relation to power. In Friedman's story, it's instructive that the instigators of change are two elite women: Ivanka and Melania.

That is how it works. Dress codes exist because institutions have concentrated might. This influence shoots out, issues its edicts, extends outwards, like a bridge from mainland to island. These establishments order how the rest of the world chooses to dress. Dress for success? Please. Success dictates dress. "Don't you know about the new fashion honey?" Billy Joel once asked us, "All you need are looks and a whole lotta money." The philosopher was too pessimistic: looks are not really required.

Why does the dress code of the people's house matter? Why should any Speaker of the House have a single solitary say in how women dress? Why, because Congress puts a wall between itself and the citizens. It is the standard of lobbyists and attorneys who dictate the dress code, not ordinary people.

Much ado about pink nail polish

Pink hues from powdery pastels to bold fuchsias dominate my nail polish drawer.

Oh, sure, a few red and orange shades, along with several bottles of metallic gold from last year's infatuation are in the mix,  but mostly it's a wash of pink.

First reason for so much pink: It doesn't show the wear and tear as much as a darker shade. Chipped polish is a serious pet peeve. First sign of a noticeable chip and I reach for nail polish remover. Even longer-wearing gel manicures, which I favor for vacations and those times when I know my nails will get a workout, can chip. They also show growth around the cuticles if you push your manicure appointment, but that's easier to deal with than a chip. At least for me.

Reason No. 2: Makeup artists agree that pink lipstick is luminescent and gives shine and lightness around the mouth. They say dark lipsticks can be aging and seep into fine lines around your lips. Of course, this pertains mostly to those of us of a certain age.

I figure if pink adds a youthful glow to your lips and face, maybe it has the same effect for nails and hands.

Anyway, blame all this chatter about nail polish on Essie and Sally Hansen. Essie recently picked Ballet Slippers, a classic pale pink hue that launched in 1982, as one of its top colors this year. By 2012, 40 bottles of Ballet Slippers were being sold in the U.S. every hour.

I was letting that soak in when I came across an InStyle tidbit about Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel in Terra-Coppa, a best-seller since its launch in 2014. Reportedly more than 32 million bottles have been sold of the bronze shimmer. One bottle is sold every two minutes in the United States and it is estimated some 10 percent of the U.S. population owns a bottle.

No surprise, it's missing from my nail polish drawer. But it might find a place there as an option for my toes. Anything goes on toes!

The 3 Biggest Beauty Breakthroughs by Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel had a singular vision of beauty. "If you're sad, if you are disappointed in love, put on your makeup, give yourself some beauty care, put on lipstick, and attack," she once offered. Thus, it's no fluke that many of the cosmetic offerings Chanel pioneered in the 1920s are as enduring as her iconic crisp tweeds and sumptuous quilted 2.55 bag. Here are three of her time-tested beauty innovations that helped shape the beauty industry as we know it today.

The Nonpareil Feminine Fragrance

"A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future," said Chanel. To create her debut fragrance Chanel No.5 in 1921, she commissioned Ernest Beaux, a former parfumier to Russian aristocracy, to use new-wave synthetic ingredients rather than just floral essential oils. "I want a woman's perfume with a woman's scent," she told him. "I want a fragrance that is composed."

After 10 months, Beaux presented her with 10 different vials. She selected the fifth (allegedly because five was her lucky number)—and the rest, as they say, is history. By 1929, it was the best-selling perfume in the world, with droves of people lining up on the Rue Cambon to get their hands on the minimalist glass bottle, which has become a design history marvel itself.

The Perfect Everyday Lipstick

Dissatisfied with what was on the market, Chanel launched her first lip color collection in 1924. Unlike its mass counterparts, the creamy formula was ultra-pigmented, yet decidedly wearable. Mademoiselle, who was always keen on a classic crimson lip, even created her own bespoke shade. Adding to the luxury were the decadent ivory lipstick tubes, which featured a cutting-edge copper sliding mechanism. In 1954, the designer reimagined the original bullet into a rectangular tube as an ode to her No.5 bottle. The fashion house's modern formula, Rouge Allure Intense Long-Wear Lip Colour, continues to be widely popular due in no small part to deep blue-based red 99 Pirate, which is one of the best-selling red lipsticks of all time.

The Luxe Multitasking Oil

In 1927, Chanel introduced a variety of skin-care offerings, including toners, creams, lotions, and soaps, that were a celebration of simple beauty. One of the heroes of the range was a jasmine oil for the face and body. With its soothing and moisturizing ingredients, silky and light texture, and fresh floral scent—meant to evoke the fields of Grasse in France—the non-greasy elixir was groundbreaking when it was first introduced. Relaunched earlier this year, Huile de Jasmin is composed of mostly natural ingredients, including camellia, jojoba, and limnanthes alba oils, which smooth and nourish the complexion, and can be worn alone or mixed into skincare or foundation for added luminosity.

Need a new dress? The clock is ticking

I admire people who land a great outfit long before a special occasion arrives – including shoes and accessories. The funny thing is, I don't know too many of them.

Last-minute shoppers unite!

We eleventh-hour shoppers rip through the racks at 8:30 p.m. Friday looking for a dress to wear Saturday afternoon. Or, even worse, 10:01 a.m. Saturday after the doors open.

Spare us the lecture on having to settle on something. Or pay too much. Somehow, we manage to pull it off. Most of the time.

Years ago, my husband and I planned a birthday party at our home for his grandmother. The food was ordered. The flowers were blooming. The outdoor tables and chairs were wiped down.

Everything was set except one last detail: I had nothing to wear.

So, the day before 75 guests were to arrive, I went shopping. Not only did I find an outfit that suited the occasion, I loved it so much I wore it time and time again. I lucked out. Or was it there just waiting for me?

I'm far from alone. One friend tells me she once found the perfect long black gown at AMVETS to wear to a gala that evening. Another said she often finds herself at dressbarn near closing time.

We have an out-of-town relative who, whenever she visits for a family affair, needs to shop. And shop some more.

This is so well known among those she stays with that time is carved out to ensure she gets herself outfitted for the occasion.

Shopping has gotten easier, thanks to the internet – if you're willing to pay extra for fast delivery, if necessary, and are pretty confident the dress will fit.

Helpful, too, is the option of starting your search online on retail sites that let you know if a dress is available locally. Some will even reserve it for you.

What I have learned about last-minute shopping is that it's not always about procrastination. Sometimes it's knowing what you want and where you will likely find it – but finding the time to do it. When schedules are busy, shopping often falls to the bottom of the To Do list.

Having kids adds another chapter to this. Have you ever had to buy or borrow a white blouse the night before a school concert? Tear out to buy an inexpensive T-shirt for red-themed day at summer camp?

Back in those days, I also used to keep small scissors and Scotch tape in the glove compartment in case I needed to wrap a gift in a parking lot before dropping off our daughter at a birthday party.

Then they grow older – and the dances and proms begin. So does the dress shopping (and, as I have observed, the last-minute dress borrowing among friends).

Alterations, however, can add another wrinkle. Last year, our daughter found a prom dress with time to spare. It needed to be shortened, which I told her I would do.

When did I get around to hemming it?

Prom morning. Let's keep that to ourselves.

Sneaker expert to speak Friday at downtown library

Semmelhack will lecture on her most recent book and the history of sneakers at noon Friday in the downtown branch of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.

In a recent interview, Semmelhack said researching footwear in every form is scholarly work. Her examination found that sneaker culture has advanced a new form of masculinity, embodied by moments such as "when the tech genius shows up wearing playground clothing, a T-shirt, and sneakers."

As a comprehensive footwear specialist, Semmelhack explores sneaker lore and history, beginning with Europeans discovering latex in Central and South America, early tennis shoes for the "sport of kings," the influence of the YMCA, basketball's creation and its central role in the sneaker's function as a shoe for sport and a fashion item, to Nike and the fitness boom, and the sneaker's place in music, and its related lifestyle.

For people raised on the idea of owning one pair of sneakers and wearing them until they wore out, it might sound odd to hear the word associated with a "lifestyle." But while owning 20 to 30 pairs of sneakers may seem unusual, it is not uncommon. Sneaker enthusiasm ranges from "something fun and innocent," according to Joe Piecusch, a Planet Fitness manager, to compulsion, all the way to obsession.

Austin Taylor, who played basketball and football at St. Francis High School, said he owns about 25 pairs of sneakers.

"I wanted to have the nicest pair on the court. I wanted to stand out," he said. He also wanted to "be the first guy to have them," prompting "Where'd you get those?" questions, a query commonly posed among sneaker connoisseurs.

Semmelhack said she wrote her book from the perspective that sneaker preoccupation is mainly a male issue. It's not. Emily Kancor, a staffer at Buffalo State's Butler Library who said she owns 20 pairs, noted that sneakers were more important than clothes in high school. She said she was so fond was she of sneakers that for her high school prom she posed for pictures wearing high heels, then switched to wearing high-top, royal blue, Air Jordan sneakers that matched her prom dress. She now favors Vans and Converse.