All posts by : AyFa Collections

In this season, socks—and even better, colourful socks—are the ultimate allies of shoes, so essential they even have a whole drawer to themselves. Whether plush, with elastic piping, in warm wool or breathable cotton—and even better when dyed in vibrant colours—socks move beyond their merely functional role to become standout stars of the most stylish outfits of the moment.

It’s a combination so familiar that our minds register it as second nature. From school uniforms to their rise in the 1960s alongside Mary Quant’s miniskirts, socks have evolved with the times. In the 1980s, they embraced the sporty spirit of urban fashion, while in the 1990s, they became essential to both preppy and grunge style codes. Since then, fashion houses like Prada and Gucci have elevated this intimate item to a full-fledged style statement—one that now leads the current fashion narrative. In line with Fall-Winter 2025 fashion trends, the styling of socks and shoes blurs the boundaries between masculine and feminine, embracing a universal, versatile, and flattering approach.

How to wear shoes with coloured socks this season

Because socks offer more than just heel support—they add a thoughtful layer of style. They’re capable of breaking away from the delicate femininity of ballerinas or low-heeled Mary Janes to create a look of intellectual refinement. This styling choice can feel both formal and rebellious, bringing in a sense of playfulness or nodding to the understated chic of Parisian aesthetics. Ultimately, it’s one of the oldest—and simplest—tricks in the book to elevate any outfit with a single slip.

High-heeled mule shoes with knee socks

Miu Miu Otoño-Invierno 2025Daniele Oberrauch/Gorunway.

You may feel like you are still in your oyster but with one leg out, ready to explore the world and new horizons, and Pisces, what a wonderful feeling that is! Now remember, darling, you are born to thrive, so don’t you let this in-between stage of transition confuse you into believing that you are not worthy or you don’t have it all figured out. Objective assessments of facts. Whether it is your job you are running away from or your mundane life, or something else, you believe you must build something because you have been working on it, because that is what you have known, Aries. Walk through this door with confidence, hold your visions, soften your gaze and most importantly, release harsh judgements. Remember, as your relationships thrive, so will you, Virgo. Your guidance is leading you to do things in a way that has not been done before. Your vibe is telling you what feels real and what isn’t meant to last, Cancer.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

Your conscious vibe: focusing on creating, manifesting, building wealth and material assets.

Your subconscious vibe: Wanting to run away from it all.

Your solution? Objective assessments of facts. Whether it is your job you are running away from or your mundane life, or something else, you believe you must build something because you have been working on i,t because that is what you have known. However, Aries, beneath the surface, you know you’d much rather do something else. So debone your current life. And pick the pieces that are left and feel appetising.

Cosmic tip: For your fortune to turn, you must be objectively willing to see the humour in your current situation.

Your conscious vibe: A sense of urgency, feeling the need to take action now.

Your subconscious vibe: Wanting to learn and prep yourself better, refining your skills, and willing to dive deep into polishing something before you take that step.

Your solution? Assert yourself and confidently accept the opportunities you are offered. Taurus, this may not be your general vibe, but this is the need of the hour. Creative thinking, learning on the go and taking the plunge where the cosmos is guiding you may be your best bets at this point. The flight may not wait for you forever, and yes, although what is meant for you always finds its way back to you, the cosmos also needs to know whether you’d like it to come by or not. And this is only possible through your willingness to take action.

My social media algorithm knows me too well. Lately, it keeps serving videos of people strapping sleek ankle or wrist weights—not the clunky ones of the past—before heading out for a walk. They film their ‘before’ and ‘after’ results, claiming visible changes after just a month. What started online has spilled into real life. Devotees online report shedding up to two kilos in under a month, a more defined waistline (“I can see my abs for the first time in 20 years,” one says), stronger legs and even better posture. Some have taken it further by swapping ankle weights for weighted vests.

The benefits of walking with weights

Ankle and wrist weights are nothing new, but the designs have evolved. Adjustable versions in bold colours make the idea more appealing (Amazon carts are proof). Traditionally used for squats, lunges or glute bridges, they’re now making their way outdoors to enhance the benefits of a brisk walk—and no, they’re not being hidden under sweatpants or sleeves.

Used correctly, these weighted bands can bring real benefits. “Weights create additional effort, which increases energy expenditure. This means you burn more calories while walking. Plus, if applied properly, they help strengthen both legs and arms,” explains trainer Juan Ruiz López, director of the centre that bears his name.

Why adaptation—and the right load—matters

Going from zero to extreme is a classic fitness mistake. Simply strapping on the heaviest ankle weights and hitting the pavement is not advised. “Extra weight increases impact and joint stress, which can lead to discomfort or injury. It can also change gait mechanics, potentially causing pain in the lower limbs or shoulders when using arm weights,” warns Ruiz.

Weighted vests and backpacks, also popular online, are safer alternatives. “They integrate the load more naturally with the body and distribute it evenly. But even with these, it’s important to adapt gradually,” he adds.

How to choose your weights

While fixed-weight bands exist, adjustable options are more sustainable. “Start with short walks, gradually increasing both time and load. Begin on flat surfaces, wear them every other day, and listen to your body. If you feel discomfort, reduce the weight or the duration,” Ruiz advises. For beginners, one-kilo weights are enough; those with some training experience can start with 1.5 to 2 kilos.

Can you run with ankle weights?

It may seem like a logical next step after walking with weights, but experts advise against it. “Running with ankle weights can overload the muscles and joints, interfering with natural movement and raising the risk of injury,” says trainer Sandra Lordén Álvarez.

Genelia Deshmukh has an enviable line-up of Indian ensembles in her wardrobe. Her collection spans timeless weaves for milestone moments, airy cottons for everyday ease, embroidered heirlooms for weddings and contemporary drapes for the red carpet.

After a season of monsoon-friendly gossamer pieces, the actor returned to her festive best for Ganesh Chaturthi. Her recent appearance, styled by Who Wore What When, in a lustrous chocolate brown lehenga can be read as a manifesto for mindful dressing.

From Aamra by Lavanya’s Inara collection, the ensemble brings together some of India’s most revered textile traditions. A rich Banarasi Chanderi silk with delicate zari stripes serves as the foundation of the lehenga. The highlight is the Pen Kalamkari dupatta, hand-painted with yellow florals shaded in vivid tones of red, green and blue. Layered with intricate hand embroidery, the piece turns into a canvas where multiple crafts converge.

Pen Kalamkari is a centuries-old art form that uses a bamboo or date palm pen to draw and paint intricate motifs onto fabric. The process is as meditative as it is meticulous. “It begins with treating the fabric using natural ingredients like cow dung and milk to ensure colour fastness. Artisans then sketch motifs inspired by mythology and nature with a fine pen, and outline them in natural dyes derived from plants and minerals,” explains Lavanya Satuluri, the designer behind the Hyderabad-based label. What makes Deshmukh’s dupatta stand out, she adds, is the labour behind it: “The silhouette underwent the full Kalamkari process and took 20–25 days to be hand-painted.” The result is a piece that tells a story of craft heritage, where each petal, vine and imperfection is a testament to the artist’s patience and skill.

The question of “girl code” as it pertains to exes is a complicated one. Strict constructionists may argue that it’s never, ever okay to date your friend’s ex—see: the current micro-controversy swirling around Zoë Kravitz, who recently stepped out in Rome with her bestie Taylor Swift’s long-ago ex, Harry Styles—but it’s worth mentioning that a lot of those people are also straight. (I’m not trying to propagate the queers-all-date-each-other’s-exes stereotype, but…there’s some truth to it! Remember Reneé Rapp telling Gabby Windey that her entire lesbian friend group is made up of people she’s dated?) I genuinely believe that if you told any 50-year-old dyke about the Kravitz/Swift/Styles non-love triangle, she would simply laugh and introduce you to three of her emotional support ex-girlfriends she’s been sharing a Craftsman bungalow with since 1977.

Nevertheless, I definitely understand the knee-jerk assumption that anyone who dates a friend’s ex—even if, as in Swift and Styles’s case, the relationship lasted less than a full year and took place a full decade ago—is treading in dangerous waters. But as someone who’s navigated this issue in several different friend groups, I have to posit this: If your friendships are really more important to you than your romantic relationships, then you have to move like they are. That could mean, yes, swiping past your bestie’s ex-boyfriend’s profile when it comes up on Hinge, but it could also mean…forgiving your friend if they do find a connection, whether a brief spark or genuine vibe, with someone you’ve dated.

Would I be thrilled if one of my best friends sought out or actually dated someone I’d shared a significant relationship with in the past, myself? To be entirely honest, no. But part of maturing emotionally is honing your ability to sit with discomfort, and letting your real intentions—rather than your pissed-off, jealous lizard brain—guide your actions. After all, unless your breakup was very recent or particularly painful in some way (or your friend has a habit of going for people you’ve dated, which is a whole separate issue), it might actually be healing to mentally toss some of your exes into the “community property” pile, especially if you’ve moved on and found new love—as Swift has.

Yes, that idea is perfectly timed. Yeah, Taurus, you have got what it takes, and no, there is no need to keep waiting on perfection anymore. You may have many options right before your eyes, and the decision may feel tough and challenging, perhaps even slow-moving; however, when you are losing hope, find your courage and strength. Where you are beginning to resign, replace it with resolve and determination. Where you feel unsupported, ask the cosmos for help. You got this, and with the eclipse portal already open, you simply need to skim through onto the other side.

Cosmic tip: Segregate the opportunities from wishful thinking to get rolling in the deep.

Safeguard what is yours, Gemini—stand up for that relationship, that love, that passion or anything else that you have been rationalising for way too long. You are not a robot and hence, you are not meant to live purely through the mind. You are a pulsating, thriving human being here to have the most magical ride of your life—so what if sometimes it feels like the roller coaster is about to drop from scary heights. You know it will go down and over to the top back again until you reach home safe but having had the most insanely magical ride of your life.

Cosmic tip: Practice self-care but don’t let it become self-preservation.

Whoa, you may as well be feeling like a unicorn oozing rainbow glitter all around you, Cancer. Community, kinship, stability, long-term foundations and simply you feeling like you are stepping into a new timeline or parallel reality altogether is your current vibe. And no, don’t pinch yourself just yet. Just remember that to slip through doorways, you cannot carry elephant-sized baggage and expect to pass through. So embrace this transition and, as challenging as it feels, surrender to this shift by loosening your grip over what you have already built and what you know within you; you are welcoming.

Cosmic tip: Are you trapped or are you just new to this probable level of freedom?

Leaving behind the role of being a peacemaker, Leo? Well, sweat it not. Because you, my friend, are now able to see the underlying order beneath the surface, even though many others are yet to discover it. Your ideas are flying through the roof, breakthroughs may be streaming in and hello, your vibe just seems like it is soaring to new heights. Now, as ironic as it may feel, ground that energy, become aware of all the ways in which you can make things work while also not letting your dreams lose that lustre. Okay?

From the folks behind Saltt in Karjat, Uppu, which roughly translates to ‘salt’ in certain Southern Indian languages, is a charming restaurant serving casual, homestyle Southern fare in a quaint setting. You’re not going to find the much-trending benne dosa here; instead, look out for comforting dishes that will take you from breakfast to dinner, with plates like Mysore masala dosa, idlis, coconut-laced gravies, pineapple curry, tamarind rice and curd rice, accompanied by an assortment of chutneys and steaming bowls of sambar. Wash this down with cups of filter coffee or even Pallonji’s soda for a touch of nostalgia.

Address: Shop no. 2, ONGC Quarters, Ankleshwar Towers, Near Lilavati Hospital, HIG Colony, Nityanand Nagar, Reclamation, Bandra West. Tel: 08655903327

Noa by The Nutcracker

Aditi Rao Hydari proves anarkali has always been more than a garment. First named after the courtesan whose story passed into legend, it became the uniform of the Mughal courts, worn where poetry was recited in candlelit halls and kathak was performed on marble floors. Over time it moved across regions, adapted to new fabrics and embroideries, yet kept the same sense of flow and line. Few embody that legacy today as instinctively as Aditi Rao Hydari, who seems to step into history every time she wears one.

Instagram.com/toraniofficial

For Torani’s Dil Rang Zareen, part of the label’s ‘Juloos’ collection, she wore a slub silk Anarkali constructed from floral panels in vivid pinks, mustard yellows and greens. A churidaar grounded the look, while a navy organza dupatta layered on top like night falling across a garden in bloom. The effect was both painterly and precise.

Sanam Ratansi’s styling struck the right balance. Gold chandbalis blended the classic crescent shape with cascading tiers of kundan, meenakari and pearl detailing. These statement earrings framed her face; dramatic and steeped in Mughal-inspired artistry, needing little else beyond a single solitaire-style ring set with a large round stone that immediately caught the eye.

The beauty look was soft but deliberate: kohl-smudged eyes, brushed-up brows, and a petal-pink lip balanced against luminous skin. Hair worn in loose waves kept the finish neat, letting the Anarkali’s sweep do the work.

Logomania is out and lazy luxury is in (yes, we’ve moved a step beyond quiet luxury). Less is more not just in our closets but on our skin too. The 10-step—or for some a 22-step (oh my)—skincare routine, which resulted in reactive instead of glazed skin, is out. It’s like curating a capsule wardrobe, but with beauty essentials.

What was once deemed as an act of self-love—rewarding ourselves with a soothing, restorative ritual after a long day or masking while reading our favourite book in bed—has now turned into an exercise in exhaustion. Who’s waiting till they enter their 30s to use retinol anymore? Tweens on Instagram are all about their anti-ageing skincare routines. Women in their 70s and beyond are getting makeovers. Needless to say, in 2025, we’ve hit peak product fatigue. We’re going from extensive everyday skincare routines and shelfies to the rise of skinimalism. And while some might even argue that Indian beauty practices always banked on conscious simplicity, it seems we’re once again embracing a cultural reset. Welcome to the era of beauty burnout, where the relentless pursuit of perfection has left women depleted in body, mind and bank account.

A movement that has resulted from this beauty burnout is mindful consumption. Think carefully condensed beauty rituals that allow us to pause this mental overstimulation. Something as simple as a cleanse-tone-moisturise routine signals the return of skinimalism. Dr Jaishree Sharad, a Medical Council of India–certified cosmetic dermatologist, shares that many dermatologists are reporting an increasing number of patients with compromised skin barriers, increased sensitivity and paradoxical worsening of skin conditions despite extensive routines. “More is not always better. People come with irritation, redness or breakouts, not because of neglect, but because they are overloading their skin.”

Being selective in our choice of beauty consumption is going beyond indulgence to intention. That rich-girl beauty flex is actually luxurious skincare that’s about innovation and focus, rather than the old definition of luxury as excess. Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, an aesthetic physician, skin expert and the founder of Isaac Luxe in Delhi, explains, “Combining ingredients that work in sync for amplified results is not just convenience bottled in fancy packaging. Using fewer products that can pull off double duty is a sustainable approach for our environment while actually putting in less effort.” Especially after the last five years, having transitioned out of COVID-19, we want lazy skincare now more than ever. Our offices allow us to stay cocooned in our comfort zone and attend Zoom meetings in pyjamas. Who wants to slap on a full face of foundation to get to work on three days of a hybrid week? We want minimal effort every single day of the week.

From Malaika Arora’s sheer black lace and Nargis Fakhri’s corset blouse to Genelia Deshmukh’s hand-painted silks and Deepika Padukone’s unexpected separates, this week’s best looks delivered on every front. Whether on international red carpets or closer to home, the silhouettes were bold, the fabrics rich and the styling confident.

At the LVMH Prize finale in Paris, Deepika Padukone wore a relaxed shirt and fringe-trimmed skirt from Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection. The print—bronze, ochre and black melting into each other—had a smoky, organic feel. The tasselled metallic skirt moved with every step, revealing a latticework gold base underneath. A structured LV bag, black stilettos and a soft updo kept the look polished. Crimson nails and gold studs added just enough shine.

In a brown lehenga by Aamra, Genelia Deshmukh opted for texture and handiwork. Zari stripes gave the set depth, but the focus was the silk dupatta in earthy tones, finished with sequins and pitta embroidery. The kalamkari artwork, themed Birds Outside Cages, is hand-painted by skilled artisans and framed with scalloped borders. Bijoux included a heavy choker, matching earrings, bangles and rings with fresh flowers adorning her hair that punctuated the look.