Born out of a mutual love for fashion (and fashion faux pas) friends Payal Parija and Priyanka Prasad launched a blog called High Heel Confidential in the summer of 2007.
In it, they cast a critical eye on the sartorial choices of Indian celebrities; dissect fashion shows and spot young Indian fashion talent. According to the two writers, the blog attracts on average a daily readership from 50,000 viewers.
India Real Time finds out what’s behind their elements of style.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Wall Street Journal: What were your intentions when you first started the website?
Priyanka Prasad: We started the blog purely for ourselves, a place where we could talk fashion like any other two girlfriends would over a drink. The fact that we found an audience surprised us. I won’t lie; sometimes we are still taken aback. We’ve stayed true to ourselves though, and the blog reflects that. Perhaps that plays a part in its popularity?
WSJ: Where do your fashion opinions come from?
Ms. Prasad: No formal training unless you count our skill in hunting down just the pair of shoes we want on eBay and outbidding everyone else.
Our opinions come from just our personal taste. I will be the first to admit, they are not always on point but then what subjective opinion ever is? Fashion is what you make of it and no two people will always agree, not even Payal and I among ourselves at times. When blogging, we always maintain what we think. The comment section is for the readers to share what they make of it.
WSJ: If you had to advice someone not familiar with Indian style looking to buy Indian attire, what would you recommend?
Ms. Prasad: Think past the idea of ‘exotic.’ No polyester fabric with garish sequins. Pick craft indigenous to the geographic area you are visiting or interested in. Every part of India is so rich in craft, technique and texture, a handloom sari, stole or kurta (long shirt) without the tourist trappings is always a good bet.
WSJ: A must-have Indian designer for Desi style?
Ms. Prasad: Impossible to pick just one. We love the Sabyasachi by Sabyasachi line, Anamika Khanna, Anuradha Vakil, Rahul Mishra and Raw Mango.
WSJ: A monsoon fashion pick?
Ms. Prasad: Bright and preferably Mod wellies [rain boots]. And a bright lip to fight off the grey days.
WSJ: Fashion faux pas you cannot forgive?
Ms. Prasad: Visible transparent bra-straps, a major pet peeve of ours.
WSJ: How would you describe your style; what’s in your closet?
- Payal Parija
- HighHeelConfidential.com
Payal Parija: I am all about comfort but also love adding a kitschy element, which is why you are very likely to find me always wearing something offbeat, be it a Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse flats, a neon Miu Miu blouse or a pair of sexy Outhouse earrings. I joke about how I want one of everything and in reality that is my closet. I’ve also developed an obsession for collaborations and love snagging one item from each limited collection. My 3.1 Phillip Lim x Target sweatshirt has faded before its time because of how much I wear it. I also keep an eye out for fresh talent coming out of the Indian fashion weeks. Some of the younger crop are so good like Ikai, Huemn and Sneha Arora to name a few.
Ms. Prasad: I love color, prints, accessories, the whole thingamajig, but I like everything to be fuss-free. I prescribe to the school of Jenna Lyons: lot of color, lot of prints but everything with a minimalist slant. Fifties is a favorite fashion era and being an 80s child, I love the kitschy over-the-top of the early 90s. Majority of my wardrobe comes from Equipment, DvF, COS and J. Crew. As for Indian designers, it’s an eclectic mixed bunch, but some of my favorite pieces in my closet are by Sabyasachi, Eina Ahluwalia, Kallol Datta and Anamika Khanna
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