I AM SMRITI RAI

What I have learned in 2015 is white trainers will take you through summer/winter and Australia! Everyone is embracing mannish tailoring, therefore, this slouchy long-line coat creates that effortless look. While my hair is manoeuvred by the classic windy weather of the UK, keeping the colours of my outfit in the same palette-family gives voice to the well put-together look.   "May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." Neil Gaiman Coat @Bardot Turtleneck @Primark Boyfriend jeans  +ASOS   Trainers  +adidas Originals   Photographs by Manju K Rai

Re imagining the 70s hippie fashion with a slick ribbed flare trousers and the fringe in the bag brings that hippie(ness) in the look. Hippie culture has been associated with disparate values and practises. The things that I choose to believe about this culture is its carefree attitude, being open with new ideas and spreading love/ joy/ peace. Undoubtedly, there is more to this movement, but this meager knowledge is enough to make me want to live my life in a hippie fashion. Therefore, I remain a self- proclaimed hippie (by heart).  Grey Tshirt  +ALLSAINTS   Coat @Zara Ribbed Flared Trousers  +OfficialPLT   Trainers @nike Bag @dotti Photo courtesy by Manju K Rai

As I am eased to the amenities of winter days: warm blankets, staying in and tons of festive chocolates, indulging in oversized sweaters seems obvious. Largely drawn to neutral shades ensembles, this time, the prints on the poncho grabbed my attention. Being a former art student, the details reminds me of Futurism - the movement that emphasised speed, technology and time, which fairly defines our present day. My style contradicts the current situation, where everything happens in large scale with the two main requirements that are : immediate and instant, the minimal approach guides me to stay grounded and focus, as I don't want to get caught up on the vicious cycle of life...  Poncho sweater @zara Culotte @sweater Trainers  +adidas Originals   Photographs by Manju K Rai

Simplicity is my statement.  Styling with an easy elegance, minimalism has become an outlet to my creativity.  Seeking rare details such as side-slit on the sweater, I tend to sidestep glitters and grand elements in a garment. Pairing this versatile striped culotte with a polo-neck sweater and keeping the colour-palette neutral, I trust that less is more... Poloneck pullover @seedheritage Culotte @seedheritage Trainers  +adidas Originals   Photographs by Manju K Rai

My wardrobe building blocks are the ones that goes with anything any season and it definitely includes this culotte. I can wear this Sweater dress as a top and survive the winter. Neutral shades are my first choice and always pairing them with a crisp white trainers.  Sweaterdress  +French Connection   Culotte @zara Trainers  +adidas Originals   Photographs by Manju K Rai

After 20 hours of long flight, I landed in a wet and grey Heathrow...Driving back home, I noticed the trees were saturated in brown tone and as I got out of the car, I could feel the severe cold pinching me back to reality...I finally feel like Christmas is coming!  Back in Melbourne, with the boiling heat, I found it hard to believe that it was November and the idea of Christmas BBQ just made me laugh... However, here I am, in a cold winter, layering and still comfortably wearing trainers.   Coat @forevernew Turtleneck @primark Culotte @zara Trainers @adidasoriginals Bag @urbanoutfitters Photograph by Manju K Rai

This will probably be my last summer outfit post for this year as I will be flying back to the UK soon... I am excited to see my family. First thing I will do as soon as I reach home is dive into my bed and take a 'nap' for a day or two!  Each day has been a great experience (good or bad), and now I am ready to leave Melbourne...  I found lessons in the most unexpected, met new ideas and learned to celebrate life in general. The other day my flatmate told me:  " once you arrive to the UK, you will feel like your time in Australia was like in a dream "  Agreed Isn't Life (itself) anything but a Dream? I am wearing: Eyewear  +MINKPINK   Croptop @urbanoutfitters Skirt  +adidas Originals   Trainers  +adidas Originals   Photographs by Angela Zuluaga

Shrine of Remembrance, one of few landmark, from where you can snap a perfect landscape view of Melbourne City. Melbourne is evidently modern and well-organised, but it does know how to appreciate its history and culture. This monument was built in the remembrance of those who served and those who died in Great War.  Calm and collected, anytime I visit this landmark, it soaks in my tired energies and fills me up with a new energy. Each time I come here, it gives me reasons to fall in love with life a little bit more...I leave this place energised, and with peace. I am wearing: Crop Tee  +River Island   Culotte @Zara Sleeveless coat @MissSelfridge Bag @Zara Shades  +MINKPINK   Photographs by Angela Zuluaga

If I talk about yesterday - My laptop broke down, I had my assessment due today, max hay fever and so on - but today is a different day and I can just laugh about it! Nevertheless, still stuck with all black outfit, but, with different energy- strong and dedicated, this time around... Tee  +ASOS   Culotte @zara slides  +adidas Originals   backpack  +ASOS Fashion Finder