Les Best.

Everything that I deem Les Best.

**  Baby Got Back  **

I love this look for so many reasons. The Indian maxi skirt known as a ghagra choli skirt and the fullness and drama it exudes is mind blowing. The idea of pairing it with on of my favourite muscle-cut skull t-shirts and holding a vintage fur coat, just makes so much sense to me. There is drama, texture, colour and simplicity all at the same time.

Skirt: CTC West

Muscle Shirt: Zara

Coat: Vintage from Black Market Toronto

Bracelets: Traditional Indian Costume Jewellery

This is a shot worth showing my back for! Sir Mix-a-Lot would be proud.

xoxo,

Les Best.

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Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

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**  Check  **

The Anarkali suit pictured above has an opulence about it, exuding class and sophistication like the mogul era in India. Traditionally these suits are worn with a tight legging underneath, but because of the length of this one, I opted against it, making it look more like an above the ankle dress.  - CTC West.

Accessory game:

I never pair my Indian outfits with Indian jewellery, I like adding my own touch with them and layering things in every which way possible.

Necklaces: Stacked from Limite and Chanel

Bracelet: Necklace wrapped twice - Heels & Bowties

Ring: YSL

Shoes: Christian Dior

Hairpieces: Vintage Indian jewellery pinned

And I’m ready!

Weave… check, fierce face… check, elephant behind me in a balancing act… check!

xoxo,

Les Best.

———————————————————————————————————-

Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

**  Who’s the BOSS?  **

The Ringmaster also known as Monsieur Loyal en Francais, or Les Best? WHO’s more BOSSSSAAAAY?

I never really “model” and when I am doing my Les Best pictures, it is always just me, myself and I, so working with someone else was super different but really, really fun all @ the same time!

In this in the ring look, I decided to pair a tuxedo tailed jacket with a tuxedo-inspired updated trouser and a heel with an animal print.

Jacket and Hat: Malabar

Trousers: H&M

Shoes: Christian Dior.

Signing out like a M F BAAAAWWWSSS.

xoxo,

Les Best. 

———————————————————————————————————-

Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

** A Balancing Act  **
That up there in the far left corner is what you call strength with a MASSIVE touch of poise. Being a yoga addict, I know poses don’t come easy, that while dangling in the air and grace, all I can say is WOW!
I had no clue what was going on behind me, but the direction I was getting was to work my angles, and from my stylist eye, all I wanted to do was use all the bold accessories in the most balanced way possible.
The dress is cantaloupe, so I paired it with some dark and heavy accessories, and by NO MEANS am I saying that it ALL COMBINED would work for a cocktail party, but you can see what options to pair it with. Maybe a couple of bold rings, or a few chuncky statement necklaces, maybe an anklet that only you know about (until you walk - those are bells, and classical Indian, Sri Lankan and Bengali folk dancers wear them). Either way, there are so many accessory options, and you can hone in on just one if that’s your comfort level.
Dress: Topshop
Necklaces: Timbuktu Toronto X Original Kukui nut necklace from Hawaii X Le Chateau (in order from shortest to longest).
Rings: House of Harlow X Forever 21
Anklet: Ghungroo - traditional worn in classical Indian dance
Hairpiece: Vintage Indian Jewellery
Heels: Zara
When it comes to accessories, remember, you can always pick and choose, it is after all, a balancing act.
xoxo,
Les Best.
———————————————————————————————————-
Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.comPhotography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.comStyling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.comMake-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com 
Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

** A Balancing Act  **

That up there in the far left corner is what you call strength with a MASSIVE touch of poise. Being a yoga addict, I know poses don’t come easy, that while dangling in the air and grace, all I can say is WOW!

I had no clue what was going on behind me, but the direction I was getting was to work my angles, and from my stylist eye, all I wanted to do was use all the bold accessories in the most balanced way possible.

The dress is cantaloupe, so I paired it with some dark and heavy accessories, and by NO MEANS am I saying that it ALL COMBINED would work for a cocktail party, but you can see what options to pair it with. Maybe a couple of bold rings, or a few chuncky statement necklaces, maybe an anklet that only you know about (until you walk - those are bells, and classical Indian, Sri Lankan and Bengali folk dancers wear them). Either way, there are so many accessory options, and you can hone in on just one if that’s your comfort level.

Dress: Topshop

Necklaces: Timbuktu Toronto X Original Kukui nut necklace from Hawaii X Le Chateau (in order from shortest to longest).

Rings: House of Harlow X Forever 21

Anklet: Ghungroo - traditional worn in classical Indian dance

Hairpiece: Vintage Indian Jewellery

Heels: Zara

When it comes to accessories, remember, you can always pick and choose, it is after all, a balancing act.

xoxo,

Les Best.

———————————————————————————————————-

Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

**  FaceTime  **
I’m generally slash NEVER into a closeup that is this all up in my business unless it involves a #SELFIE and an unflattering duck face combined. The make-up by Andrea, is incredible. I wish I could apply lipstick slash the rest of my face so perfectly !
Dress: Topshop
Necklace: Marni
xoxo,
Les Best.
———————————————————————————————————-
Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.comPhotography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.comStyling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.comMake-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com 
Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

**  FaceTime  **

I’m generally slash NEVER into a closeup that is this all up in my business unless it involves a #SELFIE and an unflattering duck face combined. The make-up by Andrea, is incredible. I wish I could apply lipstick slash the rest of my face so perfectly !

Dress: Topshop

Necklace: Marni

xoxo,

Les Best.

———————————————————————————————————-

Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

**  THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE  **
Like, FACT. An elephant, styling, my favourite pieces and the sun - I WAS in HEAVEN. CAPS LOCK CANNOT CONVEY HOW EXCITED I WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Her name is Mary, and she was the most gentle and kind 9,000 lbs elephant I have ever had the opportunity to know. She ate jelly beans (weird right?!) and green beans - emulating what many girls want - to indulge in sweets and then balance with veggies! I was allowed to feed her too, the feeling of her trunk inhaling the food was like a wet suction and super ticklish! AHHHHH - how I have been yearning to share this picture with you!!
Blouse: H&M
Embellished Jacket: CTC West
Shorts: Faux Leather Forever 21
Boots: Hermes Riding Boots
Metal Casting Bracelet: Dokra (a unique metal casting technique)
Rings: Pandora X Forever 21
xoxo,
Les Best.
———————————————————————————————————-
Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.comPhotography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.comStyling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.comMake-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com 
Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

**  THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE  **

Like, FACT. An elephant, styling, my favourite pieces and the sun - I WAS in HEAVEN. CAPS LOCK CANNOT CONVEY HOW EXCITED I WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her name is Mary, and she was the most gentle and kind 9,000 lbs elephant I have ever had the opportunity to know. She ate jelly beans (weird right?!) and green beans - emulating what many girls want - to indulge in sweets and then balance with veggies! I was allowed to feed her too, the feeling of her trunk inhaling the food was like a wet suction and super ticklish! AHHHHH - how I have been yearning to share this picture with you!!

Blouse: H&M

Embellished Jacket: CTC West

Shorts: Faux Leather Forever 21

Boots: Hermes Riding Boots

Metal Casting Bracelet: Dokra (a unique metal casting technique)

Rings: Pandora X Forever 21

xoxo,

Les Best.

———————————————————————————————————-

Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

**  Jaguar  **

Every time I wear this dress I feel like a slick jaguar. It is something about this long black maxi dress with uber sex appeal aka thigh-high slit that makes me feel that way. Not to mention I am climbing my way up like a predator.

When looking for a dressier maxi dress like the one shown, remember you can always have them altered for length if you don’t feel like wearing a massive heel, or if the heel still makes your dress drag way too much. Just remember to bring the shoes you want to wear with it when you’re getting the dress measured.

Dress: Topshop

Shoes: YSL

Bracelet: Burberry Prorsum

Necklace: Marni

One necklace (not 5), one bracelet (not 20) and a pair of shoes - not very like me, so what we did to enhance the look was give the lip a MASSIVE pop of colour and went with a sultry red.

Would you wear a dressy and sexy maxi to a summer soiree?????!!!! Quit thinking about it, and DO IT! ;)

xoxo,

Les Best.

———————————————————————————————————-

Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

**  Ladies in the air like they just don’t care  **
While the crowd was “ooohhing and ahhhhhing” about said acrobats behind me, I was trying my hardest to look as fierce as possible. It’s pretty easy doing that with a fur coat over your shoulder and a bad@$$ nose piercing to match. 
Fur Coat: Vintage - Black Market TO
Necklace: Topshop
T-shirt: Zara
Ring: Costa Blanca
Nose Ring: Traditional Indian
Skirt: CTC West Ghagra Choli Skirt
Work with what you got! work work work work work watchu workin with?!
xoxo,
Les Best. 

**  Ladies in the air like they just don’t care  **

While the crowd was “ooohhing and ahhhhhing” about said acrobats behind me, I was trying my hardest to look as fierce as possible. It’s pretty easy doing that with a fur coat over your shoulder and a bad@$$ nose piercing to match. 

Fur Coat: Vintage - Black Market TO

Necklace: Topshop

T-shirt: Zara

Ring: Costa Blanca

Nose Ring: Traditional Indian

Skirt: CTC West Ghagra Choli Skirt

Work with what you got! work work work work work watchu workin with?!

xoxo,

Les Best. 

** Tame a Tiger with those Eyes  **

Truth be told, I know nothing about make up. That is what you call a HASHTAG FACT. But the smokey eye here is so fierce, that it’s the first thing I am drawn to when looking at this picture.

I do, however, know how to amp that tribal look in my eyes with layering on some statement necklaces with a dress in an amazing orange sorbet; a colour that any skin tone can pull off with the right accessories to carry it through. I clearly say go big and then hit the circus. 

This image reminds me of the movie Water for Elephants and some of the sadness evoked within Reese Witherspoon’s character Marlena. Believe you me, I wasn’t sad!!

Dress: Topshop

Necklaces: Timbuktu Toronto X Original Kukui nut necklace from Hawaii X Le Chateau (in order from shortest to longest).

Rings: House of Harlow X Forever 21

xoxo,

Les Best.

———————————————————————————————————-

Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1

**  Confessions at the Confection Stand  **
Sugar da na na na na na oh honey, honey. If you know me and my love of sugar, then you likely have been following my dentist chronicles (insert TMI here). 
Candy Apples, Sno Kones, carbonated soda and popcorn… I am drooling! But there is something about the sweet smell of the circus that makes you want to have it all. A little fabulosity whilst doing it never hurt anyone either!
Dress: Dolce and Gabbana 
Shoes: Sam Edelman
Earrings: Forever 21
Rings: Pandora X Forever 21
xoxo,
Les Best.
———————————————————————————————————-
Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.comPhotography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.comStyling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.comMake-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com 
Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1 !!

**  Confessions at the Confection Stand  **

Sugar da na na na na na oh honey, honey. If you know me and my love of sugar, then you likely have been following my dentist chronicles (insert TMI here). 

Candy Apples, Sno Kones, carbonated soda and popcorn… I am drooling! But there is something about the sweet smell of the circus that makes you want to have it all. A little fabulosity whilst doing it never hurt anyone either!

Dress: Dolce and Gabbana 

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Earrings: Forever 21

Rings: Pandora X Forever 21

xoxo,

Les Best.

———————————————————————————————————-

Art Direction: Alisha Chandarana www.zardozimagazine.com
Photography: Andy Lee www.andyleephotography.com
Styling: Les Best - Amy Patel www.les-best.com
Make-up: Andrea Ellingson www.andreaellingson.com
 

Premier Issue —> http://issuu.com/zardozi/docs/zardozi_springsummer13_pq/1 !!