Waking up at 0500 hours is not my thing. Over the years, living in India has ingrained it in my head that is it not safe for me – as a woman – on the streets anymore. At least not unaccompanied. It fills me with a certain balanced amount of rage. I have my ways of dealing with it but nothing will come close to the feeling of not having to look over my shoulder even in a space that is full of people – in broad daylight. I get that feeling only when I’m traveling abroad and that makes me not want to come back to India. ( Women have the short end of the stick everywhere on the planet. But India is something else. I simmer a little more each time I pay taxes – for the streets that I partly pay for – that I can’t even walk upon. )
This. This is one of the ways I cope. I wear something comfortable and as I get comfortable in front of the camera, I peel it off to reveal what I would actually like to be able to wear. Without worrying about ANYTHING.
I’d like to be able to #RunTheStreets in India. ( The irony is that while the hashtag is relevant here to a campaign that Puma is running, I can’t actually go “run the streets”. Even accompanied by my photographer, it wouldn’t be a proposition I’d be comfortable with due to the risks it presents not only to me but also to the photographer. I could pretend to #RunTheStreets but then that’s against what my brand stands for – so I did the closest thing to reality – something I would’ve done in real life – hang out on the roof of the building where my parents live! At some level, I don’t really know what more to say except that I LOVE the red sneakers! )
Credits at the end of the feature. Scroll away!
Thanks Puma for sending these beautiful sneakers over! This is the first time I’ve ever had people on the street looking at me twice – rather looking at the shoes I’m wearing – the red sneakers are head-turners!
Link to purchase shoes on Puma India’s website : Ignite Limitless SportsStyle Red
Shirt in the first photograph up top : PostFold’s Leaf Embroidery Shirt in Blue
Red sports bra and black socks are American Apparel. Shorts Kalenji. Gloves Nivia. Photographed by Bharat.
Puma : Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
PostFold : Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Previous Naina.co features with PostFold and Puma.
Disclaimer(s) : I struggle with fitness and don’t have a regular training routine – I wish I did. I don’t know how to box, I’m posing. The shoes are GREAT. I wear them when I’m standing and working at my standing desk at the home office, I wear them when I’m out and about. I love the cushioning of the sole. While walking / jogging, it feels like the shoe might slip a little from the heel side but it hasn’t so far. Super comfy. The shirt is formal-wear by PostFold, I’m wearing it here because that’s the first thing I found draped on my chair as we were headed out to shoot in the early hours on a weekday – we decided we could get comfy with the actual attire once we were at the location and that it would be best to avoid extra eyeballs on the drive to the location. It’s a comfy shirt and I’ve worn it while filming one of my podcast episodes as well. I have the same bra in three colours – they were so attractive! The shorts are GREAT – comfy AND oh so hot! I use the gloves when I do kettle bell swings sometimes or if I’m hanging from the bars to stretch. I haven’t altered the shape of my body in the images above but I have re-touched my skin and done an exaggerated version of dodging and burning. Like I said, I don’t usually wake up at 0500 hrs and I had bags under my eyes – I looked like I was 40 years old! YIKES! )
