Kingdom of the twentieth wife.

Not many women in the history have left us bedazzled with their dignified demeanor. One such lady was Nur Jahan- the twentieth wife of Jahangir in the Mughal Kingdom.

Nur Jahan, the name given by Jahangir meaning ‘light of the world’ was born as Mehrunnisaa. Besides family fusses, she was well educated and showed interest not just in the expected areas of poetry, arts and culture but also in ruling over the Mughal kingdom after Jahangir’s death. She was a beloved wife who took care of the throne while her husband was busy drinking and smoking up. Her other pursuits counted of inventing perfumes for women popular as ‘Ittars’, designing clothes out of laces and brocade that still are influencing us today big time.

Influenced by Nur Jahan's experiences in so many dimensions, a young designer from Mount Carmel College, Syma Ahmed realized the necessity of her revival. 

The rich hues of red and blue brushed with pinches of gold and hand-painted Mughal faces, with pearls that add charm to her beauty and gold pins that define it sharp and sexy, Syma came up with a hotter Nur Jahan on the ramp. Dip-dyed lace robes, harem pants and suspenders just made the perfect coordinated collection. Designing accessories and jewels with it was enough to call it a Kingdom of the twentieth wife.

Nur Jahan's grave reads, 

"On the grave of this poor stranger, let there be neither lamp nor rose. Let neither butterfly’s wing burn nor nightingale sing."

Cheers

A Festive Extravaganza

Welcome winter with heaps of celebrations, weddings and festivities. The Bling in the dresses, the glowing lights and decorations and sparkling diamonds on the jewelry, all seem to be capturing the attention of our eyes.

To glam up these winters, “The house of Minawala”, a leading jewelry brand in India recently launched their extravagant collection of wedding jewels. Minawala celebrates the moment of togetherness with finely crafted designs. They are a brand known for their heritage, craftsmanship and as a connection between the tradition and modernity.

In their new range of wedding collection, one can find a range of opulent rubies, emeralds, pearls and polka diamonds in kundans/Jadau styles perfectly coordinated with each other. They are designed with a modernistic approach as in chokers, cocktail rings, chandelier earrings, marvelous cuffs. ‘A perfect marital bliss for the bride’- they quote for the launched wedding collection.

The launch event also organized a fashion show of their collection and other popular clothing brands such as Avirate, Rumour, Kimaya and many more. A sneak peek into the trending styles of festive wear – use of velvets, gold embroidery, loads of zari, brocades and the rich colors of the season.

An extravaganza is was! 

Cheers

Pranita

A PLAYFUL SIDE OF TRADITIONS

We all love the quirkiness of graphics. To elaborate, I take your yes in agreeing with the idea of adoring colorful  kitschy and playful graphics on tees, cushions, bags, accessories, stationary, coffee mugs etc. After all, colors are what that makes the scene funky and happy-going. So, what if this idea mixes with the traditional attire of Indian women. The sari. This implies that saris would be graphical too. They will be colorful  quirky graphical and playful.

That’s exactly what Play Clan did. Known for quirky graphics in their wide range of products, Play Clan recently launched a collection of saris called “The Play Clan Sari Edition” at the Will India Fashion Week for spring/summer 2013.

Welding neon and playfulness in Indian characters, tribal looks, neon-ised geometry and phulkari,  the saris are no more just a boring six-yard long garment after their post-fluorescent treatment. The younger generation now has reasons to get into the tradition attire. Besides, there are smarter ways to style them as Play Clan highlights them in their shoot. Have a look at their collection. They can be bought from their online store at Rs. 14995/-. Totally worth it!

Images: Play Clan

Cheers

Pranita

POSTCARDS FROM RAJASTHAN

From the hassles and tassels of the urbanized caricatures of Bangalore, I packed my bags to get some cultural shocks and heat waves into my head. The occasion was a cousin’s wedding in Rajasthan. The region of religions, colours, turbans, Rajputas and palaces and many other unique things.

The emcee of my trip was the displeasing temperature of 49 degrees that toasted my nose and put a bright red zit right in the centre of my face (:S). Yeah, that’s the only bad! Nevertheless, it was an exotic experience with a lot of déjà vu, colourful spying and buying couple of more shoes! ;)

Meeting cousins after almost a decade is the reason for the limited glimpses. ^_^

Katputlis and door hangings of birds in color bandhej

Musicians playing Shehnai and tabla in colorful turbans.

Ladies showing off their bright cholis

Rajasthani women adorned with jewels and colorful ghaghra choli in bandhej

The drape blows your sight off

Marigold and roses to make garlands

Typical arches in wooden gates

Decorated Elephant rides

A region of religions.

Milk being boiled in a large Kadaai. 

One of the old buildings- the curvy window- Khidki

Can never get enough of shoes. Beautiful Mojdis and Chappals from Rajasthan

Cheers

HIGH ON RED

I am a firm believer of the fact that colors speak your mood. They even have the power of manipulating your mind. And before or later they give a distinction to your style. 

Talking about RED, lets know some facts- 

• Its intensively attractive (you know why danger signs are painted red?) 
• A perfect date-night color to get into- (think of romance, hearts, red roses..oh love!)
• Makes you feel good about yourself. 
• ALERT- Some say that red stimulates your diet and makes you hog on to more food than necessary. Haven't witnessed that yet? Should be careful the next time I wear red.
• Looks super hot in ethnic dresses. Don't trust me? Have a look below.
• Dress up as per the intensity of your mood- To be totally loud, go for a red dress or Kurti. When you want to be a little mild on people around you- try wearing accent red - your nails, shoes, bag, hair accessories etc. 

THE LOUD RED LOOK. Wear Red to show your bold mood. Be high on red.

THE ACCENT RED LOOK- wear red in accessories to give a mild look.

THE INDIAN CHANEL!

Yet another story of amalgamation. And what’s more to ask when the inspiration is INDIA!

I feel like this is a next big trend to flourish in fashion. And there is so much to be inspired from. There is so much colour, so many stories, so many delicacies, plenty of natural panoramas, street markets to the glittering ornamented ceremonies, the festivals of light and colours and the illustrative tales of Gods and Goddesses. The quirkiness of bollywood to the monotony of traffic-y signals!


oh! I am in love!! <3

A picture I found browsing the other day shows what I am trying to say!

source

So, here’s something about the INDIAN CHANEL.

CHANEL

We all know Chanel. The French fashion house founded by Coco Chanel which gave us the casual elegance we flaunt in now! And the little black dress we fit in perfectly today! It was recently that I watched Coco before Chanel, a movie on Chanel’s life and how she turned Chanel from Coco. A must watch inspiration movie I say!

THE PARIS-BOMBAY PRE-AUTUMN/WINTER 2012-13 COLLECTION

Now Karl Lagerfeld looks after the brand and is indeed adding leads to the identity. Chanel recently unveiled its Paris-Bombay Metiers d’Art collection at the Grand Palais in Paris, where the place- Galerie Courbe was transformed into a luxurious Maharaja’s palace.

Every year since 2002, Chanel has used the Metiers d’Art show as an opportunity to showcase its craftsmanship. Under the glow of chandeliers and ceiling lights, this collection 2011/12 was supposed to evoke a new femininity.

According to Chanel, “The charm of India, the pomp and splendour of fabrics and the magic of gemstones intermingle with the Chanel aesthetic of cascading pearls, contrasting black and white, and braided tweed jackets,”

THE INDIAN INFLUENCE

Use of pearls, mirror work, jewelled bindis and buttons, payal, matha tika etc - the silver metallic jewellery, brocade fabric have been coordinated with leather boots, tweed dresses and western silhouettes. The artisanal crafts of embroidery, leather work, and feather work, boot-making, millinery, and gold and silversmithery, all worked with the finest of details and neatness. You just fall in love with the clothes and the accessories!

The silhouette emerges in soft shoulders, flared panelled skirts, a gold-embroidered tweed dress with kimono sleeves or painted with a flowerbed motif swaddled in layers of lace and muslin.The sari look is supposed to create a modern masculine-feminine concept, inspired by Maharajah style, and very feminine with a dainty jacket with diamante epaulettes.



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source here

xx
Pranita