Tag: saree

Experimental Trend – Saree Lehenga that is here to stay!

When it comes to traditional wear, we are always excited about selecting our outfits.  Every now and then, we are attracted towards new fashion trends and one such trend that will always stay in fashion and is a great style to wear is Lehenga Saree trend.

A normal saree or lehenga is a  past thing. Nowadays, we all want to experiment with our clothing style and stay trendy. Moreover, a modern woman wants to wear something which is easy to handle, convenient and something which keeps her updated with the fashion trends. Lehenga sarees serves all these purposes. They are easy, trendy and make you look more elegant.

This unique combination of a lehenga and a saree is completely different from the usual lehengas. The subtle lehenga look is more like a skirt that gives you young and girly look whereas the saree form adds complete glamour to your outfit. This trend is great for all body types. The fusion of lehenga and saree is really vibrant and can help enhance the beauty of the wearer.

The best thing about this trend is you can get as much as creative as you want. You can pair it with the accessories you want and the variety of fabric. For my look, I am wearing a  combination of orange, pink and blue.

These colours are perfect for a wedding function. You can play around and select the type of lehenga you desire. Certainly, there is no age bar and that is one thing why we all love lehengas. Adding quirk to lehengas is this trend of Lehenga sarees. There is no limit to play around with this amazing piece of clothing. Go on and make the one you desire.

If you’re wearing traditional, then accessories become a must. I completed my look with wearing bangles of blue colour that matches with the colour of my blouse and adds more pop to the outfit. 

Comfortable footwear makes a huge difference in your look and I’m completing my look with these sandals from Crimzon World. Crimzon have a huge variety of handcrafted footwear that are adorned with intricate designs and uses techniques in hand. What makes Crimzon stands apart is that they don’t harm any animal, skin and don’t use any fur or leather. I love their designs that can beautify both a traditional or western look.

Don’t Forget – I have also teamed up with them to get you 15% off on your next purchase with Crimzon World.
Simply use the code “FFR15” on checkout.

So, Go ahead. Try customizing your own outfit. Play around with colours, spice up with the jewellery and create an extravagance look for yourself. What do you think about this trend? Like this style or not? Have any confusion about the look or want to share something? Let me know in the comments section below.

“Out of the Box Festive Styling” – Modern Style Traditional Values

The time for celebration has begun with the onset of Navratri. Navratri stands for ‘nine nights’ which are filled with the rhythm and hues of dandiya, Raas Garba, pooja and festive fashion. The festival is about more than just worshipping of the deities. It’s about celebrating as a community and dancing away until the wee hours of the morning to some traditional folk songs. The nine days of Navratri have different cultural connotations and are often represented with 9 hues, one for each day. This is a perfect fashion week for any fashionista who leaves no stone unturned to look pretty and stylish for all the 9 days with different colours, style and outfits.

I enjoy dressing up for any festive season and love to get creative with my traditional outfits. I prefer to wear western outfits on a daily basis, but when it comes to festivities I prefer to go back to my roots and take some cultural inspiration from my traditional outfits. But the inner diva in me loves to experiment with my traditional look by giving it a quirky twist. Navratri has been synonymous to Chaniya Cholis or Lehengas. But for the beauty queen, it’s more than just following the traditional ethnic wear. Add some glamour to your conventional traditional attire with this quirky ethnic outfit for a trendy Navratri this year!

Navratri is not just about Lehengas, so this year I chose to style a gorgeous crimson and black tusser silk saree from Amota for the festivities. Amota is a brand that strives to bring back the hues of India’s traditional textiles. They aim to create contemporary designs by merging modern with traditional while keeping sustainability in mind. Their silks made with authentic handwoven fabrics such as tusser silk, gichha silk, mulberry silk, and pure cotton.

I chose a tusser silk saree because I personally love the elegant and sophisticated finish the cloth gives you. It’s a classic pick for a traditional look. The saree has a black border with silver piping which enhances its subtlety. I gave this gorgeous traditional silk a contemporary twist by ditching the conventional blouse and pairing it with an off-shoulder crop top instead. Indo-western outfits have always been in vogue and this is a perfect outfit for you this festive season. Add a trendy crop top to your traditional outfit and watch the crowd taking style lessons from you this season. The crop top gives the saree enough oomph to give it a modern twist while keeping its elegance intact. It’s a very stylish option and also very convenient. Just think of how easily you can wear any saree without having to worry about getting a blouse stitched the next time. I love wearing contrasting shades. I love to incorporate the colours of the festival in my outfit so I paired my crimson saree with a yellow off-shoulder crop top instead of a boring black one. I wanted to flaunt my off-shoulder crop top style so I pleated the pallu of my saree to show-off the statement sleeves of my crop top.

Every outfit is incomplete with some jewellery. Traditional Navratri jewellery has a lot of silver bohemian pieces. I paired a chunky silver necklace with a statement cocktail ring. When talking about accessories for Navratri we need some gorgeous jhumkas to complete our look. I decided to go bold with my entire look by finishing it with a bold lip colour matching my saree.

You can play around with multiple pieces in your wardrobe to create our own personalized outfit. You can pair this saree with an ethnic jacket or wrap the pallu around your neck as a scarf. You can also experiment with footwear by wearing jhootis or Kholapuris. Just remember, to stay comfortable as you won’t be able to enjoy the raas-garba in high heels.

Have you picked out your outfits for Navratri yet? Do let me know if you guys come up with some interesting styles in the comments below.

Warp n Weft – An Ode to Benarasi Heritage in London

A sari is one of the most versatile Indian attire. A typical 6 yard sari has been a part of the traditional Indian wardrobe since decades. It’s a go-to item for any occasion be it formal or casual. It is a drape which flatters every body type and makes you look gorgeous instantly.

There are many fabrics, materials and styles that one can choose from when draping a sari. A Benarasi is a classic and iconic sari and has been an all-time favourite for many Indian women.

A Benarasi sari is a traditional sari which comes from Benaras or Varanasi, a city in India. The saris are inspired by the mystical personality of the holy city known for its beautiful temples and ghats. The 6-yard silk sari is woven with gold or silver zari or silken threads and is decorated with intricate patterns and designs. There are various patterns and designs in Benarasi including the Jungla, Chouka, Aada, Khinkhab and so on. From geometrical designs to metallic floral designs, a traditional benarasi sari always looks regal and elegant.
warp-n-weftThese saris have been part of the of the Benaras household since centuries. This tradition has been passed through generations when Indian women used to wear these hand woven silk beauties for special occasions like weddings. A typical piece takes months to finish based on the intricacies involved, which makes it riskier for the weavers, since by the time they finish a piece it may be out of fashion. That’s where Warp ‘n Weft comes in play by working from the grass-root level.

Warp ‘n Weft is an institution from Mumbai which brings the voice and soul of Benares in the exhibition of traditional hand-woven benarasi textiles at the flagship store in Mumbai for last two decades. The founder and creative director, Ms. Sagrika Rai, is born and brought up in Benaras which makes this project close to her heart.

Warp ‘n Weft hosted a week-long exhibition at the Nehru Centre in London till the 30th of September 2016. Warp ‘n Weft presented the secrets from the sacred Ganges and the opulent traditions of the Indian culture to London through the gorgeous textiles and handlooms. The curated collection had a perfect blend of traditional Benarasi handlooms with modern sensibilities which made the silks look stunning along with ethnic style of jadau jewellery from Jaipur Gems.
warp-n-weft-1A special evening was organised on Wednesday 28th of September in London. The event was held at the Nehru Centre in London which promotes cultural exchange between India and UK. The centre has hosted several musical, dance and cultural events in the past. This was an exclusive invite only event promoting Benarasi culture, ethos and handicrafts by Warp ‘n Weft.

The attendees included buyers, press, bloggers and members of the Indian fraternity and the collection showcased traditional apparels in Benarasi Fabric and style like saris, scarves, along with a traditional twist on western outfits like jackets and shorts. The evening and the curated collection was a romantic combination of the east and the west. The event enjoyed real sounds of temples and ghats, handloom and powerloom and various moods of the Benaras life captured and composed by Grammy award winner Dr.Prakash Sontakke, a Hindustani vocalist from the Benaras Music School. Warp ‘n Weft will soon be releasing this music album Benaras A Future From The Past across the digital music arena.

It was an enjoyable evening spent in the depth of Benarasi culture with some soft music, delicious Benarasi food, wonderful people coming together to enjoy a beautiful collection of curated fashion.
1-jasmin-walia-in-warp-n-wefts-benaras-pashm

Warp ’n Weft also at the event, announced the launch of ‘Benaras Pashm’, an inimitable expression of a functional blend of pure cashmere with the beautiful Benarasi silks in colours and hues apt for classic as well as modern tastes. The gossamer and delicate complexion of these shawls captured the interest of British Reality TV artist Jasmin Walia to wear one in Pure Burgundy over her sequined lavender dress for the evening.

Places to shop for your Wedding or an Indian Function in Delhi

I personally love Indian clothes more than anything else. Love their color, bright hues, intricate work and the royal look they give to a person when worn in the right style. Having lived in Delhi almost my whole life, I have been part of many wedding shopping trips for both friends to family. Here are some of my personal favorites, the places and shops I trust to go for, when the time is short at hand and I am looking for that perfect outfit.

Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is one place I would recommend everyone to visit when they start their indian wedding shopping. Love the hustle bustle of the place. The market has wide range of shops from chabbra 555, Apsara Sarees to Om Prakash Jwahar Lal, are some of the nice shops to look for range of indian clothes. The most famous shop for lehenga shopping in this market is Om Prakash Jwahar Lal, though a little expensive, personally my taste for Lehenga shopping goes for more flared styles but still do check this place to see what’s in trend.

Shakuntalam
Great shop, I have visited their showroom both in Rajouri Market, Delhi and Ambience Mall, Gurgaon. The Rajouri showroom is much bigger and hence has a bigger collection to boast. Love their saree and suit collection. Specially the heavy embellished Sarees and Anarkalis. A great place to shop for evening dos and family functions or your wedding trousseau.

frontier-raasFrontier Raas, South Ext.
Love the shop and their wide variety. The shop is based on 3 floors, with almost everything you would need for a wedding or any Indian function. They have a wide variety of Saree and Lehenga collection. You will find here a huge range both from price and style point of view. They have everything from modern to transitional designs, to suit every taste. The great thing is they even cater for men’s wear as well in the same store.


Meenabazar
A great chain of stores to buy indian clothes that are in trend. Price range will suit even a budget shopper. They have multiple stores across Delhi andNCR.

ctc-motinagarCTC Moti Nagar
The only CTC that should be on your shopping list when planning your wedding list. You will find here everything from suits to lehengas, jewelry to sandals and can almost finish your wedding shopping in a day if you are really short on time. Great collection of Lehengas and Sherwanis. I like their full flare Lehenga designs though they can get a bit pricey.

 

Ushnak Mal Mool Chand, South Ext
Another shop that should be on your list for any Indian do or wedding, Some of the styles here are very ethnic, but you will find lots of evergreen styles in this shop. My personal recommendation to any bride is to definitely have few evergreen dresses in their wedding trousseau.

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Fashion Trend : Digital Printed Sarees

Light yet Chic

digital print sareeThe winters are almost over and the last thing you would want to wear is a heavy, embellished saree during the sweet spring weather. But if traditional is the theme for the party, a Salwar-suit would make you look underdressed while a plain saree in a bold color would be too understated. That’s where digital printed sarees come to the rescue.

They are perfect for spring to summer season

Digital printed sarees are usually made of faux fabric or georgette. Both the fabrics are really light and airy. Not too body hugging and yet, conforming to the natural contours of the body, these sarees look really chic as party wear.

There are a lot of interesting patterns to be had

There are limitations as to what an artiste can print by hand. But when it comes to technology, sky is the limit. There are a whole range of patterns available in digital printed sarees. Floral patterns as well as patterns inspired from nature are the hottest trend right now in digital printed attire. A stand out in this trend is patterns which depict a whole scenery on this nine yard wonder.

However, if you don’t want to look too last season, avoid going for printed sarees that use disjointed colors. Rather, the trend this season is prints which have colors that flow in continuation. For example, a combination of blue and grey.

They are ideal for women who are slightly heavy too

Women who are slightly on the heavier side can also benefit from this light and chic fashion trend. The lightness of the fabric used in digital printed sarees has a slimming effect on your appearance.

Don’t forget to accessorize it well

Like any fashion trend, getting the accessories right is important here too. If you are going for a minimal print, you can jazz up your look further with digital printed handbags. However, if you have an elaborate print on you, keep your accessories to a bare minimum. A solid colored handbag in a complementing color and minimal earrings complete the look in that case.

 

Saree- An Evergreen Indian Fashion Trend

Almost all Bollywood divas have adorned it at one time or the other. While some like Rekha exude elegance in it, others like Sushmita Sen and Katrina Kaif give it the oomph factor. Yes, we are talking about the nine yard Indian wonder- Saree.

It is perfect for every kind of occasion

A saree is not restricted by the kind of event you are attending. If it is a corporate event, a minimal digital printed saree or something in chiffon would work well. If it is something more extravagant, a Banarsi saree with its heavy embellishments is what you are looking for.

It is cool and it is hot as well

A saree is available in a whole range of fabrics. For winters, you could opt for something heavy in silk or maybe a saree in crepe. For summers, go for the ones in cotton, while for everyday wear, a georgette saree is the best choice. There are a whole range of other fabrics a saree is available in, from Faux to Tissue, Chiffon, Viscose, Soft Crush etc. With so much variety to choose from, it can never really go out of fashion, be it any season.

There are tones of styles you can drape it in

Other garments may be restricted by the way you can wear them. There is only so much you can do with a spaghetti top or a pair of denims. With saree, however, the possibilities are endless. You can be understated with it by draping it in traditional Indian styles- Gujarati, Bengali and North Indian to name a few; or you can be boho-chic by going for a modern drape which is loaded with oomph.

Indian designers are experimenting with it all the timeSaree Trend

Sarees have always ruled the runway, be it winter wear, Fall Spring or Summer collection. And Indian designers have constantly experimented with the traditional Indian attire, giving it the western twist. Saree with zippers, Trouser Saree, poncho saree, kimono saree…..everything is happening in the world of fashion.

Westerners are waking up to its wonder too

From A-listers to pop stars, Hollywood seems to have taken a love to the saree as well. Beyonce has adorned it, and so has Cameron Diaz, Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Hurley and so many others. With saree taking the global stage with that international exposure, you may be well off hoarding your wardrobe with different styles, fabrics and patterns.

You can be rest assured it is never going to go out of fashion.

Bandhani Saree- Traditional Craft

There is nothing better than a Bandhani saree, also called bandhej saree, if you want to look ethnically traditional during the festival season. Originating in the western part of India, specifically in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, Bandhani saree involves intricate craftsmanship.

The process is what gives it the name

Bandhani saree is called so because of the process involved in making this traditional piece of craft. The fabric is tied at several points, and hence, the term Bandhani, which literally translates to “tied.” The way the fabric is tied, leads to different patterns in Bandhani saree, some of the most common being Leheriya, Mothra, Ekdali and Shikari.

The history of it

Bandhani saree is considered as one of the oldest forms of tie and dye sarees. The craftsmanship involved in the making of it can be traced back to several centuries, when these sarees were worn by women of the royal family. It was also traditionally believed that Bandhani saree in a vibrant hue is supposed to bring good luck. The walls of Ajanta and Ellora caves stand testimony to the existence of this craft eons ago.

In modern times, the craft of making Bandhani saree is believed to have originated in the city of Jamnagar in Gujarat, the city itself being more than 4 centuries old. The skills have thus been passed down generations, and it has lately seen a revival of sorts with the focus back on traditional Indian arts and crafts.

The fabric, colors and styles

A bandhani saree is traditionally made out of muslin or silk. The richness of silk is what gives the saree the festive fervor. However, with changing tastes, Bandhej sarees are now made in georgette and chiffon as well for that contemporary look.

In terms of colors, “riot of colors” is what best describes Bandhej sarees the best. They are best when made in vibrant hues such as orange, yellow and other similar colors.

And the best is on display during the festive season

If you want to have a look at some of the best Bandhani saree styles, the best time would be the Indian festive season, especially around the time of Navaratris.

Get the right Saree for your Body Type

Saree, the six yard wonder, stands for elegance and grace. Celebrities around the world have been smitten by this traditional Indian dress. However, if chosen wrong, it can be a disaster. The wrong drape on you can make you look like a box with embellishments walking around. And the drape depends on the kind of fabric that you go for.
Different fabrics suits different body types. Here is a lo-down on how to go about choosing the right saree for the occasion:

Apple shaped body- Apple shaped bodies are characterized by a wider bust than the lower part of the body. Thus, when you dress, you want to draw attention away from your upper body to give you a more symmetrical look. The best fabric in sarees that works for apple shaped bodies is silk. It drapes well and accentuates the lower half of your body. Sarees with embellishments and sequences around the mid-section also work for this body type. Stay up from chunky necklaces too.

Pear shaped body- This is quite the opposite of an apple shaped figure. Pear shape is characterized by wider hips and narrower shoulders. For women with a pear shaped body, lighter fabrics such as chiffon and crepe are ideal. They give you a symmetrical look.

For those with a fuller physique- For women who are slightly on the heavier side, it is best to avoid fabrics which stick out such as brocade, tissue or stiff cotton. Rather, sarees in chiffon, georgette or handloom cotton, which drape the body, are a better fit. Women who are short in height should avoid sarees with wide borders. In fact, it is best if they go for sarees with minimal borders. Wide borders give you a wider look and hence, make you appear shorter.

Slim women- Those with a slim physique are at a definite advantage, since most fabrics and saree types look good on them. It depends on the kind of look you want to go for. For accentuating your figure, go for chiffon or georgette. For a more fuller look, tissue and brocade work well. Women with a slim physique are the best fit to carry off heavy Kanjivaram sarees or traditional Benarsi sarees with rich embroidery and patterns. If you are tall as well as slim, large prints and geometric patterns would look great on you, since they add width to your frame.