Don’t like either one of these sarees. Give me some glam or go home.

Mumbai, Jul 28: Faiz Fatima, showcased her latest Indian wedding collection and western designs in a glittering fashion show held on Monday July 16 at Grand Imperial Banquet, Andheri (West).

After working with a few big brands in the metro, Fatima launched her own range here on Monday.

Neha Dhupia at the Banglore Fashion show in JJ Valya’s design.

The blue-edged sari of Mother Teresa and the hand raised in `abhay mudra` are well-known motifs in Husain`s oeuvre, representing peace and the value of altruism. A baby clinging to the nun`s clothes underscores the maternal benevolence that the image of Mother Teresa has come to represent.

However, the blackened face of Mother Teresa, a familiar portrayal of the nun in Husain`s work, deserves closer consideration. The nun is identified not by the features of her face, but by her blue-edged sari. Perhaps, in obliterating her features the painting enacts a subtle dismantling of her `foreign identity`. She is also absorbed into a uniquely Indian context. “The sari – restored to its appropriate Indian-ness – can add significance to Mother Teresa … it is the sari, the symbol of Indian motherhood, that allows the European nun to wear her title with justification… it is entirely right that the orphaned dark child should seek refuge in the arms of this sari-clad, dark skinned mother of the poor and the helpless.” (Shyamal Bagachi, “Augmented Nationalism: The Nomadic Eye of Painter M.F. Husain”, asianart.com)

In case you are curious, this painting sold for about $80,000 in 2005. It was estimated to sell for $40k, but went for much higher. The pricing of Indian art is a bit soft now, but it will recover soon.

ARTWORK DETAILS
Maqbool Fida Husain
Untitled

Acrylic on canvas
36 x 24 in | 91.4 x 61.0 cm
Signed in English (upper left)
Category: Painting
Style: Figurative

I know the show was in February, but there are some designs that I timeless.

The traditional Batik technique meets contemporary fashion.

Checkout their facebook page.

Strapless blouse adds that western elegance to the traditional saree.

The last one is by Bangladeshi designer Farhana Taher shown at the Dhaka Fashion Show. It was postponed because of the fire at Nimtoli.

But I like this delicate net/lace saree saree.

A seamless blending of east and west. Mikey likes it.

“A grey georgette sequin beaded saree with stitched multi colour chiffon flower and a tasseled pallu teamed with a grey sequin sheeted blouse.”

From Sheetal Sarees.

The saree is $1050 and the blouse is $229.

There is something glowing about this movie still.

It is from the movie Achhut Kanya (untouchable girl) from 1936. This was the first movie to challenge the cast system.

There is a delightful real life story surrounding this movie:

The movie stars Ashok Kumar (cast after the original hero had eloped with the producer’s wife and leading lady) and Devika Rani (the producer’s wife who decided to come back) in the lead roles.

And you think the current scandals are unbelievable…

And here is the lady herself. The colour palette revolves around myriads of colours starting with Peachy pink, Blue, antique gold and green. She added, “One can see a lot of embroideries with very Victorian feel and have played a lot with different techniques highlighting 3D shaded flowers and embroidered velvet appliqué adorning sexy cocktail sarees with draped blouses, swing coats and vintage lace skirts with tasselled scarves.”

Under the umbrella of her title collection, the designer will be presenting different lines of ensembles namely, Maharani and Sitare. Crafted in georgette, and embellished with Minakari embroidery, the saris and lehengas to be showcased under the Maharani collection fits splendidly when paired with velvet blouses with zardari work. “The zardosi work has been blended well with the trendy sequin work which will definitely take you back to an old era.”

While the other line named, Sitare offers excellent cut and fine colour palette with sequins work sourced from France which has been well blended with beautifully done patterns along with Pallavi’s signature floral motifs designed in gold. She claims, “This collection is light as feather in weight although heavily embroidered. The collection will be a bridal assortment in true sense with gold, silver embroideries, floral patterns and motifs in antique gold and antique silver.”

The colour palette features auspicious colours like burnt gold to saffron, peachy apricots and vermillion, embroidered with Zari badla and French tape and multi-colour lurex threads along side with crystals and pearls. Any celebrity as your showstopper? “My clothes are my celebrities,” she signs off.

Source Stylekandy

Is it day four of the DCW already?

Loved JJ Valaya saree showing. I decided to showcase this one because I think I might be distantly related to Indrani – related in the sense that we all might have Lucy in our ancestry.

It was all shimmer and sheer at Gaurav Gupta’s show on Day 2 of Delhi Couture Week. Drawing inspiration from the mysteries and beauty of the deep, the collection entitled ‘Fantastical Creatures’ began with light pastels and gradually moved into dark greys and black.

While all the outfits were delicate, flowing numbers in sheer fabrics like chiffon, net and lace, the sensibilities flowed seamlessly from Indian to western with a healthy sprinkling of saris, lehengas, gowns and dresses. Check it out!

First up is this gorgeous ruffled fish-tail skirt paired with a sheer top with Swarovsky crystal embellishment over a satin bustier.

A delicate net sari set off by the heavy floral applique on the pallav, draped over a matched saree blouse.

There was one sareesque black dress that I also liked.

Sources Rediff.com Indiatimes.com

Briyanka Desai in an overdone blouse.

I like the saree-blouse combo. The colors are pretty and coordination is pretty good.

But the design of the blouse strap and that of the saree border is not particularly dancing well to gather.

I even question the type of jewelry she is wearing. The intricate design of the necklace not only doesn’t add to the outfit, it detracts from it.

Let me show you another view of the same saree

Do you see what I mean?

The picture is pretty transparent, I have nothing to add.

Thank god I don’t have to describe this saree or this scene, because on Wednesdays we let the saree do all the talking.

Models walked on the ramp Tuesday in long jackets teamed up with lehngas, later jackets were replaced by blouses and feather masks. Malhotra’s designs had a Spanish influence and did reflect his traditional flamboyance, but there was nothing extraordinary.

Malhotra had at the Mumbai Couture week last year showcased the ‘Destination Weddings’ theme that saw a fusion of western dresses with Indian sensibilities – something one would love to go for.

However, the vibrant colour palette, which this Mumbai-based designer is known for, was missing at PIPL.

From IANS.

The models, in a typical Sabyasachi style – minimal make-up and a black bindi – gelled with the elaborated designs that had saris with ‘seedha palla’, a lot of layering in terms of achkans over saris or suits, heavily embroidered blouses and lehengas.

Talking about the collection, Sabyasachi told IANS that it was all about rich Indian craftsmanship and heritage that our country has in plenty. “It is like going old school and coming up with something that we knew is there…I have always been a staunch supporter of Indian textiles and this is what I tried to showcase here as well,” Sabyasachi said.

“The line is very romantic and gives the feel of a museum, something that is period, Victorian or simply antique,” he added.

From Shilpa’s Journal