May is flying by, and where I live it already feels like summer.  Yesterday it was 101 degrees, and I wished to be somewhere cool and beautiful, with water and lovely scenery.  This painting is what my fantasy place could have been.  Note the women in a variety of sarees, with minimal cholis.  The artist is American Edwin Lord Weeks, the setting the Ghats of Mathura (in UP, India), 1883.

Well the time has come. On 25th May, I will release my first two steampunk sarees. Mark your calendar!!

So it just seemed right to celebrate all the other efforts that have been made in creating a steampunk look in sarees.

This Black and Gold metalic patterned skirt is made from a full saree, with adjustable elastic waist, top is 2 yds wide. Bottom border alternates between the two patterns shown.

By Etsy :Crissy Kin Bihu:

Check them out

http://www.etsy.com/listing/126427344/tribal-skirt-made-from-a-saree-perfect?ref=&sref=

An image from Bollywood of yesteryear – actress Saira Bano in a short, sexy saree or what is made to look like one!  It’s the red borders crossing her demurely wrapped white saree that create the look, along with the hair and ornaments.  Oh, don’t forget the water pot, a fashion statement more vital than today’s designer clutch.  See below for another trendy pottery accessory, worn with a delicate white outfit and floral touches by an unknown model of the same era. 

I happened to see Dabangg 2 again last weekend, and was reminded of how odd some of Sonakshi’s costumes looked.  Several were just garish like this ombre magenta/fuchsia and pink worn with a not-so-matching choli.  Others had a clingy, retro sensibility to their neon colour schemes, like the sheer synthetic fabrics popular in the 1960s.

Sonakshi’s fluorescent yellow saree could easily have graced a pinup girl poster from nearly 50 years ago, especially paired with the cute polka-dot blouse, which I really liked!  The combination of looks and moods was to enhance her film character; the demure little wife who is also a hot babe in backless paisley cholis.  I think she even  wore a matching green bindi, below.

And here is the back view..

Forced to be backless, if you ask me…

It doesn’t have to be this way.

This particular one looks more “naked” than “sexy”..

Love this combo.. just a little bit of pink, and a lot of glitter.

Here is a 1920s or early ’30s mystery fashion for you – what is she wearing?  It looks like a sleeveless golden satin blouse, tunic or waistcoat worn over a short-sleeved blouse, topped by a green saree with gold borders.  The flowers add just the right colour to make the outfit work, and the jewellery is kept minimal.  But it kind of reminds me of the Spanish senorita look that was quite popular then.  Que cute!

Eons ago, one of the stunning saree I put together was a crinkled saree, the texture of the saree combined with the choice colors and subtle hues can be very intriguing.

I like this brown and gold combo that Nikhil Thampi has.

He also has some other interesting sarees from 2013 Wills and I will showcase some of them.

Here is a little video of Survivor by Nikhil Thampi

For the past few months I have been thinking about the arguments for and against updating the saree, changing its more traditional aspects, going for odd new innovations and so on.  The sad case of the Japanese kimono is the usual comparison, as in “…we must be creative with saree or it will become stagnant and die out like the kimono!”

These just-off-the-LFW-runway styles combine East Asian motifs that look like kimono patterns with Parsi embroidery techniques, and some fresh twists to the usual saree outfit.  My favourite from this line by Ashdeen is the strapless, hip-length blouse with a coordinating simple saree, above.

Nope, our simple and elegant (and oh so adaptable), saree is not going the way of the kimono or dodo bird!  Its easy draping and affordability beat the unbelievably complicated, restricting and expensive national dress of Japan by a mile.

Here is a lovely colored print of a vintage vamp – think silent film stars doing Arabian Nights or playing Cleopatra from ‘way back!  It  may have been an advertising card of some sort,  but the model is uncommonly beautiful and her jewellery is amazing.  The piece on her head is my favorite, but the belt, pearls, anklets and upper arm elements are lust-worthy too.  A tighthtly draped saree highlights the woman’s smooth hip; her tiny green “blouse” has what could be gold discs over the bust.  What actress or model today could make such a luscious outfit look this inviting without being either too coy or blatant? 

This is an unusual studio image of a wary-looking woman in a very photogenic saree, and a girl (her daughter?) wearing a young man’s jacket and trousers with a large pair of gent’s shoes.  The photograph, probably from the 1930s or so, was on ebay with no explanation.  From the woman’s expression I don’t think it was meant to be funny, but what could the occasion have been?

The woven pattern of the saree includes a large repeated motif and dense but not-too-wide border, looking wonderful with a plain white or pastel choli.  I like the pallu end brought around and tucked at the waist, adding another diagonal line of the border across the saree front.  The girl’s big bindi is incongruously adorable, small earrings and a few rings on her hands completing the outfit.  Feel free to offer your suggestions!

This is not what comes to mind when you think if chanderi. But I like it. It has an earthen feel to it with a touch of luxury through the border. Long sleeve blouse goes well..

I was looking for some beautiful sarees in 2013 Femina Miss India, didn’t find too many, but this image surely caught my eye.

Do you think I should put this picture in “uniform” category? Because I would like most women to wear this all the time.. Well, a man can dream can’t he?

Very interesting Ms. Masaba Gupta. I like this.

It has whimsy and everybody can use a little whimsy.

Did you notice “telephone” printed on the saree? Interesting, you wouldn’t have expected something like that on this saree, so it is eye catching.

Oh, so close but not six yards yet.

She is a classy lady and wears her saree gracefully. Wished her recent Femina shoot had included some saree pictures.

Hmmm why do I not have a category for “saree inspired” dresses???

So did you miss me?! Just a little bit?! May be not six yard’s worth, but may be a a couple of threads of the saree?

Thank you for kind words and email I got about the blog; it is greatly appreciated.

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Sorry about not posting, but let me distract you with something shiny:

So… back to sarees – Masaba’s Satya Paul collection is coming in two days.. are you excited?

As you know, I was against this take over of Satya Paul brand by Masaba. Some good reasons and some selfish reasons.

Let me give you the selfish reason first. I love Satya Paul style and I admire Masaba’s fresh look. They both filled a special spot in my mind. Now we are combining them, that means one less amazing collection to admire. I know, a pretty selfish reason.

So this launch is very personal to me. I will be watching as to what she does and what she doesn’t do. I have already seen one piece of it on Sonam Kapoor and I would be lying if I said that I liked it. Yes, it was a head turner, but I don’t want head turner, I want class and beauty and exquisite and distinctive beauty, not a shock piece.

So lets see!