Fashion Freeze

Bollywood and fashion go hand-in-hand (even if Vidya Balan refuses to agree!). From the bright orange dhak-dhak choli to the chaste ivory Chandni dress, every actress is fashion conscious. And apart from rat-racing for the No 1 heroine spot, they are all quietly competing for No 1 fashionista position.

Madhuri, Sri Devi, Juhi Chawla and Karishma Kapoor ruled the roost till 2000. Apart from making headlines for their acting prowess, they also made style statements with their scintillating saris and salwars.

But the trend has changed this decade. It’s all about velvet gowns, short skirts, hot pants and skinny jeans. So which of the current ruling actress makes the best style statement? And who is their designer? Let’s take a look.

Actress: Kareena Kapoor
Designer: Manish Malhotra

From her sexy Sarah Jessica Parker look in Kambakth Ishq to raunchy Pretty Woman look in Chameli, Manish Malhotra can mould her perfectly into the character she is playing on screen.

iDiva recommends: Although she looks stunning in Manish’s heavily embellished saris, she should also try Narendra Kumar’s blousons and jackets, it will add a dash of funkiness to her already abundant diva…ness.

Actress: Priyanka Chopra
Designer: Swapnil Shinde

If you’ve seen your jaw dropping at the sight of Priyanka in a pastel gown or a golden dress, she has a lot to thank Swapnil for. And the vice versa holds for Swapnil as well. Because, according to him, even Priyanka’s hair cut inspires him!

iDiva recommends: She has already showed off her fashionable streak with Dostana, Pyaar Impossible and Fashion; but its time she tried something quirky rather than playing safe. We recommend Lina Tipnis’s organza shrugs and pleated skirts.

Actress: Vidya Balan
Designer: Sabyasachi Mukerji
After her fashion fiasco in Heyy Baby, she decided to dump Manish Malhotra for good. Wise decision, we must say. Her alliance with Sabyasachi has made her look in her element like never before.

iDiva recommends: Nobody expresses Indian aesthetics like Sabyasachi does. But she should also try Gayatri Khanna’s georgettes and satins. It will suit her voluptuous silhouette.
Actress: Katrina Kaif
Designer: Rocky S

Whether in a satin saree or a micro mini, Katrina looks drop dead gorgeous in anything and everything. Giver her a khadi sack and she’ll make that also look like a million bucks, we bet. So Rocky S is lucky in a way to have Katrina.

iDiva recommends: She should give Falguni and Shane Peacock a shot. With her youthfulness and their quirkiness, they’ll make a helluva team.

Actress: Deepika Padukone
Designer: Tarun Tahilliani

A tall actress and an elitist designer – lethal combo. Deepika has a face of an innocent child and a body of a sultry model, and given the experience of Tarun in this industry; together they set the fashion world on fire.

iDiva recommends: Known for her fashion statements and youthful style sense, Deepika is an icon for lot of teenagers. But she should also try Manish Arora. His zany designs will blend well with her age and her roles.

Who is your favourite designer for Bollywood Inc? Which designer should style which Bollywood celebrity? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Manish Malhotra: A Manish Malhotra creation has a distinct touch. Catch the swirl of skrits and more as models walked the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week. In photo: A model walks the runway in an Manish Malhotra design at the Lakme India Fashion Week Day 2 held at Grand Hyatt Hotel on March 6, 2010 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Chirag Wakaskar/WireImage).

Manish Malhotra: The poise, the perfection, the elegance… short skirts are trendy this summer. In photo: A model walks the runway in an Manish Malhotra design at the Lakme India Fashion Week Day 2 held at Grand Hyatt Hotel on March 6, 2010 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Chirag Wakaskar/WireImage).

Manish Malhotra: Jeans, short dresses, skirts…fashion keeps changing. But this six yard of sheer wonder is what rules the wardrobe for an Indian woman. In photo: A model walks the runway in an Manish Malhotra design at the Lakme India Fashion Week Day 2 held at Grand Hyatt Hotel on March 6, 2010 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Chirag Wakaskar/WireImage).

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After his success in attracting foreign direct investment in the telecom sector, textile minister Dayanidhi Maran is now to replicate the success in the fashion industry, especially textiles. His philosophy of “manufacture in India, sell in India and make money in India” had earlier attracted global telecom giants like Nokia, Motorola and Samsung during his stint as the telecom minister. Maran is now trying to attract global textile giants from the West using the same policy, but with an added point— “sell from India” by making India a regional hub for exports.

With foreign direct investment as its theme, Maran is leading a high-level business delegation to Germany and France on Tuesday. A similar delegation had earlier visited Italy, Switzerland and Turkey. Companies from these countries are in talks for either a green field or a joint venture investment with an Indian partner. Simultaneously, many global apparel & textiles companies have started sourcing higher volumes from India, sources in the textile ministry said.

“The comprehensive investment strategy of the minister is to convince large global textile and clothing brands to not only sell in the Indian domestic market, but also set up a manufacturing base for their global markets in India,’’ the sources said.

According to Maran, “in the crowded and mature market of textiles and international fashion, sustained and consistent efforts are required to attract foreign direct investment to India, leading to a greater integration of the Indian textile industry with the global textile manufacturing system. This deeper integration, together with international levels of excellence and global positioning, is likely to result in higher efficiencies and profitability. Such a strategy is critical to shielding the domestic industry from competition form low-cost producers like Bangladesh and Vietnam. The Centre is committed to such long-term efforts and ultimate success’’.

Indian sari remains the traditional clothing of Indian women. Worn in varied styles, it is a long piece of flat cotton, silk or other fabric woven in different textures with different patterns. The sari has a lasting charm since it is not cut or tailored for a particular size.
This graceful feminine attire can also be worn in several ways and its manner of wearing as well as its color and texture are indicative of the status, age, occupation, region and religion of a woman.

The tightly fitted, short blouse worn under a sari is called a choli. The choli evolved as a form of Indian clothing around the tenth century AD and the first cholis were only front covering; the back was always bare.

Another popular attire of women in Indian clothing is the Indian salwar-kameez. This popular Indian dress evolved as a comfortable and respectable garment for women in Kashmir and Punjab region, but is now immensely popular in all regions of India. Salwars are pyjama-like trousers drawn tightly in at the waist and the ankles. Over the salwars, women wear a long and loose tunic known as a kameez. One might occasionally come across women wearing a churidar instead of a salwar. A churidar is similar to the salwar but is tighter fitting at the hips, thighs and ankles. Over this, one might wear a collarless or mandarin-collar tunic called a kurta.

Though the majority of Indian women wear traditional Indian dresses, the men in India can be found in more conventional western clothing like shirts and trousers.

However, men in Indian villages are still more comfortable in traditional attire like kurtas, lungis, dhotis and pyjamas. Indian dresses & styles are marked by many variations, both religious and regional and one is likely to witness a plethora of colors, textures and styles in garments worn by the Indians.

Use of Gold in Indian Fashion: For this reason, some gold ornament is usually worn against the skin at all times. Indian Gold ornaments are popular because the metal is believed to have the power purify anything it touches.
Ornaments of gold and other metals, often combined with precious and semi-precious gems and beads, are popular with both men and women in India.

Traditionally, Indian ornaments had economic significance for women too. The ornaments given to her at her wedding constituted a daughter’s inheritance from her father ( Dowry).

Customarily land and other property was divided among the sons, though this no longer holds true. In addition, a bride’s ornaments were financial security throughout her life.

Imports of gold rose significantly in India during December, according to new estimates.

The Bombay Bullion Association (BBA) told Reuters that between 32 and 35 tonnes of the precious metal were imported last month, based on provisional figures.

This is compared with the three tonnes of gold recorded in December 2008.

However, overall gold imports for the full year were down compared with 2008, due in part to the rising price of the metal, said Suresh Hundia, president of the BBA.

Gold imports stood at 28 tonnes in November, a drop of six tonnes compared with the same month in 2008 because of high prices, but were up by two tonnes on October 2009’s total, the Business Standard reports.

Indian gold sales picked up over the recent festival and weddings season compared with 2008 as buyers flocked to purchase gifts and investment products for their loved ones and themselves during the auspicious period.

Kolhapuri chappals are elegantly handcrafted footwear. In Kolhapur, these chappals are known as the “Pie-taan”. Usually, they are prepared in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. They are accessible in a range of sizes, models and colors. standard kolhpuri chappals are perfect for every day wear. Kolhapuri chappals decorated with gold threads decorative ribbons can also be showed off on special events.

Kolhapuri chappals are prepared from processed leather. Grazed leather is tough enough to be worn every day. detailed patterns are used for the central chappal design to be cut out. the cut outs are then set aside in natural color or tinted as per conditions. A remarkable thing to make a note of here is that not even one iron nail is used in the whole production process. The sole and the entire body of the chappals are attached together by sewing it which is done with a leather thread. Other additions and decorations are then made for preparing an attractive pair of Kolhapuri chappals. Some of the traditional patterns of Kolhapuri chappals comprise of Kachkadi, bakkalnali, and pukari.

Indian craft never ceases to surprise. It has kept on gifting us with amazing art and craft works over the centuries. We have talked about different crafts existing in India. Some of them have only flourished with the passage of time. Manu sub-urban and rural parts of India will surprise you with the treasure of craft they have mastered. It is only now that, most of them are being recognized and promoted. One of the ancient Indian craft is leather tanning. It is widely prevalent in rural parts of India. An old hereditary craft, it is said to be in existence even before 3000 B.C. even our Rishis and Sadus used to sit on the mats made out of the animal skins.

In the initial days, skins of tigers and deer were used for tanning. Now a day, it is primarily for footwear fashion and leather dresses. Most of the traditional leather products have always remained in demand and thus slightly heavy on pockets. Traditional ones have original and very colorful many designers love to do brocade or decorated textiles on these leather products.

Region wise, it is tough to choose any one in particular for special mention. But we can talk about Kolhapuri chappals that are known for comfort and style. It is from the Maharashtra region. Similarly, Rajasthan has given us lutti or mojadi. It is a sort of fashionable footwear item. Lutti is designed and embroidered in attractive fashion. Some of them are even studded with fascinating designs. Jodhpur and Jaipur are quite famous for leather products.

Diwali lights and the lingering festivity of Dushera is adding more zest to the daily living. Dressing babies is a great joy and all of us marvel to see the innocent children dolled up with braids and traditional attire. Baby clothing in India is progressing in a great trend and is getting new ideas each year. Traditional and ethnic blends with modern yarns are a good way to get the best for children’s clothing.

Hair accessories for little girls are a great charm. Imported varieties along with elegant baby clips adorn the tiny heads that is admirable. Matching hair bands come in cloth variety of pure cottons, satin textures, plains, printed and with gold or silver dustings. Molded acrylic or plastic bracelets are a sure way to mix and match neutral accessories with the charm of the flares in ghagras or an anarkali kurta.

Almost all styles are cut in tiny sizes taking inspiration from the adult sizes. The fresh aroma of ghee cooked delicacies along with furnishings in the house sets in the mood for ethnic wear this Diwali. Realizing the need for comfort, many Indian designers or fashion houses also set in clothes are described as fusion wear. This resembles the embroided pants, sequined skirts, tasseled stoles or the motifs that are very clearly Indian and ethnic.