Hyderabad designer takes Banjara designs to London-New York festival

Designer Varsha Mahendra with Banjara women showcasing their work.

Hyderabad: A Hyderabad-based designer and her refined presentation of authentic embroidery work by Banjara women has created quite a buzz at the first Women Empowerment Luncheon, as part of the London-New York (LDNY) Festival held at the UN headquarters.

 

Representing India on the global platform, Varsha Mahendra, a former desig-ner from NIFT, showcased her collection that was infused with quintessentially Indian handlooms like Khadi, Ikat, Kalamkari etc.

 

With the increasing need for survival in cities, many Banjara women, who were born with a flair for the art form, are becoming daily wage labourers. This initiative focused on empowerment of women artisans to keep both the craft alive and also generate income. 

 

“I have always been passionate about empowering women who are already into some form of business and help them reach larger audiences. These women are traditional designers and their foundation is deeply rooted in the country.

 

It is indeed a proud feeling to showcase this on a global platform. Many have been working at construction sites to meet their nee-ds and there are no next generation weavers or artisans in such a case. They have a special skill and are very talented.

 

Their embro-ideries haven’t been commonly used as they are raw and rustic. I had to refine them,” claimed Ms Mahendra. She has made her presence felt among women designers from Ethiopia, Mongolia, Palestine, Papua New Guinea and Peru. 

Too good to eat: Gown made entirely out of chocolate

Downton Abbey's costume designer Caroline McCall has made a chocolate dress. (Photo: PH)

London: Downton Abbey's costume designer Caroline McCall has made a chocolate dress by using nine stone of milk, dark and white chocolate.

The gown, which is strapless with a fitted bodice and elegant tulip-shaped skirt made from leaves in varying shades of brown, pale green and chestnut, is made from more than 60kg of Lindt Excellence chocolate, Metro.co.uk reported.

McCall created a template of the handcrafted "Deco Diamond" dress using material and then food artist Paul Wayne Gregory recreated parts of the gown in chocolate and sprayed other parts with the chocolate, coating the entire thing in the sweet stuff.

The Lindt's master chocolatier Stefan Bruderer said that from the first sketches that took inspiration from such a timeless period of decadence, they knew they had the makings of an exquisite design combining the high fashion and gastronomy.

The dress that was created in three months will be unveiled at the Chocolate Show on October 16, 2014.

Double the creative power

Tarun Tahiliani designs based on the twins’ art.

Hyderabad: Art finds a canvas in fashion as the artworks of the Singh Twins, Rabindra and Amrit Singh have inspired couturier Tarun Tahiliani’s latest collection. The London-based artists are well known for their colourful, pop-art large-scale interpretations of intricate miniatures. 

 

The story goes that the twins became fascinated with Mughal miniatures while visiting India with their father, and decided to pursue a career in art instead of medicine contrary to their family’s wishes. The twins were also told that Indian miniatures are not relevant, and that they should be focusing instead on studying Matisse, Gauguin and Picasso. 

 

Of their struggles, Rabindra and Amrit say, “We told them that Gauguin and other artists had been influenced by Indian and other foreign works. So, why were we being denied our way of expressing ourselves? When you live in a predominantly Western society, you are naturally expected to fit into the norms of that world, whether with respect to your social behaviour or the way you dress.

 

As Asians growing up in the UK we were seen as backward and made to feel that we were outdated. For them the traditional institutions of India, like arranged marriage and extended family systems, were derogatory. But through our work we have always tried to challenge that notion and believe that regardless of what people think, we should value our roots and cultural identity.” 

 

Of course the twins’ art is now celebrated the world over. Tarun Tahiliani is the latest to be inspired by their work and has brought out an entire collection based on their works. So how does that make them feel? “We feel elated. He is a fellow artist. His material is fabric and our material is paint. It is inspiring to see an artist like him take inspiration from our work. It is inspiring too to see how carefully he has taken the essence of our paintings, colours, aesthetic and designs and moulded them to his fabrics,” the sisters say.

 

The sisters look to both the past and the present for inspiration. “We describe our own work as half-modern or Past-Modern (as opposed to Post-Modern). Many people think that tradition means old fashioned, boring, outdated and has no relevance in today’s world. But we feel quite strongly that it still has a valid place in society. We are generally inspired by politics and society. We see ourselves very much as social commentators through the work that we do. So we are very much into finding out about the latest developments, craze, trends and what society is most fascinated by and we respond to that as artists. And we try to create a debate around various issues, be it the ‘cult of celebrity’ or the war in Iraq,” they say. 

 

Apart from painting, the twins are also authors and filmmakers. They believe that for a creative mind, the medium is secondary: “You express yourself in different ways.” 

 

They add that they’ve been inspired by Tarun Tahiliani to explore a new series of works. “We are looking at the history of textiles in India. We might include something about the sinister side of the industry, not from the Indian context, but dealing with unpaid labour and slavery. We’d like to educate modern consumers.”

Filler alert for festivity

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has also been reported to use Thermage session for her glow

With Diwali falling this week, most gift bags are full of food items. But this is also the time of the year when women with busy lives head to beauty clinics to refresh themselves and their skin. And there are many celebrities who have taken to derma fillers and botox to look great. Models like Cindy Crawford is reported to use these procedures for flawless skin. Actress  Gwyneth Paltrow has also been reported to use Thermage session for her glow. Closer home, various Bollywood actors use these quick remedies to look their best.

 

Many women prefer conventional anti-ageing and beauty treatments and are happy to get a Botox shot or a session with dermal fillers like Juvederm that smoothen out fine lines and wrinkles. Some also come with interesting demands like lip augmentation or neck lifts. While earlier, beauty salons used to be the ultimate destination for women during this season, today they are seeking better and longer lasting treatments as compared to topical facials and bleaches that consume time and money but have only limited results. Here is when a number of non-surgical cosmetic procedures attract them.

 

For middle-aged women looking for skin rejuvenation and a younger look, Botox and dermal fillers like Juvederm are among the most desired quick shot procedures. While Botox injections can help reduce the frown lines, crow’s feet, dermal fillers take care of the finer lines around the mouth, around the eyes. The hyaluronic acid based fillers play another vital role as they give your skin a glow and radiance through their deep hydration mechanism. As hyaluronic acid binds water, it increases the level of hydration and thus helps the skin glow.

 

Experts feel that the impact of the procedure lasts upto a year, beyond the festive season. Many women are happy going for such procedures once annually. Some other procedures include medifacials to deeply hydrate the skin, chemical peels and microdermabrasion for exfoliating the dead skin and reducing blemishes. For the new-age woman, looking  good is a part of her lifestyle. These do not cost too much and are more suitable for the modern day women. 

 

The author is a dermatologist  in New Delhi 

Lady Gaga buys USD 24 million mansion

Los Angeles: Pop sensation Lady Gaga has reportedly splashed out USD 24 million on a new mansion. The 28-year-old singer, who grew up in New York City, purchased her first home in California, reported TMZ. A real estate source said the 'Bad Romance' hitmaker bought a huge compound in Malibu from the founder of Warner Bros Worldwide Consumer Products Division, Dan Romanelli.

The lavish property, which has a secret entranceway, sits on six acres and boasts five bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, an elevator, pool, gym, wine cellar, two-lane bowling alley, bocce ball court, eight-horse stable and walk-in closets. Romanelli put the house on the market for USD 24.95 million in May 2013. The blonde beauty previously insisted she would never buy a house in Los Angeles after sampling the lifestyle there in 2011.

The Grammy Award winner, who is dating 33-year-old actor Taylor Kinney, started renting a luxurious penthouse apartment in New York City last year for USD 22,000 a month.

Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta passes away at 82

NEW YORK: Legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, whose classic-lined formal wear made US first ladies starting with Jacqueline Kennedy shine, has died at 82, US media reported Monday.

The Dominican-born American fashion icon was called on to dress first ladies -- from Kennedy to Nancy Reagan to Laura Bush among others -- when the event called for something with a regal touch.

Though he hails from the Dominican Republic, de la Renta moved to New York in 1962, and found a kinship with American designers over their lack of pretense in aesthetic.

When automobile heiress and socialite Anne Ford married in a quiet home ceremony in 1965, she chose de la Renta to create this knee-length gabardine gown with crystal beading.

He was also a go-to man for something elegant for actress and fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker, of 'Sex in the City' fame.

The Dominican-born De la Renta - who also lived in Spain and France before coming to New York - was among a group of designers that also included Bill Blass and Geoffrey Beene who helped put the U.S. on the map in the late 1960s as a home of serious fashion. De la Renta worked at Lanvin in Paris.

His specialty was elaborate, embroidered eveningwear. First ladies Laura Bush and Hilary Clinton both wore de la Renta gowns to inaugural balls, and Penelope Cruz and Sandra Bullock wore his work on the red carpet.

De la Renta catered mostly to his socialite friends and neighbors, but eyed more mass appeal with several fragrances and accessories licenses. 

Appart from dressing top Hollywood actresses, he even dressed some of our very own Bollywood divas. Actress Sridevi stunned in this black ensemble at the IIFA awards.

'Slumdog Millionaire' star Freida Pinto also walked the Cannes red carpet in a red and gold Oscar de la Renta creation. 

Hollywood star Kristen Stewart chose to wear this gown at the movie premier of the last instalment of the 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 2'.

Singer Taylor Swift at the MET Gala in an Oscar ensemble.

George Clooney's wife Amal also chose this stunning custom made gown for their wedding in Paris last month.

The exhibit featuring designs from the beginning of de la Renta's career in the 1960s to present day is arranged by themes.

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The designer, who reportedly passed away at his home in Connecticut, had been awarded the lifetime achievement award of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

London Fashion Week: Moschino RTW Spring Summer 2015

Moschino Spring Summer 2015 London Fashion Week Photos: Alessandro Garofalo / Indigitalimages

The theme: For Ages 5 and over. The look: Barbie Doll - lifesize - with all accessories included. A ready to wear collection for Spring 2015 that is mad, colourful, fun, and wild. Definitely the most unrealistic, outrageous, over the top and exaggerated pop cultural trend that will no doubt be a glorious hit for Moschino, especially since Bubblegum Pink is also one of the Top Fashion Colours for Fall 2014 Winter 2015. From Business Woman Barbie dressed in a sparkling pink skirt suit to Roller Skating Barbie, who rolled down the catwalk to the beat of the music, to Work Out Barbie, dressed in a pink tracksuit carrying dumbbells, and a legally blonde Boarding a Plane Barbie who strutted down the runway with her matching carry-on luggage. The non-pink looks in this défilé were just as bold - if not bolder; Barbie at the Spa wrapped in a white terry cloth dress; a spoof Chanel Barbie in a skirt-suit decorated entirely in monochrome sequins; Ghetto Fab Barbie in gold chains...and more gold chains. Finally Cowgirl Barbie wore sequined blue jeans, fuchsia boots and a 70's vintage chic long-sleeve blouse. Many of the outfits were accessorized to the maximost with plastic-fantastic handbags. While it doesn't matter that Barbie is well over 55 years old, we should all aspire to resemble Mattel's iconic plastic toy - regardless of your age. So is this another New Low of High Fashion? No such thing. It’s The New Order of Fashion.

New York Fashion Week: Oscar de la Renta RTW S/S 2015

Gingham style! Designer Oscar de la Renta also merged the buffalo check on casual coats, cropped tops, pencil skirts and dresses for his beautiful Ready To Wear Spring Summer 2015 collection during Fashion Week in New York. The blown-up version of the gingham, one of the bigtrends forecast for upcoming seasons, was a hit in light blue, pink and black. The pastel colours were a dominant theme in this défilé. Strapless styles and motifs were also repeated in evening gowns and full-skirted organza cocktail dresses which were were delicately embroidered with floral embellishments, foliage and contrasting lining in bright tints. Accessories were kept to a minimum. None required if you consider the power decorative accents exude and bestow. All photos courtesy of Giovanni Giannoni.

Flat Belly Diet For Everyone

Recommended foods for flat belly diet:

Eggs;
Olive oil;
Lean meat ( author specifically recommends turkey );
Natural peanut butter (no added sugar );
Grains;
Raw almonds;
Low fat cheese ( yogurt , cheese , milk, cottage cheese – all with low fat );
Whey;
Raspberries , strawberries , blackberries , blueberries;
Beans and peas;
Spinach and any other green vegetables;
Oatmeal with skim milk.

6 Rules for the flat belly diet

1 . Eat six meals a day ! Prepare your food packets in the evening for the next day and divide it into six small meals to keep your metabolism active and burn fat all day.

2 . Take breakfast! Breakfast is recommended in two healthy and nutritious either oatmeal with skim milk , strawberries , almonds and low-fat milk or boiled eggs and lean meats. Any option you choose, do not skip breakfast.

3 . Drink natural shakes! Natural shakes, homemade, vegetables, fresh fruit and skim milk in the diet are great because they give you immediate feeling of fullness and not bloating.

4 . Do not count calories! Counting calories obsessively just makes you stress and makes you feel frustrated, so give up the habit. Eat plenty of foods recommended to burn fat and lose weight without the need to keep track of calories.

5 . Drink plenty of plain water! Carbonated beverages are strictly prohibited and alcohol, two of the main causes of a swollen abdomen appearance. Aerated water clean and moisturize your body and your abs will get much flatter.

6 . Cheating once a week! To motivate you even more, the author proposes flat belly diet to give yourself a chance to get a meal as you like once a week. Knowing that you can cheat at a time set in advance, you’ll feel much less tempted to eat unhealthy foods in the remaining time.

You can try some exercises for six pack abs or even for 8 pack. 

Beauty Basic: 4 Types Of Foundation Brushes

Hey Girls!

When I first starting up in make up, I barely knew we needed to use brush/applicator to apply foundation. All I knew I just need to use my big ol' fingers to apply it and it's all good. But thank's to YouTube, now I know there's another way to apply foundation in order to get a better result. It's by using a foundation brush. 

However, there's a lot of kinds and shapes of foundation brush. At first, I only used one type of brush, but through out the years I have been expanding to use 4 types of brushes. Each brushes have a different effects and different result. And this time, I want to share with you all my opinion on 4 types of foundation brushes that I've been using. They are Buffing Brush, Stippling Brush, Flat Top Brush, and Classic Foundation Brush. 

Buffing Brush

Honestly, I've been reaching this brush more often than my other brushes. I like how this brush has round shape which can easily reach narrow area around my nose. The bristle usually dense and short. By buffing out this brush into your skin, you will get a flawless skin with no harsh line. Use this brush by swirling it in circular motion all over your face and to your neck as well. This brush is perfect to get a medium or full coverage. Buffing Brush works best for liquid and cream foundation. But you  can also use it for mineral foundation which I haven't tried.  Use this brush when you need to get done your make up in hurry, it's easily to work with and it will blend your foundation in a matter of second. 

• Coverage: Medium to  Full 
• Best for: liquid foundation, cream foundation, and mineral foundation

Stippling Brush

When I first got this brush, I had no idea what to do with it. Well, ofc, it's for foundation, but when I used it, it was kinda useless and weird. I even asked to my self, why people invented this brush? So  then I started to use this brush more and more, and now I am happy to say that I  sort of "understand" this brush. First of all, stippling brush is designed with denser bristles at the bottom and more spread out at the top. The hairs are usually made from syntactic fibers and very soft. With a proper use of Stippling Brush, you can achieve an airbrushed effect with your foundation. However, it took me a while to finally be able to use this brush properly, which is the main problem with this type of brush. This brush is not intended to be used with  too much pressure. When we do that, it will leave a streaky marks on the skin which is not the look that we are looking for. Just dab the brush into your foundation and lightly swirl it to your skin and you'll reach a satisfying result.

• Coverage: Light to Medium
• Best for: Liquid foundation.

Flat Top Brush
Another type of brush that immaculate to achieve a heavier coverage with your foundation. Flat Top Brush is packed with flat dense synthetic bristles which ideal for liquid, mineral, or cream foundation. The finish of this brush is similar to buffing brush, it gives flawless look with an exception that Flat Top Brush provide more coverage.  Dab the foundation onto your face and swirl the brush in circular motion all over you face and neck to get the look that you want. Here's the problem occur, since the bristle is so dense and flat, it needs more control in application and it takes a lot of muscles to work it around the face. Moreover, this brush tends to be difficult to reach certain area around my face due to its flatness.

• Coverage: Medium to Full Coverage
• Best for: Liquid, Cream, and Mineral Foundation

Foundation Brush
Flat Foundation Brush is a classic brush that I believe has been around for ages before other types of foundation brushes were existed. This is the brush that you need when you want a full coverage result with so little time for application. Meaning, this brush is very easy and quick to use. Just swipe, swipe, swipe and that's it! ( Kidding!) But really, it's very simple to use this brush. Flat Foundation brush is best for liquid or creamy foundation. However, many people complaint that Flat Foundation Brush sometimes leaves streaky effect on the face. So it's advisable that after the application of this brush, we smooth out the foundation with a blender or sponge.

• Coverage: Full Coverage
• Best for: Liquid and Cream Foundation

 If you ask me which one is my favorite foundation brush? I have to say Buffing Brush is the winner. It's easy to use and it's able to give both sheer and heavy coverage. But it depends to your own preference, I know some people love the stippling brush more than anything, or choose Flat Top Brush over the Flat Foundation Brush. So keep searching until you found the right one! I'll see you in my next post and have a nice day!