Indian Selections

…bringing India to you

Indian Kurtis Are Taking the Fashion World by Storm

Posted by indianselection on April 6, 2012

Indians have always been known in the international arena for being fashionable. The styles and trends of Indian fashion keeps on changing every now and then. Almost every outfit worn by a supermodel, a socialite or a movie-star becomes a fashion statement here. It is this constant innovation and incessant styling that have caused some major revolutions to take place in the fashion scenario of this nation. And what revolutions they were! Be it ‘lehenga sarees’ or ‘fistail lehengas’, ‘corset blouses’ or ‘net dupattas’, every invention has its own charm that has successfully swept the fashionistas off their feet. But the title of the most prominent of these inventions has to go to ‘kurtis’. It is one of the best formulae created by the fashion gurus of India.

Can you think of anything better that looks good on women of all ages and sizes? Probably not. Indian Kurti is the ideal item for year-round wear. You just have to make sure that you have the right fabric, the right color, the right silhouette, and the right design, at the right time. And you are sorted. Although, Indian Fashion goes through a cycle of birth and rebirth of styles, kurtis never go out of style. More importantly, it is an outfit which is preferred and not frowned upon by those who prefer to wear traditional clothes and despise western wears with a passion.

Women always want to look their best. Keeping this simple fact in mind, fashion houses and reputed designers are coming up with an array of designs that appeal both to the domestic as well as the international market. It is interesting to note that kurtis rank as a favorite of both working Indian women and homemakers as they can easily be worn with jeans, capris, skirts, tights, leggings, cotton pants, etc.

Kurtis are available in a wide variety of fabrics like, cotton, silk, wool, tussar, crepe, lenin, net faux crepe, georgette, and faux georgette. They are noted for the diversity in vibrant colors and decorative art works too. Some of the most popular one of these works are the chikonkari, embroidery, zardozi, sequins, patch, bandhinis, mirror work, kundan, mina work, stones, sitaras, jamawar embellishments, beads, abstract paintings and geometric printings.

Posted in ethnic Indian attire, Jeans, Kurti | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Revive Your Home with Colors of Rangoli

Posted by indianselection on March 23, 2012

Have you recently been feeling that your home is a bit bland looking? Do you think the entire décor looks too dull and the ambience is bit depressing? It is true that our home decors are mostly inspired by our personalities. If we like bright, vibrant shades, then we would probably like to have one of the walls of our home painted with a deep shade of orange or purple. If we like softer shades, then our home furnishings will most probably have yellow or light green. Are you somebody who belongs to the second category? Yes, there is obviously nothing wrong with liking lighter shades but adding a bit of bright colors to your home decoration every once in a while can really lift up your spirits and rejuvenate you with a lot of energy.

You are very well aware of the above fact if you are an Indian. It does not matter whether you live abroad or in your motherland. All Indians love color and that is why they love ‘Rangoli’ too. If you are not an Indian, you might know that Rangoli is the name of the design that Indians draw with colored powders or rice flour at their doorsteps. The Indian Rangoli is also a decor technique. The themes followed in it, depict the importance of the coexistence of man and other creations of God. The designs are created in a circle in order to depict the infinite cycle of time. It is believed that Rangoli denotes prosperity and joy. Another beauty of this artwork is that it brings families together. This is because the design has to be discussed. It also takes lesser time to complete the design when everybody is working together.

Generally, only edible materials are used to create a Rangoli. This is believed to be auspicious. The items include a paste of rice flour, grains and pulses, leaves of edible plants, yellow calendula flower, etc. The use of rice denotes prosperity, peace and harmony. These designs may be drawn at the entrance of the courtyard or house and also in the worship rooms or dining rooms.

Posted in Home decoraction, How to | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Lehenga Choli Reflects the Elegance of Indian Brides

Posted by indianselection on March 16, 2012

When it comes to Indian attires, no doubt saree still ranks at number one. However, India is a land of unique diversity and this diversity is clearly reflected in the country’s wide offering of dress materials. Among all the fancy dresses that India has to offer, lehenga cholis also have a strong fan following both in the country’s domestic and international markets.

The shine and elegance of lehenga cholis are best felt during Indian weddings. And that too in a big way. Actually the first word that comes to your mind when you see a traditional Indian lehenga is exquisite. In fact, the traditional lehenga made in its appearance felt in the market of Indian traditional wear since the earlier times. There can be no denial to the fact that traditional embroidery has a distinct appeal of its own. Lehengas are available in various designs, colors, patterns, etc. Majority of them are made with mirror work which requires a lot of hardwork from the designers. The designing process of each and every lehenga calls for absolute perfection as the designers aim for complete customer satisfaction.

Since the last decade, the designers have started to improvise various styles and cuts in the lehengas according to customers’ demands. In India women of all ages prefer to wear this dress for traditional programs. Some kinds of lehenga, which are available in the market nowadays, include the wedding lehenga, bridal lehenga, mehendi lehengaa, sangeet lehengga, and designer lehanga. Some of the above mentioned lehengas are worn in different functions of wedding.

While choosing a bridal lehenga, one needs to check out whether the thread chosen for the embroidery work matches with the lehenga. Generally a gold and silver thread is used on a maroon or red silk cloth. However, maroon, red and crimson are also good color choices for threads. However, nowadays, bridal lehengas are not strictly red or maroon. They are available in myriad colors like green, lemon, lilac, pink, sky blue and also gaudy colors like dark green, maroon, blood red, purple, orange and so on. It is said that a fancy lehenga choli actually reflects the internal happiness of the bride.

Posted in ethnic Indian attire, graceful, traditonal clothes | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Add a Fresh Look to Your Home with Indian Cushion Covers

Posted by indianselection on March 10, 2012

There is hardly another country in the world which is as diverse yet as unique as India. This amazing land has a huge variety of cultures, with each having its own unique style when it comes to interior décor. From wall hangings to curtains and from centerpieces to carpets, Indian art and style can make any item of home decoration look absolutely stunning.

Indian art and handiwork have left their mark in the sector of cushion covers too. It is true that a nicely decorated cushion cover can exude charm and aesthetics. These items are not only used to protect the cushions from wear and tear but can change the entire look of the room area if chosen wisely. Generally, cushions are available in various types of color and shapes. Accordingly, their covers are also available in various kinds of materials like cotton, silk, polyesters and leather. While choosing the material and color of the cover you must consider the appearance and use of the cushion. A silk or a leather cover is suitable for a formal and sophisticated setting. On the other hand cotton and polyesters are the best option for kids’ room. They are also fine for daily use as they are easily affordable and easier to maintain.

Various kinds of Indian cushion covers are in demand nowadays. There are embroidered, painted, beaded, knitted, crocheted, laced ones available in the market. Although these are a bit expensive, proper care can make them last a long time. Skilled craftsmen of India use their expertise to draw motifs and do embroidery on these covers. As each of these cushion covers are minutely fashioned by hand, no two cushion covers are same. Every craftsman takes extra care to ensure that his product is stylish, unique and eco-friendly. You can choose the basic materials from cotton, silk, velvet, synthetic mix of fibers and jute. The artwork on each of the covers is accompanied by rare and distinctive designs, patterns, embroidery work, patch work, mirror work, tassels, etc. To put it simply, you would love buying these stuffs and once you do, you would never wish to dispose them.

Posted in Cushion Covers | Leave a Comment »

 
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