India is called ‘the golden bird’. But gold is becoming rare thing nowadays. Just like February month, last month again gold prices touched Rs 16,000 per 10 grams mark and expectation are similar at this Diwali time

As per Hindu mythology, Brahma –the creator is also referred as Hiranyagarbha – means ‘one born of gold’. Gold is the basis of purity and beauty, and referred to as the seed of Agni (Fire). Gold, a common monetary exchange medium (in old time) and jewelry are well sought by a rich urbane person to a poor farmer.
Either it’s a wedding time where dowry or gifts will not be complete without adding lots of tolas (carats) of gold. So is the case for festivals like Dussehra / Durga Puja or Diwali or Onam, Pongal time – Gold becomes very important.

But things are changing, specially in metro or 2 tier cities. Girls don’t want to wear yellow gold jewelry. Diamonds are girl’s best friend, and white gold goes well with it. Flaunting engagement ring in White Gold is not rare! Platinum is an expensive option, White gold is the next best option.

Silver jewelry is also a preferred choice by many young women and most of the college chicks love junk jewelry.

In all this, the shine of Gold Jewelry is fading away as a timeless possession.

Image source: rediff.com

Apart from beautifully designed pandals or tents for placing Durga idols, Navratri is celebrated differently in different parts of India. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, its celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya dance which continue till late night during the period. The festival is known as golu in South India, a Golu or Kolu in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Bommai Kolu display is placed in the homes in Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka, which is an exhibition of dolls. In Bengal, Durga Puja is the most important festival and they rejoice with sound of Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh and mild fragrance of Shiuli (some flowers).

Food, music & dance.
Its either gawking on food after breaking fast in Ramazan month and enjoying the Eid feast with Saviyan,and Biryani along with Sufi music and qawwali. For the music – Coke studio music is liked these days by today’s generation.

In Navratri fast you can eat so many vegetarian items that you will not miss chicken!! The items range from Sighare or Kuttu ke atte ki Puri and Aloo Sabzi and Sabudana (Sago) Khichdi, and Makhane ki kheer in deserts are just a few names. Many restaurants in North India turn vegetarian (in some dishes they don’t even add garlic & onion) and offer navratra special food and you would not mind going specifically to eat it. From five start hotels Taj & Hyatt to Haldiram’s, you can enjoy it anywhere.

‘Su che’ song from “What’s your Rashee” is already tuned in many events and so what if Priyanka Chopra is getting excited to attend a dandiya night in Mumbai and tweeting about same, girls in other cities are not less excited. They are taking out their backless chaniya choli, bandini Ghagra with lots of mirror work & jewelry and boys are dressing up in Kedias (Gujarati dress for men) and dancing out with Dandiya sticks on the music of Dhol.

In food, going vegetarian is the demand of festival and picking rich textures and bright colors with glitter is choice of consumers in dresses.

Sweets pics courtesy- www.trivialmatters.blogspot.com

Fashion week in India is not a new thing but what is special this time was it being a solely men’s fashion week and it will definitely play a significant role in positioning the Indian fashion market in world. Planning a all-men-fashion-week was in talks from a long time from the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and after partnership with Van Heusen it is all set to change the dynamics of the Indian fashion landscape.

Van Heusen India Mens Week’ was held in New Delhi on September 11 – 13, 2009 at The Grand and featured 15 shows by 21 designers.
Brands like Reid and Taylor, and Raymonds are exclusive men’s fashion brands, but if one wants to opt for a designer label, the choices are restricted to bridal wear only. But many still feel that Indians are not ready for men’s fashion so what if John Abraham started selling fairness cream and Shahrukh Khan doesn’t mind sitting in bath tub to sell bathing soaps. Mainly because fashion design happens only for weddings in our country, that is why bridal wear is such a big thing. Though the branded men’s apparel segment is growing at 15 per cent and retail industry for men’s apparel is five times bigger than the women’s apparel segment in India (am sure this is news for many).

Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI elaborated on the need for an independent forum for men’s fashion- “Men are active participants and contributors to the growth of fashion today, who have moved beyond deciding their favourite colour of ties and socks to actually cultivating loyalties for designers and lifestyle brands. Menswear dominates a larger per cent of branded apparel sales in the country and is said to be growing at a CAGR of 15%. The ‘Van Heusen India Mens Week’ aims to give menswear designers a structured impetus and the much needed platform to tap this potential of men’s fashion in India.”

India’s first men fashion week began with Ravi Bajaj’s collection. Apart from quality to excellence, the unique feature of his collection was the silhouettes that has evolved from hard edged eighties executive style to the much softer, in touch with soul look that is so trendy these days.

Rohit Bal launched The Badmaash collection depicting the naughty and flirtatious nature of a man and celebrating life in a wicked manner. In his words “The collection is very moody, vivacious, and self-obsessive. It revolves around the theme – I, me and myself,”

Designer Rocky S used skin friendly fabrics like cottons, viols and linen. The collection was replete with colours like beige, ivory and blacks. And his inspiration was – It’s about me looking for freedom in my clothes. It’s about spiritualism in my clothes, so everything is very relaxed and very confident. His collection has stylish jackets, lean pants in exaggerated length.
Actor Dino Morea and cricketer Anil Kumble were showstopper for designer Manoviraj Khosla. Kumble walked the ramp 1st time and admitted that he is learning few things from younger generation of cricketers specially in fashion.

Talk of the event was Greek god look of Shantanu & Nikhil’s collection which has Grecian drapes in silk velvets. Also the man purse, a leather tote or anything sling was an essential accessory for men.

Salman Khan walked in a creation by designers Ashish Soni and Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna on the Grand finale day of ‘Van Heusen India Mens week’. Ashish Soni showcased his collection ‘On the Run’ in the first part, which was inspired by the film Don. And style gurus Rohit & Rahul decided to go eco-friendly and presented soothing collection ‘Hypernature’.

Image source: Van Heusen India Mens Week 2009

Footwear-  Guys have figured out that being experimental with their footwear will take them higher. That’s how after red sneakers, orange, yellow colors are also getting hit. U can team up with your T-shirt or for extra punch, paint some graffiti on them.

Girls doesn’t need to get high on heels, flats are still in. Just try freaky fluorescent straps. Bellies in different styles also look fabulous when you team well with your dress; like coordinating the color with belt and accessories. Incase, you feel very short or bored with flats and want to do some tip-toe, keep a pair of stilletos and platforms. But brown and black chappals are completely no-no. Try bold colors only.

Bottoms- shorts are in! Jeans are out. Girls please throw your capris, only hot pants will do the trick. In case you are shy and don’t have sexy legs can wear knee length shorts and skirts. Harem pants are also in from traditional block prints to plain in colors.

Pattern- After polka dots which are can be dotted anywhere from big tote to long tops to earrings, its checks print that is making statement from shorts, shirts, skirts to bags. Even if it gives school boy feel, wear it for cool & fresh look. Don’t forget, Katrina’s checked shorts in recently launched film ‘Newyork’.

Tops- Bright colors like purple, green, yellow are creating cool waves. With so many t-shirt website like bluebustee etc giving cool offer and cool message on tee, wearing mind on sleeve is also an in thing. In fact wear it for a cause, like supporting LGBTI. Either it is a well-fitted tee or a balloon tops, team it up with shorts or lycra legging.

College trends 2009

Accessories- Wearing the big plastic necklaces and earrings is fading. Wear something different like jewelry made of paper, shells or clay. Blue pottery jewelry is also something in trends. Wearing a belt in colors will add special statement. So, an extra oomph factor will be there if you carry an umbrella in a bright color either to protect you from heat or un-sudden monsoon.
Bigger the better is best for you so tote with polka dots, checks prints or some message are cool to carry around the campus.

Guys are getting more conscious about adding jinx with their accessories made of steel or wooden beads or just a bolder, rounded shade will do the trick. Again, say no to browns & blacks; tints of purple, blue and yellow are high for your eyes.